After 17 years of corporate engineering successes, Gene Birdwell founded and ran some highly profitable companies, most notably in the industrial civil construction industry. He served as Area Engineer for E.I. Dupont (1962-1965), Project Engineer for Chicago Bridge & Iron (1965-1969), Chief Engineer for Trinity Industries (1969-1976), then Shop Manager for Allied Industries (1976-1979).
In 1977, Birdwell founded S&B Construction, then changed its name in 1983 to GR Birdwell Construction where he continues as CEO. He also formed RECON in 1988 and sold it successfully 20 years later in 2008. Branching out his focuses, Birdwell founded Essentium LP in 2009 and Dr. J’s Naturals in 2019; he serves as CEO of both. Appalled at the plight of many Veterans in America today, in 2008 the former Air Force Civil Engineer (1959-1962) set out to help stem the tide of destroyed lives and suicides among the vast number of Veterans with PTSD. That year he founded IMPACT 21, then changed its name to PTSD Foundation of America in 2010 where he served as CEO until 2018. Birdwell also opened CAMP HOPE in 2012, serving as CEO until 2018 when he founded the Birdwell Foundation for PTSD.
A native of Longview, Texas, in 1959 Birdwell received his BS degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A & M University, then an MBS from the University of Dallas in 1978. After much travel, in 1978 the devout Christian joined Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston where he continues as a member today. Birdwell was ordained Deacon in 1980. He married Anne Rush Birdwell in 1960. After many job relocations, the couple settled down in Houston, TX (Spring area) in 1978, then three homes later in NW Houston. They have two sons, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, all of whom live in the Houston area. Both sons joined Birdwell in his businesses.
Tom Clutts – Executive Director
Tom Clutts joined the Marines in 1983 and served in the Marine Security Guard Battalion as well as a squad leader in 1st Battalion 9th Marines until 1989. He returned to his home state, graduated from the Alamo Area Police Academy, and began work as a Texas Peace Officer. Upon moving to Houston in 1993, he worked as a volunteer firefighter while studying to become a Texas paramedic.
Clutts joined the 143d Infantry Airborne LRS unit with the TXARNG until the attack of 9/11. Then he made a lateral service change to the US Navy and used his skills as a paramedic to become a corpsman. July 2007, Tom retired from the USN as a HM2(FMF) after serving more than 13 total years of mixed military service. He served as a corpsman assigned to a Marine infantry Battalion with tours in Iraq.
Following his military career, Clutts advanced his medical career to a Licensed Paramedic and Paramedic Instructor for more than 12 years working in two major municipalities. He served as a flight paramedic for a major medical air transport service and worked with the evacuation of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. Tom is the president of Bone Frog Energy trading in midline crude oil and petroleum products throughout Texas and the East Coast. Tom currently serves as a Captain in the South Hays Fire Department’s recovery dive team as well as a Public Safety Dive Trainer. He continues his military service in the Texas Military Department as a Chief Warrant Officer and instructor with the Texas Mobile Dive Training Unit.
His passion for helping others brought him in contact with Gene Birdwell in 2009 where he helped Gene form his non-profit organization. Currently, Tom is the Executive Director of the Birdwell Foundation for PTSD and has been with the organization since its inception.
Tom is married to his beautiful wife of 18 years and has 5 children and 4 grandchildren. The Texas native currently resides in Canyon Lake, Texas where he continues to help anyone in need and volunteers with many local organizations and first responder teams.
Gary Greer – Board Member
With more than 34 years of energy industry experience, mostly as an entrepreneur, Gary Greer developed many relationships with oil and gas industry entities and developed those relationships into several highly profitable companies. Presently owner of Concept Petroleum Marketing, LLC, which focuses on leveraging logistical challenges between market areas with imbalanced economics, Greer has helped many smaller companies profit from previously untouchable opportunities. With a partner, he developed a similar opportunity for many of the same customers to participate in downstream shipping of petroleum products through PetroSP, LP. From 2013-2018, Greer served as an enlisted member of the Texas State Guard, rising from E3 to E5 in the Texas Maritime Brigade. He put his talents to use leading search and recovery teams and improving radio communications between troops in the field and their commanders back at garrison. He is an Amateur Extra class ham radio operator specializing in setting up back-country communications for various overland racing events. Greer serves on the College of Business Advisory Board for Oral Roberts University College of Business, where he is also on the President’s Council. He previously served on the Houston board with Free Wheelchair Mission and as Treasurer of the Tomball Pachyderm Club. His passions are generosity, mentoring, and college baseball. He also serves as an usher at Champion Forest Baptist Church where he has attended since moving to Houston in 1995. Greer earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Oral Roberts University in 1983. He then earned a Master of Business Administration degree with a finance emphasis from Oral Roberts University in 1986. He resides in the Houston area and has two children.
