Tapatio Ladies Club
Featured Speakers
February 2023
KIM BLOHM
President and CEO of the Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce
Kimberly Blohm is President and CEO of the Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce. Kim is famous for implementing cutting-edge strategies and powerful campaigns that reach large audiences. She is an energetic hands-on leader with experience in the businesses of retail, banking, and real estate. Kim lives in Kendall County with her husband Justin, her three children, three dogs and two cats. Kim Blohm enlightened our group about the various benefits of being a member of the Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce. She also promoted the various scheduled events to occur in the area. Events such as, Boerne After 5 Mixers & Morning Mingles, Lemonade Day, Chamber Golf Classic, Ribbon Cuttings, and more were discussed and promoted. If companies and/or individuals are relocating to Boerne, the Chamber of Commerce offers information on the area’s economics, education, government, history of Boerne, local links and climate/weather. Information about the Boerne Chamber Scholarships is available online as well as a Senior Service Resource Guide.
The Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce, currently represents approximately 800 members representing over 17,500 employees, was established in 1928 to promote and improve economic vitality through advocacy, education and connections of its members and community. It is a wonderful resource for many businesses, organizations, and individuals in the greater Boerne area.
January 2023
KADY HINOJOSA
Author
Born and raised in California, Kady Hinojosa always loved creative writing. However, she took a logic track in college and studied Computer Science. She met her husband, Jose (an Army Aviator), in Washington DC while on active duty in the Navy. After many years of travel, they now live in the Texas Hill Country near kids and grandkids.
The bulk of her career was spent working as a Business Analyst/Quality Assurance expert for financial, and other, websites. After retiring, she returned to her love of writing and wove her IT experience into her first thriller series - #HuntedLives, #JusticePrevails, and #DanceFever. All three books are available on Amazon.com in digital and paperback formats.
Kady enjoys exploring topics that concern her and writing about them in a way that captures the readers' attention in an entertaining manner. To learn more about her, visit her online at www.kadyhinojosa.com.
November 2022
VAL ANDERSON
Boerne Visitor's Bureau
Val Anderson of the Boerne Visitor’s Bureau gave us information on the historical
aspects of our wonderful Boerne. She told about how Boerne was settled, and she pointed out many of the historical landmarks still here to see. Ms. Anderson displayed an array of reading material and even passed around some natural artifacts for us to view. So now as we shop and eat in Boerne, we can feel a “taste of old.”
October 2022
HEATHER THOMAS
Owner, Traditions at the Depot
October's featured speaker was the owner of Traditions at the Depot, Heather Thomas, who's a fashion expert, a model herself, and she's also a lot of fun. Traditions at the Depot is located at 518 S. Main Street in Boerne, which is an upscale boutique in downtown Boerne. It has been in operation since 1996 and is conveniently located on the Southwest corner of Main Street and River Road. They are a kitty-friendly store. The store mascot, Socks, is a brown tabby cat with 4 white feet and can be seen most days lounging behind the cash register. Their friendly human staff helped today’s models (all who were TLC members) don the latest fashions, jewelry, accessories, and shoes. The fashion show was a real success and luncheon members, and guests could shop after the luncheon meeting from the selection of items brought in from Heather’s store.
September 2022
LINDA BANNISTER
Damsel in Defense
Since her college years, Linda has always had a passion about the safety of others and as a Class Officer she designed the first safety program on her college campus that involved finding and organizing volunteers that would escort female students from campus buildings across campus to their respective dorms at night. It was only natural that in March 2020 she embarked on her latest adventure in the field of self awareness and safety selling Damsel in Defense supplies.
At our September club luncheon, Linda demonstrated many of the safety products as well as worked to heighten the importance of spatial awareness as part of safety. Her motto is "self defense is the best defense."
May 2022
LEE OWEN
Vice President of Development for the Cibolo Center for Conservation
Leigh Owen, Vice President of Development for the Cibolo Center for Conservation, was our May featured speaker. Leigh presented a plethora of information indicating that the Cibolo Center for Conservation is considered a premiere example of what a community can do when folks come together. In 1988, Carolyn Chipman Evans, her husband, Brent Evans, and a handful of friends envisioned a place to connect their community with nature. Beginning with a segment of the Cibolo Creek and its neighboring land and wildlife, this group worked to ensure the creek’s preservation. With the City of Boerne’s support, Carolyn Evans brought a rebirth to the land and a revival of public concern for conservation of the area’s natural resources. The Cibolo community continued to grow with the purchase of the Herff Farm in 2007, Today the farm serves as a hub that expands access to nature and nature education for children and the larger community. The Herff Farm is home to the Nest Nature School and offers space for special events and exhibits, nature trails, sustainable living education programs, community gardens, and the weekly Farmer’s Market. What was once a small grassroots organization, today is a reputable conservation leader serving more than 100,000 children, adults, and families per year.
