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• Bridget Grumet, Statesman Editorial Page Editor

  • When
    November 18, 2026
  •  
    7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
  • Location
    Chez Zee, 5406 Balcones Dr, Austin TX 78731

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  Bridget Grumet, Editorial Page Editor, Austin American-Statesman

  About the Program:

  What's the latest in Austin and in Texas? Come hear award-winning journalist, three-time recipient of the Carmage Walls Commentary Prize (most recently this year!), and Statesman Editorial Page Editor Bridget Grumet to find out!

  About the Speaker: 

  Bridget Grumet is the Editorial Page Editor for the Austin American-Statesman, where she has served as an editorial board member since 2018. She has received numerous national awards, including the National Headliner Award for local newspaper columns and the Sigma Delta Chi Award for general column writing, and she's a three-time winner of the Carmage Walls Commentary Prize. Her work covers a wide range of issues, including police use of force, efforts to address homelessness, access to health care and ensuring voters can participate in their democracy. In her previous role as Metro columnist, and now running the editorial page, she seeks to highlight untold stories and hold leaders accountable.

  
  

  Agenda:
  

  6:45am - Coffee & Networking

  7:10am - Breakfast Buffet

  7:25am - Introductions & Announcements

  7:50am - Speaker Introduction

  8:20am - Q&A

  8:30am - Leave inspired or curious!

  
  

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• Holiday: No Meeting

  • When
    November 25, 2026
  •  
    7:00 AM - 8:30 AM

  No meeting this week! 
  
  Happy Thanksgiving!

  
  

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• Leana Mann, Chief Appraiser, TCAD

  • When
    December 02, 2026
  •  
    7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
  • Location
    Chez Zee, 5406 Balcones Dr, Austin TX 78731

  Register

  Leana Mann, Chief Appraiser, Travis Central  Appraisal District

  How the Appraisal District Works For You

  About the Program:

  Chief Appraiser Leana Mann will break down the property tax system and the work of the Travis Central Appraisal District into actionable insights that property owners can actually use:

  • Discover the distinct roles of the Appraisal District versus the County Tax Office  and local taxing entities
  • Learn how to leverage exemptions to significantly lower your taxable value.
  • Understand the direct link between the budget decisions made by cities, counties, and school districts and the tax bill that lands in your mailbox in October. 

  About the Speaker: 

  Leana Mann currently serves as the Chief Appraiser of the Travis Central Appraisal District. 

  A graduate of Texas State University, Mann has more than a decade of experience with TCAD and has held a variety of positions with the District, including staff accountant, Finance and Facilities Director, Deputy Chief of Operations, and Deputy Chief Appraiser. She is a Certified Government Finance Officer (CGFO), Certified Chief Appraiser (CCA), and Registered Professional Appraiser (RPA). 

  She has served as Chief Appraiser since March 2024.

  
  

  Agenda:
  

  6:45am - Coffee & Networking

  7:10am - Breakfast Buffet

  7:25am - Introductions & Announcements

  7:50am - Speaker Introduction

  8:20am - Q&A

  8:30am - Leave inspired or curious!

  
  

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• Thaddeus Foster, Wildfire Prevention Corp

  • When
    December 09, 2026
  •  
    7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
  • Location
    Chez Zee, 5406 Balcones Dr, Austin TX 78731

  Register

  Thaddeus Foster, Wildfire Prevention Corp

  Protecting Texas from Wildfires: Understanding the Risks, Reducing the Threat, and Building More Resilient Communities

  About the Program:

  Thaddeus Foster of Wildfire Prevention Corp. will discuss the current state of wildfires in Texas, proactive prevention strategies to reduce wildfire risk, and practical, actionable steps that homeowners, landowners, businesses, and communities can take to better protect their properties and improve resilience against future wildfires.
  

  Thaddeus Foster, founder of Wildfire Prevention Corp., is a native Texan with over 40 years of customer service and executive experience. He has a passion for helping his community. He is the Founder of First Responder Operations Support Team, Inc. (FROSTI), a nonprofit committed to 100% of contributions directly benefiting first responders. Formerly, Thaddeus served as COO / Operating Partner of Prometheus Restaurant Franchise Holdings, operating 200+ restaurants across the Southeast.

  Wildfire Prevention Corporation (WPC) is a family-owned and operated business based in Wimberley, Texas, with a combined 60+ years of experience in business operations, leadership, customer service, and executive management. WPC is committed to safeguarding people and properties from the devastating impact of wildfire through preventative action. We provide expert wildfire protection services to homeowners, businesses, and communities across Texas. Our services include wildfire risk assessments, home hardening, defensible space planning, tree and landscape management, and annual inspections to ensure ongoing wildfire mitigation. WPC is Texas’ exclusive provider of Phos-Chek® fire-retardant and, together with BrandGuard™ ember-resistant vents and Wildfire Defense Mesh™, WPC helps safeguard properties from the increasing threat of wildfires. With wildfires on the rise and insurance coverage becoming harder to secure, proactive prevention is more critical than ever, and WPC is here to help.

  
  

  Agenda:
  

  6:45am - Coffee & Networking

  7:10am - Breakfast Buffet

  7:25am - Introductions & Announcements

  7:50am - Speaker Introduction

  8:20am - Q&A

  8:30am - Leave inspired or curious!

  
  

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• Bryce Bencivengo, Austin-Bergstrom Airport

  • When
    December 16, 2026
  •  
    7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
  • Location
    Chez Zee, 5406 Balcones Dr, Austin TX 78731

  Register

  Bryce Bencivengo - Journey with AUS: The Future of Austin's Airport

  About the Program:

  Bryce Bencivengo will present about the future of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has a more than $5 billion expansion program underway to reshape every facet of the airport. This program is designed to enhance connections to the world and drive our economy. Join us to find out how the airport is planning to grow and change to continue to serve our region.

  Bryce Bencivengo leads efforts at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) to connect the business community and key stakeholders with one of the fastest-growing airports in the country and telling the story of its major expansion. Before AUS, Bryce served as Director of Public Affairs for the Austin Chamber of Commerce and spent a decade in communications for the City of Austin, including at City Hall. A graduate of St. Edward's University and the University of Texas LBJ School of Public Affairs, Bryce holds his private pilot rating and brings a genuine passion for aviation to everything he does at AUS.

  
  

  Agenda:
  

  6:45am - Coffee & Networking

  7:10am - Breakfast Buffet

  7:25am - Introductions & Announcements

  7:50am - Speaker Introduction

  8:20am - Q&A

  8:30am - Leave inspired or curious!

  
  

  Show details
• Holiday: No Meeting

  • When
    December 23, 2026
  •  
    7:00 AM - 8:30 AM

  No meeting this week! 
  
  Merry Christmas!

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• Holiday: No Meeting

  • When
    December 30, 2026
  •  
    7:00 AM - 8:30 AM

  No meeting this week! 
  
  Happy New Year!

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