Houston Business Leader Joins Elite List; Enron President and COO Jeff Skilling To Be Honored At Maxine Mesinger Dinner Of Champions

Business Wire, Sept 29, 2000

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 29, 2000

The Fourth Annual Maxine Mesinger Dinner of Champions, honoring Enron President and Chief Operating Officer Jeffrey K. Skilling, will be held Saturday, Sept. 30, 2000, at 7:00 p.m. at the Edwin Hornberger Conference Center (formerly the Shamrock Hilton Ballroom). Serving as Honorary Chairs of the event are Beverly and Jack Loftis and Dinner Chairs Mary Wyatt and Chuck Watson. A who's who list of Houstonian business, political and social leaders are expected to attend.

Since its inception on a national level 27 years ago, the Dinner of Champions has raised more than $100,000,000 for client programs for MS-related research and individuals living with MS. Today, 70 major cities, from New York to Los Angeles and Chicago to Houston, honor prominent leaders and top executives on an annual basis. Past honorees include John Chambers, CEO of Cisco Systems Inc.; Peter Coors, CEO of Coors Brewing Company; Arthur Martinez, CEO of Sears and Roebuck; Michel Halbouty, CEO of Michel T. Halbouty Energy, and Billye Halbouty; Vincent Kickerillo, Chairman of Kickerillo Companies, and Mary Kickerillo; and Tom Sherak, CEO of Twentieth Century Fox. Cumulatively, these honorees represent the most influential cast of corporate, political and entertainment leaders in the world.

Jeff Skilling is no stranger to these ranks and is a shining example of this award. Since 1997, with his support and leadership, the Enron bike team has raised in excess of $1,000,000 through personal and corporate pledges for the Isuzu MS 150 Bike Tour. This year, Jeff made the 180-mile trek from Houston to Austin for the third consecutive time. This incredible physical feat was matched by his fund-raising efforts, for he was the top individual fund-raiser for the MS 150, raising an impressive $65,000. And Jeff's tremendous dedication and enthusiasm has led Enron to become the No. 1 MS 150 fund-raiser in the nation. This year alone, Enron's contribution will top $500,000.

The black-tie, seated dinner is expected to raise several hundred thousand dollars for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS). Multiple sclerosis, a disease of the central nervous system, affects an estimated one third of a million Americans. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, established in 1946, is the world's largest source of MS-related funds, with the exception of the U.S. Government. The Fourth Annual Maxine Mesinger Dinner of Champions will enable the NMSS to continue its work in providing support services for people with MS and their families, as well as funding research into the cause and cure of this disease. The NMSS spends a larger percentage of revenue on direct services than any other voluntary health organization primarily serving adults. Close to home, the Lone Star Chapter serves more than 7,500 people in the Houston area.

Photo opportunity with honoree and chairpeople at 6:30 p.m. immediately preceeding dinner at the Edwin Hornberger Conference Center.