Smart Financial Foundation announces 2016 Lifetime Achievement & Community Impact Awards
Honorees to be recognized at Smart Financial Foundation Fall Luncheon on Monday, November 7
HOUSTON, TX (October 17, 2016) — The Smart Financial Foundation is proud to announce its 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award and Community Impact Awards. This year’s honorees will be recognized at the Foundation’s annual Fall Luncheon on Monday, November 7, 2016 at the Junior League of Houston (1811 Briar Oaks Ln, Houston, TX 77027).
The 2016 honorees include:
- Dr. Billy Reagan – Lifetime Achievement Award
- Keri Schmidt – Community Impact Award
- Linda Toyota – Community Impact Award
With more than 50 years’ experience in the education sector, Dr. Billy Reagan has devoted his career to improving education. Notably, he served as the Superintendent for the Houston Independent School District from 1974 to 1986.
Keri Schmidt currently serves as the President/CEO of the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, the largest single-country chamber in the Greater Houston region. Under her leadership, the United States Chamber of Commerce awarded the Chamber a 5-Star Accreditation for its sound polices, effective organizational procedures, and positive impact on the community.
Linda Toyota currently serves as the president of the Asian Chamber of Commerce. Toyota has more than 20 years’ experience within the nonprofit community and was named one of “Houston’s 50 Most Influential Women of 2012” by Houston Woman Magazine.
“All three honorees exemplify the Smart Financial Foundation’s mission to change lives, improve communities and achieve dreams,” said Virginia “Jenny” Smith, president of the Smart Financial Foundation.
The 2016 Smart Financial Foundation Luncheon is underwritten by Smart Financial Credit Union. Mr. Khambrel Marshall from Channel 2 KPRC will serve as the Master of Ceremonies, and Entertainment will be provided by the Stafford Municipal School District’s Choir. For sponsorship information, please contact Tiffany Halfon at thalfon@smartcu.org. Tickets for the 2016 Smart Financial Foundation Luncheon are available for purchase through Friday, October 28, 2016. To purchase a ticket, please click here or email Tiffany Halfon at thalfon@smartcu.org.
“We were humbled by the community support for our inaugural luncheon and awards program last year and hope to keep the momentum moving forward this year,” said Smith. “Seeing first-hand how many community members care for our mission as much as we do is the greatest reward, showcasing how we are creating change in our community.”
More than 200 community members, local businesses and civic leaders were in attendance at the inaugural Smart Financial Fall Luncheon in 2015, which honored Richard “Dick” Ensweiler, CEO of the Cornerstone Credit Union League, and Dee Koch, Director of Engagement for the George Foundation.
Dedicated to changing lives, improving communities and achieving dreams, the Smart Financial Foundation was formed in 2013. One of its biggest initiatives is providing funds for the Smart Financial Foundation Ruby Sue Clifton program along with other established local scholarship programs, which help further the education of our youth, adult students, and the medical community. The Smart Financial Foundation also supports charities that help children, indigent healthcare and the educational community.
For more information regarding the Smart Financial Foundation, its work and how to become a donor, visit www.smartcu.org/Home/SmartFoundation or connect with Smart Financial Foundation on Facebook, www.facebook.com/SmartFinancialFoundation. For more information about becoming involved with the Smart Financial Foundation as a volunteer or donor, please contact Tiffany Halfon, Director of Foundations at 713-407-1923 or thalfon@smartcu.org.
About Smart Financial Foundation
Dedicated to giving back to communities the “Smart” way, the Smart Financial Foundation was formed in 2013 with the purpose of giving back to communities that Smart Financial Credit Union serves. A registered 501c(3), the Smart Financial Foundation strives to change lives, improve communities and achieve dreams by donating time, money and other resources to not only individuals but also to organizations that help raise credit union awareness. For more information, visit https://www.smartcu.org/Home/SmartFoundation, call 713-407-1923 or engage with the Smart Financial Foundation on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
