Houston's Energy Titans Throw a Million-Dollar Charity Ball

Fulton Davenport
Houston's Energy Titans Throw a Million-Dollar Charity Ball

John & Amanda Taylor, Stephanie Willis, Jason Weddle

AMONG THE MANY festive fetes held at The Post Oak Hotel over the Christmas season was the 50th annual Spindletop Holiday Ball.


Hosted by Spindletop Community Impact Partners, the energy-industry event supports more than 40 different nonprofits in the area, mostly ones benefiting at-risk children and families. Executives from big-wig oil companies including ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, Equinor, Murphy Oil Corporation and many others attended the milestone gala, which honored individuals Dominic Macklon, Terry Bono and Jordan Zaiser for their involvement in the industry and community.

The evening kicked off with the national anthem sung by Etoile Academy Charter Middle School students, and a dance performance courtesy of Ensemble Theatre Young Performers. Throughout the night, artist Fumi McFarland wowed guests with her mesmerizing sand art, and patrons supported a toy drive for Girls Inc. After bidding on silent auction items — deBoulle diamond earrings, Astros and Texans tickets, dinners at Tony's, The Marigold Club and Brasserie 19, and a hunting trip to the Patagonia region — attendees hit the dance floor.

The evening raised a whopping $1 million!

Ann Adamson, Warwick King, Keelan Adamson, Wendy King

Veronica Foley

Billy-Jo Lafortune, Lindsay Weddle, Pragati Mathur

Spindletop Women in STEM BAFTX Scholar Reagan Crow

Constance White Volunteer Service Award Recipient Jordan Zaiser with Lia Vallone, Lindsay Weddle & Bart Cahir

Chad & Cristina Williams

Seliece & Lee Womble

Ensemble Theatre Young Performers

Eric Everett, Richard & Julie Mercer, Kaitlin & Jordan Zaiser

Sara & Ryan Young, Kerry Sedge

Laura Miller, Evan & Stacy Powell

Roger & Jill Jenkins

Liam & Gill Mallon

National Anthem Singers from Etoile Academy Charter School

Luna Rey, Genevieve Carter

Maggie & Greg Sheridan

Parties

How did you get to where you are today? A few key principles integrated into my life: setting clear goals, maintaining a growth mindset, building strong habits, and surrounding myself with the right people. Goals provided direction, while a growth mindset helped me turn challenges into opportunities for learning. Consistent habits, like disciplined work and effective communication, kept me moving forward. Being surrounded by motivated, supportive individuals has elevated my standards and kept me accountable. They’ve provided advice, encouragement, and sometimes that extra push I needed to stay on track. With these elements, I’ve been able to create a framework that helps me succeed and ensures I continue to grow and evolve.

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People + Places

Lilith's Lullaby cocktail (photo by Angie Cavazos)

TO QUOTE THE wee one in Poltergeist: “They’re baaaaack!” Houston’s beloved gothic and girl-powered pop-up The Cursed Cauldron returns Friday, Oct. 4 to Aero Cocktail Co. in River Oaks. The new Aero Cocktail Co. will host the pop-up Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 4pm-12am, and Sundays 2pm-10pm. To help contribute to the spooky (and fun) vibe, visitors are invited to “don their magical attire;” kohl eyeliner and black nail polish are strongly recommended.

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Food