November 16, 2010

SAN ANTONIO EDITION
CHARTERED 1958
November 2010
Letter from the President
2010 will soon be coming to an end! The past ten years has brought us through
so many changes: In our world, in our city, in our places of employment. It is
amazing that in this decade we have been catapulted into the world of social
media, a historical Presidential election and a financial crisis that many never
imagined would happen in their lifetime. Fortunately, for us, we live in San
Antonio; a city that is growing and persevering through these times with a strong
community and one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. We have a
lot to be thankful for!
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It allows us to give thanks and spend time
with our family and loved ones without all of the pressure of exchanging gifts. In
this month, as the cooler weather surrounds us we have the opportunity to
express our gratitude. May hope is that each of you has something wonderful to be thankful for and that
you have the opportunity to share that appreciation with those around you. I am grateful for a wonderfully
supportive family, a job that I love and great group of women who have entrusted the growth and
leadership of this organization to me.
We have some great new ladies to welcome to our Chapter: Kelly Butler, representing The Frame
Gallery; Frances Booker, representing Effortless Moves LLC; Lauren Rodriguez, representing Omni La
Mansion; Delia Guajardo, representing the U.S. Military Veterans Parade Association. I was just amazed
at how much enthusiasm these women displayed at their installation. I believe we are lucky to have them
in our organization and I applaud their willingness to jump right in and join a committee.
Our meeting this month will be held at the Doubletree Hotel and Pamela Taylor, Co-Founder and
Executive Director, of Dress for Success San Antonio, will be sharing her story. Dress for Success San
Antonio is the 2009 winner of the Professional Women's Group Affiliate of the Year Award, the
highest honor given to the Professional Women's group worldwide for Dress for Success
organizations.
The mission of Dress for Success San Antonio is to promote the economic independence of
disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career
development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Through job preparation, employment
retention, and career development programs, Dress for Success San Antonio addresses the
needs of low-income women by promoting economic security and self-sufficiency to break the
chains of generational poverty.
I love that we are a group of women supporting other women in our community. In December, we will
have a wonderful Holiday Celebration and possibly a Trade Show. Program Director, Barbara Gault and I
have a lot of fun things in store for a memorable event. Please visit our website for event
updates www.ewisanantonio.org. May each of you have a blessed and fruitful Thanksgiving!
In Service,
Monica Garza
SAN ANTONIO
BOARD
Monica Garza, President
YMCA of Greater San Antonio
210.246.9671
Debbie Saldaña, Vice President,
President-Elect
HEB
210.938.8229
Lorri Mach, Secretary
Porter Loring Mortuaries
210.227.8221
Patty Wilkins, Treasurer
Security Service Federal Credit
Union
210.476.4599
Lori Hakspiel, Sergeant-At-Arms
Fralo’s
210.698.6616
Patti Timblin, Membership
Director
Ye Kendall Inn & Conference Cntr
210.388.0355
Barbara Gault, Program Director
Southwest Foundation for
Biomedical Research
210.258-9780
Melissa Piña, Publication Director
CPS Energy
210.353.4480
Denise Cross
Ways & Means Director
Arthur Pfeil Smart Flowers
210.734.5166
Lyn Pitman, Director-At-Large
SAWS
210-233-2950
San Antonio Chapter Monthly Newsletter
November 2010
DATES TO REMEMBER
EWI® MISSION AND VISION
MISSION
Executive Women International® brings
together key individuals from diverse
businesses for the purpose of:
Membership Meeting Notice
•
Promoting member firms
Thursday, November 18, 2010
•
Enhancing personal and
professional development
•
Encouraging community
involvement
Doubletree Hotel, 8620 N. New Braunfels, #700
Phone: 210.824.9014
“Dress for Success” Suits to Self-Sufficiency
Presented by Pamela Taylor, Co-Founder/Executive
Director
November Board Meeting
Notice
VISION
To be the leading connection for
business professionals.
Upcoming December Membership
Meeting
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Location to be determined
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
D.R. Semmes Family YMCA,
3233 N. St. Mary’s St.,
San Antonio, Texas 78212
Upcoming December Board
Meeting
Thursday, December 16, 2010
D.R. Semmes Family YMCA
3233 N. St. Mary’s Street
San Antonio, Texas 78212
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San Antonio Chapter Monthly Newsletter
November 2010
WEWWWWWEWE
Congratulations to Karen Caravan (San Antonio Livestock
Exposition) on her new baby girl “Ruth Grace Caravan”.
