Member Profiles

Roberto "Rex" Martinez - President
 
I was born in Houston, Texas, on 07/20/1994.
My current profession is in the private security industry working as a field officer, part time private investigations officer, and Security Technology Expert.  I joined the Lee High School Interact Club back in 2013 and, upon graduation, continued my Rotary service by joining the Galleria Rotaract Club. When that club disbanded, I joined the West Houston Katy Rotaract Club and within a few short months became its President. Now I am also, jointly, a proud member of the Sharpstown Rotary Club!  My goals in Rotary are to increase support for Rotaract Clubs -- especially those based in the community where retention is steady and interest is attention-grabbing.
 
I am always willing to put my full energy into any project that abides by the 4 Way Test and places a smile on someone's face.  My hobbies include reading history books, watching documentaries, and doing occasional target practice at the shooting range. My favorite foods are Korean, Japanese and Italian!  My favorite book is The Art Of War by Sun Tzu even though I prefer practicing The Art of Peace!
Karen Blakeman – Club Secretary
FAMILY
  • Native Texan
  • 3 Daughters, all native Houstonians 
CAREER
  • Texas A&M University: Bachelor of Environmental Design, Cum Laude & Master of Architecture
  • Certified Interior Designer, Registered Architect - Texas, LEED Accredited Professional, Certified Document Technologist
  • Cutting-Edge Health Supplements & Skincare
  • Financial Educator & Debt Eliminator
ROTARY
  • 36 yrs Perfect Attendance
  • Austin Club, 1989-92
  • Westchase Club, 1992-96; Paul Harris Fellow
  • Sharpstown Club, 1996-now; President 2000-01 & 2020-21; RIF Major Donor
  • Assistant Governor 2021-2025
  • District Peace Committee and Chair of Empowering Girls & Women
  • ESRAG & RMB
  • World Academy for the Future of Women
Greg Gregory - Treasurer
 
Greg is the owner of Gregory Financial Services, Inc.  His primary goal as a trusted advisor is to be available to provide insightful advice to enable his clients to make informed financial decisions.
 
Greg and wife, Mary are graduates and RED-hot supporters of the University of Houston.  They have 2 daughters and expect grandchildren soon.
 
Greg has been an active member of the Sharpstown Club for many years and served as President in 1999-2000.
Violet O'Brien - Past President 2023-2024
Independent Signing Agent
 
I work as a business transaction coordinator and client relationship manager for  Lawyers Escrow Company which specializes in escrow and closing services for the sale and purchase of businesses.
 
I enjoy the honesty of Rotary.  We are not out to impress anyone, just change the world for the better any little ol' way we can.
 
Jon King - Sergeant at Arms
Retired Firefighter
 
I am a Native Texan. I was born in Pecos and moved to Houston when I was four years old. I graduated from Milby High School, obtained an AA from South Texas Junior College, and was awarded the degrees of a B.S. in Technology and M.S. in Occupational Education from the University of Houston.  
I joined the Houston Fire Department in 1957 and retired in 1995 as a Senior Captain.  I taught at the University of Houston College of Technology for 6 years.
I have a daughter, Stephanie, son-in law and 3 grand children.
 
I joined Sharpstown Rotary Club in 1972 and have a perfect attendance record to present.  I have served as a Board Member of our club for over 30 years and was President for two terms in 1988-89 and 2017-18.
I am Literacy Chair for the Neff Early Learning Center and for Neff Elementary School in Sharpstown and a Board Member of Team Houston FirstBook.          
             
J P Jourard - Club Administration Director
Retired Hospitality Industry
 
John Paul, J P, has served in many capacities in the Hotel business.  Activities that became a natural outgrowth of his profession included leadership positions with the Asian Chamber, Southwest Management District as well as Rotary.
J P joined Rotary when in San Antonio and was active in 2 different Clubs over the years.  He became a Paul Harris Fellow while in San Antonio.
Since coming to Houston, J P has been a member of the Sharpstown Club, serving as President.
Kenneth P Marsh - Membership Director
 
Author of "Fearless Networking"
Arif Saleem - Club Service Project Director
Saleem is the CEO of Affordable Insurance of Texas and the Chairman of the American Insurance Agents Association (AIAA).
Saleem considers himself to be an entrepreneur and, apart from the insurance Industry, has successfully ventured into textiles, software development, as well as Outsourced Customer Solutions.
Saleem is also a philanthropist and has been an active member of Rotary for over 15 years. He has lived in Houston since 1985.
 
