Blog

Spotlight on AIM Alumni

Stories like these keep our community vibrant. Share a story today.

Gary Crum, Herman Kluge and Anne WarnockHerman Kluge impacted the lives of many of his colleagues. It is a testament to his leadership,” said Linda Julian “that many of his former employees became his friend and stayed in touch with him and each other after leaving AIM.”

Herman spent 36 years in facility management, property management, corporate real estate and project management. Of those 36 years, he worked at AIM and Invesco for 14 years and eight months. Most recently, Herman was Senior Vice President of Corporate Real Estate and Property Management for Amegy Bank. In addition to his career, Herman enjoyed performing. He shared that in addition to his career, he “spent even more years performing music in Houston and around Texas.”

“It’s difficult to encapsulate more than 20 years of camaraderie, respect, joy and friendship,” said Anne Warnock. She shared that working for Herman at AIM was a joy. “He was always interesting, intelligent, fun, and a wonderful mentor,” remembers Anne. “We worked hard, but we laughed every single day. Herman could never resist a good...or even bad...pun!” she continued.

Herman had a wonderful sense of humor and if you knew him you knew his love of puns.

Linda Julian

Judy Creel, Herman Kluge and Anne Warnock

Everyone who knows Herman will remember he was a big fan of Elvis Presley, and for Herman’s 50th birthday, his department had a party for him, complete with Elvis mask decorations, and AIM’s own - Jeff Brown (A/V) - played the role of Elvis in a white jumpsuit.

Herman and Carol went to Paris on vacation, and Anne shares that she was in a meeting when he came back to work. Herman paged her relentlessly until she came out to find out what the emergency was - only to find that he wanted to tell her that he and Carol got engaged.

“When Y2K rolled around, we had endless meetings about the potential impact and how to deal with any problems,” said Anne. “I was in Edinburgh (six hours ahead of Houston) when midnight struck, and I phoned to wish Herman a Happy New Year. He asked me how everything was there, and I said mostly fine, but all the streetlights had gone out for several minutes when the clock struck twelve... WHAT!!! he said... until I started laughing! It might have been the only time I got one over on him!”

“On a personal level, Herman and Carol came to my wedding in Edinburgh, Scotland in May 2004. Seeing Herman in a kilt is a memory that will stay with me forever!!” said Anne who was at the Firm for 20 years when she retired in 2012.

Seeing Herman in a kilt is a memory that will stay with me forever!

Anne Warnock

 

Nina Smith worked for Herman in the 1990s and shared that Herman was loved by many at AIM. “Herman was one of my all-time favorite bosses. It was an honor to Judy Creel, Herman Kluge and Anne Warnockwork for him. He was an artsy kind of guy who loved performing music with his buddies and just being his "groovy" self,” said Nina who joined AIM in 1988 and is still with the Firm.

Linda Julian echoes Herman’s sense of humor. “Herman was a truly unique individual,” said Linda. “He made the work in our department fun and professional. 

Herman loved to perform and traveled around Texas. In addition to music and Elvis, Herman always enjoyed a slice of Maine Blueberry pie. He and his wife Carol often made vacation trips to Maine.

“Herman was a great mentor and dear friend,” said Linda. “His passing left many people heartbroken. He will be greatly missed.” Linda was at the Firm from 1992-2008 and her final position was Senior Facilities Administrator. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Herman Kluge can be made to the oral cancer research fund at the MD Anderson Cancer Center at www.mdanderson.org/gifts, or directly to Dr. Ann Marie Gillenwater Research, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486, or to the charity of your choice.

 

tn0 4c63570dbd368 gif 200300 Herman Walter Kluge passed away June 2, 2018. Herman’s family and friends held a memorial celebration of his life on Saturday, June 16, 2018 at 2:00p.m.

Herman's career spanned 42 years in facility management, property management, corporate real estate and project management. Of those 42 years, he worked at AIM and Invesco for 14 years and eight months. Most recently, Herman was Senior Vice President of Corporate Real Estate and Property Management for Amegy Bank.

In addition to enjoying a successful career, from the age of 13 Herman's most abiding lifetime passion was music. Herman loved making music with friends and he enjoyed performing. He shared that in addition to his career, he “spent even more years performing music in Houston and around Texas.”

An obituary was published in the Houston Chronical and you can leave a tribute on the Bradshaw Carter Tribute Wall.

BDonovanBonnie Donovan passed away following a lengthy illness on April 30, 2020. 

