June 22 Program: Bill Zwecker, Chicago Sun-Times Entertainment Columnist

From the top stars of Hollywood to Chicago's best-known celebrities like Michael Jordan and Oprah Winfrey, Bill Zwecker is the expert when it comes to knowing the scoop on the rich and famous. The Chicago Sun-Times columnist -- who is also the entertainment reporter and film critic for WBBM-TV (CBS) in Chicago -- covers the globe finding out the latest news about celebrities for his readers and viewers.

From 2000-2003, Bill was the entertainment reporter and film critic for WFLD-TV (Fox) in Chicago. From 1995-2005, Bill was the entertainment contributor and film critic for ''The Eric & Kathy Show'' on WTMX-FM radio. From 1993-2000, Bill was the entertainment reporter and film critic for WMAQ-TV (NBC) in Chicago. He was also a regular contributor to ''The Joan Rivers Show,'' 1990-1994.

The Chicago native grew up in Oak Park and River Forest -- graduating from Oak Park-River Forest High School before heading to Princeton University where he received his bachelor's degree with honors in American History and American Civilization. He also attended the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.

After working in politics (for former U.S. Sen. Charles Percy), banking and retailing, Bill turned to journalism fulltime in the early 1980s, following in the footsteps of his mother, Peg Zwecker, the nationally-syndicated, award-winning fashion editor and columnist for the Chicago Daily News and Sun-Times. Bill was associate editor and columnist for the Lerner Newspapers, 1987-92.

Among numerous honors, Bill has twice been awarded the prestigious Peter Lisagor Award, Chicago journalism's highest accolade. He has been nominated for three Emmy Awards for the Midwest/Chicago region  for his work at both WBBM-TV and WFLD-TV. Bill was part of the WBBM-TV news team honored with an Associated Press award in 2004 for coverage of the E-2 nightclub disaster in February, 2003.

Bill Zwecker currently serves on the board of directors of the Chicago Academy for the Arts -- one of only four private high schools for the performing arts in the U.S. He's a board member of Off the Street Club, Chicago's oldest organization serving children and teenagers on the city's West Side; and the Advisory Board of the Midwest Eye-Banks.  Previously he served on numerous other boards.

Bill lives in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood and is the father of one son and recently became a grandfather for the first time.

June 15 Program: Melissa Hulting, Climate Change Coordinator, US EPA

Melissa Hulting is the climate change coordinator in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 5 office in Chicago and a member of the 2009 Group Study Exchange team to District 2260 in Norway.  She is responsible for managing Region 5’s climate change activities, works to inform others about climate change science and policy, and promotes opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly through EPA’s partnership programs.  

Melissa will be speaking about how efforts to address greenhouse gases and climate change are moving forward at the EPA and share some observations on environmental protection from her GSE trip.

Prior to the climate change position, she worked in EPA’s Great Lakes National Program Office for seven years on monitoring and reduction of persistent toxic chemicals in the Great Lakes, as well as related North American efforts with Canada and Mexico.  Melissa has a B.S. in Biology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a M.S. in Environmental Management and Policy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  Melissa also performs improv comedy at the Playground Theater in Chicago with member ensemble International Stinger.

Program: June 8 - Operation Tribute to Freedom - Colonel Chris Fulton

Colonel Chris Fulton originally hails from Grand Rapids, Minnesota and was commissioned a 2LT in the Field Artillery at West Point, New York in 1981.  Following an initial brief assignment as Assistant Coach of Men's Gymnastics at West Point, Colonel Fulton was assigned to the 1st Squadron of the 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment in the Federal Republic of Germany. During this tour he served in every battery-level artillery position, concluding that assignment as Squadron Fire Support Officer.
   
