Houston’s Future Leaders Tackle the New Hurricane Harvey Reality: And Former Mayor Bill White and His Wife Andrea Take a Lead Role

What: The Center for Houston’s Future Leadership Luncheon

Where:  Hilton Americas-Houston

PC Moment: In addition to presentation of the Eugene H. Vaughan Civic Leadership award to former mayor Bill White and Andrea White, the luncheon featured an informative panel discussion with leaders of three downtown arts groups affected by Hurricane Harvey.

The award is named after the Center for Houston’s Future founder Gene Vaughan, who was in attendance. Serving as emcee and presenting the award to the Whites, center president and CEO Brett Perlman noted, “Hurricane Harvey created a new reality for Houston and brought into sharp focus a range of problems that demand” the sort of leadership demonstrated by the Whites over the years.

Bringing home the importance of strong leadership, Houston Public Media’s Ernie Manouse led the panel discussion with Houston Grand Opera managing director Perryn Leech, Alley Theatre managing director Dean Gladden and Theatre Under the Stars executive director Hillary Hart. They discussed facing future challenges as well as the shock and recovery from Harvey and the lessons learned.

Who: Greater Houston Partnership president and CEO Bob Harvey, center board chair George DeMontrond, Houston Theater District CEO Kathryn McNiel, Catherine Mosbacher, James Calaway, Stephen Klineberg, Manolo Sanchez, Brent Benoit, Astley Blair, Michael Jhin, Vean Gregg, Kenneth Guidry and Joni Baird and Nicole Barber, both of luncheon presenting sponsor Chevron.