Houston’s 2021 Men of Distinction Are Revealed — These Powerful Gents Make a Difference

Joining the City's Most Exclusive Club

By Shelby Hodge // Oct 13, 2021

Photography Priscilla Dickson

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The Men of Distinction luncheon follows all the rules for a successful event. Here the 2021 honorees Jesse Tutor, Gary Petersen, Scotty Arnoldy, Dr. Kent Osborne (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Oliver Badgio, Dr. Devinder Bhatia, Stephen Lewis, Tracy Dieterich at the 14th annual Men of Distinction luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Michael Mithoff, Richard & Ginni Mithoff, Mia Mithoff, Melissa Mithoff at the 14th annual Men of Distinction luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Luba & Alan Bigman at the 14th annual Men of Distinction luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Jeff Bagwell, Tom Roupe, Jim Crane at the 14th annual Men of Distinction luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Jason & Lindley Arnoldy at the 14th annual Men of Distinction luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Dr. Geoffrey Preidis, Dr. Amy Hair, Dr. Branko Cuglievan Gulman, Dr. David Sandberg at the 14th annual Men of Distinction luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Harry & Cora Sue Mach, Joella & Steve Mach at the 14th annual Men of Distinction luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Kody Clemens, Gary Petersen, Kacy Clemens at the 14th annual Men of Distinction luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Joe Cleary, Dr. Amy Hair at the 14th annual Men of Distinction luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Jane Parker, Cynthia Wolff, Beth Wolff, Cheryl Byington at the 14th annual Men of Distinction luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Whitney & Jim Crane at the 14th annual Men of Distinction luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Bobby & Phoebe Tudor at the 14th annual Men of Distinction luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Betty & Jesse Tutor at the 14th annual Men of Distinction luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

The Men of Distinction luncheon annually stands as the singular midday charity event honoring outstanding gents in the Houston community. And the most recent gathering at River Oaks Country Club continued the 14-year tradition that has raised $4.9 million for pediatric biomedical research, education and patient care in the Texas Medical Center.

Taking bows as 2021 Men of Distinction honorees — recognized for their philanthropy, community leadership and business acumen — were John “Scotty” Arnoldy, Triten Corp. chairman and CEO; Dr. C. Kent Osborne, founding director of the Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at Baylor College of Medicine; Gary Petersen, Encap founder and managing partner; and Jesse Tutor. They, along with presenting sponsors Steak 48 and Tenenbaum Jewelers, helped raise $375,000 for medical research.

Honorees are selected by the Men of Distinction steering committee which over the years has honored such stellar Houstonian as Gerald Hines, President George H.W. Bush, Craig Biggio, Rufus Cormier, Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, Dr. O.H. “Bud” Frazier, David Weekley and Ned Holmes.

Applause, applause for luncheon chair Michael Mithoff, who guided the event to financial success with a turnout of more than 300. This is the one charity luncheon in the city in which the male attendance outnumbers that of the ladies.

Jeff Bagwell, Tom Roupe, Jim Crane (1) — Jeff Bagwell, Tom Roupe, Jim Crane at the 14th annual Men of Distinction luncheon.

Proceeds from the luncheon are presented as $100,000 unrestricted grants to Dr. David Sandberg of McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, Dr. Amy Hair and Dr. Geoffrey Preidis of Texas Children’s Hospital, and Dr. Branko Cuglievan Gulman at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

PC Seen: Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, David Wuthrich, Leigh Anne and John Raymond, Tony Gracely, John Havens, Devinder Bhatia, Jeff Bagwell, Betty Tutor, Scott Evans, Cora Sue and Harry Mach, DeniseCastillo-Rhodes and Robert Rhodes, Steak 48’s Oliver Badgio, Whitney and Jim Crane, Alice and Keith Mosing, Joella and Steve Mach, Lindley and Jason Arnoldy, Susan and Dick Hansen, and Ginni and Richard Mithoff.