April 2012 Programs

Dr. Thomas Krueger - Professor and Director of Faculty Research at Texas A&M University-Kingsville College of Business Administration

Dr. Krueger holds a DBA in Finance from the University of Kentucky, and MBA from Minnesota State University and a BS from University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Prior to TAMUK, he taught at UNC-Charlotte (1986-1989) and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (1989-2010), where he was chair of the Finance Department (1993-1999).

The April 26 program was a presentation of Dr. Krueger's "Overview of the Coastal Bend Economy & Kleberg County".  This presentation was originally presented on March 6 at the Economic Forum & Luncheon at the Student Union Building on the TAMUK campus.  It was a very informative presentation with great insight to our local economy and how it compares to our neighbors, Jim Wells and Brooks counties.  We look forward to the second annual Luncheon next year.

Click here for presentation. (The presentation has been converted from Microsoft PowerPoint to Google Presentation. If there are format errors, please let me know so they can be corrected).



Vincent Capell - City Manager for the City of Kingsville, Texas

Our speaker for April 19 was City Manager Vince Capell.  Vince was hired as the city manager in April 2011.  He came to Kingsville from St. Joseph, Missouri, where he served in several capacities, including City Manager (9 years), Assistant City Manager, Finance Director and Budget Manager from 1990-2011.  Prior to public administration, Mr. Capell was an audit manager (1979-1983) for Ernst & Whinney (now Ernst & Young) before opening his own CPA practice (1984-1990).

At our meeting, Mr. Capell spoke about changes he has implemented in city operations, current and future city projects, and the city's financial standing.





Rotary Group Study Exchange

On April 12, the Rotary Group Study Exchange team from the Phillipines were our guests.  The team leader is Perfecto "Pitok" D. Sueno, Jr.  He is a CPA with numerous business ventures and a member of The Rotary Club of Marbel.  He has served in a host of Rotary positions, including club president (1986-1987), Assistant Governor (2007-2008) for District 3860 and District Secretary (2009-2010).  He and his wife, Lutchie, became Major Donors of the Rotary Foundation in 2010.

Our members of the GSE team are: 

Edelyn A. Badilla, M.D. M.D. - Edel is an Obstetrician Gynecologist-Oncologist practicing in Tagum City

Temujin B. Ocampo - Temujin is a journalist, and he has been a news correspondent and anchor for more than 17 years.

Retrina Espe Fuentes - an attorney, who since passing the bar in 1999 has served in private practice, as a public defender and currently is a Government Prosecutor.

Jamila Balchand - Janu graduated from medical school in 2004 and finished her medical residency in 2009.  She is presently the school physician reliever at Ateneo de Davao Uninversity, a medical examiner for an agency that assists Filipinos seeking overseas employment placement and as a junior consultant at the Ricardo Limso Medical Center.

Texas A&M-Kingsville Scholarship Donation

President Albert Ruiz presents
check to Randy Hughes

Continuing a long-standing tradition, the Sunrise Rotary Club of Kingsville  recently presented Texas A&M-Kingsville with a $1,000 scholarship donation.  The funds are allocated to the university's general scholarship fund and receive a funding match, effectively doubling the amount of scholarship benefit to the recipient students.

The Sunrise Club has funded the scholarship since the beginning of its existence in 1999, and has gradually increased the donation to the current level.  Community members wanting to help the club may make donations to the club, or shop at Amazon.com, accessing the retailer through the link on the club's website (www.rotaryking.net).

District Governor - Gilbert Serna

Sunrise President Albert Ruiz,
Asst. Dist. Gov. Maxie Houser,
District 5930 Governer Gilbert Serna

 District Governor Gilbert Serna paid us our official Governor's visit last night and this morning.

Last night, the discussions varied from Sunrise Rotary's service projects, to our involvement with the Rotaract Club, participation in the Rotary Foundation, membership growth strategies, and leadership development plans, just to name a few.

Albert presenting DG Gilbert
with a Wildlife in Photos gift

This morning, DG Gilbert shared with us RI President Klinginsmith's vision for Rotary and a video on the various Rotary themes through the years.  Most inspiring was Gilbert's transformation from being a member of a Rotary Club, to becoming a true Rotarian.  A very inspiring story that demonstrates how we can improve our communities by improving one person's life.

