Houston Area Council of the
American Business Women's Association

Council Members' 2006 Woman of the Year Event

Part of the ABWA Mission Statement emphasizes that ABWA is about recognizing its chapters and members. Each year, chapters emphasize the outstanding achievements and contributions of members that personify their respective Chapter by choosing a Chapter Woman of the Year. In an effort to continue the recognition process, the Houston Area Council sponsored a luncheon to honor its member chapter’s Women of the Year. The event honoring these incredible women was held at the Junior League of Houston. We hope you had an opportunity to attend the event. We are truly blessed with outstanding women in our organization! Below are their bios. Please spend time reading about how these women have contributed so much to other women, our organization, and their communities. Also, to see pictures of the event, please click here.

2006 Women of the Year:

Anna Kettler — 2006 Woman of the Year
Alvin Area Achievers

Anna Kettler has been a member of ABWA for 35 ½ years with perfect attendance and has sponsored 25 + members. She is a member of the Alvin Area Achievers and the Prime Time Alvin Daytimer Chapter. She says that having served in all offices and as a chair or member of all committees, she feels that collecting information and news for chapter newsletters by visiting in person or by phone with members, and then writing and coordinating the production of the newsletter, has been her most rewarding effort.

Anna was elected ABWA District II VP in 1983 and since 1989 has written and distributed VIP newsletters to past and current ABWA national officers. She has chaired and organized local ABW Day events for the three Alvin chapters and guests for 20+ years.

Anna graduated from Sam Houston State University with a double major in Journalism and English. She has undertaken graduate studies at the University of Houston at Clear Lake, has many hours of continuing education through the National Management Association, Lockheed, and a wide variety of continuing education classes at Alvin Community College. Anna has attended 30 National ABWA conventions and 40+ Spring Conferences since 1976, and has taken numerous educational programs at each as well as serving on several program panels. During her college career, Anna worked on the Sam Houston State newspaper and the Huntsville Item newspaper and was later a reporter and feature writer for The Alvin Sun.

She worked for several contractors for the Johnson Space Center, editing formal documents, transcribing the astronauts' messages during space training and missions, and verifying medical transcripts. In 1976, Anna went to work for Lockheed as a Technical Editor coordinating reports for three departments that reported to NASA involved in designing the Space Station.

Anna retired at the end of 1995. She has a small business producing ceramics. What Anna enjoys most about retirement is having more leisure time to participate and serve in the many organizations of which she is a member.

Anna's community involvement includes membership in the Alvin Museum Society since its founding in 1976, served as President, and has been Secretary for more than 20 years. She chairs the annually produced Alvin Historical Calendar and is now working on #14. She is on the Lockheed Retiree Association Board and editor of the quarterly newsletter. Anna is a board member and secretary for the Alvin Community College Education and Services for Seniors. She has been a two-time past president of the Aglaian Study Club, two-time yearbook editor, held all offices, and has been a member of all the committees. Anna is also a board member for the Alvin Library League. She is a board member and past secretary and treasurer of Senior Friends/H2U, a hospital-related organization, and was previously awarded Volunteer of the Year and received the Geissen Award.

Anna's special interests include reading, gardening, ceramics, embroidery, and needlepoint. Congratulations, Anna Kettler, Alvin Area Achievers Woman of the Year.

Valeta Fay — 2006 Woman of the Year
Prime Time Alvin Daytimer Chapter

Valeta Fay has been a member of ABWA for 46 years. She is a primary member of Gulf Crossroads Chapter and a secondary member of the Prime Time Alvin Daytimer Chapter. Valeta says that serving as education chair and program chair for two years each, as well as serving as the membership chair have meant most to her. She says that she has made many new friends and still keeps in touch with many that she has met through the three committees. Valeta considers her experiences to be interesting, rewarding, and educational.

Valeta completed high school and attended business school in Houston in 1947, was employed 22 years with Tenneco, and has been retired for 33 years. What she enjoys most about retirement is being able to get up at a decent hour and do what she wants to do, whenever she wants to do it. What most members of ABWA may not know is that Valeta brought ABWA to Alvin. She was working in Houston and joined the San Jacinto Chapter when it was formed in 1960. She was instrumental in forming Alvin's first chapter, Gulf Crossroads, in 1961. Throughout her 45-year+ ABWA membership, Valeta has "done it all".

Valeta is the coordinator of the "Are You OK?" program with the Alvin police department, serves as president of the Advisory Board of Access Program at Alvin Community College, and prepares for communion services every Sunday at church. Her special interests include volunteering for other groups in her community. Congratulations Valeta Fay, Prime Time Alvin Daytimer Chapter's Woman of the Year.

