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Celebration of Excellence Gala to honor 2015 Hometown Heroes on Oct. 3

By: Lorrie Parise
| Published 08/20/2015

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THE WOODLANDS, Texas – Four individuals and one business have been selected as the 2015 Hometown Heroes. Mario M. Coll, III, Lisa Koetting, Linda Nelson, Allyson Seder and Waste Connections, Inc. are the honorees that will be recognized for their many contributions to the community at The Woodlands Celebration of Excellence Gala, benefiting Interfaith of The Woodlands.

The Gala will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2015 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, according to Dr. Ann Snyder, President and CEO of Interfaith of The Woodlands. The 2015 Hometown Heroes were chosen by a Selection Committee composed of Hometown Heroes alumni, a group which includes 101 residents of The Woodlands and 12 businesses that have contributed to the educational, civic, cultural and spiritual fabric of the community. The annual tradition of honoring Hometown Heroes began in 1999 as a part of The Woodlands 25th Anniversary Celebration and has continued ever since.

“We are excited to recognize the 2015 Hometown Heroes for their dedication, volunteerism and compassion that they demonstrate in the community. We appreciate all of the wonderful nominations we had this year which speaks to the true value and essence of The Woodlands,” said Dr. Ann Snyder.

Mario M. Coll, III and his wife, Sarah, have been residents of The Woodlands since 1998 and have raised their three sons here. Although Mario has a demanding position as Chief Information Officer at Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, he believes in giving back to the community. The first born son to Cuban immigrants, Coll learned from a young age that family, faith and service are important responsibilities. He shows this through volunteering with the United Way, Junior Achievement (helping bilingual students at Runyan Elementary in Conroe ISD), Habitat for Humanity, the Gulf Coast Blood Drives and March of Dimes.

Coll serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors at Interfaith of The Woodlands and also Chairman of Interfaith Community Clinic. Coll has served on the Board of Directors for several years and most recently as President of The Woodlands High School Quarterback Club. The Colls have established an Endowed Century Club Scholarship at Texas A&M University. Mario is a member of The Champions Council for The 12th Man Foundation at Texas A&M and is an active supporter of Coach Jackie Sherrill’s 12th Man Kickoff Team Foundation.

“Mario is a man of strong faith and values as demonstrated over his lifetime through his selfless commitment to his family, his work and his community,” said resident of The Woodlands and colleague, Larry Abston. “He is a great role model of volunteering for the benefit of The Woodlands and its numerous worthy causes. He is a passionate, natural born leader with the heart of a servant and an outstanding citizen of The Woodlands.”

Lisa Koetting, her husband, Fred, and their three children moved to The Woodlands in 1991. While her children were in school, she served as PTO and PTA President at Mitchell Intermediate and Branch Crossing Junior High. Koetting also served for seven years on the Board of Conroe ISD Academy of Science and Technology. Continuing her volunteerism in education, she co-chaired the Lone Star College System’s Star Gala in 2009.

Koetting volunteers with The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Partners where she has served on the board for six years; co-chaired the Fine Arts Scholarship program for five years; and most recently co-chaired the Pavilion Partners Wine Dinner. The Pavilion Partners named her “Woman of Distinction” in 2015. Koetting also volunteers for Habitat for Humanity’s “Building Hope” Gala, where she served as Co-Chair for three years, along with serving as past Co-Chair for the American Heart Association Heart Ball.

“Lisa is a positive role model, setting new goals for each area of her involvement and encouraging others to participate to help achieve these goals,” said 2008 Hometown Hero Tommy Williams and his wife Marsha. “Her values reflect those of The Woodlands community and her efforts have helped enhance the reputation of our hometown.”

Linda Nelson, her husband Gordon and their three children moved to The Woodlands in 1992. Nelson has been with Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital for 18 years and is Director of Marketing. She is instrumental in helping with community programs for the hospital including Memorial Hermann The Woodlands In the Pink of Health Luncheon and the Memorial Hermann Ironman North American Championship Texas, which she was named Team Captain of the Year 2015.