BG(Retired) Richard B. Dix – Board Member
In July of 2017, BG Dix retired with more than 30 years of service in the Armed Forces as a leader at every level. He graduated from Armor Officer Basic Course in 1987. After graduation, he served as Tank Platoon Leader, A Company, 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor, 24th Infantry Division. He later served as the Executive Officer for A Company, Headquarters Command, 224th Forward Support Battalion during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. BG Dix deployed to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he served as the BDE S-4 FWD during Operation Desert Defiance.
Upon redeployment, he served as the Chief of Supply and Services 32nd ADCOM G 4. BG Dix later served in Germany in the 21st Theater Support Command (TSC). He also served as the Deputy Chief of Plans and Exercises G-3, 21st TSC, Group S-3, 29th Support Group (SG), Support Operations Officer 200th Material Management Center, Brigade Executive Officer 29th SG. He also served in Germany as the 29th SG Rear Group Commander during the unit’s successful deployment as the Joint Logistics Command (JLC) for Combined Joint Task Force-76 (CJTF-76), Afghanistan Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF VI). BG Dix served as the 3-401st Army Field Support Battalion Commander from Feb 06 to Jun 07, Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF VII).
From July 2007 to June 2008, BG Dix served as the Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General, Army Material Command, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. From July 2009 to July 2010, BG Dix commanded the 401st Army Field Support Brigade (AFSB) in Bagram, Afghanistan. From July 2010 to July 2012, he served as the Chief of Staff for the Army Sustainment Command. BG Dix served as the Executive Officer and the Director of Strategy and Integration G-45/7 for the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army, G-4, from July 2012 to May 2014. BG Dix served as Commanding General for Defense Logistics Agency Distribution responsible for Dept. of Defense's Global Storage and Distribution, from June 2014 to June 2016. BG Dix closed out his career as the Joint Munitions Command, Rock Island, IL, Commanding General June 2016 to July 2017.
BG Dix graduated from the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he also received a Master of Arts in Procurement and Acquisition Management from Webster University. He is a 2009 graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C. In 1987, he graduated from South Carolina State University’s Army ROTC Program (Distinguished Military Graduate) with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, BG Dix is married to the former Cynthia Diane Fields of Jacksonville, Florida. The couple has two children and two grandchildren.
Solange Warner – Board Member
The Chairman and Founder of the World Chamber of Commerce. Furthermore, she is President of World CC Television Channel, broadcasting on Amazon Fire TV and Roku Networks. Moreover, Solange is the CEO of Ashton International Consulting Firm.
Solange Warner founded the World Chamber of Commerce in February, 2008. She developed the organization from the ground up, establishing the entire organizational structure, including the Board of Directors. Important members of the community support the WCC as board members, including U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young; President of Colombia, Alvaro Uribe; U.S. Ambassador Charles Shapiro; U.S. Ambassador Mark Lagoon, Ambassador of Germany, Lutz Gorgens, Ambassador of France, Philippe Ardanaz, among other Ambassadors, Consuls, Senators, Representatives of the House, and Mayors of Cities.
Solange Warner has developed many initiatives benefiting businesses at a global level, including business and educational television shows, through Amazon and Roku television networks, accessing 80 million television viewers. Additional initiatives include the WCC International Trade Seminar Series, where leaders and experts educate companies on how to penetrate foreign markets. The WCC International Trade Seminars have taken place at important venues, such as the Georgia Capitol, UPS Headquarters, the Four Seasons, and Ritz Carlton, among others. Keynote speakers include President of Colombia, Alvaro Uribe; U.N. Ambassador, Andrew Young; U.S. Ambassador Mark Lagoon; U.S. Ambassador Charles Shapiro; Ambassador of Israel, Reda Mansour; Senator Donzella James; Representative of the House, Pete Marin; Mayor of Auburn, Linda Blechinger, among many other dignitaries and leaders of the community. The WCC Events average 400 attendees and are a very successful form of networking for businesses to interact with global leaders and develop excellent business connections as well.