Wendy Bynum — 2006 Woman of the Year
Bay Area Vision Chapter

Wendy Bynum has been a member of the Bay Area Vision Chapter for 3 years. She says that holding the office of Vice President has helped her in both her personal and professional life. Wendy states that it has been a wonderful adventure this year as VP because she had to step out of her box and grow and be prepared and ready to fill in for the President. Wendy served as coordinator for the chapter's Cow Patty Square Dance Fund Raiser and enjoyed every minute of booking and taking care of 40 crafters. She learned more about leadership this year by making decisions to go forward on projects. Wendy is especially grateful to Sheila Hardy, current President, because she believes that she could not have done all this without the Sheila's mentoring. She says she feels like an "apprentice".

Wendy has owned D&D Consultants for 16 years and Primerica Financial Services for 5 years where she acts as an income tax specialist and financial analyst. Wendy especially enjoys helping people save money on taxes and mortgage interest, helping them provide for retirement, have the proper life insurance, and teaching them how to be debt free. She is a Licensed Life Insurance Agent, Licensed Mortgage Loan Officer, Licensed Long-Term Care Agent, and a Pre-Paid Legal Agent and all these licenses are with one company, Primerica, the marketing arm of Citigroup.

Wendy graduated from Clear Creek High School in 1966. She received her CE in shorthand in the 70's, has served as a Child Evangelist from the 80's to present, and received 4 levels of H&R Block in the 90's.

Wendy volunteers for AARP, the Northshore Community Baptist Church, BNI, and HNN. In her spare time, she loves to build computers and e-commerce, sewing, and quilting. She stays busy with triplet granddaughters ages 2 ½ and grandsons 2 and 6 months old.

An outstanding achievement that Wendy will never forget was being interviewed by Erma Bombeck in the late 80's at a coupons and refunding convention, and the interview of her segment being aired on Good Morning America. Congratulations Wendy Bynum, Bay Area Vision Chapter's Woman of the Year.

Marla Regan — 2006 Woman of the Year
Cy-Fair Express Network

Marla Regan has been a member of the CyFair Express Network for 4 years. She says that holding the office of President has helped her in both her personal and professional life.

Marla is the 9-year owner of Organized Time where she serves as a Professional Organizer and virtual office assistant, a speaker, and an author. She is passionate about helping people whether it is de-cluttering, furthering her customer's business with office assistance, or speaking to organizations about balancing home and career or what she terms as clutter busting.

Marla helped with the development and is a charter member of Houston Chapter of National Association of Professional Organizers where she has served as program chair, secretary, Vice President, President, and Past President. She has also served on the National Committee for Marketing. In 2006, Marla was part of the committee that chaired the first annual Professional Organizers Conference in Houston.

Marla received a secretarial certificate from Southwest Louisiana Technical School in Lake Charles in 1978, received a Certified Virtual Assistant certificate from AssistU, and received her Teleclass Leader certification from Teleclass International.

An outstanding achievement that Marla is most proud of is that she formed a second business called Successful Organizers in July, 2003. It is an educational business "to teach those who wish to become professional organizers". In her leisure, Marla loves to read, listen to music, and travel. Congratulations Marla Regan, Cy-Fair Express Network's Woman of the Year.

Dee Black — 2006 Woman of the Year
Ft. Bend Charter Chapter

Dee Black has been a member of the Ft. Bend Charter Chapter for six years. She says that holding the office of Web Chair has helped her in both her personal and professional life. She has limited spare time available, especially to attend extra meetings. So, working on the web is something that she can do more easily. She has learned a lot by taking over from the previous web chair, since she has never worked on websites before. Dee says it gives her a chance to get preview copies of the newsletters, new member information, upcoming speakers, etc. It has also led to her developing a website for her school booster club since she found out it was so easy.

Dee has been an employee of UT MD Anderson Cancer Center for 28 years and is an independent Sales Director and Trainer for Pampered Chef. At UT MD Anderson, she works with outpatient departments and clinics to analyze and develop business applications on the computer to assist in their patient flow. She develops most of the reports used throughout the clinics and ancillary departments as related to patient care.

With Pampered Chef, Dee does live cooking demonstrations to teach people how to utilize the right kitchen tools and supplies to make cooking easy and fun again.

Dee says that she loves being able to make a difference in peoples lives. Having worked at MD Anderson so long has allowed her to not only experience the changes in the work environment, but to experience the advances in medical science and the difference it makes in cancer treatment and prevention. Knowing that she has had a major part or even minor part of that is truly rewarding for Dee. She says that she is lucky to work with many teams that have been together for many years and says that they are truly a cohesive work group.

With Pampered Chef, Dee knows that she can also make a difference by making it easier for people to really eat together as a family. Dee's community involvement and special interests include President of the Needville Band Boosters, Regional Fundraising coordinator for Pampered Chef's Second Harvest Food Banks, the Departmental Fundraising Chair for Adopt-A-Family program, a "Theater Mom", and a church greeter and teacher . She also likes to sing, especially in her car so no one can hear her.

Dee's outstanding achievement and recognition includes being the mom of two honor roll students and all-state performers, employee of the month nominee, and three job certificates in the past year.

Dee's education includes a BS in Math from the University of Houston, Project Management, and several Information Systems classes. Congratulations Dee Black, Ft. Bend Charter Chapter's Woman of the Year.

