SIENNA PLANTATION RANKS AS HOUSTON’S TOP-SELLING COMMUNITY

Sienna Plantation is the Houston area’s top-selling master-planned community and is ranked No. 15 in the nation, according to a report by housing researcher Robert Charles Lesser & Co. (RCLCO).

The annual mid-year report, based on new-home sales from January-June 2018, shows Sienna with 292 sales during the report timeframe, a year-over-year increase of 41 percent from last year’s 207 sales.

“Opening Leonetti Elementary School and Sawmill Lake Club have been big draws for new home buyers this year,” said Alvin San Miguel, general manager of Sienna Planta­tion. “We’ve also brought on new builders and added to the breadth of diverse floor plans offered in the community. There is something for everyone in Sienna Plantation.”

At the beginning of the year, RCLCO and John Burns Real Estate Consulting ranked Sienna Plantation No. 35 and No. 36, respectively, on reports based on overall 2017 sales. Last year, builders sold 397 new homes in Sienna Plantation.

“We’re only about 100 sales away from last year’s final tally with six months more to go,” San Miguel said. “With a new middle school opening up in August and the new community entrance along FM 521, I don’t see this sales pace slacking any.”

Sixteen builders offer homes priced from the $250,000s to more than $1 million in Sienna Plantation. Residents enjoy an active lifestyle with frequent events, water parks, 35 miles of trails, more than 100 acres of parks and much more. Seven Fort Bend ISD campuses are located on-site, including the soon-to-open middle school.

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DIVINE SAVIOR ACADEMY CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING

Divine Savior Academy celebrated the grand opening of its newest campus in Sienna Plantation on July 14. A ribbon cutting took place in the school’s entryway, followed by a reception with light refreshments. Miss­ouri City Mayor Allen Owen, members of the school’s council, as well as the administration, faculty, staff and families of Divine Savior attended this much-anticipated event.

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BLO BLOW DRY BAR MAKES SUGAR LAND DEBUT

Blo Blow Dry Bar, the original and largest blow dry bar franchise in North America, debuted in Sugar Land on Aug. 10. All of the opening day proceeds were donated to the Fort Bend ISD Education Foundation. Blo Sugar Land is located in Sweetwater Plaza at 4759 Sweetwater Blvd.

“Blo Blow Dry Bar is thrilled to join the Sugar Land community,” said Blo Franchise Partner and Sugar Land owner Phincy Thomas. “We look forward to making the women of Sugar Land even more gorgeous.”

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RAMIREZ NAMED TESA EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

Lamar CISD Human Resource Specialist Kendra Ramirezrecently received the Texas Educational Support Staff Association’s (TESA) Nelda Van Dyke Award as the 2017-2018 Educational Office Employee of the Year.

This statewide award is the top individual honor for TESA members. TESA is a professional association for Texas educational support personnel with a focus on professional growth and membership services.

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MOSSIGE TO LEAD LAMAR CISD SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Dr. Theresa “Terri” Mossigeis Lamar CISD’s new assistant superintendent of secondary education. She has twelve years of administrative experience as a principal, most recently at R.L. Paschal High School in Fort Worth ISD. Prior to that, she served as principal at W.C. Stripling Middle School in Fort Worth ISD.

“I hope to work with others to improve student outcomes for all of our kids,” Mossige stated. “When kids graduate from high school, we want them to be prepared for college, career and to be community leaders.”

She has a bachelor’s degree in physical education and a master’s degree in education administration and an educational leadership doctorate, both from Texas Christian University. In her new position, Mossige will oversee all secondary principals, special sites, athletics, truancy, and performing and visual arts.

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CARE NAVIGATION AT THE HOUSTON METHODIST NEUROSCIENCE &
SPINE CENTER

If you or a loved one experience pain, headaches or other troubling symptoms, identifying their root cause can be challenging. You’re not alone. When it comes to neurological conditions, there’s not always a clear path to diagnosis and treatment. You may need multiple medical tests and appointments along the way. Managing your care can be overwhelming at times, especially if you’re not sure where to start or who can answer your questions.

Houston Methodist Neuroscience & Spine Center at Sugar Land features a patient care navigation service, designed to help patients receive the complete care they need from diagnosis and treatment through rehabilitation services – all in one convenient location.

