Daily Archives: 05/16/2008

(Community Matters) Very important endorsements – Bill Donaldson, Arthur Levitt, and David Ruder, three former Chairmen of the Securities and Exchange Commission who were appointed by Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan, respectively – have all endorsed Senator Obama for President. posted from my Blackberry. Please forgive typos. Tiny little keys

(Community Matters) Karen & Rick Hawkins hosted last night’s Ernst & Young EOY VIP event at their very swanky abode on Stratford. This year’s EOY finalists include: Mark Adams (Advocate MD), Tim Costell (Builder Homesite), Sam Goodner (Catapult Systems), Craig Malloy (LifeSize Communications), Satin Mirchandani & Mike Rosenfelt (MessageOne), Kirk Rudy, Chris Ellis, Bryce Miller, Jeff Newberg, Andy Pastor & David Roche (Endeavor Real Estate Group) and Ed Sattar (360training.com).

Social EOY finalists are Alan Graham (Mobile Loaves & Fishes), Richard Halpin (American Youthworks), Karen Langley (Family Eldercare) and Rachel Muir (Girlstart). The Silverton Foundation sweetens the pot for the Social EOY award – the recipient’s nonprofit receives a $100,000 grant.

Karen & Rick Hawkins and Valerie & Jeff Newberg

Ernst & Young managing partner, Mike Blue

Amy Warmke & Kim Hughes (Carol Thompson far right)

Laura Kilcrease & Richard Halpin

Laura Pastor & Amy Rudy

Tracie Pumphrey & Kim Shrum

Lots and lots of friends/high-tech leaders in attendance. This year’s EOY judges include Scott Eckert, Bob Fabbio, Bill Imhoff, Laura Kilcrease, Jack McDonald, Erik Prusch, Eric Rothfus (Guggenheim Ventures closing on a new, $100m fund) and Ed Taylor. Social EOY judges included Susan McDowell, Marc Seriff, Mike Turner and Neil Webber. The EOY Advisory Board includes Michael Blue, Tom Ball, Ted Barnhill, Lyn Chasteen, Amy Coplen, Tracie Pumphrey, Eugene Sepulveda, Kim Shrum, Tom Sicola, Bertrand Sosa, Tom Spivey, Carol Thompson and JC Waller.

(Community Matters) Developer Taylor Andrews was called out of town but was nice enough to have Greg Anderson give me a tour of the 360 Condos – 44 stories and 430 residences.

rendering of the tower located downtown on Nueces between 3rd & 4th

View east from atop 360

Greg Anderson of Andrews Urban

Unfortunately, not allowed to photograph inside the building. I think the buyers of these condos have gotten great deals. In addition to well priced units, the club, gym and outdoor entertaining spaces are outstanding. Next week’s opening parties should be much fun.

view north

block next to post office between 6th and 5th – Andrews Urban and Novare should break ground on their next condo tower in the next couple of months

(Community Matters) Attended the American Youthworks luncheon today as a guest of Janet Harman and the KDK-Harman Foundation. Good to see social entrepreneur Richard Halpin who launched this organization over 30 years ago. They do great work as a charter school. From their materials: American YouthWorks (AYW) is an efficient, cost-effective vehicle for reclaiming the lives of our at-risk youth. 85.6 cents of every dollar AYW raises is spent on direct services at an average annual participant direct cost of only $8,076. Every private sector dollar AYW raises is leveraged 5-to-1 with AmeriCorps, TEA, and other government money.

Some of their students

Janet Harman and Sam Greer, surrounded by AYW students

(Community Matters) Another favored nonprofit is Habitat for Humanity. Even before we’d met Steven’d been contributing to them for many years.

Met this morning with HFH staff Michael Willard, Michael Kellerman and Michelle Nance as well as member of Habitat’s Leadership Council. Save the date: Oct 8, 2008, a cool, Habitat Party

Michael Kellerman, Amanda McPhearson (LCRA), Michael Willard, Sherine Thomas
Cindy Veidt and Michelle Nance

Also, looks like Rudy, Mike & I may be engaging with Habitat to deploy funds from the Meredith gift for elderly housing rehabilitation.