...Attitude to me is more important than facts. It is more important
than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances,
than failures, than success, than what other people think, say or
do. It is more important than appearance, gift, or skill. It will make
or break a company...a church...a home.
The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding
the attitude we will embrace for that day...I am convinced that life
is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is
with you... we are in charge of our attitudes.
- Charles Swindoll
th
Mary Alice Campos-Sustaining Member (9 ), Valerie
th
Jackson-Morgan Stanley Smith Barney (11 ); Leona
th
Pappas-Life Member (11 ); Jelane Lodek-Sustaining
th
th
Member (14 ); Melissa Piña-CPS Energy (17 ); Edda
th
Petiton-UTSA (18 ); Connie Ross-Marmon Mok
st
Architecture (21 ); Sue Ouimette-Valero Energy
st
Corporation (21 ); Joyce Houston-Sustaining Member
th
th
(26 ); Lulu Hui-Batchelor Cadillac SAAB Hummer (30 )
Just a reminder to explore our website; if you haven’t yet; here’s how
you can log in:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Raba-Kistner Consultants, Inc. (11 years); Omni Hotel
San Antonio at the Colonnade (8 years); YMCA of
Greater San Antonio (6 years); San Antonio Livestock
Exposition, Inc. (5 years); Koontz-McCombs (5 years);
Fernandez Honda (1 year)
9.
Go to: http://www.ewisanantonio.org
Click on “Members Only” (top right hand corner)
Click on “Request New Password”
Enter your email address in the blank and click “Email new
password.”
Check your inbox for an email from info@ewisanantonio.org.
(if the email does not appear, please check your Spam
folder.)
There will be a one-time use link in the email that will
automatically log you into the site. Click the link or copy and
paste it into your browser.
Ewisantonio.org will show up with a message about this
being a onetime login. Click the “login” button and you will
automatically be taken to your Account Edit page where you
must create a new password.
Fill in both of the password blanks, then scroll to the bottom
of the page and click “SAVE”
If you have problems creating a password; please email or
call Website Chair, Connie Ross at 210-270-2235
or ross@marmonmok.com
Also, don’t’ forget to upload your photo on your profile
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San Antonio Chapter Monthly Newsletter
November 2010
LAUREN RODRIGUEZ
Omni La Mansion del Rio
Mokara Hotel & Spa
By Deborah Spruill, Contributing Writer
Lauren Rodriguez was
installed October 2010,
as a representative for
Omni La Mansion del Rio
and Mokara Hotel & Spa.
Where she is currently a
Business Travel Sales
Manager. Lauren
manages two properties
here in San Antonio. The
Omini is owned by TRT
Holdings that has over 42
properties in North America and two in Mexico.
the guest room at turn down. Wow, sign me up
Lauren!
Lauren recognizes the wonderful opportunity to
learn from friendly and successful EWI women of
integrity. In fact, she mentioned deep admiration
for Denise Blackmer (Bank of America), Margaret
Woods (Nix Health), Ceci Able (KCI ), and Vicki
Chapman (SWBC) .
At close of interview I asked… If you could do
anything you wanted and money was not an
object…What would you do? Lauren hesitated
and laughed… I would drop everything and travel
the world! A woman after my own heart!
Lauren was born and raised in San Antonio,
Texas. She attended Churchill High School and is
a 2008 graduate from UTSA with a Marketing
degree. She fulfilled her passion to be in the
Hospitality Industry in March 2009. Lauren’s
primary role is to provide her clients a wonderful
memorable travel experience. Lauren puts
exciting luxury packages together that provide
value to the client. For example, one of her hotel
accommodation packages may include a spa
experience, complementary valet parking, a
romantic dinner for two at an award winning
restaurant, and a signature amenity delivered to
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San Antonio Chapter Monthly Newsletter
November 2010
FRANCES BOOKER
Effortless Moves
By Diane Flack, Contributing Writer
Frances Booker was installed into EWI on October 2010,
she entertained us with a song about the challenges of
moving (to the tune of “My Favorite Things” from the Sound
of Music):
My Favorite Things
Silver and China and Family Photos, Antiques
and Lladro and Baccareate Crystal, Aunt
Emma’s Punch Bowl and Uncle Ed’s Hat
These are a few of my favorite things…
Grandma’s Afghan and Grandpa’s Pipe
Mother’s Jewelry and Daddy’s Knife
Uncle Jeremy’s Coin Collection
These are a few of my favorite things…
When we downsize We must choose
What to leave and take; So simply remember
your favorite things And then you won’t make
a mistake!