A patient’s first point of contact is a care navigator who helps patients get going in the right direction.Maureen Lall,PhD, RN, FNP-BC, COHN-S, serves as the director for the center, guiding patients dealing with neurological conditions every step of the way. Lall, who works in collaboration with Neuro­science Program Coordinator Dave Graves, assists patients in scheduling appointments with the appropriate specialist based on their unique symptoms.

“We offer expedited appointments, including second opinions, with our highly regarded specialists,” Lall said. “We work hard to ensure that every patient who needs to see a specialist can get an appointment within five business days. Patients are led through a process of assessment and treatment ranging from non-pharmacologic intervention to advanced medical and surgical management. Many of our patients have trusted Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital for years, and they are pleased to learn that we offer the most sophisticated and advanced care possible close to home.”

Request an appointment with a specialist online at houstonmethodist.org/neuro-slor call 281-274-7979.

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OAKBEND MEDICAL CENTER’S SEEDS OF GENEROSITY CAMPAIGN RAISES MORE THAN$200,000

OakBend Medical Center celebrated the success of the hospital’s employee giving campaign, “Seeds of Generosity,” by holding a reception in the Joe & Doris Gurecky Atrium after hours.

The three week campaign, which ran from May 1-18, raised more than $102,000 for the hospital’s Vision 2020 Campaign. In addition to its $102,000 The Madison Charitable Foundation matched up to $100,000, making the total monies raised more than $202,000.

The money raised in this year’s campaign will go toward the hospital’s Vision 2020 campaign for improvements to common spaces on the first floor of the Jackson Street campus.

Board President Jeff Councilstated, “We are so proud of OakBend’s employees. Their generosity knows no bounds. They believe in our vision and mission and are more than willing to help make a difference in our hospital.”

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CEO OF OAKBEND MEDICAL CENTER NAMED HONOREE FOR ONE OF MOST ADMIRED CEOS

Joe Freudenberger, CEO of OakBend Medical Center, has been named one of 13 honorees for the Most Admired CEO award in the nonprofit sector for Greater Houston and surrounding area.

The panel of judges chose 35 for-profit leaders and 13 nonprofit leaders to receive the award. The judges for this award were Peggy Kostial, senior managing director US Southwest at Accenture; Jeffery D. Wallace, president and CEO at Greater Houston Black Chamber; and Patricia Mercer, president and CEO at Houston SPCA.

The honorees were chosen based on their nonprofit involvement in the community, their demonstration of leadership, strategic vision and innovation as head of the organization, as well as the impact the honoree has had on the community.The honorees received their awards at a luncheon on Aug. 23 at the Hilton Americas Hotel-Houston.

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IVAN HAND NAMED ENTRE­PRE­NEUR OF THE YEAR 2018 AWARD FINALIST IN GULF COASTAREA

EY has announced thatIvan Hand, president and CEO of national nonprofit Money Management International, Inc. (MMI) was a finalist for the Entrepreneur of the Year 2018 Award in the Gulf Coast Area. The awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who excel in innovation, financial performance, and personal commitment to their business and community. Hand was selected as a finalist by a panel of independent judges. Award winners were announced at a special gala event in June at the Marriott Marquis Houston.

“It’s an honor to be selected as a finalist for this award,” said Hand. “MMI is an organization dedicated to helping consumers overcome financial challenges and achieve positive, lasting change. To be able to successfully deliver on our mission and support real families in moments of crisis has been the most satisfying, enriching work of my career.”

Hand joined the Houston-based nonprofit in 2000, recruiting a strong leadership team, prioritizing operational efficiency through innovation, and redefining the cultural expectation at MMI as one of respect, integrity, and putting others first. Over his 18 years of leadership, MMI has helped 3.4 million consumers repay more than $8 billion in debt.

Now in its 32nd year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program has expanded to recognize business leaders in more than 145 cities and more than 60 countries throughout the world.

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COUNTY BUDGET OFFICE RECIPIENT OF DISTINGUISHED BUDGET PRESENTATION AWARD

Fort Bend County Judge Robert Hebertcommended the Fort Bend County Budget Office, led by Director of Finance and InvestmentsPamela Gubbels, for receiving the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association on June 26. This is the 17th consecutive year the County Budget Office has received this award.

