We’ll be joined by influential voices who will inspire us to be a powerful force for the kind of change that serves and uplifts children around the world. Explore innovative ways to make an impact in children’s lives and communities.
We’ll keep adding speakers and entertainment so check back often for the latest updates.
District Governor Bobby Quinten
Bobby was elected to the position of Governor-Elect at the 2024 District Convention in Granbury, TX. Prior to this, he was a Club President for two consecutive terms and a Lieutenant Governor for Division 39. He’s been a member of the Kiwanis Club of Mansfield, TX since 2018. Bobby brings almost 30 years of corporate business experience, primarily in learning and development, as well as human resources. Over the last 20 years, he led major organizations through impactful and measurable culture change, concentrating on workplace respect, customer service, and employee engagement. He is an experienced professional coach. In 2016, he returned to college and earned a Graduate Certificate in Executive and Professional Coaching from the University of Texas at Dallas. Today he is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) as credentialed by the International Coaching Federation. He owns To A Better Place Executive Coaching, where I help leaders and their teams move to a better place through future-oriented, solutions-focused, and strengths-based coaching. He brings those same methods to his terms as Governor-Elect and Governor. He believes firmly that Kids Need Kiwanis! Lockdowns, social unrest, war, supply issues, and inflation have had a massive negative impact on children here and around the world. At the same time, generations are recommitting themselves to building a better society through altruistic service, community, and innovation. He believes Kiwanis International is well-positioned for this burgeoning explosion in global volunteerism.
Friday Giving Impact Luncheon Speaker Lucie Nguyen and Karim Shaaban – Hosted by the Texas-Oklahoma Kiwanis Foundation
Lucie Nguyen is the Immediate Past Governor for T-O CKI. Lucie completed a two-year term as District Governor and graduated from The University of Texas at Dallas in May. Her next destination is Vietnam where she’ll be serving as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant. Lucie plans to attend medical school. Lucie is committed to serving others. She has not only led but inspired CKI members to be their best.
Karim Shaaban was the top scholarship winner at the recent Key Club Leadership & Education District Conference (LEDCON) . Karim served as President of his Key Club at Nederland High School in 2023-2025. Karim also served as President of the National Honor Society. Karim and his family fled to America from Syria in 2011. Come and hear this young man’s story of perseverance.
Saturday Inspiration Keynote Speaker Gary Weiland – Hosted by the Past Lt. Governor’s Association
Gary Weiland was a Firefighter in Denton, Texas for 7 years when he experienced a series of very unfortunate events. His leg was amputated just below his knee. Gary decided that this tragedy was not going to end his career and passion for fighting fire. 10 months and 6 days after his amputation, he was back on the Fire Truck, full-duty, no restrictions. Gary’s faith, family, and fortitude were the driving factors in getting back to being a Firefighter. Now he is on a mission to show the world that no matter what happens to you, you can Adapt and Overcome!
After getting back to full duty firefighting on one leg, Gary thought, “What else am I capable of?” He’s always been athletic and he really wanted to challenge himself, so he competed on the TV show “American Ninja Warrior.” He did great! He made history as the 1st amputee to make it to the Semi Finals! He has been on the show multiple times and keeps getting closer to hitting that buzzer.
Through this experience, Gary has become the Fearless F.A.N.-MAN. It’s an acronym that stands for Firefighter Amputee Ninja. He has his own Superhero suit and travels the country, speaking to all ages and groups of people, about overcoming obstacles and challenges in life and how to Never Give Up no matter what.
Gary is also a member of the U.S. ParaSliding Team. He’s been to Norway twice and won the U.S. National Championship in the ParaBobsled Push Division in March of 2023 at the Olympic Bobsled Track in Lake Placid, New York.
Gary also had the opportunity to run the Boston Marathon in April of 2024. He had a goal of raising $12,500 to help 2 kids get prosthetic legs. He reached that goal and completed the Boston Marathon! In August of 2024, Gary also set a World Record at the OCR World Championships in Costa Rica in the 100 Meter Course!
Gary has also written a children’s book series and most recently, started his own Clothing Brand called A&O, which stands for Adapt & Overcome. He believes that we are here for a purpose and we each have gifts and abilities that are meant to be used to help other people. He is very humbled to know that other people recognize the meaning behind his Brand and are willing to walk alongside him to spread a message of hope and mental strength in this world.
Gary truly believes that you can make the impossible possible. He is living proof of that. Adapt and Overcome!
