My picture is on cover of the Houston Realtor® Magazine

There is no greater feeling than having your picture on the cover of your industry’s magazine. In my life I have worked in 2 industries, the Restaurant industry, and Real Estate. The restaurant industry taught me the customer (client) is King. And the real estate industry gave me the opportunity to help people with their lives and make a difference in the community.

Along the way I served as President of the Greater Houston Restaurant Association and will be the next President of the Houston Independent Real Estate Brokers Association. I have served on charity Boards, served meals for people in need, built houses for Habitat for Humanity, cleaned beaches, lots, and streets, listened to people who needed a friend, got more paint on me than the building I was painting, had a rash for 2 weeks on my legs from helping with hurricane Harvey, and worked in areas where the police are afraid to go.

I have fought hard for what my industry valued. As President of the Houston Restaurant Association I was faced with city council wanting a non-smoking ordinance. I don’t smoke and virtually the whole executive committee of the Houston Restaurant Association at the time did not smoke either. But our industry was concerned that changes would cause members to lose their businesses. I stated our position at City Council and helped organize our group to fight what we though was government interference. It was 10 years later when the anti-smoking ordinance finally passed. I received the Houston Restaurateur of the year Award for my work in defeating what our industry thought was a threat.

This year I spoke to City Council about ordinance 19 (Houston’s flood ordinance). The group I represented this year was the Houston Association of Realtors. Most importantly I represented the home owners of Houston who were in danger of losing their homes. My concern was the permitting process will hurt low income and working class Houstonians.

I have been involved in hundreds of residential and commercial real estate closings over the years. I truly believe that I have helped people to the best of my ability. My concern has always been to put their needs above my own and fight hard for them. The reward has been the feeling you get from helping others.

I can see my smiling face

My fondest wish has been to get my picture on the cover of the Houston Realtor® Magazine. Dr Hook said it best in a song recorded in 1973. The lyrics started out “ The thrill we have never known … is to see my picture on the cover of Rolling Stone…Gonna buy five copies for my mother”. I have had my picture taken at Houston Association of Realtor events and meetings hundreds of times over the years. But I never got my picture on the cover of the Houston Realtor® Magazine until now. In the words of Dr. Hook “I can see my smiling face on the cover…,” life is beautiful.

Thank you Houston!

Being a single parent is not easy. I know, because I raised two boys, Patrick and Gordon, on my own. I have worked hard to not only provide my children with what they need, but also to instill in them a good work ethic and the desire to strive for hard goals. Today, I want to congratulate my oldest son, Gordon, on a tremendous accomplishment that points to his ambition and drive.

Earlier this month, Gordon Edge was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma in recognition of his strong academic work as he works towards his business degree. As his father, I couldn’t be more proud to have him receive this recognition. Gordon is currently a senior at the University of Houston and will be graduating in 2017.

Beta Gamma Sigma is the highest recognition a business or management student can receive while still working under an undergraduate or master’s degree program. In order to be admitted into Beta Gamma Sigma, a student must meet several stringent requirements. First, the academic program the student is enjoying must be accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB-International) Second, undergraduate students must be in the upper 10 percent of their class in their junior or senior year of education. With the hare number of business students that complete degrees each year, this is not an easy goal to attain. Students who are admitted are hard working, dedicated professionals who are poised for great success in their future careers.

Beta Gamma Sigma was created in 1913 to recognize outstanding students of business and management. In the over 100 years of existence of the organization, the membership has risen to over 580,000 people. These are considered some of the world’s top leaders in business, and I am honored to have my son be part of this group.

Once attaining Beta Gamma Sigma membership, students remain members for a lifetime. This is a significant achievement to list on a resume, and also provides access to a large alumni network for future business endeavors. A student leadership forum and exclusive job board also provide opportunities for members.

It’s with tremendous pride that I congratulate Gordon Edge on this accomplishment. As his father, I know how hard he has worked for this honor. Working two jobs and studying at all hours of the night, Gordon was able to rise to the top of his class and do it all without college loans or much help from his family. While we cheered him on, he financed his entire education on his own. When the need arose, he even paid for his own tutoring so he could complete upper-level math courses that would propel him to success.

School was not easy for Gordon, but he was willing to put in the hard work and long hours to be a success. This drive to succeed has earned him induction into the Fall 2016 Beta Gamma Sigma national business honor society, and I feel this is a well-deserved honor. Please join me in saying congratulations to Gordon.