Frances spent 25 years in Sales Management positions
within the hotel industry before taking a break from extensive
domestic and international travelling within the large
corporate environment. Frances has physically moved
residences from different states and cities over 17 times
beginning at the age of 8 and while she was pursuing her
entrepreneurial dreams. She has had plenty of practice
coordinating moves for herself! While helping move her
mother-in-law from her home residence to an assisted living
environment, which involved sorting through over 40 years of
possessions and memories, Frances recognized the stress
family members face at such a time. Realizing that she
could help families through these stressful times motivated
Frances to develop her current business, EFFORTLESS
MOVES.
unpacking, staging the home, etc. She becomes an
extension of the family when they are unable to be present
at those times.
While growing up in Kansas, Frances developed the work
ethics and discipline which led to the creation of her own
business. Her role model was her mother, who was the sole
breadwinner of her family. At age eight, Frances got up
early to draw water for the family’s pigs and chickens.
She discovered her entrepreneurial spirit in her teens by
calling on restaurant managers and selling home grown
th
tomatoes. At age 16, she ran a successful 4 of July
fireworks stand from the front yard of her home. While a
freshman in college, she purchased her family their first
home they had ever owned, and her 94-year-old mother still
lives in that home. Frances continued to work at night while
attending college full time during the day. Her goal- setting,
planning, and organizing skills came into play during her
senior year. When most seniors were on spring break,
Frances interviewed and was hired by JCPenney in Dallas to
enter their management training program immediately
following graduation. She later spent nine years with
LaQuinta, beginning in regional marketing sales and
eventually becoming Director of National Sales.
Frances expanded her hospitality experience to include
twelve years with Fiesta Americana/Caesar Park Hotels and
Resorts. As Director of Corporate and Consortia Sales, she
was responsible for RFP contracting with the Top 13 US
Consortia and all the US Corporations. In three short years,
her team built up their accounts from 0 to 200+, producing
over $50 million in annual revenues. Frances describes
herself as someone who seeks to excel and achieve in all
areas of her life. She is definitely a risk-taker who seeks
new challenges and positive results.
Please welcome Frances to EWI the next time you see her.
Frances is now expanding her business to include corporate
as well as family relocations. Coming from a corporate
background, she understands the challenges of relocation
and can supervise the entire process, including supervising
the packing, meeting the moving van, loading, unloading,
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San Antonio Chapter Monthly Newsletter
November 2010
DELIA GUAJARDO
United States Military Veterans Parade Association (USMVPA)
By Betty Gavora, Contributing Writer
Delia Guajardo was
installed October 2010
as the new
representative for the
U.S. Military Veterans
Parade Association
(USMVPA). With a
heart full of admiration
and respect, Delia
founded the
association in May
2000. (The 66-yearold San Antonian
serves as president of
the organization, which employs 100 persons.
She says, “For the past 12 years I have
learned so much from our veterans by
listening to their stories when they were
prisoners of war. I feel I never do enough for
them.”
As president, Delia presides over all meetings
of the association and has general supervision
of USMVPA’s plans, activities and
business. Of course, one of her primary duties
is to fully support the annual veterans parade
in San Antonio. “We strive to make it the best
in the nation,” she says.
Delia says, “The saddest part of my job is
when I meet the families of our fallen
heroes. We have so many young soldiers who
have died for our country. I work really hard to
collect American flags that go on car windows
for veterans’ funerals. It gives respect when
the funeral procession goes to Fort Sam
Houston Cemetery. Every single driver
participating in the funeral will request a flag. I
plead to others to join me in this contribution
for our veterans who fought for our
freedom. Freedom is not free.”
Delia and her husband have three grown
children and eight grandchildren. She says,
“My family means the world to me. My favorite
pastime is spending time with my
grandchildren. They make me laugh and cry,
and I love them to bits.”
Delia wants to share with EWI her community
involvement for the past 40 years. She says
she wants to listen first and follow our
members’ footsteps. She says, “I am
extremely proud to be an EWI member and
plan to participate and contribute as much of
my time as possible.”
Please welcome Delia to EWI the next time
you see her.