DG Gilbert and Deya Serna

Gilbert's Bio (from the Dist. 5930 Website)
Gilbert’s involvement with Rotary began in May 1998. Only three years and several officer positions later, Gilbert served as President of the Laredo Gateway Rotary Club.

He has participated in and coordinated a number of local and international service projects and events during this time, including RYLA, book drive for South Africa, International Night with Mexico Rotary Cubs of District 4130, ceremony in Acambaro, Guanajuato, Mexico for a matching grant for a fire truck, and numerous others. Additionally, he has helped to maintain his club’s Presidential Citation for 18 years in a row. Gilbert served as Assistant Governor for District 5930 from 2004-2007 and then as the first Lt. Governor for his district in 2007. Other community involvement includes board member of the Laredo Chamber of Commerce and board member of the Laredo Manufacturing and Logistics Association of Laredo.

Gilbert earned an Electrical Engineering degree from Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. He is currently employed as Sales and Operations manager for Mercy Health Plans, a group health insurance provider.

As members of the Laredo Gateway Rotary Club and Paul Harris Fellows, Gilbert and Deya participated in and chaired a Rotary Friendship exchange to and from Sweden. They have hosted a youth exchange students from Turkey and Switzerland and have also hosted professionals from Russia, also through a Rotary exchange project. Most recently, they hosted GSE team members from Chile and Spain.

Deya is the past treasurer of the Laredo Gateway Rotary Club. She also facilitated the start of an Early Act Club sponsored by the Laredo Gateway Rotary Club.

Gilbert and Deya have been married since 1990 and have been blessed with 4 wonderful children, Allyson Nichole, Daniel Allen, Andrew Douglas, and Gilbert III.

Travel and new explorations are on their list of goals every year. They have visited more than a dozen states and about another dozen countries including Greece, Turkey, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, London, France and more. They are certain that traveling is good for the soul and believe that learning the varied cultures is priceless!

Marilu Salazar

This morning's speaker was Marilu Salazar, Director for the Center for Continuing Education and Office of International Studies and Programs.

She gave us a great presentation on all of the courses available from the Center of Continuing Education.  (Link to Spring 2011 Schedule) Courses are diverse, ranging the gamut from dancing (belly dancing  or Salsa, Merengue and Bachata) to Financial Planning, Conversational Chinese, Spanish, French or Russian, Guitar Lessons, Drawing, Digital Photography, Web Design, Yoga, the Road Scholar program and many, many more.

She also informed us about the Office of International Studies and Programs (Link to website). The mission of the Office of International Studies and Programs is to internationalize all aspects of Texas A&M Kingsville and the System Center by involving students and faculty in international studies and research globally.  The office consists of four interrelated areas:  international studies programs and internships, student and faculty “exchange” programs, collaborative international research opportunities and International Educational Exchange Fund (IEEF) scholarships.  And best of all, scholarships are available to help offset costs to students wanting to take advantage of this outstanding opportunity.

A third program is also under her direction - the Intensive English Program (Link to website). The English Language Program is designed for students, business people, and professionals to develop English proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, grammar and writing. The Program provides intensive oral and written communicative instruction and practices to facilitate a smooth transition into university academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The University and community environment provides students with excellent opportunities to practice English language skills and to engage in multi-cultural experiences.

Email links for additional information:
Continuing Education
International Studies
Intensive English Program

Sunrise Rotary Student of the Month

Rotarian Mike Desiderio, Rachel Robinson, and father Matt

Rachel Robinson is a senior at Kaufer High School. Her parents are Linda Dunn and Matt Robinson. She is ranked sixth in a class of 46 with a GPA of 99.125. Rachel is an athlete playing volleyball, basketball, track and softball. She hopes to play softball in college. She is also involved in UIL academic competition, the KEDT TV Challenge team, journalism, National Honor Society, FFA, FCA, HOSA, and BPA. She serves as a mentor for younger children not only at school as a PAL, but also volunteering for the Way Fun Wednesday after school tutorial and activity program. Rachel wants to major in biology and later become a physical therapist.

The Sunrise Rotary is proud to promote our outstanding local high school students. Those who are selected as Students of the Month are eligible to receive a $500 scholarship from Texas A&M-Kingsville for the 2011-2012 academic year. Students are chosen for high academic achievements as well as service to their communities.