PRESENTED BY
ADMIRAL TRANSFER & RIGGING, INC.
Dear Friends, We are honored to welcome you to the 2023 Champion of the Year: Carnival of Inclusion! Best Buddies Champion of the Year is a friendly, competitive fundraising campaign that unites and recognizes leaders of inclusion in our local communities nationwide. Champion Candidates commit to raising funds and awareness for Best Buddies throughout their campaigns. This year, we have eight (8) Champion Candidates in Houston who are advocating for the Best Buddies mission and generating countless opportunities for friendships, jobs, and leadership development for people of all abilities. The Best Buddies Champion of the Year celebration is where we come together to honor the Champions’ collective impact and name the ultimate Grand Champion of the Year! Best Buddies envisions a world where people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are successfully integrated into every community and our programs are no longer needed. We want to show the world that people with IDD are great friends, valuable employees, fearless leaders, and deserve equitable opportunities. We’d like to extend our thanks to each and every one of you for being here tonight to support inclusion! Let’s party and celebrate Best Buddies! In friendship, Julie Garza Area Director Victoria Jones Manager, Communications & Stewardship
r o P g t r n a e m v E Welcome Julie Garza, Area Director The Dash Joe Girvan, Auctioneer Recognition of Sponsors Sarah Pepper, Emcee Event Chairs Introduction Scott “Duke” and Michelle “CC” Ensell Meet the Champion Candidates and Mission Partners Best Buddies Legacy Award Presentation David Quilleon, Senior Vice President, Global Mission, State Development & Operations Silent Auction Closes Live Auction and Bid from the Heart Joe Girvan, Auctioneer Awarding of the 2023 Grand Champion of the Year Live Entertainment to Follow
Thank You T O
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Thank you to our Event Chairs
SCOTT “DUKE” ENSELL & MICHELLE “CC” ENSELL Duke and CC have been supporters of Best Buddies in Houston for over ten years. Their deep connection to our mission has inspired them to continue giving back to our organization and promoting our mission of inclusion! Duke founded Admiral Transfer & Rigging, Inc. in 1984, which specializes in over-the-road, heavy-haul services. He has worked extremely hard to build it into the reputable, reliable, and successful company it is today. Duke has two children, Jordyn and Dylan. Michelle “CC” was born in Houston, Texas and is a 3rd generation Houstonian. She has lived her entire life here except for her last year and a half of high school, where she attended and graduated from The American School in Switzerland in 1986. She went on to graduate from Southwest Texas State University in December 1990. CC has two children, Brandon and Grayson. Duke and CC married in 2015 and they have two grandsons, Liam and Levi. They enjoy a variety of activities, like attending concerts and sports events, spending time with family, traveling, and enjoying wine pairing dinners at local restaurants, but they are most passionate about giving back to their community. Duke was honored as a recipient of the Top 20 CEO’s and Entrepreneurs award in 2019. CC was honored at the Women of Substance luncheon in 2022. They support and are involved with several organizations, including Best Buddies. They are both Advisory Board members; Champion of the Year Gala chairs in 2017 and 2022; Auction chairs in 2018; and Friendship Walk sponsors since 2015.
Thank you to our Honorary Chairs HEIDI SOMERS Heidi Somers is the Owner and CEO of Buffbunny Collection, a luxury athletic-wear brand built for women by women, but prior to her business booming in Texas, Heidi was a small-town girl looking to make a difference in the world. After graduating high school in her hometown of North Pole, Alaska, she made the trip to the lower 48 to finish her degree and, during this time, started her personal fitness journey, which she shared via YouTube. After such positive feedback from her vlogs, she noticed a lack of innovation in the women’s athletic apparel sector and decided to do something about it. She has taken inclusive and luxury activewear to a new level and loves being able to give back to her community! We are so honored to be able to partner with Buffbunny to spread the mission of inclusion in Houston further.
LOGAN LESTER TAFELSKI Logan is a long-time supporter of Best Buddies and is a Top Producing Realtor with The S Group at RE/MAX Fine Properties. She began her journey in pageantry in 2011, but most recently was crowned Miss Texas USA 2018. She finished in the Top 15 as she represented Texas at the Miss USA Pageant! Her hard work has propelled her into real estate career, and she has been recognized as a "Top 20 Under 40" by Houston Association of Realtors. It is no secret that she is driven by her passions and is committed to helping her community, whether that is buying a home, being a role model for others, or volunteering her time at Best Buddies! We are so grateful that she is continually a part of our Best Buddies Community in Houston, and we are honored to have her support our mission in spreading inclusion in Texas!
Thank you to our Emcee
SARAH PEPPER Sarah Pepper is an awardwinning broadcaster with over 20 years of experience in radio. Her philanthropic work in the greater Houston area with various charities has been recognized by the Media Alliance of Houston with their Radio Personality of the Year Award in 2015, 2018 and 2022. She uses her platform as an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and her service has been recognized by OustSmart Magazine for 15 years in a row as their Reader’s Choice Radio Personality of the Year. Sarah's voice can also be heard at various sporting events across Houston, including as in-stadium announcer for the Houston Dash, Houston’s Professional Women’s Soccer team, NCAA Final Four and The USWNT. Sarah loves to make people laugh but what she loves most about radio is the local impact you can have when you harness the power of radio and the passion of listeners.