Nelson is active with The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce, serving on the Board of Directors and as Vice President, Government Affairs. She is also on the Board of Directors for the Greater Conroe/Lake Conroe Area Chamber of Commerce. Nelson is a Board member for Leadership Montgomery County and was named a 2014 Distinguished Alumnus. She is currently on the Conroe ISD Site Based Committee and served on the Community Well Being Strategic Investment Panel for the United Way for six years.

“In a community blessed with so many remarkable volunteers and caring organizations, Linda always seems to find a way to help our community groups succeed. She is tireless, energetic and a positive force in so many local efforts that define the character of The Woodlands,” commented U.S. Representative, 8th District of Texas and 1999 Hometown Hero, Kevin Brady.

Allyson “Ally” Seder, her husband Mike and family are longtime residents of The Woodlands. Together Ally and Mike own Mike Seder Real Estate Company. Seder has dedicated her life to volunteerism and philanthropy. She has volunteered with New Danville, serving on the Board, Auction committee and was Past Chair of the organization’s Tea on the Lawn. She has volunteered as Auction Chair for The John Cooper School and chaired The Woodlands Young Learners Academy Gala.

Seder serves on the Board of Directors for the Montgomery County Women’s Center and chaired its Wine Fest for the past two years. Also for the last two years, Seder started and chaired the “Open Your Purse for Change” fundraiser for the Center. Seder has chaired The Children’s Miracle Network event, benefiting Texas Children’s Hospital along with planning the Wings, Wheels & Heels Gala at Lone Star Executive Airport, benefiting the nonprofit organization, Angel Reach.

1999 Hometown Hero Tom Cox said this about Seder: “She is one of the most giving people that I know. The difference that sets Ally apart from others is that she genuinely gives from her heart. Allyson has so much compassion for helping others – the only thing that would bother her is if she did not give 100% and did not make a difference.”

Waste Connections, Inc., an integrated solid waste services company, moved its corporate headquarters to The Woodlands in 2012. Since moving here, Waste Connections has made a significant contribution to the community. For the third consecutive year, the company hosted Waste Connections Golf Classic for Kids at The Woodlands Country Club, raising as cumulative total of over $1 million dollars to support local, nonprofit organizations.

Led by Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Ron Mittelstaedt, and senior executives, employees from Waste Connections are active volunteers with The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce, Montgomery County Food Bank and other organizations. In addition, Waste Connections holds a Bike Build annually to provide bikes to youths through 16 nonprofit agencies including CASA, Family Promise, Interfaith of The Woodlands, Montgomery County Youth Services and the YMCA. During the holiday season in 2014, Waste Connections and its staff donated and assembled 663 bikes to be distributed to youth.

“The heart and soul of Waste Connections is to give back to the community which is why the company immediately began volunteering in The Woodlands,” said Jerri Hunt, who recently retired as Vice President of Employee Relations at Waste Connections, Inc. “Ever since Waste Connections was established, it has been a goal to serve the local, nonprofit charities. Waste Connections hopes to inspire other corporations to join in the volunteer efforts in The Woodlands.”

Criteria for the selection of the Hometown Heroes included, but were not limited to:


Positive role model

History of volunteerism

Sacrificing personal gain to achieve noble goals

Leadership and courage

Embodies the values of The Woodlands community; family values, importance of education, the arts and culture, environmental consciousness

Dedication to public service

The Celebration of Excellence Honoring Hometown Heroes is the largest annual fundraiser for Interfaith of The Woodlands, the primary social services organization in the community. The event is sponsored by many businesses and organizations in The Woodlands. To purchase a table or make a donation, contact Lisa Baeckel, Development Manager at Interfaith of The Woodlands at 832-615-8230 or lbaeckel@woodlandsinterfaith.org.

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