Theresa Grahmann has been appointed Rosenberg’s planning director. Before coming to Rosenberg, Grahmann worked for the city of
Pearland. Her most recent position was Pearland
’s senior planner. Grahmann also worked on some of Pearland’s largest projects including the Pearland Town Center and the Bass Pro Shop.
As director, Grahmann will serve as a member of the city’s management staff and play a key role in overseeing planning and land use while
fostering the orderly growth of Rosenberg
’s neighborhoods and business areas.
Jack Hamlett, Rosenberg city manager, said “We are pleased that Theresa has chosen to lead Rosenberg’s Planning Department team. She comes to us with a diverse background which will
prove invaluable in addressing the opportunities coming to Rosenberg.
”
Grahmann was raised in Hallettsville and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in
geography and planning from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos.
Kristen Correll, EdD., head of school at Southminster School, recently completed her doctoral work at the University of Houston.
Dr. Correll’s thesis culminated eight years of work in curriculum and instruction. Dr.
Correll has lectured on her findings regarding language and literacy, most
recently at the International Reading Association Conference in Budapest.
Dr. Correll will continue in her role as head of school. In addition to overall
guidance of the school
’s curriculum, she will also be working to expand upon the already exemplary
preschool and elementary program.
“Dr. Correll is one of the leaders in education and very well respected among her
peers, the staff, and the many families that she has met,
” said Clif Peabody, chairman of the Southminster School Committee. “To know that our school has the leadership of such an established and thought
provoking educator positions
us well to grow within our community.”
The Ladies Professional Golf Association announced its first-ever compilation of the “The 50 Best Teachers.” Included in this prestigious list are Sugar Land residents Betsy Cullen and Deb Vangellow.
This list identifies and recognizes the best instructors in each of the five
LPGA Teaching and Club Professional sections (Central, Midwest, Southeast,
Northeast and Western).
The LPGA T&CP, which includes more than 1,200 members, were asked to rank their peers by
voting for the top teachers in their sections.
“Through LPGA student-centered education, our teachers are trained to tailor
their instruction based on the individual golfer
’s goals, personality and preferred learning style,” said Patti Benson, LPGA T&CP national president. “Each individual is definitely the focus of our golf instruction.”
“For almost 50 years, the LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals have been the
grassroots ambassadors growing the game of golf and making the game more
enjoyable by providing industry-leading golf education to golfers of all skill
levels,
” said Nancy Henderson, LPGA T&CP executive director. “The significance of this list is that, for the first time, LPGA teachers have
been recognized and voted on by fellow LPGA members.
”
Rick Bray has been named the new director of programs for the George Ranch Historical
Park.
Bray holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Franklin College and a Master of Arts
degree from Eastern Illinois University. He is passionate about volunteer
firefighting and is a certified EMT.
“I’m really impressed with the dedicated staff members I’ve met here,” says Bray, “and the ranch is such a beautiful place to work.”
Stan Byers has been named the new director of heritage projects for the Museum Association.
He will head up collections and various heritage projects such as the Dew House
in Missouri City.
Originally from Oklahoma, Byers has nearly 20 years of museum experience. He
started his career as a curatorial assistant and most recently worked as the
chief of exhibits for the U.S. Army Heritage Museum in Carlisle, Pa.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Central State University in Oklahoma
and a Master of Science degree from the University of Central Oklahoma.
“I’m excited about this job because I believe this organization is on the cusp of
major growth,
” says Byers. “I’m looking forward to contributing to its professional development.
Brazos Bend Guardianship Services, a new nonprofit agency serving Fort Bend County residents, has hired Kirk Monroe as executive director. Brazos Bend Guardianship Services’ mission is to assist incapacitated and disabled adults and their families with
legal guardianship, money management and related alternatives.
Monroe was previously employed with The Arc of Fort Bend County for four years
as the Guardianship Liaison and oversaw the development of their Guardianship
Assistance and Alternatives Program. He has more than 21 years of experience in
social work and working for different nonprofit agencies.
