Meeting |
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Report |
Meeting |
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Report |
April 22, 2003 |
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Charlotte Rotary members were treated to a menu of entertaining, sage and witty remarks when five of our very own stood tall and proud to give us their backgrounds and a taste of “How I Got Where I’m At.” John Nicolay set the tone with his tongue-in-cheek introductions which simply whetted our appetites for what our newest members had to say. Wes Clark led things off with his quick list of the “highlights and lowlights” of his life. He sketched his childhood in Morganton where he, his twin brother and older sister were raised by his retail clothing business Dad and his purchasing agent Mom. Wes gives his mother credit for being a truly wonderful parent who also happens to have been a member of our own Julian Aldridge’s congregation before that superb pastor moved to Charlotte. We learned of Wes’s love for golf and computers, subsequently giving up aspirations of golf as a career as he set his sights on computers (later landing good jobs with AT&T, Unisys, Gateway and IBM.) Wes’s candid claim to have been a special student who graduated in only three terms – Nixon’s, Ford’s and Carter’s – got a rousing roar of approval from the audience. Three years ago he and a friend purchased Computer Network Power, LLC and together they’ve developed a strong staff and a roster of impressive, loyal customers. Wes proposed marriage to his (now) wife Pam on the main score board at the ’87 Peach Bowl Game. That was sixteen years ago and their marriage is still going strong. They’re delighted to have two wonderful kids and a great group of family and friends. Next to step to the MIC was Pete Larson, son of one of Charlotte Rotary’s longest and finest members. It was during a car ride in the 1960’s, Pete told us, that his Dad and he were discussing Viet Nam and Pete, Sr. posed the burning issue, “Since it seems somewhat inevitable, given the world situation, that you’ll be serving in the military, make a decision about whether you prefer to be drafted or go in as a young Lieutenant.” Pete’s choice resulted in his appointment to West Point and a subsequent thirty-year hitch in the Army, retiring in 2001 as a Colonel. Experiencing military assignments all over the world (thirteen moves in twenty-six years) Pete earned his MBA before moving back from Thailand to Charlotte. He, his wife Karen and their daughter Helena returned home and Pete joined his father to head up his Dad’s Providence Road property and oversees Litchfield II, LLC headquartered in Matthews. He looks back with fond memories of people and places, including his experiences in the Straits of Malacca, refugee camps, the abject poverty of Burma, Cambodia and Haiti, the deserts of Jordan, Egypt, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, and the Panama Canal and Great Wall of China. The esteemed Pender McElroy of the prestigious James, McElroy & Diehl law firm spoke eloquently, of course, of his journey from the small town of Marshall, NC to his position today as one of our city’s leading attorneys. He first announced that he’s 1/64th Cherokee Indian which we found intriguing. His family dates back to the Revolutionary War during which his relatives fought for our freedom, on through the Civil War in which he had family members fighting on both sides. Pender comes from six generations of lawyers although his own Dad was a country doctor, loved by the whole town. Pender is a product of Chapel Hill where he earned a degree in Business Administration and, later, his law degree. He entered the Army and was trained as a Russian linguist before being sent to W. Germany shortly after the Berlin Wall went up. During his assignment in Germany he married Thora Worley and together they had two sons. Thora passed away when the boys were young and twelve years ago Pender married Kathy Dunlavey who he described as being a “wonderful gift” to him and to his sons. As a partner with James, McElroy and Diehl, Pender and Bill Diehl have an established reputation for excellence in matters involving business and commerce. Pender is a strong proponent for mental health as was reflected in his closing comments reminding us of the importance of support for mental health legislation and the organizations which service those in need of mental health assistance. Fourth to step to the podium was Ron Ezell. He gave us a peek into his saga by sharing considerations as he prepared a title for his speech. After several discarded options, he had pretty much settled on “The Seasoning of a Southern Boy” before settling on “Grits & Grace.” As Ron put it, being a true son of the South he equates good food with “growing up Southern.” Born and raised in “L.A. – Lower Alabama” which actually translates to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Ron credits his Southern training as the basis for all he has become. A proud graduate of the University of Alabama, he enjoyed watching Bart Starr and Bear Bryant among other great UofA sports heroes. Growing up, Ron was a gardener – in his own words – “not by choice.” His Dad would arise on Saturdays at 6:00 a.m. to work the garden and young Ron was expected to do his part. As a member of the ROTC, Ron served in the Army from 1968-70 after which he joined the world of advertising. He and his wife, Dianne has one son, Ron, Jr. Father and son partner in the operation of his overnight shipping company – Unishippers – which is a two-state, four-franchise Company in North Carolina and Kentucky. The headquarter branch in our city is appropriately named “Unishippers of Charlotte.” Ron’s final message to us was his heartfelt definition of grace. “Grace,” Ron said, “is God’s riches at Christ’s expense.” Jerry Walters is one of those unique creatures – a true Charlotte native, born in Mercy Hospital. He grew up “across the river” in Gaston County where his parents still live and to whom Jerry gives great credit for instilling in him the values and high standards which have helped him become the person he is. Jerry is an Eagle Scout and he noted the similarities between our Rotary motto, “Service Above Self” and the Boy Scout slogan, “Do a good turn daily.” Graduating from Ashbrook High School – the alma mater of NBA great James Worthy – Jerry earned his undergraduate degree from UNC before obtaining his law degree from Campbell University. He moved to Charlotte and served as a law clerk for the Honorable Richard L. Voorhees, a federal judge, after which he joined the Charlotte law office of Haynsworth Baldwin. Specializing in employment law, Jerry represents employers or businesses, helping them make sound legal decisions about their employees and defending the companies in court if they are sued. This December Jerry