Daily Archives: 05/29/2009

(Community Matters) Best wishes to Janet Harmon & Kent Mayes who are very recently engaged to be married!

(Community Matters) Last night was the 23rd annual Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award Gala. Embarrassed I didn’t even run into my dear friends Amy Warmke & Gina Budd who organize the event.

Each year successful, innovative and disruptive entrepreneurs are nominated for the prestigious recognition. This year, three business entrepreneurs and one social entrepreneur were selected for the award. After being vetted by E&Y’s assurance staff, nominees are further scrutinized, discussed and debated to determine finalists. The winners were: Brett Hurt (founder & CEO, BazaarVoice), Craig Malloy (CEO & Founder, Life Size Communications), Douglas Harrison (CEO & Founder, the Scotter Store) and Melvin White (CEO & Founder, Digital Workforce).

tons and tons of friends at the event, including these in photos

John Peck (Affiniscape), Roberto Fiebig & Corey Blahuta (vcfo)

Corey a long time friend and huge Entrepreneurs Foundation supporter. Virtual CFO a favorite company. John Peck – just getting to know, Affiniscape an interesting company. Coincidently just met with John this week.

Jeff Browning & Penny Wilson

Jeff the Austin Ventures Recruiting Partner and Penny an executive at 360Training – close friends who I don’t see often enough.

Carla & Jack McDonald

Everyone knows these two, both dear friends – Jack a previous EOY winner, Perficient CEO & COB, an EOY judge and soon to be US Congressman (10th District). This week, saw the tipping point in his race – Republicans, in significant numbers, are crossing over with support. His appeal transcends parties – raw intellect, passion for the fundamentals & a track record. Carla is his secret weapon, a success public relations exec, mom and community volunteer.

(Community Matters) I love the gathering, just hate idea of putting on my tuxedo. Alas . . .

(Community Matters) Our dear friend Wyeth Wiedeman hosted Secretary Carnahan today for lunch at Headliners. Robin is running for the US Senate.

Kirk Rudy, Secr. Robin Carnahan, Oscar Zaffarini, Yeal Ouzillou

Robin is a member of one of Missouri’s most esteemed political families. Her grandfather was a Congressman and an Ambassador. Her father, Mel Carnahan served as governor and won a seat for US Senate posthumously, after a plane crash during the election. Her mother was appointed to the Senate seat. Her brother is a US Congressman.

Secretary Carnahan spoke of the political wave that elected a progressive Democrat (Claire McCaskill) to replace John Ashcroft. And, she’d be a second progressive Democratic Senator is she replaces the retiring Senator Kit Bond.

Against the two current Republican also running, she’s polling +9pts over Roy Blundt and +12 pots over Sarah Steelman.

(Community Matters) The guys have started clearing out space to build our yard farm. We’re doing this in collaboration with Wheatsville Coop. We are installing the organic vegetable garden; Wheatsville will maintain it. We get to pick and eat freely; they’ll sell what’s harvested. Later this summer, you’ll be able to find AB Porter Yard Farm produce 🙂


We’re done rebuilding the retaining wall between us and Wheatsville. The stairs are in and the gate should be up in the next week as well.

There’s still two other structures (the pool house & the guest house) buffering us from the back gardens. It’ll be fun watching this experiment – hope it works for both of us.

(Community Matters) Kirk Rudy and I gathered in one of his conference rooms today for an NFC call with President Obama. Gov Kaine (DNC Chair) spoke just before the President, explaining DNC priorities 1) working for presidential success, 2) state party strength and 3) grassroots politics. Then, we hear an Air Force One operator interrupt, Reggie Love gets on the line asking us to hold, then President Obama.

Of course, it’s always a privilege to hear directly from the President. He spoke about restoring fairness, equity and stability to our economy, about standing strong for our ideas. Talked about his long list of legislative accomplishments, and of course, discussed the nomination of Justice Sotomayor.

Kirk on the phone with President Obama

Kirk and I were listening, nodding, and then as BHO wrapped up his comments, the President said “I believe Kirk Rudy from Austin has a question.” Kirk had indicated he wanted to ask a question, but previously, you simply queued up by pressing star 1, then the operator might pick you and introduce you. We were both so startled by the President calling Kirk out directly, we almost didn’t know what to do. Anyhow, it was a very funny moment, then we had to share the phone itself for BHO’s answer since neither of us were sure we wouldn’t hang up when trying to reengage the speaker.

I haven’t posted these photos from earlier this month but thought might find of interest.

with Valerie Jarrett

(Community Matters) My good friend Thom Singer is a professional speaker and published author. His topic is networking.

Friends who know me might think it would be silly for me to attend such a session. However, I know Thom well enough to know that there’s plenty more to think about. And of course, I also wanted to support his first gig since he’s gone full time. He’s been speaking & writing for years.

Many friends in Austin know his books: Some Assembly Required: How to Grow & Keep Your Business; The ABCs of Networking; Some Assembly: A Networking Guide for Women; Some Assembly Required: Linked-In; Some Assembly Required: Real Estate.

Thom spoke a lot about visibility, credibility and brand – about being known, respected and understood. There were over 65 people in attendance, and I did learn a lot – at least reminded about how one must deliberately put together the pieces. While he was talking, I thought about how, yeah, I have strong networks among CEOs and folks closer to my age. But, I’m getting stale, not getting out there enough with the younger crowd – 20 and 30 somethings. I’m gonna create a young entrepreneurs/CEO council somehow. Maybe in exchange for sponsoring some gatherings, they’ll let me hang out.