Brazos Bend Guardianship Services will benefit families who have a loved one
that has been diagnosed with mental and/or physical disabilities such as mental
retardation, Autism, mental illness, Alzheimer
’s, brain injury or cerebral palsy. The decision to obtain legal guardianship is
often a difficult one for a family, and BBGS is proud to offer a service where
families can come and learn about the process to obtain legal guardianship and
to learn about alternatives to guardianship.
BBGS offers a Money Management Program designed to help low income elderly
and/or disabled adults who are having difficulty managing their checkbook and
paying bills on time. This program utilizes screened and trained volunteers who
will work with a client in their home The goal of the program is to help the
individual to maintain their independence for as long as possible.
Brazos Bend Guardianship Services has set up its store front at the United Way
Impact Center located at 10435 Greenbough in Stafford.
For more information, call 281-207-2320 or go to www.brazosbendguardianship.org.
Jared Jameson, chief investment officer of the financial planning and investment management
firm WJ Interests LLC, has been accepted for membership in the National
Association of Personal Financial Planners.
“Jared Jameson is a welcome addition to our organization,” said NAPFA chair Tom Orecchio, a financial advisor in Old Tappan, NJ. “Membership in NAPFA denotes a real accomplishment for any financial advisor. We
recently surpassed 1,700 members, and are always pleased when we can strengthen
our ranks with well-trained, highly committed financial advisors.
”
Jameson received his MBA in finance from the University of Texas at Austin in
1993. Since graduating, Jared has specialized in equity and fixed-income
research and analysis. He also is a certified financial planner and a
registered investment advisor with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Jameson also is active in the Fort Bend community. He currently serves on the
Sugar Land Rotary Foundation Board, is president of the Fort Bend County Women
’s Center board of directors and is a member of the Sugar Land Town Square TIRZ
Board.
Lane Pearson, a Missouri City resident and realtor for Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors, was
awarded a 2008 Prudential CARES Volunteer Grants Award in the amount of $1,000
to benefit the Fort Bend County Women
’s Center Inc.
In her 10th year of service with the center, Pearson dedicated 150 volunteer
hours. She resumed her role in 2007 as chair of the Gillman Golf Tournament,
which exceeded all previous records and raised $61,000 for the center.
Vita Goodell, executive director of the Fort Bend Women’s Center, said the Prudential Cares grant will assist her organization in
providing a multitude of services to women and children in need, including
counseling, education, job training, housing and a children
’s program.
Rick McKinnerney has joined First Community Bank, N.A. in Fort Bend County. McKinnerney will serve as executive vice president and will primarily focus on
commercial customer relationships in Sugar Land and surrounding areas.
“Rick McKinnerney brings over 25 years of commercial banking and finance
experience as well as a solid reputation of professional excellence throughout
the greater Houston business community,
” said Tim Stubenrouch, market president.
McKinnerney is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a BBA in
finance. He and his wife, Mona, and their three children are long-time
residents of Greatwood.
“I am extremely excited to join First Community Bank and am eager to work with
the business and community leaders of Fort Bend County,
” said McKinnerney. “
Methodist Sugar Land Hospital was the site for Fort Bend County’s first single puncture gallbladder removal surgery.
Guillermo Ponce de Leon, M.D., a general surgeon on staff at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, performed
the entire surgery with only one incision, leaving Rosenberg resident
Jose Pina with a barely visible scar.
Dr. Ponce de Leon placed a port into Pina’s bellybutton and passed all necessary instruments and cameras simultaneously
through the one port. At the end of the procedure, Dr. Ponce de Leon simply
removed the port and the natural shape and texture of the bellybutton hid
almost all evidence of the surgical incision.
Traditional laparoscopic surgeries require between three and five incisions in
the abdomen-creating two to four permanent scars.
“The goal of this procedure is to reduce post operative pain, speed recovery and
improve cosmetic results for the patient,
” Dr. Ponce de Leon said.
