Clear Lake Chatter 1

LEAP for Mankind Gala Chairman Randy Straach, left, and Space Center Rotary President Stan Galanski, right, thank Rotarians Ralph Kramer and Judge Holly Williamson for their upbeat performance as emcees for the event. Harbour Resort for the luncheon. Adrienne Sun, Joyce Jacobs and Myrna Baker, from left, stop to visit with one another during the opening reception at Rotary’s LEAP for Mankind Awards Gala at the NASA Clear Lake Hilton. South Shore Harbour Resort. Space Center Rotary LEAP Award honorees Rick Gornto and his wife Janice, at left, and Bastion Technologies President Jorge Hernandez and his wife, Rosi come to the stage to accept their LEAP for Mankind Awards at the Rotary event at the NASA Clear Lake Hilton

Space Center Rotary brings new event to the Bay Area

SPACE CENTER ROTARY introduced a new event to the Bay Area community March 25. And, much to the Rotarians’ enjoyment, the LEAP for Mankind Awards Gala turned out to be a delightful evening. Rick Gornto was the individual honoree and Bastion Technologies, represented by Jorge Hernandez, was honored as the business award recipient. Both were graciously applauded by the audience for their significant past and ongoing leadership and philanthropic work in the Bay Area.

Rick, who came with his wife, Janice, has served as a board member and financial supporter of several area organizations, most notably Communities in Schools-Bay Area which targets at-risk children who are in danger of dropping out of school. His commitment to one of Rotary’s Area of Focus, Service Above Self, motivated him to start Higher Up Texas in 2018. This non-profit organization mentors high school youths and encourages them to reach their full potential as exemplary adults.

Jorge is president of Bastion Technologies, which is headquartered in Houston’s Clear Lake area and provides services to several industries, including aerospace and petrochemicals, and financial support for more than two dozen area nonprofit organizations. The company also encourages its employees to serve on non-profit boards and volunteer for community service projects. Jorge, a Rotarian who came with his wife, Rosi, is the son of Mike and Tery Hernandez, who were both Space Center Rotarians for many years. Rotary President Stan Galanski and his wife Susan joined Gala Chairman Randy Straach and his wife, Kathy, Wayne and Marilyn Musial, Elaine and Gary Renola and Melinda Mintz in welcoming the happy crowd to the NASA Clear Lake Hilton Hotel Ballroom. Among the arrivals were several of our elected officials, Friendswood Mayor Mike Foreman,

MARY ALYS CHERRY

League City Councilman Larry Millican, Taylor Lake Village Councilman Bob Davee and former Nassau Bay Mayor Mark Denman and their wives, Lorrie, Monica, Lisa and Diana; State Reps. Dennis Paul and Mayes Middleton and their wives, Eliza and Macy; plus several candidates for office – Pete Lauzon, Kyle Scott, Scott Bowen

and Jack Morman.

They had hardly had time to say hello when in walked Clear Creek ISD Superintendent Dr. Eric

Williams, Danny and Judge Holly Williamson, Richard and Jennifer Simmons, Allen and Myrna Baker, Alan and Gay Wylie, Delia Stephens, Karen and Gary Johnson, Mike and Rosie Hesse, Nancy and Jerry Smith, Mike and Karen Engle, Madella Williams, John and Madeline Nugent, Joy and Scott Dyson and Jim

DeForest and his wife, Royce Walker, who set up the auction. Looking around you also might have spotted Adrienne and Dr. Vissett Sun, Cindy and Mike Porterfield, Ralph and Lori Kramer, Deborah and David Laine, Raymond Moore, Bill Geissler, Jim and Diane Overman, Meera and Jayant Ramakrishman, Daryl Smith, Brandon Brooks, Joyce and David Jacobs, Anthony Llamas, Richard and Olive Riker, Peter Wuenschel and Past Rotary District 5890 Governor Chris Schneider and his wife, Ute.

After a filet mignon dinner that included songs by Mickey Hobbs, former Space Center Rotary President Ralph Kramer and Judge Holly Williamson, also a Rotarian, served as emcees, introducing the two honorees, who explained their philanthropic work in recent years and their hopes for the future

Rotary President Stan Galanski, right, stops to chat with Clear Creek ISD Superintendent Dr. Eric Williams left, and honoree Rick Gornto during the VIP reception at the LEAP for Mankind Awards Gala.