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Mike Persia III
The Neches River Festival announced His Royal Highness Mike Persia III as the esteemed King Neches LXXVI for the 76th Annual Neches River Festival. The announcement was made among hundreds gathered at the Downtown Event Centre where 2024 Citizen of the Year, Tim Sudela was also recognized by the festival.
Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, King Neches 76, Mike Persia III, has been an integral part of the Southeast Texas community for over four decades. After graduating from St. Martin’s Episcopal High School, Mike attended Texas Christian University and later earned a degree in Automotive Management from the University of San Francisco.
The love of Mike’s life, Beaumont girl Christy Thorp, led his journey back to Texas where he became a registered Financial Advisor and eventually the proud Managing Partner of Persia, Saba, Klein, Bitar Wealth Partners at UBS Financial Services. His dedication to his profession has earned his team recognition as a Best in State Wealth Management Team by Forbes in 2023 and 2024.
Beyond his professional achievements, Mike and his wife Christy have been active members of the Beaumont community for 45 years. They have four children and are beloved grandparents to eight grandchildren. Mike's philanthropic efforts have touched numerous organizations in Southeast Texas, including the Lamar University Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School.
As a longstanding supporter of the Neches River Festival, Mike's contributions have been invaluable. He has served in various leadership roles and been an actively involved Knight of the Neches for over 35 years. His commitment to the festival's mission of celebrating the best of our community is unwavering. “I am honored to receive this cherished recognition and will reign with pride for our great city,” Persia said. “The Neches River Festival brings the entire community together to celebrate our youth and our beloved river. I am truly grateful to participate in this long-standing Beaumont tradition.”
In his spare time, King Neches 76 enjoys golfing, fishing, and traveling with his family. He expresses his heartfelt appreciation for the festival and its hardworking volunteers, including Executive Director Molly Moore, Royalty Coordinator Ashley Bryan, and this year's Social Chair Julia Matheny and President LXXVI Jeff Wheeler.
President Jeff Wheeler shared that this year marks the largest gathering of princesses, escorts, and duchesses in the festival's history, representing diverse backgrounds and areas of our community. The youth participants are encouraged to attend networking events, offering exposure to various facets of the community. Moreover, each participant undergoes a process involving resume building, essay writing, and interviews for scholarships and royal court selection. This experience equips these young adults with invaluable skills and prepares them for life beyond high school. Whether they choose to stay in our community or expand their horizons beyond Beaumont, everyone comes away with a much better understanding and appreciation of this special place we call home.
Join the NRF as they honor King Mike Persia III, Citizen of the Year Tim Sudela, and celebrate the Neches River Festival's 76th year of bringing our community together. All are invited to join in this momentous occasion at the festival's parade and street party on Friday, April 12, at 6:30 p.m. in Downtown Beaumont.
For more information about the Neches River Festival and its upcoming events, please visit nechesriverfestival.com.