2022-2023 Lake Houston Rotary Club president, Eric Gomez (right), receives his plaque marking the end of his Rotary presidency effective June 30th from incoming 2023-2024 club President Juan Aybar. Leadership of the community service club was also passed to President Aybar at the club's Annual Installation Dinner last month. Outgoing club officers and board members were also given recognition and thanks from Mr. Gomez. New club officers and board members were sworn in by Dr. Tom Kelchner, Rotary District 5890 Governor nominee.
Lake Houston Rotary Club president, Eric Gomez of Humble, passed leadership of the active community service club to in-coming 2023-2024 club president Juan Aybar of Houston at their Annual Installation Dinner the final week of June. The dinner, themed as “Havana Nights”, was held at the Courtyard by Marriott at Generation Park in Houston.
Approximately eighty-five Rotarians, family and guests gathered to bid farewell to President Gomez and his officers and directors, and welcome President Aybar, and his officers and directors for the new Rotary year (July 1, 2023-June 30,2024).
2022-2023 Lake Houston Rotary officers and board of directors (front row left to right) Christy Tarkington, Laurie Polomsky, and Susan Brodbeck; (back row left to right) Mike Kevlin, Pam McNair, Kathy Lemman,, Eric Gomez, Juan Aybar, Dr. Roger Brown, Scott Hively, and Bruce Wood. (Photo Courtesy of Pat Guard, The Forest Image magazine)
Also on hand were the out-going and incoming officers and directors of the its satellite Summer Creek club. Adam Shepherd of Humble assumes the president’s position from Dr. Destry Dokes of Houston.
The new officers and directors were inducted by Rotary District 5890 Governor nominee for 2025-2026, Dr. Tom Kelchner.
Lake Houston Rotary's Summer Creek Satellite Club President, Adam Shepherd (left), and Lake Houston Rotary's Club President, Juan Aybar (right), are congratulated by Rotary District 5890 Governor nominee for 2025-2026, Dr. Tom Kelchner.
During his remarks, Dr. Kelchner shared Rotary’s theme for the new year, “Create Hope for the World”. He said, “Ordinary people see problems and issues as negative. Not Rotarians, we see these as opportunities to serve…on the local, state, national and international levels. We will together Create Hope for the World!”
He also asked the new officers and directors to uphold Rotary’s 4-Way Test of the things we think, say, or do. “Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?”
Joining President Aybar in guiding Lake Houston Rotary this year are Laurie Polomsky, Secretary; Scott Hively, Treasurer; Dr. Roger Brown, President-Elect; Eric Gomez, Immediate Past President; board members Kathy Lemman, Christy Tarkington, Michael Kevlin, Pam McNair and Susan Brodbeck.
Les Davis (right) received the "Rising Star Award" from President Eric Gomez. (Photo Courtesy of Pat Guard, The Forest Image magazine)
It was a great time for fellowship and for President Gomez to distribute service awards to members who provided extra help to the club during his year. The Rising Star award was given to Les Davis and Rotarian of the Year was presented to Bruce Wood.
President Eric Gomez presented Rotarian of the Year award to Bruce Wood. (Photo Courtesy of Pat Guard, The Forest Image magazine)
The “Service Above Self” award winner, Kathleen Sison, was out of town but it was presented to her at a future meeting. Michael Carr received a special life-time award for consistently being the number one seller of Corvette (and auto) raffle tickets for the club’s fundraisers every year.
Michael Carr received a special life-time award for consistently being the number one seller of Corvette (and auto) raffle tickets for the club’s fundraisers every year. (Photo Courtesy of Pat Guard, The Forest Image magazine)
He also made a point to thank all of this year’s committee chairs including Susan Brodbeck, Rotary Youth Exchange; Felipe La Rota, International; Bruce Wood, Public Relations; Mike Kevlin, Club Service; Jim Polomski, Membership; Valerie Copley, Social; Marianna Price, Programs; Casey Eakin, Veterans Service; Juan Aybar, Raffle; Daniel Contreras, Golf Tournament; Bob Cassidy, Sargant-of-Arms with help of Les Davis; Christy Tarkington, Junior Rotarians; and Pam McNair, Community Giving.
And Gomez recognized all his club officers and directors which included Juan Aybar, Dr. Roger Brown, Scott Hively, Kathy Lemman, Pam McNair, Laurie Polomsky, Christy Tarkington and Bruce Wood.
Before giving up the microphone, President Gomez expressed his thanks to all the club’s sponsors for supporting the club’s mission to serve the Lake Houston community. Singled out for special recognition were Milan Saunders at Plains State Bank, Robbins Chevrolet, Edward Jones, KW Receivables, Stellar Bank, Price Financial, Lake Houston Family YMCA, San Jacinto College, and Dr. Kevin Burke DDS.
Approximately eighty-five Rotarians, family and guests gathered to bid farewell to President Gomez and his officers and directors, and welcome President Aybar, and his officers and directors for the new Rotary year (July 1, 2023-June 30,2024).