The award is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting and represents a significant achievement by receiving organizations. Organizations must meet nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation in order to be recipients of this distinguished award. These guidelines include rating ‘proficient’ in assessing how well the budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications device.

Hebert said, “This award reminds us once more of the consistently outstanding performance of our County Budget Office each and every year.”

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FORT BEND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY NAMES HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

Melisa Carrollhas been appointed Fort Bend Christian Academy’s (FBCA) Head of Middle School beginning the 2018-2019 school year.

“Mrs. Carroll comes to FBCA with years of successful administrative experience in Texas public-school systems,” Head of School Dr. David Pitresaid. “She has served as principal in both elementary and junior high schools, most recently as principal of an elementary school in the Bay City Independent School District.”

After earning both her B.S. and M.Ed. degrees from the University of Houston - Victoria, Carroll began her career as a reading teacher. She served as an assistant principal, and then as principal. In her years of experience, Carroll has received accolades for helping her students to achieve dramatic improvements in their academic progress. Her colleagues described her as a dedicated educator and an excellent administrator and team builder.

Melisa and her husband, Ron, are members of River Pointe Church. “I believe that a sound family, church and school relationships are essential to a Christian education and that these three entities are the foundation for student success,” Carroll said. “Every classroom environment should be built on respect, trust and a positive relationship.”

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LAMAR CISD NAMED REGION 4 OUTSTANDING SCHOOL BOARD

The Lamar CISD Board of Trustees has been named the 2018 Region 4 Outstanding School Board as part of the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) Annual School Board Awards Program. The board is also the Region 4 nominee for the 2018 Texas Outstanding School Board and is in the running to be named one of five Texas Honor Boards, one of which will be chosen as the Texas Outstanding School Board. The Texas Outstanding School Board will be announced at the 2018 TASA/TASB Convention, to be held Sept. 28-30.

Lamar CISD board members are James Steenbergen, president;Kay Danziger, vice president; Kathryn Kaminski, secretary; members Mandi Bronsell, Dr. Tyson Harrell, Joe Hubenak, Melisa Roberts; and Dr. Thomas Randle, superintendent.

The board was recognized for its exemplary level of dedication and commitment to the students and taxpayers in Lamar CISD as well as its positive working relationship between the board members and superintendent. The board successfully provided examples of documentation and materials that demonstrated its commitment to excellence in each of the program’s 10 judging criteria: functions as a policy-making body; adherence to adopted board policies; support for educational performance in accordance with state-established standards; support for educational improvement projects and school transformation initiatives; commitment to a code of ethics; provision of financial support for the school system; participation in workshops and other performance improvement programs; placement of the welfare of children served by the school system above personal or political motives; public relations efforts, including community awareness; and maintenance of harmonious and supportive relationships among board members.

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LUPE TORTILLA EXPANDS TO SIENNA PLANTATION

Lupe Tortilla, an authentic Tex-Mex institution, has opened of its newest restaurant in Sienna Plantation, an award-winning, master-planned community just outside of Houston. Located at 9211 Highway 6, the new Lupe Tortilla is situated near popular retailers such as Academy, H-E-B and Chick-fil-A.

“The incredible growth in Missouri City made this an amazing opportunity right here near our own home town,”said Peter Holt,co-ownerof Lupe Tortilla. “We’re truly passionate about what we do, and we’re proud to expand our family and offer the residents in Missouri City a spot at our table.”

Through quality-focused growth, Judson and Peter Holt along with their management team continue to approach the business with a family-operated mentality and treat their employees just the same. With impressively low turnover rates, room for growth, rewarding incentives and industry-leading processes, Lupe Tortilla has become a sought-after place to work for the most talented professionals in the restaurant industry.

“What makes us unique is that our team has taken the time to develop systems and procedures for our amazing staff to replicate our hand-crafted dishes in each restaurant,” said Peter Holt. “Everything is made in-house at each restaurant to the same high standards we started with in 1983 – every lime is hand squeezed, and every tortilla is rolled one at a time by our staff without a machine. We’ve looked, but have never found a technology that can do a better job and take as much pride as a person.”