About Lt. General Thomas Spoehr

Thomas Spoehr is an expert on national defense policy and strategy, and has testified before the U.S. Congress on defense strategy, budgets, military recruiting, and equipment modernization. Spoehr’s articles and commentary have been published widely in both civilian and military media and he is often called upon to provide expert commentary and analysis.

Spoehr served as the Director of the Heritage Foundation’s (a Washington DC-based think tank) Center for National Defense from October 2016 to September 2023 where he was responsible for supervising research on matters involving U.S. national defense. Prior to joining Heritage, Spoehr served for over 36 years in the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of Lieutenant General, the first ever Chemical Corps officer to be promoted to that grade.

Military service included operational assignments ensuring Army and joint forces were proficient in countering weapons of mass destruction (WMD). As one of the Army’s foremost uniformed experts in this area, Spoehr served as the Commandant of the Army’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear School.

Later in his Army career, Spoehr served in senior leadership positions in the Pentagon, responsible for charting the Army’s future year financial plans, developing equipment modernization strategies, and achieving business efficiencies and reform. Analysis and recommendations provided by Spoehr were used by the Secretary of the Army and other senior military leaders to reduce or eliminate military headquarters, reduce back-office costs, and streamline lengthy bureaucratic processes, saving millions of taxpayer dollars.

His operational experience includes service with combat units including the 82nd Airborne Division and the 1st Armored Division. Spoehr participated in Operation Urgent Fury (the invasion of Grenada) and in 2011 served as the Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Forces Iraq in Operation New Dawn, where he successfully oversaw the safe withdrawal of all U.S. forces and equipment from Iraq ahead of schedule, one of the most complex and logistically intensive operations attempted by the U.S. military.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA, a Masters of Arts in Public Administration from Webster University in St. Louis, MO, and a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle, PA.

He and his wife, Cynthia, live in Alexandria, Virginia, where he enjoys kayaking, home repair, and hiking. They have two grown children, Catherine and Peter, and five grandchildren. Peter served in Afghanistan as an Stryker platoon leader.

Ticket and Sponsorship Opportunities

Come and honor our veterans at our fundraising luncheon Thursday, November 9, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Ballroom at Bayou Place, 500 Texas Avenue. Dress is business. All veterans will be recognized.

RSVP by Tuesday, November 7. Member ticket included with membership, but you must RSVP to reserve your seat. Any RSVPs made within 72 hours of an event may not have a guaranteed seat or meal.

This is a fundraising event. 100% of the net revenue will stay in Houston to directly benefit Houston veterans.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Tables are available for sponsorship. Please contact Kittie Gugenheim ([email protected]) or Robert Castle ([email protected]) to learn what each level provides, ie. program advertisement, recognition, event coverage, etc.

• $1,500 – Supporter Table
• $2,500 – Featured Table
• $5,000 – Underwriter Table

You will need to provide the names of your table guests. You can also use any of the seats at your table to host one of our invited veteran guests.

Guest Tickets

Guests and visiting Rotarians are invited to the luncheon by reserving a space for $75.

Donate a Ticket for a Veteran to Join Luncheon ($75 each)

You may donate a seat for a guest veteran for $75. We will invite veterans from WW II, Korea, Vietnam, and Gulf War Era.

Please be generous so that we may honor as many veterans as possible.

Premiere Beneficiaries

• Camp Hope – Houston
• Honor Flight – Houston

Charitable Donations Are Welcome

If you would like to make a charitable donation instead of purchasing a table or veteran ticket, please contact Kittie Gugenheim ([email protected]) or Robert Castle ([email protected]).

Accepted Payments

We accept cash, credit cards, or checks. Please contact Kittie or Robert to make a table payment.

Please remit checks made payable to:

The Downtown Rotary Club of Houston Veterans Committee

Mailt to: 9333 Memorial Dr., #301, Houston, TX 77024

For any questions, please call Kittie Gugenheim at 713-582-6863 or Robert Castle at 713-894-5068.