2022-2023 Lake Houston Rotary officers and board of directors (front row left to right) Christy Tarkington, Laurie Polomsky, and Susan Brodbeck; (back row left to right) Mike Kevlin, Pam McNair, Kathy Lemman,, Eric Gomez, Juan Aybar, Dr. Roger Brown, Scott Hively, and Bruce Wood. (Photo Courtesy of Pat Guard, The Forest Image magazine)
Also on hand were the out-going and incoming officers and directors of the its satellite Summer Creek club. Adam Shepherd of Humble assumes the president’s position from Dr. Destry Dokes of Houston.
The new officers and directors were inducted by Rotary District 5890 Governor nominee for 2025-2026, Dr. Tom Kelchner.
Lake Houston Rotary's Summer Creek Satellite Club President, Adam Shepherd (left), and Lake Houston Rotary's Club President, Juan Aybar (right), are congratulated by Rotary District 5890 Governor nominee for 2025-2026, Dr. Tom Kelchner.
During his remarks, Dr. Kelchner shared Rotary’s theme for the new year, “Create Hope for the World”. He said, “Ordinary people see problems and issues as negative. Not Rotarians, we see these as opportunities to serve…on the local, state, national and international levels. We will together Create Hope for the World!”
He also asked the new officers and directors to uphold Rotary’s 4-Way Test of the things we think, say, or do. “Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?”
Joining President Aybar in guiding Lake Houston Rotary this year are Laurie Polomsky, Secretary; Scott Hively, Treasurer; Dr. Roger Brown, President-Elect; Eric Gomez, Immediate Past President; board members Kathy Lemman, Christy Tarkington, Michael Kevlin, Pam McNair and Susan Brodbeck.
Les Davis (right) received the "Rising Star Award" from President Eric Gomez. (Photo Courtesy of Pat Guard, The Forest Image magazine)
It was a great time for fellowship and for President Gomez to distribute service awards to members who provided extra help to the club during his year. The Rising Star award was given to Les Davis and Rotarian of the Year was presented to Bruce Wood.
President Eric Gomez presented Rotarian of the Year award to Bruce Wood. (Photo Courtesy of Pat Guard, The Forest Image magazine)
The “Service Above Self” award winner, Kathleen Sison, was out of town but it was presented to her at a future meeting. Michael Carr received a special life-time award for consistently being the number one seller of Corvette (and auto) raffle tickets for the club’s fundraisers every year.
Michael Carr received a special life-time award for consistently being the number one seller of Corvette (and auto) raffle tickets for the club’s fundraisers every year. (Photo Courtesy of Pat Guard, The Forest Image magazine)
He also made a point to thank all of this year’s committee chairs including Susan Brodbeck, Rotary Youth Exchange; Felipe La Rota, International; Bruce Wood, Public Relations; Mike Kevlin, Club Service; Jim Polomski, Membership; Valerie Copley, Social; Marianna Price, Programs; Casey Eakin, Veterans Service; Juan Aybar, Raffle; Daniel Contreras, Golf Tournament; Bob Cassidy, Sargant-of-Arms with help of Les Davis; Christy Tarkington, Junior Rotarians; and Pam McNair, Community Giving.
And Gomez recognized all his club officers and directors which included Juan Aybar, Dr. Roger Brown, Scott Hively, Kathy Lemman, Pam McNair, Laurie Polomsky, Christy Tarkington and Bruce Wood.
Before giving up the microphone, President Gomez expressed his thanks to all the club’s sponsors for supporting the club’s mission to serve the Lake Houston community. Singled out for special recognition were Milan Saunders at Plains State Bank, Robbins Chevrolet, Edward Jones, KW Receivables, Stellar Bank, Price Financial, Lake Houston Family YMCA, San Jacinto College, and Dr. Kevin Burke DDS.
Gomez also thanked Social Committee Chair Valerie Copley and her committee for putting the evening event together.
The new leaders of the Summer Creek satellite club besides President Adam Shepherd are Larkin LeSueur, Secretary; Latonia Thompson, Treasurer; President-Elect Almeria Strauder; Immediate Past President Destry Dokes; and board member Sheena Girner.
It wasn’t all club business during the annual meeting. Club members experienced a little international flavor with a Rotary pop quiz moderated by Dr. Cherry Adchavanich who was visiting from the Rotary Club of Guadalajara International.
To view more than 30 photos from the Annual Installation Dinner visit Lake Houston Rotary's Facebook page.
To view more than 30 photos from the Annual Installation Dinner visit Lake Houston Rotary's Facebook page.
Learn more about how the Rotary Club of Lake Houston Area Rotary helps to make our community a better place to live, work and play by joining us for lunch most Wednesdays and the Lake Houston Family YMCA in Kingwood or visiting our website at www.LHARotary.com.
Our Summer Creek satellite club meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month from 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. at Generation Park 3rd Floor, Nimble Office Suite, 250 Assay St., Houston, TX 77044
Visitors interested in learning more about Rotary are welcome. Membership is by invitation.