If you are attending in person, we ask that you usethis link to make a reservation by March 2, 2026.
Lori J. Ryerker
ISU B.S. Chemical Engineering 1983
Retired Chairman, CEO and President of Celanese
Lori Ryerkerk is a visionary leader in the energy and chemical industries and a dedicated advocate for women in engineering. With more than four decades of experience at Celanese Corporation, Shell, Hess Corporation, and ExxonMobil, Lori has built a reputation for transformative leadership and strategic innovation.
Lori currently serves on the Board of Directors for Eaton Corporation, Norfolk Southern Railway and Cencora. From 2019 through 2024, she served as CEO and Chair of Celanese Corporation, a Fortune 500 global chemical and specialty materials company. Under her leadership, Celanese experienced remarkable growth, achieving $11 billion in sales, and earning recognition for its sustainability initiatives, corporate citizenship, and inclusion efforts.
Lori’s journey from an Iowa State chemical engineering graduate to one of the 47 female Fortune 500 CEOs is a testament to her dedication and innovative spirit. But her impact extends beyond the boardroom — she is a passionate mentor and advocate for the Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) program at Iowa State. She co-founded the Ryerkerk-Griffith WiSE Faculty Fellowship, which strengthens educational offerings and enhances the program’s prominence on campus. In addition, the Ryerkerk-Griffith Completion Grant in Engineering provides financial assistance to undergraduate students facing financial hardships, helping them complete their degrees.
Lori and her husband, the Honorable Carl R. Griffith, are longtime supporters of Lamar University and the Lamar University Foundation. Both were actively involved as volunteers and donors for many years prior to their marriage in 2017. In recognition of their sustained generosity, they were named members of the Mirabeau Society in 2020 and the Lamar University Legacy Society in 2021.
Lori has served on the Lamar University College of Engineering Advisory Council since 2004 and joined the Lamar University Foundation Board of Trustees in 2018. She served as an Executive in Residence Speaker in 2006.
Through a generous $1 million planned gift, Lori and Carl established the Carl R. Griffith and Lori Ryerkerk Griffith Scholarship in Criminal Justice and the Carl R. Griffith and Lori Ryerkerk Griffith Scholarship in Engineering, further strengthening educational opportunities for future Lamar University students.
Lori’s leadership and contributions to the chemical industry have been widely recognized. Her exceptional leadership was honored in 2020 when she was named D Magazine’s CEO of the Year. In 2022, she received the prestigious Kavaler Award from The Chemists’ Club, an honor voted on by her peers to recognize outstanding leadership and innovation in the global chemical sector. In 2025, she was honored as the Recipient of the Petrochemical Heritage Award, by the Science History Institute, the Founders Club and the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers. She has also been inducted into the Iowa State University Chemical and Biological Engineering Hall of Fame and received the Iowa State Alumna Award in 2025.
Invocation
Sheree Pierce
Director of Neighborhood Ministries
Wesley Methodist Church
Pledges
Amanda Ellis
Business Banker, AVP
Hancock Whitney
Introduction of
Guests
Kristie Young
Founder & Chief Consultant
KMY Consulting
Introduction of
Speaker
Judge Branick
County Judge
Jefferson County
Please volunteer for Head Table responsibilities through the
Rotarians, may attend using a regular meal ticket or a $20 meal ticket if they plan to eat.
Non-Rotarians may purchase meal tickets for $30.
Reserved sponsored tables are available for individuals and organizations wishing to support the event.
Click HERE to purchase a Non Rotarian meal or to purchase a Sponsorship table.
As part of the Subaru Loves the Earth® initiative, JK Subaru is partnering with the Arbor Day Foundation to give our community trees that are ready to be planted, free of charge. Planting a tree helps cool neighborhoods, improve air and water, and create habitat for wildlife. A variety of regionally appropriate trees will be available for you to choose from to enhance the beauty of our surroundings while making an impact on the environment. We are partnering with them to help distribute these trees, and we would love if you would reserve a tree to have them planted locally!
The March meeting of the Rotary Club of Beaumont was held on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at the MCM Elegante’ Hotel. The noon meeting was called to order by Club President Uliana Trylowsky. Joining Ulianna at the head table were Desiree Pete providing the Invocation, Diane Thompson leading the pledges, and John Lee for introduction of guests and visiting Rotarians.
Announcements:
*Uliana gave a reminder of International Women’s Day meeting to be held next week on March 11th. She also announced that there would be a committee meeting for that event to occur following today’s meeting.
*Uliana also announced that there would be a Rotary After Hours tomorrow March 5 at “5 Under Golf”.
*Jay Wilson introduced a new member: Steve Pike.
*Caralee Thompson was Rotarian of the Day and she announced the Christus Gala for 4/11 that will benefit the Children’s Miracle Network.
*Floyd McSpadden announced that nominations are being accepted for the T. Kelsey Lamb Award which will be presented at the 3/25 meeting, at which Dr. Jimmy Simmons will be the speaker.
Virtue Alexander introduced today’s speaker: Beaumont’s Mayor Roy West. Mr. West is a lifelong Texan, a native of Beaumont and a graduate of Lamar University. Mr. West has held a variety of occupations including a Houston police officer, owner of a home-security company and the mortgage industry among others. Currently Roy West is mayor of Beaumont since 2023. Virtue attested to his personal philosophy of “People deserve to be treated well” as something he promotes daily.
Mr. West expressed appreciation and credit to all the city departments and their 1400+ employees plus contactors for all the great things they are doing for the city. He informed us about the maintenance required on the over 700 miles of roads in the city, about the water department’s efforts to control leaks due to changes in weather, how the Solid Waste department provides weekly heavy trash removal which is more often than most cities. He talked about the departments that serve the city and helps to keep people wanting to live here, such as Parks and Recreation that has such successful sports programs at some of the parks – the Libraries which offer more opportunities to the community such as offering internet services, and equipment to check out such as sewing machines and pickle ball equipment. He went on to comment on the expense of the fire trucks and equipment needed by the Fire & Rescue department and that the employees have dual certification for EMT and firefighting. The Police department is using cameras to read license plates as an example to help keep the public and officers safe. An imminent big change was pointed out for the position of City Manager as Mr. Ken Williams is posted to retire. Most definitely overall, Mr. West says the community should be proud of all the city departments. He asked all the city staff who were present to stand and be recognized.
Uliana thanked our speaker by acknowledging a donation to be made in his honor to Rotary International in the area of Community and Economic Development. After reciting the “4-way test”, the meeting was adjourned.
