partie

Life of Houston’s Prince of Parties Celebrated at Holiday ‘Schmooze’ Soiree

Daniel Ortiz
Life of Houston’s Prince of Parties Celebrated at Holiday ‘Schmooze’ Soiree

Randy Powers, Bill Caudell, Sara Dodd, Will Denton, Bobby Hilliard and Greg Fown

THIS YEAR, THE in-person holiday parties hit different. More than 250 guests turned out to celebrate the season, along with the life of catering king and philanthropist Jackson Hicks, at the annual Schmooze event benefiting Legacy Community Health.

Hicks’ venue The Corinthian was decked out as a winter wonderland by several of his industry colleagues and collaborators, including Richard Flowers with The Events Company and Bergner & Johnson’s Rebekah Johnson. Flocked Christmas trees, sparkling light displays and stunning floral arrangements made for a most festive evening.

Music was something Hicks, known as Houston’s Prince of Parties, greatly appreciated, so it was fitting that holiday tunes played from beginning to end. The Open Door Mission Ensemble greeted guests. And, following moving tributes by many of Hicks’ other friends, a concert produced by his pal HGO’s Patrick Summers — and starring soprano Christine Goerke, pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet and cellist Chris Ellis, among others — received a standing ovation.

Hicks was praised for his support of organizations such as The Center for AIDS, where he first launched the Schmooze event. This year’s soiree was chaired by society heavy-hitters Bill Caudell and Randy Powers, Sara Dodd and Will Denton, Melanie Gray and Mark Wawro, Nancy McGregor and Neal Manne, Becca Cason Thrash and John Thrash, Milton Townsend, and Phoebe and Bobby Tudor. It raised more than $300,000 for Legacy, which established the Jackson Hicks Endowed Fund for the Awareness, Prevention and Treatment of HIV/AIDS.

Terry Wayne Jones, Nancy McGregor

Ceron

Chree Boydstun, Richard Flowers

Shannon Hall, Renita Cooksey

Jo Furr, Erin Stimming

John Thrash and Becca Cason Thrash

Sarah Dodd, Will Denton

Kenny Rogers, Tom Young, Steve Nall, David Wright

Rob Giardinelli, Milton Townsend, Lance Avery Morgan

Michael Mithoff, Chree Boydstun, Melissa Mithoff

Phoebe and Bobby Tudor

Greg Parker, Lisa Foronda

Vivian Wise

David and Mary Ann McKeithan, Jeff Smith

Related Articles Around the Web
People + Places
promoted

Leadership in Action: John Kuykendall Traded Newcaster Dream for Success in Luxury Retail

Leadership in Action: John Kuykendall Traded Newcaster Dream for Success in Luxury Retail

John Kuykendall, Showroom Manager, Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove

How did you get to where you are today? Growing up I had envisioned myself as a news anchor, living in NY and enthusiastically saying into the camera “Good Morning America!”. To this day, I am still a news/political junkie. My mother owned fur salons so specialty retail, luxury retail was in my blood through the family business. Eventually, mom shuttered the stores and I was recruited to a large specialty retailer. Over the next 30 years, I was in commissioned sales on the sales floor, became a department manager, worked my way up to buyer and store manager. Although I never became a newscaster, I did live in NYC for a few years. But Texas is home and with aging grandparents, I felt the pull to come back to my roots. A headhunter approached me. I never envisioned myself in the high-end appliance market, but there are so many similarities. Clients want a memorable experience; whether shopping for diamonds and fur or remodeling their kitchen.

Keep Reading Show less
promoted

Fall Philanthropy Report: Easter Seals of Greater Houston ‘Impacts Where People Need Us the Most’

What year was your organization launched? Founded in Houston in 1947, as the Cerebral Palsy Treatment Center, the organization provided services to individuals with disabilities living in Houston and Harris County. In 1989, the organization changed its name and greatly expanded its services to meet the needs of its clientele. Today as Easter Seals Greater Houston, the organization provides multiple outstanding service programs to children, adults, veterans, and service members with all types of disabilities and their families in Harris and sixteen surrounding counties.

Keep Reading Show less
promoted

Leadership in Action: CEO Theresa Roemer Credits Mother, Mentors and Mindset for Accomplishments

How did you get to where you are today? My journey to where I am today is built on a foundation of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Every step along the way, I faced obstacles, but I approached each one with determination and a “never give up” mindset. Instead of being discouraged by challenges, I used them as opportunities to grow and improve. Consistency was key—I committed to showing up and giving my best effort every day. I also learned not to take “no” as a final answer. Instead, I saw it as a chance to push harder, adapt, and find another way forward. It’s this combination of persistence, resilience, and unwavering focus that has brought me to where I am today.

Keep Reading Show less