investing in tomorrow's leaders

Spent the day at the Business & Belief Symposium hosted by the Center for Christianity in Business on the campus of Houston Baptist University, and wow, what an impact these folks are making on tomorrow's leaders.

200 students and over 40 mentors, professionals from the marketplace, spent time in several breakout sessions conducted by seasoned business men and women, including some of Fred Smith's mentees. Harold Myra, former CEO of Christianity Today, Mark Ammerman, Managing Director at Scotiabank, James Beckett, founder of Beckett Publishing, Wallace Henley, Pastor, author and former Nixon aid, as well as Brad Hays, Bible in the Boardroom, and many others broached topics ranging from networking to leadership to ethics.

Bottom-line? The CCB has started the dialog of biblical values' place in business. Appropriately so, the dialog includes the marketplace, academia and students.

After listening to the testimony of how biblical values positively impact the workplace, you'll wonder why America ever walked away from them to begin with.

And, a note to those of you about to hire this generation of workers, they are very interested in how your company fits their needs: social, economic, and even, spiritual. We shot some great footage from the day's activities and we'll post it soon.

everybody loves a parade

How important are our veterans? Well, freedom ain't free, is it? The Jason Emanis Show has been asked to partake in San Antonio's Veterans Day Parade. On November 8, come out, give us a wave, hoop and a holler for the brave men and women who have paid, in many cases, the ultimate price.

If you keep a sharp eye out for me, I'll keep one out for you! I think we're going to be in a blue convertible Cadillac. Just look for the prettiest girl in the parade sitting next to the biggest goofball, that girl would be my wife.

cooking with clive

Paid a visit to my good friend Clive Berkman, yesterday. His name may ring a bell with some of you as he owned and operated one of the finest restaurants in Houston for many years, Charley's 517.

Clive has agreed to be on the pilot we'll be shooting in the next couple of weeks. He's perfect...high-energy, funny, full of wisdom and has a strong faith. You will thoroughly enjoy his interview.

Until the show, you may want to check out Clive's website and new book, Empty Bottle Moments. You may also hire Clive and his kitchen to cater your next event.

And, now, for the big scoop. Not many people know this, but after this Thanksgiving, Clive's kitchen should be set up for dining, by reservation only, a bit of a chef's table sort of thing. That's a big deal, because he's an awesome chef, though he calls himself a cook. By the way, I don't get that. I was waiting tables in college and called a chef a cook once and I had to duck for the flying knives headed my direction. None the less, Clive is a joy in the kitchen and to have the opportunity to share a table with him would be, as he says, an "empty bottle moment".

the gift

Spent some time with Charles Miles and Hank Rush, today. These two fine gentlemen will be my very special guests at HBU's Center for Christianity Business' "The Christmas Gift".

Wow! The pleasure was all mine. Hank's the newly appointed CEO of Star of Hope Homeless Mission and Charles is on their board. Charles was actually homeless himself, having found worldly success that only contributed to his demise, then Star of Hope reached out to him, got him cleaned up and moving in the right direction. A short time later, Charles was actually offered a scholarship to HBU, of which he holds 2 degrees.

There are those "people" stories that touch us all: Christopher Reeves, the trapped rescue workers of 9/11, Ron and Denver, the list goes on. Charles' story ranks with the best of them. You will be blessed, when you join us Dec 2nd at HBU, for The Christmas Gift.