Moreover, Solange Warner has organized initiatives for the WCC such as the World Chamber of Commerce Trade Mission to Saint Lucia. The purpose of the WCC Trade Mission was to create business exchange between St Lucia and U.S. businesses. Participants of the Mission were Ambassador of France, Philippe Ardanaz, Ambassador of Germany, Lutz Gorgens; Consul of Liechtenstein, Bruce Allen, among others. Solange Warner was able to obtain a complimentary scholarship from Brandon Hall School for a child in St. Lucia.
Furthermore, Solange Warner has developed the World CC television channel, with film and television productions from several countries such as Latvia, China, Ecuador, Chile, Italy and others. Additional programming includes documentaries regarding relevant social subjects, including doctors discussing Covid 19 and health in general. Other programs and documentaries are dedicated to promote awareness in regards to human trafficking and how the community can become involved to stop this devastating crime for our society.
Solange Warner created the humanitarian campaign, “Human Trafficking Awareness to Keep Our Children Safe” in 2009. Since then, she has organized WCC Events, in the Georgia Capitol, the Atlanta Airport and other venues, to create awareness about Human Trafficking. Additionally, Solange has created television shows on Amazon Fire TV, Roku Network, Channel 25, and others, promoting awareness regarding Human Trafficking as well.
Solange Warner developed the humanitarian initiative “Haiti Relief Effort” sending two airplanes to Haiti volunteers and humanitarian aid for the earthquake victims. Then, she developed the humanitarian initiative to aid Chilean Earthquake victims as well. The WCC donated funds to “Maria Ayuda”, Chilean organization assisting victims of the earthquake.
Solange Warner developed the prestigious WCC Global Heroes Award, which prominent leaders of the community have received, including President of Colombia, Alvaro Uribe, Ambassador Andrew Young, U.S. Ambassador Mark Lagoon, U.S. Ambassador Charles Shapiro, Senator Donzella James, Mayor of Auburn, Linda Blechinger, among other leaders. One of the WCC Global Heroes Award ceremony was at the Ritz Carlton Buckhead, a two day, successful event with 500 attendees. Guests were Ambassador Lutz Gorgens, President of Invest France, Philippe Yvergniaux, Consul of Italy, Angela Della Contanza, Ambassador of Brazil Adalnio Senna Ganesh, Ambassador Red Mansour, U.S. Ambassador Charles Shapiro, Consul of Denmark, Chris Smith, Consul of Liechtenstein, Bruce Allen, Charles Green, President of Sunrise Bank, Michael Bryan, Senior Economist at Federal Reserve Bank. Ambassador Andrew Young received the Lifetime Achievement Award during the WCC Event.
Solange Warner organizes the WCC Event Programs, including leaders and experts providing information and training for the business community. In addition, Solange Warner creates programs that include entertainment as well, such as the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performances, Tango dancers from Argentina, Classical dance from Russia, and Brazilian music performance. Attendees for the WCC events include Ambassadors, Senators, Consuls, among other leaders.
Solange Warner is the CEO of Ashton International, a prominent firm that provides in-depth international trade consulting, including market and feasibility studies, international lead generation, product implementation, and international representation. The U.S. Department of Commerce awarded Ashton International for “Export Achievement, Associated with Accomplishments in the Global Market Place.”
Solange Warner has three television shows, one is “Global Matters with Solange Warner”. She has interviewed many global leaders and experts of the business community, including Ambassador Lutz Gorgens, Consul of Denmark, Chris Smith, Consul of the United Kingdom, Annabelle Malins, and other leaders. Solange Warner created the “Inspirational Heroes” television to recognize remarkable people that inspire the community.
Solange Warner has over 20 years experience in international markets, working previously as a senior manager for multinational accounts at America Express for seven years. She managed Fortune 500 Multinational corporations, such as Microsoft, AT&T, and others. Solange Warner lived in Europe and previously she lived in Miami, where she owned and directed S&S Travel, a successful travel company, located in Coral Gables, Florida.
Solange Warner obtained her International Business Degree at American Intercontinental University with Summa Cum Laude accolades. She speaks Spanish, Portuguese and English fluently and has knowledge of French, German and Italian. Solange Warner is originally from Chile and has traveled extensively throughout fifty-six countries. Furthermore, Solange Warner is a member of the National Scholars Honor Society and has received several awards as WCC Chairman and Founder.