Speakers
We’ll be joined by influential voices who will inspire us to be a powerful force for the kind of change that serves and uplifts children around the world. Explore innovative ways to make an impact in children’s lives and communities.
We’ll keep adding speakers and entertainment so check back often for the latest updates.
District Governor Bobby Quinten
Bobby was elected to the position of Governor-Elect at the 2024 District Convention in Granbury, TX. Prior to this, he was a Club President for two consecutive terms and a Lieutenant Governor for Division 39. He’s been a member of the Kiwanis Club of Mansfield, TX since 2018.
Bobby brings almost 30 years of corporate business experience, primarily in learning and development, as
well as human resources. Over the last 20 years, he led major organizations through impactful and measurable culture change, concentrating on workplace respect, customer service, and employee
engagement.
He is an experienced professional coach. In 2016, he returned to college and earned a Graduate Certificate in Executive and Professional Coaching from the University of Texas at Dallas. Today he is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) as credentialed by the International Coaching Federation. He owns To A Better Place Executive Coaching, where I help leaders and their teams move to a better place through future-oriented, solutions-focused, and strengths-based coaching. He brings those same methods to his terms as Governor-Elect and Governor.
He believes firmly that Kids Need Kiwanis! Lockdowns, social unrest, war, supply issues, and inflation have had a massive negative impact on children here and around the world. At the same time, generations are recommitting themselves to building a better society through altruistic service, community, and innovation. He believes Kiwanis International is well-positioned for this burgeoning explosion in global volunteerism.
Friday Giving Impact Luncheon Speaker Lucie Nguyen and Karim Shaaban – Hosted by the Texas-Oklahoma Kiwanis Foundation
Lucie Nguyen is the Immediate Past Governor for T-O CKI. Lucie completed a two-year term as District Governor and graduated from The University of Texas at Dallas in May. Her next destination is Vietnam where she’ll be serving as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant. Lucie plans to attend medical school. Lucie is committed to serving others. She has not only led but inspired CKI members to be their best.
Karim Shaaban was the top scholarship winner at the recent Key Club Leadership & Education District Conference (LEDCON) . Karim served as President of his Key Club at Nederland High School in 2023-2025. Karim also served as President of the National Honor Society. Karim and his family fled to America from Syria in 2011. Come and hear this young man’s story of perseverance.
Saturday Inspiration Keynote Speaker Gary Weiland – Hosted by the Past Lt. Governor’s Association
Gary Weiland was a Firefighter in Denton, Texas for 7 years when he experienced a series of very unfortunate events. His leg was amputated just below his knee. Gary decided that this tragedy was not going to end his career and passion for fighting fire. 10 months and 6 days after his amputation, he was back on the Fire Truck, full-duty, no restrictions. Gary’s faith, family, and fortitude were the driving factors in getting back to being a Firefighter. Now he is on a mission to show the world that no matter what happens to you, you can Adapt and Overcome!
After getting back to full duty firefighting on one leg, Gary thought, “What else am I capable of?” He’s always been athletic and he really wanted to challenge himself, so he competed on the TV show “American Ninja Warrior.” He did great! He made history as the 1st amputee to make it to the Semi Finals! He has been on the show multiple times and keeps getting closer to hitting that buzzer.
Through this experience, Gary has become the Fearless F.A.N.-MAN. It’s an acronym that stands for Firefighter Amputee Ninja. He has his own Superhero suit and travels the country, speaking to all ages and groups of people, about overcoming obstacles and challenges in life and how to Never Give Up no matter what.
Gary is also a member of the U.S. ParaSliding Team. He’s been to Norway twice and won the U.S. National Championship in the ParaBobsled Push Division in March of 2023 at the Olympic Bobsled Track in Lake Placid, New York.
Gary also had the opportunity to run the Boston Marathon in April of 2024. He had a goal of raising $12,500 to help 2 kids get prosthetic legs. He reached that goal and completed the Boston Marathon! In August of 2024, Gary also set a World Record at the OCR World Championships in Costa Rica in the 100 Meter Course!
Gary has also written a children’s book series and most recently, started his own Clothing Brand called A&O, which stands for Adapt & Overcome. He believes that we are here for a purpose and we each have gifts and abilities that are meant to be used to help other people. He is very humbled to know that other people recognize the meaning behind his Brand and are willing to walk alongside him to spread a message of hope and mental strength in this world.
Gary truly believes that you can make the impossible possible. He is living proof of that. Adapt and Overcome!