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San Antonio Chapter Monthly Newsletter
November 2010
Since 1901, The Children’s Shelter has been giving children the chance to dream. With emergency shelter services, residential
treatment, basic and therapeutic foster care, special needs adoption, teen parenting services, and abuse prevention
programs, THE SHELTER HELPS CREATE BRIGHTER FUTURES FOR CHILDREN EVERY DAY.
Every child has a dream of what he wants to be when he grows up. Unfortunately, not every child gets a fair chance at
acquiring that dream.
The Children’s Shelter gives children that chance. They also give them the things that every child deserves: to grow up in a
loving environment, eat three meals a day, receive proper health care, wear clean clothes, get an education... and not be
abused.
The Philanthropy Committee will be collecting children’s coats at our
November 18th meeting for
The Children’s Shelter
Children range in age from Infants to 14 years – they currently have 56 children at the home
Largest age group in need is 3 to 6 year olds
Please bring gently used or new coats for boys or girls- if you don’t have time to shop for a coat
we will be grateful for donations to the Children’s Shelter
Your support in this endeavor is appreciated.
Together, we can help make a difference
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San Antonio Chapter Monthly Newsletter
November 2010
Trinity University Students Learn
by Living Green
Congratulations to Trinity University, whose newly renovated Miller Residence Hall is the first university
building in San Antonio to achieve LEED Gold certification! We at Marmon Mok are honored to have had the
opportunity to help Trinity demonstrate its commitment to sustainability.
As Trinity professor Dr. Richard Reed explains in this short video, there's more to college life than what is
taught in the classroom. Students at Trinity are now learning sustainability by living it.
A R C H I T E C T U R E
700 N. St. Mary's Suite 1600 | San Antonio, TX 78205 | 210-223-9492 T | 210-223-2582 F
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San Antonio Chapter Monthly Newsletter
November 2010
Valero Retail Sets Record for Children’s Miracle Network
Valero's Corner Stores raised a record $1,883,171 for the Children's Miracle Network through its annual
fund-raiser for children's hospitals - representing a 19 percent increase from $1,579,821 last year and
topping $12 million all-time over 15 years. The percent increase was the highest in several years.
Store personnel raised the money in contributions from customers, who deposited coins into change
canisters and donated money to have their names displayed on balloon-shaped artwork at the stores. The
campaign took place in September and the first few days of October.
The Children's Miracle Network benefits more than 170 children's hospitals. The donations are used to
provide charitable care, purchase life-saving equipment, and fund research and education programs that
save and improve the lives of 17 million children each year. The money Valero raises supports 32 hospitals.
Zone 301 in Northwest San Antonio, led by Zone Manager Gary Skillern, raised the most money - more than
$237,000, or an average of just more than $3,000 per store. Manager Lisa Villarreal's Store No. 1056 on
Culebra Road in San Antonio raised the most of any location, $11,659. Her top seller, Customer Service
Representative Deana Mobley, collected approximately $100 per day.
"This is a big achievement, setting this new record at a time when our economy is still recovering from
recession and children's needs are greater than ever," said Gary Arthur, President of Valero's Retail
Marketing Division, and board member of the Christus Santa Rosa Children's Hospital Foundation in San
Antonio.
"I want to thank our field management and community-minded store associates for their hard work and
enthusiasm in carrying out their campaigns and raising these much-needed funds," Arthur said. "And, most
of all, we are very grateful for the generosity of our valued customers without whom this record result could
not have been achieved."
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San Antonio Chapter Monthly Newsletter
November 2010
SAWS, Ameresco Celebrate Grand Opening of Innovative Biogas Facility
Event commemorates the first sustainable project of its kind in the nation
SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Water System and Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:AMRC) and local officials joined together today to
host the grand opening of their new biogas facility at the Dos Rios Water Recycling Center. The biogas project is the first
sustainable project of its kind in the nation, capturing biogas generated during the sewage treatment process and selling it through
a commercial gas pipeline.
“SAWS is constantly improving its operations to become more sustainable, and this project is a sound investment for our
environment and our community,” said Robert R. Puente, SAWS President/CEO. “By reusing biogas instead of burning it off, we
are helping protect the city’s air quality and developing a renewable energy resource.”
Methane gas is generated by biosolids during the sewage treatment process. Previously, SAWS burned off the gas using flares.
