Three Distinctive and Distinguished Honorees Helped Bring a Distinctive Organization to an 18-Year, $7-Million Raise for Men of Distinction Luncheon!

Three Distinctive and Distinguished Honorees Helped Bring a Distinctive Organization to an 18-Year, $7-Million Raise for Men of Distinction Luncheon!

Guests for the 18th Annual Men of Distinction Luncheon filled the ballroom of River Oaks Country Club, as three distinguished men were honored for making Houston a better place to live and work.

The luncheon was created eighteen years ago by a small group of volunteers who wanted to pay tribute to those men in the Houston community who have distinguished themselves through their leadership as businessmen, volunteers, and philanthropists … and simultaneously raise funds to support pediatric biomedical research, education, and patient care in the Texas Medical Center.

In keeping with the spirit of philanthropy shown by these distinguished gentlemen, ALL of the luncheon proceeds stay here in Houston for the direct benefit of children’s causes at the Texas Medical Center. A unanimous vote of the Men of Distinction Steering Committee chooses honorees and beneficiaries for each year. The Steering Committee consists of men in the community who desire to help promote our charitable endeavors. Members of the Steering Committee are:  Jonathan Ayre, Oliver Badgio, Dr. Devinder Bhatia, Tony Bradfield, Eric Brueggerman, Robert Dale, Tracy Dieterich, Scott Evans, Tony Gracely, Jay Guerrero, Danny Klaes, Stephen Lewis, Butch Mach, Steve Mach, Ed McMahon, Michael Mithoff, Cody Patel, Austin Quisenberry, Ross Robin, Scott Schwinger, Jesse Tutor and board chairman David Wuthrich.

With the support of Presenting Sponsors Sonic Automotive/Porsche River Oaks, Steak 48 and Tenenbaum Jewelers, and supporters, the event raised over $300,000. This year’s donations bring the total raised by the organization through these 19 years to over $7 million to continue its good works. This year’s grant recipients are Tina Findley, M.D., at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston; Michael A. Belfort, M.D. Ph.D. at Texas Children’s Hospital; and Reagan (Isbell) Oliphant, Christine Lannon, Jason Schutt and Quinn Smith at Texas A&M School of Engineering Medicine (ENMED).

As always, the program was emceed by former Channel 13 anchor Tom Koch, who was engaging and kept the program moving. Board Chairman David Wuthrich welcomed guests and introduced sponsor Sonic Automotive and Porsche River Oaks’ General Manager Rob Dale, who praised the work of Men of Distinction, thanked guests, and welcomed people to visit their beautiful, state-of-the-art facility at Greenbriar and Hwy 59.

John Bookout, III (consulting), Albert Chao (businessman and owner of Westlake Chemicals) and Bernard Harris, Jr., M.D. (Physician, Astronaut and businessman) are the three new additions to the 66 previous Houston gentlemen who have been honored, starting in 2007.  Each man gave an impassioned speech and expressed sincere gratitude for their success. The gentlemen were all introduced by longtime friends. Bookout was lauded by Thurmon Andress. Previous MOD honoree Jim Crownover welcomed Chao. Gulf Capital Bank CEO J. Downey Bridgwater introduced Dr. Harris.

Tenenbaum Jewelers CEO and MOD Board Member Tony Bradfield took the stage to announce that his company wanted to give more to Men of Distinction. Tony would donate ten percent of the store’s purchases, up to a maximum of $10,000, to the organization to further its efforts.

Besides the fact that this auspicious gathering consistently runs on time each year, guests are delighted to experience the photo wall, courtesy of Gittings. Sixty-six portraits of past honorees over eighteen luncheons were displayed on a specially created “distinctive” wall by Let It Fly Events, placed at the ballroom’s bay window for guests to view. This exceptional décor company also designed the stage. The chosen colors of the room were blue and silver. Florals on the table and stage were courtesy of floral artist Flowers by Nino, whose bowls of white Luxury roses and blue hydrangeas were the center of attention at the tables. EB, Inc. provided linens in multiple shades and textures of blue and marbled silver linens. Silver chair covers, blue and marbled napkins and silver plating chargers completed the room décor.

In the social scene (not previously mentioned):  Anne Chao, Franci Neely, Y. Ping Sun and David Leebron, Lily and Charles Foster, Gina Bhatia, Tara Wuthrich, Bobby Tudor,  Joella Mach, Ann Bookout, Lilly Andress, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees, Regina Rogers, Keith and Alice Mosing, Dr. “Bud” Frazier, Molly Crownover, Richard and Ginni Mithoff, Joe Cleary, Luke Wuthrich, Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman, Cheryl Boblitt King, Anne Neeson, Heidi Turney, Kasum Patel, Elizabeth Brueggeman, Monica Hartland, Christine Johnson, Jody Merritt, C.C. and Duke Ensell, Angela Hernandez, Nino Shbeeb, Sami Shbeeb, and others