Oliver Bell, Chairman, Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Steve Munisteri, Chairman, Republican Party of Texas

Please join us tomorrow as we welcome our very special guest, Steve Munisteri, the Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas.  Under Chairman Munisteri's leadership, the RPT has transformed into a more modern and efficient organization.  His efforts have turned around the finances of the Party such that now the RPT is able to work across our vast state to effectively support our conservative candidates on every level of the ballot.  Come hear about the direction Steve is leading the Party and how you can help!

Feb 26

Jack Sweeney, Chairman of the Houston Chronicle

Our February 26th guest speaker is arguably one of the most influential Houstonians around:  Jack Sweeney, former Publisher and current Chairman of the Houston Chronicle.  A native of New Jersey, he moved to the Houston Chronicle in 1980 from the Boston Herald.  Working his way up through the Chronicle's ranks, Mr. Sweeney ultimately served as Publisher and President of the Chronicle beginning in 2000.

Keeping with our member of the press theme for the week, Mr. Sweeney's GHPC guest appearance will be set up as a news conference where the Club's members and guests will be able to pose questions to the Chairman!  We are looking forward to an informative, enjoyable and respectful exchange.  Come join us for lunch at Tony's and a great way to hear from a renowned personality of our beloved City.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Bob Jones, Jones and Carter, Inc.

Bob Jones will be speaking to our club regarding the issues surrounding the infrastructure throughout Texas.  He will also share the efforts of Texas Future, a 501(c)4 grassroots advocacy organization composed of concerned citizens across the state who are dedicated to supporting and spreading awareness of solutions to address the impending infrastructure crisis in Texas.  Texas Future supporters believe that without immediately addressing our transportation and water issues, our state and way of life is under threat. Texas Future’s mission is to educate Texas taxpayers about our infrastructure crisis and encourage communication with our representatives in Austin about the need to take immediate and appropriate action to avert the looming highway, roads and water crisis. 

Larry Bell, University of Houston, Forbes, author, will speak on Global Warming

Larry Bell has authored the compelling book "Climate of Corruption: Politics and Power Behind the Global Warming Hoax".   He is a professor of architecture and endowed professor of space architecture at the University of Houston, where he founded and directs the Sasakawa International Center for Space Architecture (SICSA). SICSA is globally recognized as a leading academic organization for research, planning, and design of habitats in extreme environments.  SISCA sponsors the world's only graduate program in space architecture. A central priority is to explore and apply sustainable design and living approaches that can prevent unnecessary extreme conditions from occurring everywhere on our planet.     

Kathy Washburn, Executive Director, Westside Homeless Partnership

Kathy Washburn, executive director of the West Houston Homeless Partnership, will address the highly emotional homeless situation in Houston. The West Houston Homeless Partnership was born out of the desire to help families remain intact and their children receive an education in a stable environment. WHHP is a non-profit organization with an exceptionally high rate of success. While Federal, State, and City efforts are well funded, WHHP's results are a testament of what the private sector can effectively accomplish with limited resources. The organization is based in Spring Branch. Its no nonsense approach engenders a mutual respect between WHHP and its clients.

Jerry Patterson, Texas Land Commissioner

Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson is a well known Texas patriot and American.  With his wit and humor he is master in putting issues in a historical context that make sense to many.  He will talk about his role as Land Commissioner, and his thoughts on immigration.  At the last State Convention Jerry presented the platform on Immigration for the Republican Party of Texas.  A native to the Houston area, a graduate of Texas A&M, a Marine pilot of F-4's and helicopters, State Senator, and the Land Commissioner for the State of Texas, Jerry is also an articulate spokesman for the Second Amendment and a widely recognized promoter of education and Texas history. ) He was also an original member of the GHPC.

Steven Costello, Houston City Council At-Large Position 1

Stephen Costello has made jobs and economic development his first priority on the Houston City Council. He successfully led efforts to gain approval of the Rebuild Houston 2010 initiative, which repairs streets and the drainage system while creating new jobs in Houston.  Councilmember Costello also supports the implementation of the Hire Houston First program so our tax dollars go to families living here in our city.

Stephen Costello has run his own business in Houston for more than 20 years. As an engineer with a background in flood control and drainage, At-Large Councilmember Costello is in his second term on the Houston City Council. 

Steve Radack - Harris County Precinct Three Commissioner

Steve Radack was first elected Commissioner of Harris County Precinct Three in 1988.  Voters have reelected him six times!  During his career in public service, Steve has pushed for greater efficiency at all levels of local government by supporting programs aimed at promoting the intelligent use of taxpayer dollars. He has emphasized privatization throughout county government and been an outspoken advocate of making sure law enforcement agencies have the tools they need to keep children and neighborhoods safe.  In addition to his role as a county policymaker, which has given him a voice in regional health, transportation, and technology issues, Steve has also focused on enhancing the quality of life for all residents of Precinct Three.

David Dewhurst, Lieutenant Governor of Texas

A native Houstonian, David Dewhurst is a proud veteran, businessman, rancher and devoted family man. He has served as Texas Lieutenant Governor since 2003. After college, Dewhurst entered the U.S. Air Force, where he served as an Intelligence Officer. He continued his service to our nation as a Clandestine Services Case Officer with the Central Intelligence Agency overseas. In the 1990s, David served on the U.S. Commission on the Roles and Capabilities of the United States Intelligence Community. Years later, he was appointed Chairman of the Governor’s Task Force Committee on Homeland Security in the wake of 9/11, where he helped structure Texas' defense against terrorism.