Sarah Klein-Tower — 2006 Woman of the Year
Galleria Networking Chapter

Sarah Klein-Tower is a member of the Galleria Networking Chapter. She says that holding the office of Web Chair has helped her in both her personal and professional life.

Sarah says that the ABWA position that has contributed most to her personal and professional life is that of the Gala Preparation Committee. Sarah says that the experience contributed most to her personal growth and ABWA friendships because of the creativity and organization qualities the event required. The committee was given a blank slate and asked to create an artful platform to launch the scholarship contribution baskets from. Working with a great group of people, raw materials, glue guns, staples, ribbon, lots of fortitude and laugher, though at times it didn't seem it would ever come together, ordinary tables were transformed into extraordinary platforms of art. She also developed new and deeper friendships and the group learned how to let their imaginations flow.

Sarah founded Possibilities Group and serves as the President. Her job includes being a writer, speaker, and teacher. She likes to teach, inspire, and motivate people on how to focus their energies to create and achieve their goals and desires, with an emphasis on achieving balanced, healthy, and passionate living. Sarah has written two books to include Give Yourself Permission, Living Life, Losing Weight and Loving the Process and Shall We Dance Through Life, both of which are recipes for living an optimum life. "Possibilities Life Soup Recipe" is published in the Austin Soup Peddler's, and The Soupie Cookbook.

Sarah enjoys her career as she can inspire people to continue to learn and to see that their best days are in front of them, no matter what their present condition or circumstances are, and helping them to discover the possibilities that are all around them.

Sarah's volunteerism includes being the founder of Clayton College Houston Natural Health Students and Alumni Networking Group, Blue Print Houston, a counsel on effective eating habits, as well as giving pro bono legal advice.

Sarah's interest include travel, the study of applied energy and function of the brain, building and design, and innovative learning techniques.

Her outstanding achievements and recognition include serving as an Intern to the U.S. Claims Court, a briefing attorney for the Court of Appeals, a candidate for U.S. Congress, a presenter at Tulane Law School on a Women's Political Panel, a board member of the Advocate's Moot Court, University of Houston Law Center, and organizer and coordinator of Women's Campaign School at Yale initial event in Texas. Congratulations to Sarah Klein-Tower, Galleria Networking Chapter's Woman of the Year.

Susan Dietz — 2006 Woman of the Year
Greenspoint Charter Chapter

Susan Dietz is a five-year member of the Greenspoint Chapter. Susan says that chairing the Greenspoint Chapter's Business Associate Event in 2003 was the first event of this magnitude that she was responsible for and it really challenged her to expand her comfort zone. She had the opportunity to recruit and work with a number of amazing ladies and together, they set, divided, and achieved their goals. As the "umbrella" of the committee, it was Susan's responsibility to set the achievement bar high and communicate with the committee and chapter to ensure all details of the event ran smoothly. The event was a great success due to the commitment of the BAE committee and chapter, and that year marked Greenpoint's most well attended BA Event to date.

Susan has been employed with Whitney National Bank for five years as the Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager where she is responsible for the overall growth and profitability of the Champions Branch. She enjoys working with small businesses and individuals to help them achieve their financial goals.

Susan's education includes a Bachelor of Science in Communications/ Advertising from the University of Texas, ABWA Spring Conference seminars, a Leadership North Houston graduate, and has attended Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

Susan's community involvement includes serving as a Willowbrook Rotary Member and on the Board of Directors; Greenspoint Chapter President, Vice President, and Business Associate Event Chair; Leadership North Houston; Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Committeeman, Cy-Fair Educational Foundation Golf Tournament Auction Committee, and Pin Flag and Holes Committee; Girl Scout Treasurer; Women Business Enterprise Alliance-Certification Committee; Cy Fair Chamber Business Expo Planning Committee; and Cy Fair Chamber and Houston Northwest Chamber member.

Susan's hobbies include Texas Longhorn Football, scrapbooking, and spending time with family and friends. Her most outstanding achievement includes the Champions Branch being named Most Outstanding Branch in Texas in 2004 and being named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Willowbrook Rotary. Congratulations Susan Dietz, Greenspoint Chapter's Woman of the Year.

Jeanine Richey — 2006 Woman of the Year
Gulf Crossroads Charter Chapter

Jeanine Richey has been a member of the Gulf Crossroads Charter Chapter for eight years. She has served as Program Chair or served on the Program Committee for five of these years. She says that being Program Chair has greatly benefited her because she has met a number of individuals that are either professionals in business, or volunteers in various community activities.

Jeanine has an Associate Degree in Secretarial Science from Durham Business College. She is retired after working many years in the banking industry and chemical services companies. During her working career, she enjoyed the interaction with her supervisors, customers, and co-workers. Now that she is retired, she contributes to local charitable organizations.

She enjoys spending time with family and friends, family photography, needlework, and reading. Jeanine considers her most outstanding achievement to be raising three children who are productive and contribute to society. Congratulations Jeanine Richey, Gulf Crossroads' Woman of the Year.

