In some circles, the Harvey Penick Award is considered Austin’s highest honor. It has gone to Austinites of impeccable integrity. All of them have achieved indelible success while giving back to the max.
Yanelys and Leon Thompson
In multi-part ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel, Caritas honored the founders of GSD&M. We learned a lot about this quintessential Austin company that grew from four “hippies” and one stressed employee to a national phenomenon that has generated unforgettable ideas (“Don’t Mess with Texas”), helped launch huge businesses (Southwest Airlines) and pushed presidential campaigns (Clinton).
Charmie Stryker and Aaron Warner
Among those saluting Steve Gurasich, Tim McClure, Roy Spence and Judy Trabulsi were Evan Smith, Liz Stewart and Neal Splece.
They told long, glorious stories about the founders and their families. Then the founders spoke. Forcefully, eloquently, memorably they celebrated their city, its creative soul and its university. Their university, the one they gave: “What starts here changes the world.”
Judy Trabulsi and Surabhi Kukke
Of course, all this celebrating also focused attention on the evening’s beneficiary, Caritas, and its food service, refugee and social service programs. I’d like to know more about them and especially the founder.