EF’s Austin Invitational Poker Tournament

(Community Matters) Wow, what a blast. Joe Liemandt (founder & CEO, Trilogy) chaired this year’s event. May I just say he’s among the very best fundraising chairs I’ve ever met – completely metric and success driven in a very fun way. We budgeted to gross $200k and grant $25k to a nonprofit named by the winner; grossed over $300k and made an $80k grant to the winner’s nonprofit.

Joe Liemandt speaking, EF Chman Bill Bock (right)

we promised to award at least $25,000 cash to another nonprofit

Andra Liemandt, Kris Krause & Jenny Mason

Joe’s wife Andra & friends helped prep for the event – especially the jewelry which generated nearly $50k during our auctions.

one of the night’s auction items, a Cartier platinum and diamond bangle braclet

the Austin Ventures team Jeff Browning, Craig Milius, Phil Siegel, Chris Pacitti & Tom Ball
Mike Rovner also joined us but not in this photo

AV and Silicon Labs are our on-going, annual underwriters. How great to have so many of the AV team at the event. Necip Sayiner & Silicon Labs purchased a corporate table and had executives out in full force. We missed not having Nav Sooch at the event this year – hope he’s feeling well soon.

Heather Graham

Heather really enjoyed herself. So much so that she auctioned off lunch for $25,000 for EF and our nonprofit grant recipients.

Our winners – Mickey Milsap (3rd), Jaye Elliott (1st) & Steve Schoonmaker (2nd)

EF staffers, Shobie Partos, Peter Frey & Amanda Chiampi

We have the best staffers in the land.

Teresa & James Nicholson with Annie Duke

Teresa & James Nicholson own Casino Connection, the vendor we’ve used & love for three years. Annie Duke was the 2004 World Poker Series Champion where she won $2,000,000.

Jennifer Tilly and Shannon Moakler were with us as well.

with our previous co-chair & my dear friend, Jack McDonald

Jack McDonald & Bill Wood (Silverton Partners) chaired our poker tournament our first two years. We owe them big time for getting two very successful years on which we’ve built the third.

John Hamlin & Troux CEO/EF board member, Dave Hood

Kevin Connelly from Entourage

Kevin Connelly was having a blast. So much so that he impromptu donated an Entourage walk on role. Joshua Baer purchased the role for $32k. Kevin then donated another which brought in $25k more.

Beth Harwood (Vinson & Elkins), Kevin, Jenny Murphy (Sante Ventures) & Amanda Chiampi (EF) photo Jenny Murphy

the VCFO table

Thanks to Ellen Wood for organizing this table and our friends including Diana Holford (of Jones Lang LaSalle which was a huge sponsor of the evening) Elizabeth Davis & Sandra Uselman for playing.

EF board member, Scott Collier

Laura Kilcrease & Jeff Browning

The entire poker tournament was Jeff’s idea three years ago – my how it’s grown.

uShip founder, Jay Manickam

Joshua Baer (OtherInBox founder & CEO) & Trey, an aspiring, young entrepreneur

Joshua Baer is a successful serial entrepreneur. He even purchased a corporate table and hosted a great group of young, start up entrepreneurs.

Couldn’t have done the evening without six outstanding sponsors: Trilogy (our underwriter), Jones Lang LaSalle, iRunway, McKool Smith, SoftServe & Softlayer