Clear Lake area native Julie Harman Howell has joined Lakewood Yacht Club’s staff as their director of member services and events. She replaces long-time Clubhouse Manager Shirley McCullough, who worked for Lakewood for more than 33 years.
McCullough retired Jan. 25 after the annual Commodore’s Ball.
Howell grew up in Nassau Bay with her parents Herb and Carol Harman and older sister Laurie. A graduate of Clear Creek High School, she attended Southwestern University in Georgetown.
With her first position as the executive director for the South Belt/Ellington Chamber of Commerce at the age of 20, she was the youngest chamber executive in the state of Texas. Because of her varied positions held throughout her life, Howell confesses that she has always been in the events business. “For most of these, it was just a question of timing and taking advantage of being in the right place at the right time,” she relates.
She has a wealth of experience working on Galveston Island. Howell joined UTMB in its fund raising department and then moved on to be the development director for the Galveston Historical Foundation, as well as the Galveston Bay Foundation. While at the Galveston Convention & Visitors Bureau, she oversaw all events on the island including Spring Fest, which involved 100 days of 100 events. While there, she also launched the island’s first Nature Tourism Program and established the Galveston Nature Tourism Council featuring the first Birding Event on the island.
In the spring of 2002, Howell moved with her husband, Donnie, to Fort Worth, where she held various marketing and management positions at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, Chili’s Restaurant and Woodhaven Country Club.
Moving home to the Clear Lake area in 2006, Howell joined the staff of Bay Oaks Country Club working for ClubCorp as private events director, where she earned numerous staff awards for her excellent performance and team work. Howell said she learned a lot by working for ClubCorp of America while also setting a record there by doing over 700 events in one year.
Howell’s philosophy of private club work is that the club is a haven for members, “a home away from home.”
“Everyone here at Lakewood has been so warm and welcoming. I am proud to be part of the Lakewood team. Lakewood Yacht Club has a proud legacy in the Clear Lake/Bay Area community and we all should be proud of that!”
The Howells, along with their French bulldog named Porterhouse, live on the water at South Shore Harbour Marina in League City. Hobbies include loving to cook and travel.
“We are very proud and fortunate to have Julie as our newest staff member over member services and events,” Commodore Tom Collier said. “Her enthusiasm, energy, and creativity are matched only by her dedication and devotion to serving our membership.”
