Austin Newcomers Club July 2026 President’s Message
Warm Fourth of July greetings to my fellow Austin Newcomers members, including those I have had the pleasure of meeting and those I look forward to meeting soon.
It is my honor to introduce myself as the newly elected President of the Austin Newcomers Club. This is an exciting time for our nearly 300 members, who come from across the country and bring diverse talents and life experiences. Together, we enjoy engaging activities and build meaningful, lasting friendships.
By way of introduction, I moved to Austin from Minneapolis in 2022 to be closer to family and to enjoy a warmer climate. During my career, I served as a healthcare executive in teaching and community hospitals in Iowa, Vermont, California, and Minnesota. I also served on local, state, and national boards for healthcare and social services organizations.
I have a strong interest in American history, particularly from the late colonial period through the antebellum era. I attend History Camp and often plan travel around significant historical events and battlefields. With the 250th anniversary, this is an especially active year. Since retiring, I have also increased my international travel; earlier this year I visited Egypt, and this fall I will be traveling to Scotland.
Originally from Iowa, I attended both Iowa State University and the University of Iowa, where I earned a master’s degree in accounting. I support both teams, although when they play each other, I cheer for the Cyclones. I have attended only one University of Texas football game, but I can say that Longhorns fans certainly know how to tailgate.
As we begin a new year for the Club, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Bev Tallinger for her outstanding service as Club President for not one, but two full years. Under Bev’s leadership, the Club offered exceptional member enrichment opportunities and welcomed many new members into our vibrant community. Bev’s dedication to our members is evident in her willingness to continue serving on the Executive Board for another year as Member-at-Large.
If you and I have not yet had the opportunity to meet, I encourage you to introduce yourself at a Club event and share any ideas you may have for making participation even more meaningful. With our engaged and enjoyable members, I am confident we will have a wonderful year together.
Sincerely,
Ann
Ann Madden Rice, ANC President