H O U S T O N
Advisory Board ASHLEY DECMAN Advisory Board Secretary The Carlin Law Firm, Litigation Paralegal
SCOTT “DUKE” ENSELL Advisory Board Development Committee Admiral Transfer & Rigging, Inc., President
JORDYN ENSELL Advisory Board Development Committee Admiral Transfer & Rigging, Inc., CFO
MICHELLE “CC” ENSELL Advisory Board Development Committee Admiral Transfer & Rigging, Inc., Events Director
KEVIN HARKEL Advisory Board Programs Committee CenterPoint Energy, Lead Financial Analyst
H O U S T O N
Advisory Board GARY KRUEGER Advisory Board Development and Programs Committee PG Professional Golf, Owner
JACK KRUEGER Advisory Board Development and Programs Committee Bitty & Beau’s Coffee Shop, Cashier Sugar Land Space Cowboys, Street Team and Greeter
TERESA LANGE-PIERSON Advisory Board Programs Committee BNY Mellon, Director /Senior Group Manager
LIAM O’ROURKE Advisory Board Programs Committee Baker Botts, Senior Associate
BILL TATAR Advisory Board PR/Outreach Committee Radio One Media Group, Director of Promotions & Content
LISA TYNAN Advisory Board PR/Outreach Committee Houston PetSet, Marketing & Special Events Specialist
Event Committee
CATHERINE BATTLE
HEATHER GARCIA
GREGG HARRISON
SOPHIE JOHNSON
KAT KEARNS
JENNIFER LANGELAND
ZELMA ROSADO
ANGELITA SAMPAIO
BILL TATAR
LISA TYNAN
MARGO WHITE
Thank You A
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S I L E N T
4th Wall Theater 93Q Country Alley Theater Aspire Accessories Avonak Distillery Bayou City Photography Blue Bell Ice Cream BuffBunny Collection Chuck Coon Colleyville Heritage High School Consolidated Planning Group David Yarrow Dish Society Ensell Family Everlasting Links Fairytale Photography Studio Faulkner Winery Heather and Daniel Garcia HEB Helfman Jeep Hilton Americas Hiner Family Dentistry Houston Astros Houston Ballet Houston Dynamo/Dash Houston Grand Opera Houston Restaurant Group Houston Symphony Houston Texans J-Mac Josephine’s Gulf Coast Tradition Kendra Scott Loft18 Lucho
B I G
A U C T I O N
D O N O R S
Megan Fry Milton’s Baking Mister Car Wash Nan Dacus Nice Winery Nine Banded Whiskey Performing Arts Houston PG Golf Pudgy’s Renew Body Contouring and MedSpa Rhonda Speer Rice University Athletics Roma Rudy’s Bar-B-Q Skydive Spaceland Houston St. Arnold Brewing Company Special Family Transitions Stages Theater Studio by the Tracks Sugar Land Space Cowboys Sweetwater Country Club The Dog Stop The Gent’s Place The Grove & Discovery Green The Hobby Center for Performing Arts Theatre Under the Stars Three Dog Bakery Tiff’s Treats Tito’s Vodka Tom Moorman Turtlebox Audio Warehouse 72 Whataburger
Live Auction PRIVATE HELICOPTER RIDE
Enjoy a private aerial ride on a 2000 Bell 407 Helicopter from Flinn Aviation. In this daytime private ride for a group of four (4), you will enjoy the updated interior with a nice bottle of champagne while you and your friends fly over The Kemah Boardwalk, San Jacinto Monument, Downtown Houston, and the Texans Stadium. After an amazing time in the air, wind down and enjoy dinner on us at Warehouse 72. Restrictions: Expires on 11/11/24. Must be booked on a mutually agreed upon date. Subject to availability of aircraft. Limit of 30 minute aerial ride. Gift Certificate to Warehouse 72 value up to $250. Generously donated by: David Ducote and Kelley Powell
Live Auction ROCKPORT GETAWAY
Enjoy four days and three nights in Rockport, TX near Corpus Christi for a group of eight (8). Perfect for a guys trip, girls trip, or a couples trip (children friendly). This Rockport experience includes a weekend getaway from Thursday through Sunday in a beautiful home that accommodates up to eight people. During your stay, you will enjoy a guided inshore chartered fishing tour, which provides two private boats! This will be followed by a delicious dinner featuring the catch of the day cooked by a private chef. Restrictions: Expires 11/11/24. Must be booked on a mutually agreed upon date. Excludes holidays. Must contact owner of the home to make reservation. Generously donated by: Jay McCollum
Live Auction DINNER WITH BEST BUDDIES AMBASSADOR & CARL LEWIS
Experience our mission of inclusion first-hand by attending a three-course dinner and wine pairing for a group of six (6) at Trattoria Sofia alongside The Olympian of the Century, Carl Lewis; State Ambassador, Cade Zimmerman; Advisory Board Member and Cade’s buddy, Kevin Harkel; and Area Director, Julie Garza. “The Olympian of the Century”, Carl Lewis, is a passionate Governing Board Member for Best Buddies and current track and field head coach for the University of Houston. His Olympic career has propelled him into a life of giving back to his community and being a role model for others. Cade is a State Ambassador and a phenomenal leader in the Houston community. Outside of giving speeches and inspiring others, he works at Rainforest Cafe and Aspire Accessories. He is an avid sports fan and loves train hunting with his buddy, Kevin! Restrictions: Expires: June 24, 2024. Must be booked on a mutually agreed upon date.
