Father’s Day is categorized as one of those ‘lesser’ holidays, like Arbor Day or National Pineapple Month, getting lost in the shadow of more major annual celebrations. While moms often get feted with roses and brunches, the men get to be content with neckties or soaps-on-a-rope. We are dropping cliches and highlighting a handful of men who have a significant impact on the Conroe community.
Keath is one of the owners of 202 Main, a unique restaurant serving lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunches. It features two bars and a large courtyard and offers high-end comfort food, one-of-a-kind craft cocktails, and fun events.
When asked about the origins of 202 Main, Keath replied, “It was literally a discussion with the building owner. We both wanted to make the space into something that would benefit and contribute to the growth of downtown Conroe.” Between them, Keath and his wife Alison also own Branding Iron and Switch Hair Studio on the same block. All felt that downtown needed more venues, bars, and restaurants to help drive traffic to the area. “From there, our conversations and visions just continued to evolve into what we have today.”
Community is key to Keath. “It’s one of the most important things that we have in life. It is our duty to do what we can for those around us. Everyone has an obligation to invest in their community to make it a better place for everyone. Hopefully, my family is doing our part to contribute wherever we can.”
Mario Valadez has been working in the entertainment industry since he was a high school student more than thirty years ago. Though he wanted to go to school for Sports Medicine, over time, he gradually moved up the ranks in the family entertainment industry. “I fell in love with that industry because of the joy it brings to families and kids. Seeing them have fun, and the smiles on their faces, makes it all worth it,” he said.
He started with Incredible Pizza on their corporate management team in 2005 and eventually acquired a majority stake in the business in 2019.
When asked about the importance of community and his place in it, Mario replied, “We’d be lost if there wasn’t a spirit of community. Our community plays a vital role for Incredible Pizza, and I hope we give back to the community as much as they give us. For my personal place in the community, I like to think I am an asset. I love Conroe, I love living here. I have made so many friends with the opportunities, organizations, and groups that I have been a part of over the years.”
Dr Praveen Reddy, MD, M.Ch, CEO of the Center for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery, PLLC, has always wanted to be a physician. “I fell in love with the brain in my first year of medical school and hence opted to become a neurosurgeon,” he said.
With more than two decades of medical training under his belt, Praveen is fellowship-trained in neuro-oncology, skull base surgery, and cerebral vascular surgery. He provides high-quality care to patients with complex brain and spine disorders. His clinic is unique in its approach to neurological care, using surgery as a last resort, reserved for situations where conservative methods fail.
“Medicine is rather expensive; I love to introduce value-based care into it. We have a tendency to perform extensive operations when we can manage the majority of them through minimally invasive approaches,” he said.
“I feel like any physician needs to understand the gaps in healthcare and needs of the community,” he said. “I’ve collaborated with HCA Conroe and they have invested in the infrastructure for me to do robotic minimally invasive spine surgery and also tumor surgery. I feel like patients in this community do not need to travel anywhere for care; we can provide high-quality, evidence-based care right here.”
Tom Faust, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Margaritaville Resort, Lake Conroe, got his first job in hospitality as a bellman when he was a 20-year-old college student. The combination of family and career was evident from the start; he was hired by the hotel’s human resources director, who would turn out to be his wife of 46 years, Michele.
“Since then, I have been very blessed to have worked in hospitality my entire life and career,” he said. He has been with Margaritaville since 2019, even before it opened its doors to the public in 2020.
“If there is one thing I’ve learned from working here, it’s that community spirit has a large presence in Conroe, and Margaritaville plays a crucial role in it,” he said. “The resort itself is a destination for people in Conroe to gather. With restaurants, bars, and a festive atmosphere, it offers a place for locals to enjoy themselves alongside tourists, conventioneers, and visitors."
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Joe Haliti is the owner of Joe’s Italian Restaurant- a Conroe institution. Not only is he the proprietor of Joe’s Italian Restaurant, a family mainstay since 2006, but he also believes heart and soul in the power of community.
“When I moved to the United States, my two options for employment were working in a restaurant or working in construction. Since I loved cooking, it was definitely an easy decision, and I still enjoy it every day,” he said.
By the time Joe had opened his namesake restaurant in Conroe, he already had two other restaurants operating in East Texas and Dallas. “Conroe felt like home for me,” he said about setting down roots here. “I fell in love with the city, with the people, with the entire county.”
Keeping the family tradition going strong, he works closely with his brother and nephew daily.
“Since the day we opened, the community has been there for us and has shown us tremendous love,” Joe said. “It’s our duty to do the same and to be there at any time when we are needed.”
At CCL we pay tribute and honor these five men who support the Conroe community daily with their contributions to enable us to work, play and enjoy our family. Please consider visiting their businesses as notable men in our community.