Sherri Ford Cassidy — 2006 Woman of the Year
Houston Area Professional Express Network (HAPEN)

Sherrie Ford Cassidy has been a member of the Houston Area Professional Express Network for four years. She says being President has greatly impacted her life as it has given her the opportunity to work with some of the most remarkable women in ABWA. Sherrie has been fortunate to be mentored by some of the most recognized and highly regarded women in Houston. Because she was President Elect and stepped into the position of President when the President could no longer fill her responsibilities, Sherri felt a little intimidated and overwhelmed. However with the assurance and help of some of the chapter's more tenured members, she found the confidence and the team work necessary to fulfill the position. Working with her Board of Directors and her advisory board has given Sherri the tools to not only lead her organization successfully, but also the confidence to be able to lead other groups. The experience has been remarkable to see such professional and busy women all work for the greater good of the group, not for themselves or for personal gain. Sherri considers it a very rewarding and educational experience.

Sherri holds a BBA from The University of Texas in Marketing and in Management, and has taken some UT graduate classes as well. Sherri owns her own business, Staples, and currently serves as its Business Development Associate. She finds and contacts new businesses with 20 or more employees and presents the Staples Business Advantage program to successfully set up their account as Staples customers. After the account is established, it is also Sherri's responsibility to respond to questions and to attempt to ensure the customer's happiness with Staples program. She considers her business fun while fulfilling her client's needs.

Sherri currently volunteers her time to the Women Helping Others (WHO) Foundation which is an organization that supports grass roots charities for women and children across the United States. WHO successfully contributed $275,000 to over 21 organizations in 2005.

Sheri's interests and hobbies include coaching an Odyssey of the Mind team of 8th graders from River Oaks Baptist School who placed 6th in the world competition last year and are headed to the World Competition again this year. She also enjoys creating scrapbooks for her teen boys as they move toward their graduations. Sherri loves to dance ballroom, ballet, jazz, and tap. She also enjoys spending time with her two boys, her dogs, and a cat.

Sherri says her most outstanding achievement was being recognized as top salesperson and recruiter in the Texas region for BeautiControl. Congratulations Sherri Ford Cassidy, HAPEN's Woman of the Year.

Kathryn Hill — 2006 Woman of the Year
Humble Artesian Charter Chapter

Kathryn Hill has been a member of the Humble Artesian Chapter for three years. She says that serving as newsletter editor has been very rewarding as she has been able to increase her skills and knowledge in creating professional newsletters which she continues to use at work and in the ministries that she is involved in.

Kathryn graduated from Humble High School and holds certifications in Service Plus: Health Care, OSHA Compliance for Health Care, Managing Multiple Priorities, Exceptional Customer Service, How to Develop and Deliver Powerful Employee Orientation Programs, How to Better Organize Files and Records, How to Better Organize, Control and Manage Accounts Payable, How to Organize Your Life and Get Rid of Clutter, How to Manage Your Time More Effectively, Professional Telephone Skills, International Society of Chelation Technicians Training Program, and is experienced in Desktop Publishing, WordPerfect, and QuickBooks

Kathryn serves as the Special Projects Coordinator for Life Celebrating Health where she coordinates events, takes care of public relations, marketing, bookkeeping, and secretarial duties. She enjoys being able to share with people the choices in healthcare that will enable them to return to living a full and complete life. She also enjoys working for a doctor who constantly shows his appreciation to his staff for what they contribute by making a difference in people's lives.

Kathryn is also an Ordained Minister at God's Word In Action International Faith Center. She serves as Worship Leader, leads the Praise and Worship Band, serves as the Church Secretary, Women's Ministry member, Weekly Home Bible Study Leader, and the Singles Ministry Leader. She has served as Children's Church leader and Interim Youth Leader. Kathryn is involved in the C.O.R.P. of Encouragers, which is the Dayton, Texas chapter of Circuit Riders Motorcycle Ministry and Daughters of Destiny (Women's Outreach of CRMM). She has held the position of secretary and is currently treasurer. She is the CRMM International Fundraiser Coordinator's Secretary and has participated in many wonderful events. She volunteers for KSBJ Radio Station and the Special Olympics in Houston and Baytown.

Kathryn's special interests and hobbies include ministry, scuba diving, and camping. Congratulations to Kathryn Hill, Humble Artesian Chapter's Woman of the Year.

Francie Lockwood — 2006 Woman of the Year
Katy Charter Chapter

Francie Lockwood has been a member of ABWA for 18 years, is a Charter member of the Katy Charter Chapter, and is a secondary member of West Houston Express Network. She says that serving as Chapter President two times has helped her fine tune her leadership skills, speaking skills, and organizational skills. Francie shares that speaking in an ABWA meeting requires not only the ability to speak, but also a focused approach to recognizing those who want to speak, and closely following the rules of order to keep the meetings running smoothly. Francie believes that working with the board members and committee chairmen helped her sharpen her delegation and organizational skills considerably. She says that most of all, being a leader of any group is a great responsibility because the leader sets the tone, the goals, and plans for the meetings. Francie says that the experience of being President and a long time member of ABWA helps her every day when she sets the tone in her personal and business encounters with friends, clients, and associates.

