Certified Professional Tour Guides/Association Officers (2006 - 2007)
C o n t a c t  I n f o r m a t i o n
Name Title Phone(s) Email Comments
Esther Vargas Porter President 713-562-3892 evphoutx@aol.com Speaks Spanish.  Step-on guide.
Professional tour guide with 8 years experience.
I do tours of Houston and the Greater Houston area.
Gary White Vice President 281-424-4453 - home ski4fun@flash.net Denise is a fifth generation Texan and has lived in the Houston area all of her life.  Before retiring, she 
713-504-0853 - cell owned a retail florist and provided flowers for some of Houston’s most renowned citizens and was involved 
with many civic functions as President of the Allied Florist Association of Houston   She has seen Houston
grow from an “oil town” to a “space center city” and her love for Houston has never faltered.  When she’s 
not conducting tours in Houston she works as a tour director/escort on motorcoach tours throughout the
United States and Canada.  Denise can show you “Houston” in a way that you will enjoy and always 
remember our great city.   
Melissa Dixon 281-342-2660 - home melissa@gonetotexastours.com The history of the area is an important part tours I conduct.  Enhance that history with some local 
713-826-6963 - cell rumors and you can really get a feel for the area that you are visiting.  The growth of this area is an
of birding, gardening, touring Texas and Houston.  Bettye's favorite part of touring Houston, Harris and 
surrounding counties is exploring the rich and surprising history of the African American influence.
Jerry Bye Secretary - Recording 832-566-9556 - cell jerrybye@ev1.net Jerry is a Houstonian by choice, having lived in the area for 25 years.  Born in Indiana, he holds a 
Bachelor's Degree in Math & a Masters in Education from Indiana University.  He taught in Indiana public 
schools before entering the computer field specializing in Information Services.  Retired, he now conducts
tours of Houston, concentrating on the downtown area.  He specializes in the tunnel system plus Ghost
Walks & Holiday Lights tours.  He also is a bus docent for the annual Museum Day tour event.  He also
teaches math & computer science at local institutions.  Jerry can show you and educational and enjoyable
time as your walking or your step-on tour guide.
Bob Zurik Treasurer 281-497-3417 mrzubble@ev1.net Houston resident for 31 years.  Houston Proud Volunteer
over 10 years including chairman of Ambassador Comm. 2 years.
GHCVB part-time in tourist info section in late '90s.  Worked
many conventions; produced annual church road rallies for 17
years.  Docent for museum free day buses.  Well-aquainted 
with usual and unusual area attractions.  Experienced with senior 
citizen needs, especially those with wheelchairs and walkers.
N. Lynn Trelles Gaines Director-At-Large 713-524-2381 - home Trelleslg@att.net
Richard Cook Immediate Past President 281-320-9897 - home rgcooktx@swbell.net Specializing in Texas history, with emphasis on Sam Houston and the battle for Texas independence.
281-772-9526 - cell
Certified Professional Tour Guides
Melissa Dixon 281-342-2660 - home meldix77@hotmail.com The history of the area is an important part tours I conduct.  Enhance that history with some local 
713-826-6963 - cell rumors and you can really get a feel for the area that you are visiting.  The growth of this area is an
exciting approach also.  Everywhere you turn, there is something new!  Antiquing Tours are also a treat.
Looking for really fine items?  Houston has them to offer.  Or do you want to "get dirty" and hunt
for a bargain?  Keep in mind that Houston is definitely a shopping "Mecca."  I will be glad to customize
a tour just for you.  Educated at the University of Texas with a concentration in commercial interior
design, I became interested in historic preservation in the early 1960s when it was a new concept.  I 
focus on historical Texas with a keen interest in the home life of our early settlers.  My tour training 
comes primarily from the Harris County Heritage Society Docent Training Program.  That relationship
fostered service as a docent, employment as a staff docent and ,finally, a position on the board with the 
responsibility to plan and coordinate tours for The Society.  Let me help make your time in Houston one to 
enjoy and remember fondly.
Andrew Groocock 713-864-3875 - home anelgro@earthlink.net Andrew is a local artist.  He works full time for the Houston Museum of Fine Art.  He is a
713-639-7592 - cell British Subject and he specializes in tours of local art projects and sculptures as well as  
visitors.  
Michael R. (Mike) Kees 281-474-1225 mkees@ptgah.org Specializing in sports related, historic, downtown tunnel system, step-on and/or city-wide excursions.
713-859-7384 - cell mrk1807@houston.rr.com Mike possesses a great deal of fun and factual information about many of Houston's buildings and their 
history.  Mike has conducted hundreds of tours.  He has an intimate knowledge of Houston because he has 
"lived it" and watched it grow first hand.  36 years of residency gives Mike that experience.  Mike will 
entertain you not only with facts & figures, but with tales & stories about the offbeat, the arcane, 
the delightful.  Mike is a past president of the Professional Tour Guide Association of Houston.