In April 1986, Colonel Fulton was assigned to Fort Lewis and the 1st Battalion of the 84th Field Artillery where he served as Battalion Adjutant prior to taking command of A-Battery. He subsequently commanded the 9th Division (Motorized) Artillery Headquarters and Headquarters Battery.
     Following a year of graduate studies at Indiana University, Colonel Fulton returned to West Point for a position as Instructor, Assistant Professor and Personnel Staff Officer in the Department of Physical Education.
Upon completion of the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1995, Colonel Fulton returned to Germany for an assignment to the 3d and 1st Infantry Divisions. Positions he held while in Germany included Assistant Division Artillery Operations Officer, Deputy of the Military Liaison Contact Team in Skopje, Macedonia, Operations Officer for the 1st Battalion of the 6th Field Artillery and culminating as Division Artillery Operations Officer for the Big Red One.
     Colonel Fulton returned to Fort Sill in the summer of 1998 to serve as Chief of the Experiment and Demonstrations Branch of the Depth and Simultaneous Attack Battle Lab.  He then served as Commander of the 2d Battalion of the 80th Field Artillery from 1999 to 2001.  His assignment at Fort Sill culminated with his service as Deputy Brigade Commander of the Field Artillery Training Center from 2001 to 2002.  Following a year spent at the Army War College, Colonel Fulton was assigned to the Operations and Gaming Division in the Center for Strategic Leadership, also located at Carlisle Barracks.  In 2004, he returned to Fort Sill to assume command of the United States Army Field Artillery Training Center.   In June of 2006, COL Fulton was assigned to Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska with U.S. Strategic Command as Chief of Staff for the Joint Functional Component Command for Global Strike and Integration.  In May 2008 he deployed to Baghdad in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as Chief of Staff, Directorate of Interior Affairs, Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq.   COL Fulton is currently assigned as Defense Coordinating Officer for FEMA Region V located in Chicago and responsible for coordinating DoD support to emergency management of the northern Midwest (Great Lakes) states.
     Colonel Fulton is a graduate of the Field Artillery Basic and Advanced Courses, the Command and General Staff College, and the US Army War College.  He holds a Masters Degree in Physical Education from Indiana University and a Masters of Strategic Studies from the War College.  His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Joint Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters and the Parachutist Badge.

June 1 Program: Judge Charles P. Kocoras, US District Court

Judge Charles P. Kocoras, of the United States District Court in the Northern District of Illinois, has been on the bench since 1980. The valedictorian of his DePaul University College of Law class, Judge Kocoras served from 1971 until 1977 as Assistant United States Attorney, United States Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorney, Northern District of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois. Following this, he served as Chairman of the Illinois Commerce Commission until 1979, and then became a partner in the law firm of Stone, McGuire, Benjamin & Kocoras until his appointment to the U.S. District Court.

Judge Kocoras is a former member of the Judicial Conference Committee on Criminal Law, as well as a former member of the Federal Criminal Jury Instruction Committee for the Seventh Circuit. He is also a lecturer at various legal seminars.

Judge Kocoras was the recipient of the Department of Justice Special Commendation Award for Outstanding Service in 1974, the recipient in 1976 of the Department of Justice Director's Award for Superior Performance as an Assistant United States Attorney, and a recipient in 1999 of an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws by The John Marshall Law School.

Among Judge Kocoras’ notable recent cases have been the removal of parts of the Chicago public schools’ desegregation plan from federal oversight in 2006, blocking SBC Communications Inc. from increasing what it was charging competitors to use its local phone lines in Illinois in 2003, and an order, in 2002, that a group of individuals and video companies pay more than $500 million to 46 athletes who were filmed in college without their knowledge by hidden cameras. 

May 25 Program: Diplomats Day

The International Committee and Special Task Force chaired by Don Garner are hosting Rotary Diplomat's Day. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet Chicago's diplomatic corps.

The diplomatic corps in Chicago is made up of two important groups that can provide valuable assistance to our club with international service projects, membership development and networking.  First, the Chicago Consular Corps is an association of 83 Consuls General, who are the diplomatic heads of the Consulates and in invaluable link to each government represented.  Second, the Chicago International Trade Commissioners’ Association (CITCA) is a volunteer organization comprising 43 members from 36 countries with a common goal—to promote and facilitate the expansion of international trade and investment between their countries and the Midwest region.

