Candidates for Unit 207 Board
2015-2018 Term
bank

JOSH BANK writes: My wife Linda and I moved from New York City to Austin in the summer of 2011. I had played both rubber and duplicate bridge in college and ran/directed a duplicate game in Chicago for a few years after graduation. I feel that my game has improved a lot at the BCA by playing with multiple partners - both less experienced and (usually much) more experienced than I. I've seen several new players come in to our club and improve very quickly. I believe that this is due to the quality of our veteran player group, our cordial and supportive atmosphere, our mentorship programs, and the excellent leadership and example shown by our directors, our Board members and Club Management. As a Board member, I will actively support current and future Club initiatives, I will personally focus more on player recruitment and development, and will work with Management and the Board to grow our membership and strengthen our Club's standing as one of the premier Bridge establishments in our Unit and in District 16.

bruce

TRACY BRUCE writes: Austin has been my home for 37 years. I have a finance degree and nursing degree from the University of Texas. I worked in banking and changed careers to full time mom when my son arrived, and later, my daughter. I have enjoyed over 30 years of service as a community volunteer, school volunteer, and Girl Scout leader. I have a 15 month old grandson and 2 more grandchildren on the way before the end of this year. My bridge experience began 3 years ago when I replied to the beginning bridge class notice on the Bridge Center website. Of course, I was hooked on bridge after the first class. Last February I passed the club director test and I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of learning to play bridge and learning to direct games. For the last few months I have had the pleasure of chairing the Tiered Mentoring program. It is an honor to be chosen to run for the board.

gruen

AMANDA GRUEN writes: I learned to play bridge from my Grandparents at the age of ten and have played all my life. The game has brought me challenge, the delight of engagement with other minds, camaraderie, and true and lasting friendships. I enjoyed my law practice in D.C. and here in Travis County with Vinson & Elkins and the State of Texas enormously and still have an active law license. These days I describe my practice like Tom Hagen did in the Godfather (“I have a special practice…”) although my Linked In page states (truthfully) that I am the senior partner in the Life of Riley Law Firm—mostly because I always have time for bridge! I think the ACBL and our Unit are wonderful institutions here in Austin. The opportunities they provide: good games for players at all levels on a level playing field—are a very important element in our community that should be nurtured and supported. I’d be happy to do my share. Thank you for considering that I might be a constructive part of the team!

jackson

RACHELL JACKSON writes: In 2005, after more than thirty years in and around software development, I retired from IBM. There were granddaughters to play with, gardens to tend, theater works to see. It was all good. Then in 2009, I found duplicate bridge, and it got even better. So many hands, so little time -- each hand a project begging to be managed. My volunteer jobs at the BCA have included purchasing bridge and office supplies, developing a data base of class participants and being partnership chair at a couple of sectionals. Currently, I serve on my neighborhood HOA Board and am editor of the neighborhood newsletter. Now I’d like to serve on the Unit 207 board to help continue making this a great place to play bridge -- where only the bridge hands are a challenge.

lashelle

PAM LASHELLE writes: I grew up in a small town in Iowa in a large family that loved games. My mother has always said I was born with a deck of cards in my hands! The college years took me to Greeley,Colorado to school to become a teacher and I met and married a wonderful man while in college. Our two beautiful daughters were born in Nebraska (lucky me that they now live in Austin with my grandchildren!). While we lived in Omaha I started played at the big "O" duplicate club and became a Life Master. After moving to Texas for a job move for my husband, I became a Realtor and did not play duplicate for 20 years! In 2001 I very sadly lost my husband. I found the great bridge group over at Lamar and 2222 about 10 years ago and have been hooked on Austin bridge ever since. I had received my Director's license from ACBL in Nebraska and decided I wanted to pursue some directing and eventually some teaching. Three years ago I was elected to the Unit 207 Board and have had the privilege of serving as the President this past year. If re-elected I will "give it my all" and love every minute of it!

mckenna

JULIE MCKENNA writes: I attended St.Mary's School of Nursing and worked at the Rochester State Hospital, Rochester, Minnesota until I had my second child. I stayed home and took care of my family until the last of four children left for college. I moved to Austin four years ago from Paris, Tx. When my husband retired. I returned to duplicate bridge after a seventeen year absence. I feel like I am finally fulfilling my dream of travel and bridge! If elected I will happily serve in whatever capacity I am needed.

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SANDY POTTS writes: I’m a native Texan, born in Ft. Worth and raised in Houston. I have two grown sons, two bonus daughters and nine grandchildren. I graduated from UT Austin and TWU Denton, teaching math for the next 35 years; I served on MANY committees, including being department chair, sponsoring National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. After retiring from public schools and ACC, I remembered that BRIDGE was on my to-do list; I immersed myself in the game! Finding new bridge/travel friends has been awesome. Along the way, I have served as partnership chair for the BCA, and chaired partnership events for the Unit and the BCA. The past four years I was knee-deep in organizing the mentor-mentee program for the Unit. I’ve taught bridge classes at the BCA and the Senior Activity Center. Learning, watching others have fun, welcoming new players…let’s keep our wonderful game and playing facilities a place to grow together!

costa

COSTA TRIANTAPHILIDES writes: I was born in Paris, France of Greek parents. We resettled to New York City in 1963. I moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas in 1971. I received a BBA in 1975 and never left the state. It was in the dorms at UT that I learned to play contract bridge. Through the years, between professional demands and raising a family I only played bridge in rare occurrences. I started to play duplicate a couple of years ago and have become quite the fan. My professional career was in the financial area within state and local governments. My last position was the Mayor/Council appointed City Auditor of Fort Worth. I served in that capacity for 26 years. I'm a retired CPA, CIA, and CGFM and served on many professional associations' in a leadership capacity. I am willing to assist the Austin Bridge Club as a board member.

truair

DEAN TRUAIR writes: I lived in Houston for 24 years. I got a degree in math with minors in psychology and chemistry. I worked at NASA doing software programming on the Apollo and Shuttle Programs. I then worked on control systems in Saudi Arabia for 15 years. My wife and 3 kids (2 sons and 1 daughter) enjoyed the travels around the world. We moved to Austin in 1995. We have 5 grandkids, 2 dogs, and 2 cats. They all keep us busy and give pleasure. I have mentored several BCA members and enjoy giving any help or information I can.