With this 20-year partnership, Ameresco will treat and transfer at least 900,000 cubic feet of gas to a nearby commercial gas
pipeline, where they will sell it on the open market. In return, SAWS ratepayers will receive a royalty on the sale of the gas,
estimated at $200,000 a year, reducing the cost of SAWS operations and keeping rates affordable. SAWS is the first large
wastewater utility to partner with a private sector company, Ameresco, to actively sell biogas in the United States.
“At Ameresco, we are driven to help our customers find renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions to achieve their goals,”
said Michael T. Bakas, Ameresco’s senior vice president of renewable energy. “Whether those goals are a sustainable
environment, reducing costs or reusing a resource, our energy engineers, project managers and plant specialists can make these
goals a reality. Ameresco is proud to be a part of this team and groundbreaking project.”
With the addition of the biogas facility, SAWS is recycling and reusing almost all of the waste coming into Dos Rios through its
“recycling trifecta.” Biosolids are also reused to generate compost, which is used in landscaping, gardening and agriculture to
improve soil quality. Finally, the third part of the trifecta is recycled water. About 115 million gallons a day of high-quality
recycled water are used for the Riverwalk, golf courses, parks, and commercial and industrial customers as well as in the upper
San Antonio River and Salado Creek.
ABOUT SAWS
Since 1992, San Antonio Water System has provided leadership in managing and developing water resources in the San Antonio
region. Water and wastewater services are provided to more than 1 million consumers in the San Antonio area. For more
information, visit www.saws.org.
ABOUT AMERESCO
Ameresco, Inc. was incorporated in Delaware in April 2000 and is a leading independent provider of comprehensive renewable
energy and energy efficiency solutions for facilities throughout North America. Ameresco’s solutions include upgrades to a
facility’s energy infrastructure, and the development, construction, and operation of renewable energy plants. With corporate
headquarters located in Framingham, MA, Ameresco has 55 offices in 29 states and four Canadian provinces. For more
information, visit www.ameresco.com.
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San Antonio Chapter Monthly Newsletter
November 2010
2010-2011 Calendar: YEAR AT A GLANCE
General Membership Meeting
Board Meeting
Topics/Conferences/Special Events
Locations TBD
D. R. Semmes Family YMCA
3233 N. St. Mary's St, 78212
5:45 PM
Locations TBD
Thursday, October 21
Thursday, October 28
Orientation/Committee Planning Session
Thursday, November 18
Tuesday, November 23
Dress for Success-Pamela Taylor
SECOND Thursday, December 9
Thursday, December 16
Holiday Celebration &Trade Show
Thursday, January, 20
Thursday, January 27
Thursday, February 17
Thursday, February 24
Thursday, March 17
Thursday, March 24
Thursday, April 21
Thursday, April 28
Executive Recognition and Award
Thursday, May 19
Thursday, May 26
EWISP & ASIST Scholarship Banquet
Thursday, June 16
Thursday, June 23
Thursday, July 21
Thursday, July 28
Non-Meeting Fundraiser
Thursday, August 18
Thursday, August 25
TEXOMA Board Forum-August 5-6, 2011
San Antonio,TX
Thursday, September 15
TBD
Chapter Board Installation
Reading Rally- September 9, 2011
LCAM- September 22-24, 2011
Minneapolis, MN
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San Antonio Chapter Monthly Newsletter
November 2010
ON THE SCENE…..
Denise Cross, Arthur Pfeil Smart Flowers
Patty Wilkins, Security Service Federal Credit Union
Philanthropy Committee
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San Antonio Chapter Monthly Newsletter
November 2010
Lyn Pitman-SAWS; Joyce Carothers-Sustaining
Member; and Yvonne DeLeon-VIA
Metropolitan Transit
Lori Hakspiel
Fralo’s
Membership Committee
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San Antonio Chapter Monthly Newsletter
November 2010
Bobbye Scott-HOLT CAT, Charito LincolnUSAA, Joyce Carothers-Sustaining Member,
and Carolyn Wallace-Spurs Sports &
Entertainment
Communication/Publication Committee
Margaret Anaglia-Al’s Gourmet Nuts, Debbie
Saldaña-HEB, and Lynn Smasal-Ernst & Young,
LLP
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San Antonio Chapter Monthly Newsletter
November 2010
EWISP Committee
Program Committee
Mary Padron-Security Service Federal Credit
Union, Yolanda Trevino-Spurs Sports &
Entertainment, Christine Padilla-HOLT CAT
and Lulu Hui-Batchelor Cadillac SAAB Hummer
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