Edward Lara 281-999-0497 changing_faces@sbcglobal.net Speaks Spanish fluently
Sandra S. Lord 713-222-9255 - office tourhouston@aol.com Owner, Discover Houston Tours.  Expertise: Research, design & conduct guided walking tours 
713-921-1510 - fax specializing in Downtown Houston Tunnel System; Downtown Houston, and Houston history & architecture;
step-on guide for city tours; author, tour publications. 
Lucette Rieger 713-960-1239 rieger@ev1.net Lucette gives tours of Houston and the surrounding areas including NASA
and Galveston.  She is fluent in English, French, Turkish and speaks
German.  Past tour group members include Business Executives, Seniors,
Students, Employees who relocate to Houston, Consuls and Consulate
Personnel.  She loves showing the sights of her home of more than 36
years (Houston) to groups of any size.  Her tours are customized for
each group.  Lucette is certified by and is a founding member and past
Treasurer of the Professional Tour Guide Association of Houston.
Kelley Smith 713-467-0966 dsmith25@houston.rr.com
Russell Snow 281-481-4449 - home tdrussellsnow@ev1.net My main job in the tourism industry is to do tours with and 
713-823-4315 - cell for tourists by doing local tours (city), statewide tours (any 
state) or most commonly, tours by motorcoach of several 
states together. I am an independent tour director and 
contract myself out to various companies.
Gary E. White 281-890-7823 - home gwhite18@houston.rr.com Specializing in historic military battlefields and cemetery tours
281-890-9522 - fax
Jacqueline Woike 281-493-2624 jswtexas@msn.com Tour Guide with over twenty years' experience providing a variety of tours in Houston and 
surrounding areas for tour operators, corporations, conferences, conventions, private groups,
or individuals…all custom designed with the clients' time, budget, and interest in mind.
Michael Zargarov 713-320-3726 Mzargarov@yahoo.com A native Houstonian with many worldwide travel experiences.  I am in love with my city and enjoy showing, 
its many wonders to others, locals or visitors. I delight in opening eyes to hidden treasures and to educating
people about Houston history, architecture, prominent citizens, and folklore.  Let me guide you or your
group to unknown Houston.  In addition to English, Spanish and German spoken. Please visit my 
website at www.modernemetropolistours@bravehost.com.
Associate Tour Guides
Sarah Bye
Marge Calvert 713-943-1669 - home CalvertM@sbcglobal.net
713-542-6045 - cell
Roberto Hernandez 832-868-8227 robehdz@sbcglobal.net International Sales Rep for Roberto's Tours of Houston 
281-495-3597 - fax www.robertostoursofhouston.com
Suzy Kees 281-474-1225 - home sbeard1807@houston.rr.com
281-352-5055 - cell
Tom McNeill 713-854-0281 - cell        tmcneill@houston.rr.com ITMI Certified Tour Director.  Personalized tours, 
guide services, and event planning for most activities.
Aurora C. Nelson 281-387-8435 - Home acnelson527@yahoo.com
713-371-3795 - Work 
John M. Read 832-514-0868 jmrntrests@simhouston.com Born in Baytown, Texas (AKA Goose Creek, Texas). I have worked with The Heritage Society for nearly 
281-424-8693 12 years now and I maintain a healthy bent for regional history.  I grew up just across Burnet Bay from
the San Jacinto Battlegrounds.  (I also know Lynchburg like the back of my hand.)  I have worked
extensively through the GHCVB Visitor's Center greeting and informing visitors to our fair city of the
historical, commercial and educational entities available here. I was raised in a Humble Oil household and
worked for several years in records management and customer service with another Oil & Energy company. 
I am into customer service and I enjoy those folks who like to find the path not often taken. I can take 
you where you want to go and I can get you back. Carpe Diem et Vade Mecom!!!
Richard Reiger 713-960-1239 rieger@ev1.net
John R. Robinson, Jr. 281-370-8254 John is a retired school teacher.  He is a born and raised Houstonian.  John also has been a tour bus
driver during his summers to include on the road as well as local tours.  He is very knowledgeable
about Houston and can not only give a great tour, but also drive the bus!
Robert Roos robroos@sbcglobal.net
832-372-0804
Keith Rosen 713-592-0348 - home houstonhistory@aol.com Specializing in multicultural, ethnic, and historic tours.  
713-392-0867 - cell Owner is a professor and researcher of history.
Consuelo Steinbrecher 281-759-7853 - home starbucks19612000@yahoo.com.ar
281-243-1603 - work
713-503-7345 - cell
Mary Syrdahl 713-630-0010 mms@syrdahl.com
Laurencetta Watson 281-431-9245 larry@rice.edu
Corporate Members
Greater Houston Convention & Visitor's Bureau 713-437-5200 wchappell@ghcvb.org
c/o Wayne Chappell