2022
Champion of the Year
JORDYN ENSELL Jordyn decided to be a champion in 2022 because Best Buddies holds a dear place in her heart. Her brother, Dylan, participated in the Best Buddies Friendship program when he was in high school and she saw the impact it had on him and her parents, who are very involved as well. Last year, as a Champion, Jordyn along with her mission partner, Jack Krueger, raised over $80,000, which is the most any Champion in Houston has ever raised. Jordyn accepted her champion nomination again this year because she wants to be the top Champion across all 50 states, and she loved seeing how many people care about Best Buddies. “It made my heart happy to see so many people pull together for such a great cause.” Jordyn is the CFO at her family’s trucking company, Admiral Transfer & Rigging, Inc., and has an online resale shop. Jordyn is also a single mother of two boys and in her free time likes to lift weights, ride horses, and attend Houston sporting events, such as the Sabercats Rugby or Dynamo games.
2023
Champion Candidates
ZACH ANDERSON
MASON COX
JORDYN ENSELL
DORA GUTIERREZ
KEVIN HARKEL
DENA MUSFY
DESHANNA REED
STEPHANIE VARGAS
2023
Mission Partners
JARED ATKINS
TERESA LANGE-PIERSON
JULIETTE MOLLOY
TOMMY FAISON
JACK KRUEGER
MYA BROWN AND AYESHA RIVERS
GABRIELLE CONNER
VERONICA RODRIGUEZ
Thank You A
T O
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B I G
E M P L O Y E E
P A R T N E R S
Our employee partners provide meaningful and integrated workplaces for people of all abilities. If your company is interested in making the same impact, please contact Britney Eason, Best Buddies Employment Consultant. BritneyEason@bestbuddies.org
T H I S
Y E A R ’ S
Entertainment Tonight’s performance by our authentic and talented Samba Dancers is sponsored by J&D Entertainment, which is a corporate and special event entertainment booking agency, live stage show producer, and creator of Fab Entertainment elements.
DJ J-Blue, hailing from Houston, Texas is a seasoned DJ with a remarkable 15-year career in the music industry. Known for his incredible versatility, he has spun the tracks for a diverse range of audiences, seamlessly transitioning between genres to keep the party going.
HOW TO BID REGISTER: Text HoustonCOY23 to (76278) DONATE: Text the word GIVE and amount (dollar sign not required) to (76278) *You can also bid in the silent auction once you’ve registered
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…is proud to partner with BEST BUDDIES at this year’s Carnival of Inclusion to promote their mission to support One-to-One Friendships, Integrated Employment, Leadership Development, and Inclusive Living. ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈
Thank you for joining us in this continued effort to make the world a better place for our IDD community!!
Baker Botts has a long tradition of giving back to the communities in which we live and work. We encourage our lawyers to participate in pro bono, charitable and other community activities because, quite simply, it’s the right thing to do. Our lawyers are actively involved with more than 150 local charities and donate thousands of hours in pro bono legal services each year. Baker Botts proudly supports Best Buddies in its mission to establish a global volunteer movement that supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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713.964.0022 info@insurepointe.com
We are a generous, Christ-centered company and will strive to act like such with our resources, recognizing that to whom much is given much is expected.
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Honored to support Best Buddies International
We’re proud to participate in the Best Buddies International Gala, a celebration of their remarkable mission to foster inclusive opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Accenture supports their commitment to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people with IDD.
FOSTERING TRUST ON BOTH SIDES OF THE EQUATION Proud to support Best Buddies Champion of the Year
weaver.com
Walk. Celebrate. Support.
04.27.24 University of Houston The Best Buddies Friendship Walk is the leading walk in the country supporting inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (also known as IDD). BESTBUDDIESFRIENDSHIPWALK.ORG/TEXAS
Julie Garza, Area Director 832-597-2591 | JulieGarza@BestBuddies.org Victoria Jones, Manager of Communications & Stewardship 225-572-8075 | VictoriaJones@BestBuddies.org
MAKE A FRIEND | DONATE | VOLUNTEER
To find your local Best Buddies office, visit: BESTBUDDIES.ORG/TEXAS