Francie holds a BA from the University of California at Santa Barbara, has taken Graduate courses in marketing from California State University Long Beach, earned a designation as a Certified Insurance Counselor, maintains a real estate Masters certification, and takes annual continuing education courses in real estate and insurance. She has taken numerous leadership and membership seminars at ABWA National and Spring conferences through the years. Francie owns Lockwood Insurance Associates where she offers and provides services in personal insurance and financial products through the Farmers Insurance Group. She has been honored as a 1998 Top Ten Candidate and a 1997 Federation of Houston Professional Women Woman of Excellence.

Francie volunteers as a Team Leader for Home Delivered Meals of Katy , is a Project Linus quilter for Texas Children's Hospital, participates in Relay for Life, and has served as an usher for First United Methodist Church in Katy for 12 years. Francie's "FUN" interests are designing one-of-a-kind art quilts, golf, tweaking recipes, and cooking from scratch. Francie Lockwood, Katy Charter Chapter's Woman of the Year.

Rosemary Rich — 2006 Woman of the Year
League City Charter Chapter

Rosemary Rich has been a member of the League City Charter Chapter for three years. She says that serving as Fundraising Chairman will benefit her in her personal and professional life most because of having to develop the required skills to organize an event.

Rosemary has a Masters of Science degree in Mathematics and Statistics from Louisiana Tech University and has attended San Jacinto College for a C Programming class for professional skill development. Rosemary has received training in Oracle for Developers, X-Windows, X-Windows Motif, and Microsoft Visual Studio.NET as well as a myriad of job related training courses.

Rosemary is a Senior software Engineer Specialist for Cimarron Incorporated where she is the lead software engineer with a NASA contractor responsible for the design, development, and maintenance of a software package that processes telemetry data and distributes the data to client application displays. Rosemary enjoys software engineering as it is like a huge puzzle where you organize data to achieve a desired result. Like most puzzles the joy is in the journey towards completion of the puzzle.

Rosemary supports the Boy Scouts of America Bay Area Council, the Interfaith Caring Ministries Resale shop and local food drives. She also provides painted items for fundraising to support "The Rose", a breast cancer awareness and support center.

Rosemary's favorite hobby is decorative painting including techniques using acrylic, watercolor, and colored pencil. She also enjoys scrapbooking, reading, relaxing with family and friends, and shopping. Congratulations Rosmary Rich, League City Charter Chapter.

Susan Doise — 2006 Woman of the Year
Les Femmes D'Affaires Charter Chapter

Susan Doise has been a member Les Femmes D'Affaires Chapter in Lake Charles Louisiana for two years and holds the position of secretary. She graduated from McNeese State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree from the Department of Social Sciences, College of Liberal Arts with a major in Criminal Justice.

Susan has been employed by Scott J. Pias, Attorney at Law for nine years as a legal assistant where she assists Mr. Pias in preparing for trial, drafting and filing pleadings with the Court, managing all financial accounts/escrow accounts for the business. She runs errands for the office, deals directly with clients, communicates with insurance companies and adjusters regarding files, and makes sure that the client's needs are being met. Susan works very closely with the court and Judges to make sure that all hearings and appointments are properly scheduled and attended by all parties. She enjoys her career most because she loves helping people. She says they come in with a problem and stay with the firm until that problem has been resolved. Susan enjoys being able to help the clients in getting the medical care and attention that they need to feel better, and makes sure that all of their rights have been protected under the law.

Susan's currently sits on the Board of Directors for the SPELC Federal Credit Union in Lake Charles, LA. Her special interests include being outside and gardening as well as painting. She also enjoys spending time with her family, especially all of her nieces and nephews. Congratulations Susan Doise, Les Femmes D'Affaires Chapter's Woman of the Year.

Wendy Weldon — 2006 Woman of the Year
Leading Women Express Network (LWEN)

Wendy Weldon is a three-year charter member of the Leading Women Express Network. She has served as President, Vice President of Marketing and Membership, and chaired the Membership Recruitment Drive.

Wendy graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelors of Science degree. She has attended Franklin Covey's Time Management Seminar, has 150+ hours from the Institute in Basic Life Principles, and has 200+ hours from Greenwood Sales Courses.

Wendy has been employed with MicroAge in College Station for a year and a half as their Director of Marketing. She is responsible for their strategic marketing plan, public relations, and project management. Wendy provides strategic oversight and approval of all marketing initiatives. Wendy plans, implements, executes, and evaluates customer events, programs, and solution seminars, both on and off site. She develops and maintains relationships with product manufacturers and vendors, and develops comprehensive branding campaigns and advertising strategies to include equity/identity tactics, printing creative/collateral, and eNewsletters.

Wendy enjoys her job most because she loves assisting in her company's expansion through traditional and non-traditional endeavors while working in a non- traditional, out-of-the-box environment for women.

