Ashmore, Strban take on challenge of increasing funds raised through CFEF’s 2009 B.F. Adam Classic golf tournament

With 2009 now in full swing, Cy-Fair Educational Foundation (CFEF) board members Jerry Ashmore and Chad Strban say they are eager to lend a strong helping hand as co-chairmen of the 2009 B.F. Adam Classic Golf Tournament committee this year.

Ashmore and Strban are working hard to ensure that the 20^th annual fund-raising event, one of the largest non-celebrity charity golf tournaments in Houston, brings in more funding than ever for Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District student scholarships.

“Volunteering our time, money and talent is always a challenge in our fast-paced society,” Ashmore said. “The CFEF golf tournament is a fun and rewarding event, knowing that the funds raised are going to further a young person’s college education.  It is a great opportunity for an individual or business owner to give back to the community, whether it be participating in the tournament or providing a service or auction/ raffle item.”

The 2009 B.F. Adam Classic, a 4-person Scramble Golf Tournament, will be held May 20 at the BlackHorse Ranch Golf Club, 12205 Fry Road in Cypress. The event also features a steak dinner and awards ceremony.

B.F. (Bernard Fred) Adam was a lifelong Cy-Fair resident and a devoted school board member, serving 24 years on the board. B.F. Adam Elementary on Honey Grove Lane is named in his honor.

The 2008 tournament fund-raiser brought in over $100,000.

Jerry Ashmore

“We must continue to raise additional funds needed for student scholarships, because that need has increased as a result of Cy-Fair ISD’s fast growth,” Ashmore said. 

A third-year board member, Ashmore said he also believes it is crucial to recruit and train volunteers in the Cy-Fair area in order to keep the Cy-Fair Educational Foundation thriving and growing.

Ashmore and his family have a large stake in the Cy-Fair community. They own and operate Greater Houston Group Inc., which specializes in commercial real estate services.

The company buys, sells, manages and leases office buildings, shopping centers, and office/warehouse properties for commercial real estate investors.

The current, challenging real estate climate is nothing new to Ashmore. He was at the beginning of his career as a commercial land sales broker when the real estate market crashed in the 1980s. As a result of his involvement with government foreclosures, he gained experience in managing, leasing and brokering income-producing properties.

Through the years Ashmore has added to his wealth of knowledge by taking courses through the Commercial Investment Real Estate Institute and Institute of Real Estate Management. He has gained significant expertise in the acquisition, disposition, management and leasing of multi-million dollar properties in the Houston region.

With 28 years in the business, Ashmore works alongside his two sons, Jerod, 29, and Jake, 26. He has been married to Dee for 36 years.

Ashmore said he believes the Foundation plays a vital role in raising funds for high school students that meet the foundation guidelines and need financial assistance for their college education.

Chad Strban

Chad Strban celebrated his one-year anniversary on the CFEF board in January. 

As Co-Chairman of the B.F. Adams Gold Tournament, Strban is charged with overseeing and helping the different sub-committees involved in tournament planning and operations. He will assist them in their quest for sponsors, items for auctions and gift bags; and ensuring a smoothly-run, successful tournament.

In his professional role as financial adviser for AXA Advisors, Strban meets with clients and potential clients and helps them create financial plans to build, manage, and protect wealth utilizing different types of investments and financial products.

He has also been able to observe and study the investment and spending patterns people take on during difficult economic times.

“Our (CFEF’s) biggest challenge in raising money is probably the economy,” Strban said. “Even if businesses and individuals have the money to give, we are all more sensitive during tough times. People tend to hold onto their money for unforeseen emergencies.”

Keeping that in mind, Strban said he is dedicated to the organization’s vital goal of raising money for student scholarships.

“I believe our most important role is to educate the community about the needs of the Cy-Fair ISD students and staff,” he said. “It is also our responsibility to make our organization and mission more visible to the community.”

Strban said he also hopes to help get the word out about the difficulties families face in their quest to provide funding for their childen’s post-graduate education. With rising educational costs, it is imperative for these families to understand how federal aid is awarded and the criteria used to determine need.

“CFEF can help through our scholarships, but educating families at a young age would also help them reach future college funding goals,” Strban said.

Strban is personally familiar with those goals. He and his wife, Natalie, have been married for six years, and are parents to two young daughters – Mackenzie, 3, and Reagan, 16 months.  He spends his time away from work and CFEF with his family, and he also enjoys playing golf, reading, working out, and working in the yard.

“In the long term, I hope CFEF continues to get support from the local business community,” he said. “We can also reach out to the different social groups within our community for more volunteer and monetary support.”