March 2022
KELLY SKOVBJERG
Library Director, Patrick Heath Library of Boerne
Kelly Skovbjerg was our featured speaker at the March 16th luncheon meeting of the Tapatio Ladies Club. Kelly talked about the many services that the library offers. She gave a power point presentation with lots of information about the library and how to access the many programs available to children all the way to senior citizens. There are many programs offered online as well as in person. Kelly also talked about the amphitheater and the upcoming events scheduled there.
February 2022
JOHN KNOTTS
Business Coach & Consultant & Fractional COO | Speaker, Author, & Educator.
John spent 21 years in the US Air Force and retired as a Master Sergeant in 2008.
For the last 32 years, John has worked with individuals and organizations as a personal and professional business coach and consultant. He’s a three-time published author, with two new books coming out this year and has a PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. As a “Success Incubator,” John’s vision is to leave nothing in his wake but success. His presentation to us was entitled, “Top Three Things That Lead to Success.” John’s goal for each member of our Tapatio Ladies Club audience was to leave with a deeper understanding true self value.
Objective accomplished!
January 2022
LARRY WOODS
Larry Woods is the current Director of the Boerne Convention & Visitors Bureau and a 54-year veteran of the tourism and hospitality industry.
For much of his career, Larry was sought after as a specialist in Bankrupt Chapter 11 hotels and resorts in difficult markets and distressed business climates. Larry has held key management positions with La Mansion, Hershey, Sheraton, Marriott, and Radisson hotels, as well as, providing leadership roles with major hotel management and development companies in the United States, Mexico, and Costa Rica.
Larry is currently serving his 2nd term on the TACVB Board of Directors and is chair elect for 2023; he is a former board member of the Texas Travel Alliance where he served two terms. In 2021, Larry received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Texas Travel Alliance for his over 50 years of service in the tourism and hospitality industry.
For the past 14 years, Larry has served as Director of the Boerne Convention and Visitors Bureau. Larry states, “I am having the time of my life. We have had great challenges over the last 14 years, but the Boerne CVB has made great strides in the promotion, marketing, and branding of Boerne, Texas as the ultimate hill country destination.” Larry credits his great CVB team and the support from the city of Boerne staff for our success.
January 2022
TORI BELLOWS
Tori Bellos is the current Marketing Specialist for the Boerne Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Ms. Bellows graduated from Texas State University and joined the City of Boerne Parks and Recreation Department in 2007, where she planned events and programs for the Boerne community. In 2015, she joined the team at the City of Boerne Convention and Visitors Bureau and handles all the marketing, advertising, social media, and graphic design for the department. An excellent example of her abilities is the official Boerne Visitor Guide which she designs and creates in house twice per year.
Tori is currently serving a 3 year term on the Texas Hill Country Trail board of directors. She is a 2002 graduate of Boerne High School and has lived in the Boerne area for more than 30 years and is married with 2 daughters ages 7 and 11.
November 2021
SHARON WOLFF
Sharon Wolff, "#1 Genealogy Detective", has presented programs on Genealogy all over the state of Texas and at The Texas State Genealogical Society annual conference. Sharon Wolff is a seventh generation Texan and a sixth generation San Antonian. Sharon was named Outstanding Volunteer Genealogist of the State of Texas by the Daughters of American Revolution (DAR) and Registrar of the year for the State of Texas for The United Daughters of the Confederacy. Sharon is a member of the Genealogical Society of Kendall County since 1998 and served as Vice-President twice as well as Board member director.
October 2021
THERESA FREDERICK
Theresa Frederick, Personal Stylist at Cabi, is a native Texas who grew up in Houston. Theresa graduated from Texas A & M University in 1982 with a degree in geology. She now resides in East Texas with her husband and laborador retriever. She has two grown daughters. Theresa has always been interested in clothes. In high school she sewed her own clothes! She has been a Cabi stylist for almost 13 years and enjoys meeting and helping women with their wardrobe needs. Her hobbies are traveling and reading.
March 2021
PAULETTE GILES
Paulette Jiles is a renowned author. She has written many books, such as
Enemy Women , The Color of Lightening, Simon the Fidler, and News of the World. Her book, News of the World, has been made into a movie starring Tom Hanks as Captain.