Wendy volunteers for the American Cancer Society as an Executive Board Member and Vice President of Communications. She has chaired the Cattle Barons Ball, is a member of the Junior League of Bryan-College Station where she has chaired the Supersellers Committee, and served on the Planning Council. She has also served on the Ad-Hoc Bargain Blitz Committee, and the Membership Council. Wendy is a member of the Leadership Brazos, Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and Class Project Chair for Curling For A Cause/Turkeys on Ice.

Some of Wendy's outstanding achievements include serving as the builder/general contractor when building her own home. She has produced and developed nationally recognized and award-winning ad sales initiatives that generated over $50 million of incremental revenue in just one year, and she has developed stress reduction, staff development, and employee recognition programs for two call centers. Wendy developed and executed sales strategies that expanded sales 2,400% in less than two years after launching a local broadcast television station.

In her spare time, Wendy likes to go camping, reading, community involvement, volunteerism, and spending time with close valuable friends. Congratulations Wendy Weldon, Leading Women Express Network's Woman of the Year.

Barbara Blair — 2006 Woman of the Year
Magic Circle Charter Chapter

Barbara Blair is a five-year member of the Magic Circle Chapter. She says that working on an auction committee years ago taught her how to communicate with the public and solicit donations, often from reluctant people. That skill has been crucial to the success of her own non-profit organization, Teddy's Train, which she created to distribute teddy bears to children and seniors in need of a hug. The committee also helped Barbara hone her organizational skills and develop the ability to keep things running smoothly without overly stressing.

Barbara has some college and has completed courses in Accounting to further her career. She has taken many training classes and attended a multitude of seminars to enhance her non-profit efforts.

Barbara is the Office Manager of The TradeFair Group, Inc. a tradeshow company geared toward the Electric Utility and Oil and Gas industries and really enjoys her travels to many parts of the United States for her company.

Barbara currently is the director of Teddy's Train, a non-profit organization that provides teddy bears to children and seniors and really loves the look of enjoyment on the faces of the recipients of the teddy bears.

Barbara is active in Project Cure that sends medical supplies around the world. Her special interests and hobbies include currently planning a Teddy Bear Museum to maximize the distribution of teddy bears through Teddy's Train and for the enjoyment of visitors and teddy bear lovers of all ages. The museum will be called "Teddy Bear Depot" and will be filled with her private collection of more than 3,500 bears.

Barbara's outstanding achievements include being honored as a Woman of Excellence through the Federation of Houston Professional Women and being chosen as a finalist for the Chrysalis Award to honor businesswomen in Houston. Other outstanding achievements include being acknowledged for her community service from area elementary schools, the Assistance League, Texas Children's and MD Anderson Hospitals, Hermann Memorial Children's Hospital, the Shriners, West Houston Medical Center Hospitals, and many more civic organizations receiving teddy bears from Teddy's Train. Congratulations Barbara Blair, Magic Circle's Woman of the Year.

Nancy Smith — 2006 Woman of the Year
San Jacinto Charter Chapter

Nancy Smith is a member of the San Jacinto Chapter. Although she has only been in the Chapter for 1-½ years, and has not held a lot of positions, she currently serves on the auditing committee. Nancy appreciates being nominated for that type of position.

Nancy has been a paralegal with Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse for 13 years. Under the direction of the Managing Attorney, her duties include ensuring responsible and timely delivery of legal services for Domestic Violence Victims seeking Protective Orders, Divorces, Custody, and Child Support in Harris County Family Courts. She enjoys knowing that she is able to help a victim and family of domestic abuse live a life free of family violence and to support them through the legal process.

Nancy holds an Associates Degree in Applied Science majoring in Legal Studies and graduated with honors at the age of 54. Nancy has held many diversified careers including her past antique business. She has a Certificate of Completion for Volunteer Management Courses from Rice University, Conversational Spanish from HCC, Family Law for the General Practitioner, and Legal Assistant from South West College of Law, and successful completion of Safety Strategies for Community Supervision from Sam Houston State University.

She has successfully completed training programs for a Domestic Violence Training Series for Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse, Safety Strategies for Community Supervision from Sam Houston State University, Safety Training from the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Dept. and completed a Training Program for Emergency Procedures Safety Program from the City of Houston. In addition, she has completed training for Field Interviewer for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Nancy also serves as a Notary Public for the state of Texas.

Some highlights of her career was being able to speak with President Lyndon B. Johnson by telephone and being transported by private jet by Kerr McGee.

