The Celebration

CKW LUXE lit up The Ballroom at Bayou Place with its 2019 Top 20 CEOs and Entrepreneurs Awards. The evening celebrated 20 esteemed men and women who are current CEOs, retired CEOs, and entrepreneurs who serve or have served their companies with integrity and support their community with compassion. The awards these outstanding citizens received are presented only once every three years.

Publisher Connie Kwan-Wong hosted the prestigious event and Shern-Min Chow of KHOU 11 News emceed.

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The Story

Dignitaries, honorees, and supporters of CKW LUXE magazine walked the red carpet into the gorgeous Ballroom at Bayou Place, which had been transformed into a setting fit for Hollywood royalty by M&V Decorations. A backdrop depicting the Hollywood sign, the lights of LA, fireworks, and a shining platform; dazzling chandeliers; and tables draped in shimmering cloths greeted guests as they arrived. Attendees posed with golden statues against a wall of scarlet roses and were entertained by a beautiful champagne aerialist. A curtain of twinkling stars framed the catwalk. Opulently covered dinner tables held centerpieces of fresh floral arrangements set in dazzling vases.

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The Moments

Connie Kwan-Wong, publisher of CKW LUXE magazine, welcomed attendees and thanked them for their tremendous support of the magazine and its goals and congratulated the evening’s honorees, thanking them for their many contributions to the financial and cultural well-being of the City of Houston. The moment everyone was waiting for arrived when Chow introduced CKW LUXE’s Top 20 CEOs and Entrepreneurs Awards honorees for 2019. Kwan-Wong presented them with their awards. Each award winner also received congressional recognition and certificates of appreciation from City Council. These were presented by City Council member Michael Kubosh.

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CKW LUXE 2019 Top 20 CEOs and Entrepreneurs Honorees

For Profit Leaders:

Farida Abjani, Co-Founder and CEO of Shining Nightingale, Inc

Dougal Cameron, President of Cameron Management

James W. Crownover, Former Senior Partner of McKinsey & Company, Inc.

Scott “Duke” Ensell, President and CEO of Admiral Transfer & Rigging

Dr. Rita Justice, Clinical Psychologist

Darryl King, CEO of PPG LLC and PPG Global

Harry Mach, CEO of Mach Industrial Group

Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, Owner of Gallery Furniture

Chase Robison, President and CEO of Avalon Advisors, LLC

Hallie Vanderhider, Managing Director With SFC Energy Partners

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Nonprofit Leaders

Dr. Andrea Caracostis, CEO of The Asian American Health Coalition Dba Hope Clinic

Kinga Ferguson, Executive Director of Ars Lyrica Houston

Beatrice Gonzales Garza, Former President and CEO of AAMA(Association For The Advancement Of Mexican Americans)

Beth Braniff Harp, Executive Director of Kids’ Meals, Inc.

Perryn Leech, Managing Director, Sarah and Ernest Butler Chair,
of Houston Grand Opera

Alain and Marie LeNôtre, Owners of The Culinary Institute Lenotre

Malisha Patel, Senior Vice President and CEO for Memorial Hermann Southwest And Memorial Hermann Sugar Land

Dr. Soner Tarim, CEO of Royal School System. Founder and former CEO of Harmony School

Laura Ward, President and CEO of Houston Children’s Charity​

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The charming evening closed with an awe-inspiring performance by members of the Mitsi Dancing School.

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CKW LUXE would like to express its gratitude to the evening’s Diamond Table sponsors: Cameron Management, Hallie Vanderhider, and Duke Ensell; Premium Table sponsors: Kids’ Meals, Harry Mach, Houston Children’s Charity, HOPE Clinic, and Jim Crownover; and event sponsors: M&V Decorations, The Ballroom at Bayou Place, and Kirksey Gregg Productions for their support and generosity.

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About CKW LUXE Magazine

CKW LUXE magazine is a philanthropic, inspirational, and quality living magazine. The three letters in our name, CKW, stand for Caring, Kindness, and Wisdom, encouraging us to CARE for one and all, treat everyone with KINDNESS, and be WISE in our understanding of others. The purpose of the magazine is to share enlightening stories that spread the message of love, hope, and positivity.