After leaving the CIA, David returned to Houston and built his own business from the ground up. Initially successful, David and his company were hit hard by the 1980s oil and real estate bust. Though David was beaten up, he never gave up. Soon, his company, Falcon Seaboard, was a thriving energy and investments firm.

Gov. Dewhurst is a steadfast fiscal conservative and stands tall for Texas.  Please join us for this extra-special meeting of the Greater Houston Pachyderm Club.

Carolyn Hodges, President, Texas Federation of Republican Women

The Texas Federation of Republican Women is a volunteer army unmatched by any other women's organization.  TFRW makes it possible for women to influence how local, state and federal government manages such critical issues as health, crime, education, taxes and financial security.

The TFRW's longstanding goals of education, training, participation in government, electing Republicans and encouraging Republican women to run for office has helped create a powerful organization that is over 11,000 members strong with 163 local clubs across the state of Texas.

Todd Staples, Texas Commissioner of Agriculture and Candidate for Lieutenant Governor

Todd Staples is the 11th Texas Commissioner of Agriculture and recently was re-elected to serve a second four-year term in this statewide elected office. Commissioner Staples believes the free enterprise system and individual responsibility are the keys to prosperity for Texas.

From his earliest days of public service as a member of the Palestine city council through his tenures in the Texas House of Representatives and later the Texas Senate, Commissioner Staples has championed such critical issues as protection of private property owners��� rights, workers��� compensation reform, school finance reform and improving the education of Texas��� leaders of tomorrow, just to name a few.

As leader of the Texas Department of Agriculture, Commissioner Staples is diligent in his efforts to support private sector job creation and economic development across the Lone Star State; improve consumer protection from the grocery store to the gas pump; lead true eminent domain reform in Texas; and play an enormous role in continuing to improve the healthy lifestyles of young Texans.

B. Cubriel, Executive Director, and David Zapata, Director for Outreach, Republican Party of Texas

Beth Cubriel serves as the Executive Director of the Republican Party of Texas. In this position, Beth serves as Chief of Staff for the RPT and works directly with RPT Chair, Steve Munisteri, to manage a $1 million budget and to ensure the organization is meeting its political, legislative, and fundraising goals.

Prior to her promotion to Executive Director, Beth worked as the Organization Director for the RPT and was a major force in Texas to make the 2012 Republican Primary possible after continued delays and rules changes due to redistricting legislation.

Beth also has over a decade of experience working in a variety of capacities for U.S. Senator John Cornyn. Beginning with his successful long-shot campaign for Texas Attorney General and then serving in his executive administration, she was a crucial aide to his state operations. As then-Attorney General Cornyn prepared for his first U.S. Senate race, Beth served as Organization Director for Cornyn for Senate and then as State Field Director when Sen. Cornyn was sworn in. As State Field Director, Beth managed the Senator’s Texas field offices and staff, whose duties included constituent services and public relations. Beth again served as Organization Director for Sen. Cornyn’s re-election campaign.

Beth and her husband Randy live in Austin and met while working in politics. They have been married for over 10 years and have two children.

David Zapata is a graduate of St. Mary's University in San Antonio and holds degrees in both Political Science and Public Administration. As the RPT Outreach Director, David is leading the efforts to engage Texas’ minority communities. He is a frequent guest on Spanish-language television, Univision, presenting a conservative perspective on issues important to the Hispanic community in debates with various Democratic Party officials and legislators. David coordinates the RPT’s minority outreach efforts with the party’s various auxiliary groups located around the state.

David is a founding member of the Bexar County Chapter of the Texas Federation of Hispanic Republicans. As a college student, David spearheaded several political forums and debates for local City Council, School District Boards, and State Representative elections.

As an American of Hispanic descent, he strongly believes that Hispanic values and ideas align remarkably closely to Republican core principles and will continue delivering this message to the Hispanic and other minority communities.

Jeffery Anndicott, Professor of Law and Director, Center for Terrorism Law,
St. Mary's University, San Antonio

Professor Jeffrey F. Addicott is a Distinguished Professor of Law and the Director of the Center for Terrorism Law at St. Mary's University School of Law. An active duty Army officer in the Judge Advocate General's Corps for twenty years (he retired in 2000 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel), Professor Addicott spent a quarter of his career as a senior legal advisor to the United States Army's Special Forces. As an internationally recognized authority on national security law, terrorism law and human rights law, Professor Addicott not only lectures and participates in professional and academic organizations both in the United States and abroad, but he is also a frequent contributor to national and international news shows to include FOX News Channel and MSNBC. Professor Addicott is a prolific author, publishing over 20 books, articles, and monographs on a variety of legal topics. Addicott's most recent book (2011) is entitled: Terrorism Law: Cases, Materials, Comments, 6th edition.

Among his many contributions to the field, Professor Addicott pioneered the teaching of law of war and human rights courses to the militaries of numerous nascent democracies in Eastern Europe and Latin America. For these efforts he was awarded the Legion of Merit, named the "Army Judge Advocate of the Year," and honored as a co-recipient of the American Bar Association's Hodson Award. Addicott has served in senior legal positions in Germany, Korea, Panama, and throughout the United States. Professor Addicott holds a Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the University of Virginia School of Law. He also received a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the Army Judge Advocate General's School and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of Alabama School of Law. Apart from teaching a variety of courses at the law school, Dr. Addicott served as the Associate Dean for Administration at St. Mary's University School of Law (2006-2007). Dr. Addicott was the 2007 recipient of "St. Mary's University School of Law Distinguished Faculty Award."