His passion for flying led Saleem to become a mission pilot in the Civil Air Patrol, an auxiliary of the United States Air Force. He currently serves in the Civil Air Patrol (US Air Force Aux., Texas Wing), www.txwgcap.org
 
Currently Saleem is involved in the following successful ventures: President/MD : E-Hospital Services Inc.,
CEO/President : Affordable Insurance of Texas (AIT)
CEO: Insurance Assistant Inc., 
Chairman/CEO: American Insurance Agents Association, 
CEO/President : Cloud Software Tech Inc., 
President/MD : Global Retention Solutions Inc., 
Vice President : Mianoor Marketing Inc., 
Vice President : U&I Trading Inc.,
Director : International Foundation for Mother & Child Health (IFMCH), www.ifmch.com 
Yunchiu Chang - Public Relations Director
 
Yunchiu works at the HEART Program which gives vocational training to adults with disabilities.
Nuzhat Siddiqui - R I Foundation Director
 
Nuzhat is an entrepreneur applying her business acumen to international importing, real estate and property development.
Peter Gascoyne
 
I was born and educated in England and moved to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in 1976 to begin research in cell biophysics. I moved to Houston in 1986 to develop a research program at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in biomedical engineering over a 30 year career until I retired as Professor in 2015.
 
I enjoy hiking, camping, sailing, playing music, philosophy and being a hopeless nerd. I have two sons and a daughter and a wonderful, talented wife.  Having focused intensely on research for so many years, I joined Rotary because of the outreach opportunities it affords me with like-minded people to create and work on humanitarian and peace projects in our community and beyond. I love the diversity and vibrancy of our members, the companionship and constant humor we share, and our commitment to service beyond ourselves.
 
My favorite project at present is helping to develop a social and emotional support application for smart phones to help school students coping with the stressful impacts of the covid pandemic.  Our club offers new members the chance to spend time with our interesting characters and opportunities to join in ongoing projects or to create a new one with our support.
Don Johnson
 
Don is semi-retired from the shipping business.
Honorary Member
  Her Majesty, Queen Evangelist,
  Dr. (Barr) Josephine Diete-Spiff PGDE, JP -
  Honorary Member
 
  QUEEN, Twon Brass Kingdom
  PRESIDENT, Queens of the Niger Delta Initiative
  •   Chief Executive Officer, Peretogu Integrated       Services 2019 – Date
  • Past Managing Director/ CEO. Titare Micro Finance Bank Ltd, Phc. 2006 – 2015
  • Chairperson/ Proprietress, Titare Star Royal Academy (formerly Bereton College)1993 – Date
  • Chairperson, BOT, Foundatin for Children Orientation. 2001-Date
  • President/Founder, LJADS foundation for Widows, physically challenged Aged & Orphans 2009-Date
  • Chairperson, NNEW (NECA Network of Entrepreneurial Women) South-South 2013-2016
  • Grand Patroness – Character Moulding Foundation 2022 – Date
  • Independent Director, University Press PLC 2001- Date
  • Managing Partner, Spiff Fitness and Health Institute – 2022- Date
  • Certified Trainer, LA Fitness International—2023 – Date
  • Certified Microfinance Banker and a Licensed Texas Healthcare Provider
 
Ilfa (Lilly) Gomes - Honorary Member
 
Fun fact my last name is Portuguese!
I was born and raised in Houston, Texas and I work as a 911 dispatcher.
 
It is a hobby of mine to do arts and crafts in my spare time which has prompted me to have a small side hobby/business making shirts with vinyl.
 
I am the currently secretary of the West Houston Katy Rotaract Club. Even though I am still new to both Rotaract and Rotary, I enjoy the volunteer opportunities as well as the social activities. These allow me to interact with many different types of people. I also have much more opportunity to make positive changes to my community as well as having a presence in volunteering projects, whether local or international.
Wayne Staton - Honorary Member
 
Born in the Lynchburg, Virginia area in 1951 and lived there most of his life. He contracted polio at the age of 8 months. It left him with a weak right hip and leg.
In high school he was valedictorian of his class. He graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in Physics with honors. After college he started his career in computers and has worked in that field ever since.  Since 1999 he has worked at BMC Software, where he is a Lead Technical Support Analyst. 
 
In Virginia, he was a Briefing Leader for the Hunger Project and President of the Boonsboro Ruritan Club in Lynchburg, Virginia.  Here in Texas, he is active with Rotary International and Landmark Education. He is a past president of the Rotary Club of Sharpstown.
Wayne is married to Gwen Corolla (past president of the Rotary Club of Memorial-Spring Branch). Together they have 6 grown children, 5 grand-children and 1 one great-child. She and he are partners in making the world a better place.
 
Wayne became a Rotarian in 2007. He is a Paul Harris Fellow, a Paul Harris Society member, a Polio Plus Society member, a Bequest Society member, a Major Donor and White Hat Society member. He is the past District 5890 Polio Plus Chair and is currently co-chair with PDG Scott Rainey. In 2014 he was District 5890 Rotarian of the year and has twice been named his club Rotarian of the year. In 2016 he received the Regional Service Award for a Polio-Free World from Rotary International.
Jerrie Ueberle - Honorary Member
 
Jerrie is the Founder of the World Academy for the Future of Women.  The Academy develops global leaders in areas where women are marginalized.  It started in China and has added locations in Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Uganda, South Africa, Kenya, and Mexico.