Nancy's community service and special interests include volunteering for Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse, Ben Taub's Viva Project, a Harris County Voter Registrar, a solicitor for March of Dimes, and has been a member of Cy-Fair ISD's VIPS. She was recognized as Historian of the Northbrook Bandoleras and has been noted for her achievement as Parade Chairman for The Traveling Lightfoot Brigade and as a Board Member as Ways and Means Chairman of Murphy's Marchers. Nancy has also been recognized for helping AIDS victims though the Houston Legal Assistant Association. She was recognized as Blessed Sacrament Elementary School's Outstanding Substitute Teacher, and has been recognized as Outstanding Secretary for Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania's Democratic Guild. She was quite honored when selected as a Security Guard for the U.S. President's Cabinet at the last Republican National Convention. She also considers her most outstanding achievement, along with her husband Jack, as raising six children, helping them complete their education, and being grateful they have all achieved successful careers. Her goal is making life better for others. Congratulations Nancy Smith, San Jacinto Chapter's Woman of the Year.

Wendy Cepak — 2006 Woman of the Year
South East Area Professional Express Network (SEEN)

Wendy Cepak is a charter member of the South East Express Network. She served as VP of Marketing and Membership and will be part of the formation team expanding into the Lake Jackson/Angleton area this coming year. She also earned the Teamwork Award for working with the Formation Committee of SEEN. Wendy believes serving as VP of Marketing/Membership and having close contact with the current membership, new members, potential members, and the whole ABWA family has helped her in her personal and professional life.

Wendy was raised in Lafayette, Louisiana, but claims she got to Texas as soon as she could. She is the resident Cajun in her office at A. G. Edwards, Inc. where she serves as a financial consultant. Her practice focuses on financial needs for retirement and education. Wendy's passion is helping women plan for their future and achieve their goals. Wendy has been with A. G. Edwards for over five years and holds various NASD licenses as well as a State of Texas Insurance license. She holds an Accredited Asset Allocation Management Specialist (AAMS) designation through the College of Financial Planning. She is also Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer of Pump & Power Equipment Company, which she and her husband, Bryan, co-own.

Wendy is very active in both her work and home communities. Her community activities include the Brazosport Chamber of Commerce where she is a Board of Director. She was instrumental in launching the Chamber's first multi-course golf tournament. Wendy also serves on the Friendswood Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. She was a member of their second leadership class, honored as 2002 Rookie of the Year and now oversees new leadership classes. Wendy is Vice President for the BNI Chapter Referral Connection and serves as an Ambassador and Assistant Director for several BNI chapters. She is also a friend of Women Building Community, which serves as a charitable organization focusing on women and children's issues in Brazoria County.

Wendy manages to find time to teach 1st grade CCE at St. Bernadette Catholic Church. She has been married ten years and has two boys ages, five and seven. In what spare time is left, Wendy enjoys gardening and scrapbooking. Congratulations, Wendy Cepak - South East Express Network's Woman of the Year.

Bonnie Schexnayder — 2006 Woman of the Year
South West Area Professional Express Network (SWAPEN)

Bonnie Schexnayder is a three-year member of the South West Area Professional Express Network and a secondary member of WHEN. She says that serving as President of SWAPEN and getting members to work as a team has been very rewarding. Bonnie holds an Associates Degree from Louisiana State University and completed her Design and Sales School degree at Lifestyle University in Bethesda Maryland.

Bonnie has owned Interiors by Bonnie for the last 16 years and serves as an Interior Decorator. She loves making the world a more beautiful place one room at a time. Bonnie has also been published in Better Homes and Garden Magazine.

Bonnie's current volunteer work includes the Katy Christian Ministries and the Second Baptist Church working with Katrina victims. She loves to travel the world with her husband and enjoys playing golf. Bonnie cherishes the time she spends with her grand children as she considers them the love of her life. Congratulations Bonnie Schexnayder, SWAPEN's Woman of the Year.

Kim Johannesen — 2006 Woman of the Year
Tomball Charter Chapter

Kim Johannesen is a one and a half year member of the Tomball Charter Chapter. She says that acting as the Recruitment Director has given her a wonderful opportunity to learn more about ABWA as a National Organization. Kim says that being able to share that information with perspective members and showing them how ABWA can enhance their lives has been very rewarding. She also enjoys meeting each of the guests and new members and helping them feel included and welcome at each chapter function.

Kim has completed 57 hours of Undergraduate Studies in Criminal Justice and Paralegal. She is a certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor, a Cruise Line International Master Cruise Counselor, and a College of Disney Graduate.

Kim has owned MagnoliaTravels.com for the past three years where she serves as CEO, Travel Agent, and Office Manager for a full service travel agency specializing in group travel. She specializes in destination research, general office and bookkeeping, public relations, and vacation planning to include over 20 Destination Specializations such as the Caribbean, Las Vegas, Black Hills, Mexico, Celebrity Cruise Lines, and many others. As a travel agent she enjoys assisting her clients by planning their "perfect" vacation with the most value for their money. The flexibility to work from home and be there for her two children is what Kim loves most about her job.

Kim serves on the Magnolia Area Chamber of Commerce as a Board of Director where she has chaired the Septemberfest and Christmas Parade. She is also a member of the Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce, Magnolia Parkway Chamber of Commerce, The Regional Arts Council, and a Phi Theta Kappa Alumni. Kim's special interests are her two kids and family. She enjoys traveling, reading, scuba diving, watching the Astros, volunteering, and community involvement.