will marry Kristi Kessler from Davidson who, interestingly enough works for Parker Poe. With a wide grin, Jerry related that Luther Moore -upon meeting Kristi - advised Jerry that he was certainly getting the better part of the deal. In summing up, Jerry said he feels very blessed to have had the nurture and love of his family, the support of his friends and colleagues, the dedication of his teachers, and the inspiration and guidance of his mentors. He recalled Dr. Billy Wireman’s address to our Rotary Club two weeks ago and reiterated how fortunate he is – and we all are – to have been born and live in the United States of America. Head Table: David Anderson, Powell Majors, John Nicolay, Jerry Walters, Ron Ezell, Pender McElroy, Pete Larson, Wes Clark. Invocation: Jamie Armstrong; Visiting Rotarians & Guests: Rusty Brink; Health & Happiness: Harley Dickson; Song: Richard Early. * * * HONORARY MEMBER UPDATE: Martin Waters announced that Gordon Berg and Raymond Brietz, Jr. have been made Honorary Members of the Rotary Club of Charlotte. Gordon has been a distinguished and valuable member of the club since 1956. His contributions to the City of Charlotte and his work through the Foundation for the Carolinas were commended. Ray, a “Golden 50’s” member, has been in the club since 1938. His work with the Charlotte Boys Choir spans over a period of twelve years and is truly remarkable. Imagine the stories he can tell from traveling with a Choir that performed all over the country. Congratulations to both of these outstanding individuals. * * * |
New Member
Barbara Price is a Vice President and Managing Principal of LS3P Associates, LTD’s Charlotte office. Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, she attended the University of Colorado where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology and a Master’s degree in Architecture, and has practiced Architecture for the past 28 years. In professional service, Barbara has been responsible for many significant projects including: strategic planning and programming for the Atlanta Olympic Games; EPA’s R&D Labs in Raleigh, NC; and Johnson & Wales Culinary University currently under construction in Charlotte, NC. Barbara enjoys spending time with her horses and studies “Dressage”, a classical form of horseback riding that is not unlike figure skating with both structured school figures and freestyle routines to music. Barbara lives on Country Lane in North West Mecklenburg County on a small farm with her husband, George, and mother-in-law, Mrs. Lola Price. Welcome to Charlotte Rotary, Barbara!
New Member
Chris Thomas is Senior Marketing Principal at Childress Klein Properties in Charlotte. Childress Klein is the largest commercial real estate developer in the Carolinas. He was born and reared in Charlotte, and graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a B.S. in Business Administration in 1984. Chris returned to Charlotte after graduation to work for Belk Store Services, where he served first as Assistant Manager of Real Estate before becoming Manager and Vice President of that department. After fourteen years with Belk, Chris joined Childress Klein in 1998, where he works on new retail development in the Carolinas, primarily in the greater Charlotte Area. Chris is active as a Deacon and Building Committee Chairman at Charlotte’s First Baptist Church, serves on the Board of the Festival in The Park, and was a founding member and past president of the Mecklenburg County chapter of the UNC Young Alumni Association. He is active in the Charlotte Region Commercial Board of Realtors and the International Council of Shopping Centers, where he served as State Retail Director from 1996-1999. Chris and his wife, Dr. Jane Boyd Thomas, on the Business School faculty at Winthrop University, have a ten year daughter, Katherine, and a seven year old son, Vance. Welcome to Charlotte Rotary, Chris! * * * From the
Rotary International website Rotary International is a nonpolitical organization united worldwide to provide humanitarian service to all people regardless of nationality and religious belief. Throughout its 98-year history, this oldest and most international service association has given both its voice and its actions in support of peace before, during, and following times of conflict. Rotary International, through its Rotarians, works daily for peace around the world. This is done through undergraduate and graduate scholarships, youth exchange programs, Group Study Exchange, humanitarian grants, and Matching Grants, and especially, our newest program, Rotary Centers for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution. Rotary International serves 1.2 million Rotarians with different views on different subjects. It is the policy of Rotary International that Rotarians should be involved in whatever they feel strongly about, but Rotary International does not support or condone the action of any political entity. As we face this time of heightened conflict, Rotary is more committed than ever to reaffirming its dedication to the objectives of goodwill and understanding between nations. Registration for this year's RI Convention in Brisbane, Australia, is on target with an expected attendance over 20,000. We look forward to seeing you in Brisbane as we Sow the Seeds of Love and continue our efforts across cultures and nations. For further information and details about the 2003 RI Convention, refer to www.rotary.org
Al Allison stopped by the Rotary Office on Friday to look for files that would help him put together the club’s history with the Boy Scouts. While sitting in the floor of the file room, we came across book after book of Board of Directors minutes, starting with 1916. Here’s what the first page says: “A regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Rotary Club of Charlotte, was held at the office of the Mill Power Supply Company at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, October 28th, 1916, H. M. Victor presided. The object of this meeting was to elect officers for the Club for one year. The following were elected: Rogers W. Davis, President; Jno L. Dabbs, Vice President; Thos. G. Lane, Secretary, Fred W. Glover, Treasurer, Jas. O. Walker, Sergeant At Arms. There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m. (Signed Thos. G. Lane)” * * * z Robert and Robin Freeman celebrated their 3rd wedding anniversary on March 15 and were blessed with the birth of their first child, Raymond Robert Freeman, IV on March 14th. And remember Kelly and Summer Pharr’s son, Davis, was born last week as well. It’s been a while since this club has had two births in one week. z Wishes for a speedy recovery are sent to Tom Hutchins as he recuperates from surgery. z Gibson Smith was recognized as the club’s most recent Paul Harris Fellow. * * * |
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