parties

VIPs Alight to Celebrate CityBook's 'Leaders & Legends' at Sunny Schmooze

Jhane Hoang
VIPs Alight to Celebrate CityBook's 'Leaders & Legends' at Sunny Schmooze

Jim Crane and Lynn Wyatt at CityBook's 'Leaders & Legends' party

A WHO'S WHO of Houstonians — from the arts, big business, the media, philanthropy, pro sports and much more — came together to celebrate CityBook and Gittings Photography’s 2022 “Leaders & Legends” portrait series, presented in partnership with Residences at The Allen and Bentley Houston.

The annual event was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid, so the VIP guests were thrilled to gather in person for the occasion, in Residence’s at The Allen’s sunny hospitality space, in the shadow of its rising hotel and condominium tower. Along with CityBookExecutive Publisher Lisa Holthouse and Editor Jeff Gremillion, The Allen developer Roberto Contreras, himself among the Leaders & Legends honored, welcomed guests with warm remarks.

Many other honorees, all of whom were featured in the magazine’s mid-spring issue, were also on hand, including Astros owner Jim Crane, society doyenne Hallie Vanderhider, fundraising legend Carolyn Farb, popular locavore restaurateurs Benjy Levit and Aaron Lyons, noted gallerist Mimi Sperber-Wasserberg of Off the Wall and Marilyn Oshman, founder of the Orange Show organization and the Art Car Parade.

China and Roberto Contreras IV

Lisa Holthouse and Ray Childress

Page Parkes

Connor Walsh and Chae Eun Yang

Vanessa Barrow

Hallie Vanderhider, Fady Armanious and Ally Shell

Lucinda Loya and Felicia Stone

Randy Hale, Michael Holthouse, Kim and Dan Moody

Aaron and Stefanie Lyons

Amanda Mills and Mark Sullivan

Josh and Trisha Weisman

Carolyn Farb and Danny Nguyen

Katelyn Leonard and Jack Vielhauer

Demola the Violinist and Bianca Bucaram

Leslie Siller and Cheryl Byington

Roberto Contreras

Mario Gudmundsson and Marcelo Saenz

Hamilton Rowan and Mimi Sperber-Wasserberg

Karen deGeurin and Peter Remington

Bentleys on display

Kathy Flanagan and Lloyd Gite

Leisa Holland Nelson and Marilyn Oshman

Franklin and Cindi Rose

Chris Hendel and Beth Wolff

Lisa Gochman, Chloe Dao and Lindsey Word

Todd Ramos

Leaders & Legends is an annual portrait series that seeks to honor both icons of the city, responsible for its growth and prominence, as well as Houston’s current leaders, charting the path forward.

Guests enjoyed fun, fabulous treats from Monarch Hospitality including lobster “corn dogs,” timber-smoked Wagyu carpaccio under glass, caviar “twinkies,” foie gras and cognac mousse served in little ice cream cones and adult Cosmopolitan popsicles. DJ TK kept the scene lively.

Father-and-son UH basketball coaches Kelvin and Kellen Sampson were also among the community luminaries featured in the 2022 “Leaders & Legends” collection.

From Your Site Articles
Style
promoted

Leadership in Action: Clothiers Murry and Karen Penner Celebrate Family Business’ 50-Year Anny

Al Torres
Leadership in Action: Clothiers Murry and Karen Penner Celebrate Family Business’ 50-Year Anny

Murry & Karen Penner, Owners, M PENNER

How did you get where you are today? We’ve stayed true to the vision of the store’s founder, Morris Penner, who relentlessly sought out unique product, with exceptional quality being a key element. Morris always used to say, “The fastest way to lose a customer is to bore him” and we agree. A percentage of every season’s budget is allocated to something new and unique. While product is key, it’s not enough. Having an excellent staff and discipline in business practices is also critical.

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
promoted

Leadership in Action: For Bianca Bucaram, ‘Strong Network and Family’ Are Essential

Sofia van der Dys

Bianca Bucaram, founder of The Bucaram PR Group and BXM Music

Get to Know Bianca:

Bianca Bucaram, founder of The Bucaram PR Group and BXM Music, is a dynamic force in the public relations industry. She is known for her tenacity, empathy, and bilingual communication skills. As a local publicist with national reach, she blends local insights with broader impact, telling compelling stories that foster business growth and create opportunities.

Keep Reading Show less