Kim's outstanding achievements include being named to the Deans Honor List, chosen as Who's Who Among American College Students and being nominated for the Magnolia Area Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year. Congratulations Kim Johannesen, Tomball Charter Chapter's Woman of the Year.

Sandra Lee Schuster — 2006 Woman of the Year
Women Involved: Nurturing Growth and Support Charter Chapter (WINGS)

Sandra Lee Schuster is a three-year member of WINGS Chapter. She says that serving as Newsletter chair has assisted in both her personal and professional life as she enjoys gathering and sharing info on the events and opportunities of ABWA. Sandra says it has forced her to become informed on traditions and opportunities. She likes to think about what kind of articles or write-ups her audience will be interested in and she also enjoys working on the layout and learning new software tricks to make each issue of the newsletter look better than the last.

Sandra is a project assistant in the support senior professional staff for Turner Collie & Braden, a fast-paced civil engineering firm. She edits and produces water treatment plant design, construction documents, and marketing materials. Using her strength at planning and staying organized to be an effective support tool to her team members, and learning about water collection and production and the environment is what Sandra enjoys most about her job.

Sandra has a BA in English with a Linguistics Concentration from University of Houston. She has taken classes in Code of Conduct; Technical, Legal, and Publicity Writing; a Grammar Refresher; Expanding Your Comfort Zone; Narrative Journalism; Professional Writing; Communication Strategies; and Transformational Coaching.

Sandra's hobbies include relaxing and reading mystery novels in her herb garden and being outside in nice weather. She also enjoys swing, country and western, and ballroom dancing. Congratulations Sandra Schuester, WINGS' Woman of the Year.

Carmen Wisenbaker — 2006 Woman of the Year
Women of Vision Express Network (WOVEN)

Carmen Wisenbaker is a six year ABWA member and a three year charter member of the Women of Vision Express Network. She says that serving in the office of President has helped her both personally and professionally by working together with her other board members and witnessing the things they have accomplished together. Together with her board, Carmen has created opportunities to showcase their members and contribute to various causes in the community that have made a tremendous difference in other's lives.

Carmen has been the Director of Marketing for QLS Family Fitness for two years. She represents the company at networking events, works with the sales team to coordinate special events, and handles the publicity efforts within the community. Meeting all the interesting people while out networking and teaming with other partnership companies on special events is what she most enjoys about her job. Carmen has an Associate Degree in Marketing from Kingwood College and holds various training certifications to include Achieve Global, Franklin Covey, and the Zenger Miller Institute courses.

Carmen's company supports several community non-profits such as Children's Assistance Foundation which helps handicapped children in the area with various medical needs and Carmen enjoys volunteering to help collect donations for this group. She says, "the children are just wonderful to meet and it brings all of us such joy to see the smiles on their faces when some of their needs are taken care of."

Carmen loves to read, do crossword puzzles, and spoil her grandchildren rotten! Carmen's most outstanding achievement is being the author of "Taking the Work Out of Networking", and has won several Achievement Awards from the Public Relations Society. Congratulations Carmen Wisenbaker, WOVEN's Woman of the Year.

Karen Sewell — 2006 Woman of the Year
Woodlands Charter Chapter

Kristin could not be here with us today as she is in Alaska for a half marathon that she is completing in on behalf of the Leukemia and Lymphoma society in honor of her grandfather.

Kristin Sewell is a three and a half year member of The Woodlands Charter Chapter. She says that serving in the offices of Vice President and Programs Chair for the past two years has helped her in both her personal and professional life by allowing her to contribute to furthering the education of women, which in turn, contributes to her own development. Kristin says that, "not only when you teach others do they learn, but you oftentimes learn something new about yourself or see something familiar in a new way." She says this position also requires her to work with a diverse group of personalities, interacting, motivating, and mediating those personalities which has helped her grow in her own ability to effectively lead and communicate.

Kristin has owned Ameriprise Financial for the last six years where she serves as a financial advisor. She loves to help clients accomplish their financial objectives such as retirement, college education, estate planning, tax reduction, asset allocation, and protection concerns through a long term prudent and thoughtful planning relationship. Knowing that her job makes a positive impact on today as well as tomorrow is what Kristin enjoys most. If she can help a client grow and protect their assets then pass them on to their children or charitable causes, she knows she will have left the world better than when she came into it. Kristin says that the highest compliment her clients can give her is the referral of their friends, family, and business associates.

Kristin has an MBA from Tulane University with a focus on Finance and Management Certified Financial Planner designation. She also has a BBA from Baylor University with a triple major in Financial Services and Planning, Marketing, and Management.

Kristin has served as President for The John Cooper School Alumni Association, served on the Advisory Board of The Woodlands Sports Complex, and as Golf Tournament Chair.

Kristin loves cooking, traveling, and fitness. She says her most outstanding achievement includes being honored with the Mercury Award and President's Award, both sponsored by her company. Congratulations Kristin Sewell, The Woodlands Charter Chapter.