Bonnie worked with Mary Kay Coleman from 1994-2005, where her final position was Manager, Shareholder Relations. 

Mary Kay Coleman remembers the contributions Bonnie made to her team and the firm. "It has been said that when hiring people look for three things: integrity, intelligence, and initiative" said Mary Kay."These qualities define Bonnie as a person and an employee. Bonnie always saw what needed to be done and got it done. She never missed a deadline. She was a superior writer and editor  and an inspirational leader and supervisor. She had a quick wit and breezed through the office with a lively step and kind word for everyone she encountered along the way."

Brian Wirwicz was hired by Bonnie in 2000, and saw her and husband Gerry for lunch six months ago. "Bonnie was taking a chance on an experienced writer with no background in the financial industry when she hired me in consultation with Mary Kay Coleman," said Brian. "Bonnie’s mentorship skills, collegial leadership, insistence on excellence and good humor – especially under pressure – created an atmosphere of camaraderie and loyalty among her staff. She was an amazing woman I’m privileged to have met, worked for and learned from. I’ll remember her, and miss her, forever."

In addition to her full-time career in writing, publishing, and editing, Bonnie was married for over 50 years and has two daughters and four grandchildren.

Bonnie worked on publications for various employers, including St. Joseph Hospital and the American Productivity & Quality Center. She completed her career as an Assistant Vice President at AIM Management Company (now Invesco), where she was much admired by her associates as one of the best bosses ever.

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houstonchronicle/obituary.aspx?n=bonnie-donovan&pid=196157215&fhid=11604

 

nancy profileNancy Ann Beck-Deane, age 56, of Sugarland, Texas passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, May 30th, 2018 surrounded by her loving family. Nancy was born on May 28th, 1962 in Warren, Ohio. She moved with her family to Houston in 1977 and graduated from J. Frank Dobie High School in 1980.

Nancy later earned a B.B.A. From the University of Houston and spent several years in Management at Continental Airlines. In 1994, she joined AIM Management Group (later Invesco) which become her professional and personal home for the rest of her life. She cherished the friendships she made over the years. As travel was a major part of her responsibilities, her network of fun and fascinating acquaintances was extensive.

Nancy’s generosity extended to many charitable and educational organizations, including St. Anne’s School, St. Agnes Academy, St. Thomas High School, Bauer College of Business at UofH, and South Texas College of Law. She was a Lifetime Committeeman with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (Health Committee) and proud supporter of The Houston Police Foundation, Dress for Success, Casa de Esperanza, and Baylor Foundation for Teen Health.

As an avid Rockets fan and season ticket holder for the last 25 years, she treasured her many friends throughout the organization. Nancy was a longtime member of Sweetwater Country Club.

Nancy is preceded in death by the love of her life, John Deane, her father, David A. Beck, and maternal and paternal grandparents. Read the full obituary here.

She is survived by her mother, Rosemary Beck, her sister, Debbie Beck, and beloved niece, Annie Beck, all of Sugarland; sister Diane Lewis (husband Gregg), and three nephews (Nick, Andy and Dan) all of Rome, Georgia; and Uncle Mark O’Malley of Gerard, Ohio.

The funeral mass was held on Saturday, June 2nd, 2018 at 11am at St. Anne’s Church in Houston, Texas. Pallbearers were Doug Bauer, Christopher Crum, Gary Crum, Jack Fields, Carl Frischling, Bob Graham, Mark McMeans, Abbott Sprague, Jim Steuve, and Greg Willbanks.

In lieu of flowers, tax deductible donations may be made to the John H. and Nancy Beck Deane Memorial Fund through the Greater Houston Community Foundation, 4550 Post Oak Place, #100, Houston, TX 77027.

charles grobCharles (Chuck) Earl Grob passed away from a lengthy illness on Thursday, May 17, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. Chuck is survived by his wife, Nancy, and children Charles and his wife Shara Grob, and Carolyn Grob. Chuck worked at AIM/Invesco from 1987-2014 as a Senior Analyst, Municipal Bonds, and worked for himself after leaving the Firm.

A memorial service and celebration of Chuck's life was held in The Chapel at Chapelwood Church on Tuesday, May 22, 2018. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions honoring Chuck can be made to:
Challenge Aspen
PO Box 6639
Snowmass Village,
CO 81615
or online at:
www.challengeaspen.org

Houston Hospice
1905 Holcombe Blvd.
Houston, TX 77030

or the charity of your choice.