May 18 Program: Danny Spungen, Illinois Holocaust Museum

Danny Spungen is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Florence and Laurence Spungen Family Foundation. This family foundation was established in 2006 by Florence and Laurence Spungen. The Foundation reflects the individual and collective philanthropy of the founders, their children and their grandchildren.  The Spungen Foundation focuses its grantmaking on health-related issues, especially cancer research, care and treatment, and Jewish causes.
In 2007, Danny Spungen, a collector and philatelist, on behalf of the foundation, acquired arguably one of the best known collections of Holocaust materials related to stamps, covers, postcards, letters, bank note forgeries, and manuscripts from concentration camps & Jewish ghettos. Formally known as "The NAZI Scourge: Postal Evidence of the Holocaust and the Devastation of Europe," the Spungen Holocaust Postal Collection is being made available to the public on the Foundation's web site.
Spungen now allocates 25% of his time as a “student” of the Holocaust and exhibits the constantly growing collection to students  and the general public all over the world.
Spungen first became involved with Rotary in 2001 when his family hosted their first foreign exchange student.  The family is now hosting their 11th student, a boy from Peru.  For the 2010-2011 school year they will host two students, including one boy from Thailand.  Through Rotary the family has previously hosted his older sister and older brother….a unique story in that they will have hosted three siblings from Yala Thailand since 2002-2003. 

May 11 Program: Rotary Service - The Rotary Foundation and Rotary/One Service Projects

The Community Service Project Committee will highlight a student Shelter Box Project.  We have a group of students attending to participate in a presentation of monies raised through the student project and matched by the Lakeview Rotary Club, Rotary District 6450 and Rotary/One.

May 4 Program:  Mexico Rotary Group Study Exchange

During the week of May 2 – 8, a number of Rotary One members will host a study exchange of Rotarians from Mexico. The Rotary Foundation Group Study Exchange is an educational program designed to:

*Provide outstanding young business and professional men and women opportunities to study another country and its people and institutions by participating in a program of study in the country concerned that focuses on cultural and vocational exchange. It provides a forum in which to compare notes on vocations, recreation, philosophy, politics, and religion.

*Further international study by allowing persons of goodwill to meet, talk, and live with each other in a spirit of fellowship so they may get to know each others’ problems and aspirations and to permit such personal contacts ripen into lasting friendships.

*Involve Rotarians in a specific practical and meaningful international service project by organizing educational programs for group study teams and providing hospitality for them.

District Governor Jim Czerwionka: “We have been awaiting the visit of the group Study exchange team with great anticipation and pride.  International exchange is one of the primary ways Rotary works for peace in the world, building bridges of international understanding. Through our fellowship, the exchange of our ideas and ideals, and through the communication of these with families, friends, and business associates, our hopes and goals for world peace and understanding can be achieved. In the itinerary developed for the team, we have made every effort to provide the opportunity for you to experience, first-hand, the culture and customs of our area and our country as well as a cross-section of our businesses and professions. Most of all we look forward to establishing life-long friendships.”

Please join our Mexican exchange guests at the Rotary meeting on Tuesday, May 4th.

April 27 Program: Dale Stinton, CEO National Association of Realtors

Dale A. Stinton is the chief executive officer of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® is America's largest trade association, representing more than 1.2 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries. Stinton, who was NAR's chief financial and chief information officer, took over the NAR reins on November 1, 2005. He served as acting CEO and executive vice president in 1996 and became CFO/CIO in 1998.
He was recently named to CEO Update’s inaugural list of top Association CEOs. In recognizing Stinton, they wrote that he “earned his place on the list by uniting a diverse organization and reacting well ahead of the slumping housing market with programs, education, and online resources—including the multi-million dollar campaign 'Right Tools, Right Now,' and the REALTORS® Federal Credit Union.”
In 2009, Stinton drove the association’s successful effort to permanently ban banks from entering the real estate industry, while also achieving a home buyer tax credit that noted national economists acknowledged was responsible for helping revitalize the housing market. He also provided the strategic vision and launched the first-ever national database of every parcel of property in the United States, the REALTORS® Property Resource. To encourage local and state REALTOR®’ associations to create innovative programs to better meet member’s needs, he also created the Game Changers program, resulting in over 200 ‘game changing’ innovations being introduced at the grassroots level.
He lives with his wife, Maryann, in St. Charles, Ill. They have three grown children; sons Greg and Brad live with their wives in Chicago and daughter Ashley resides in Atlanta, Ga.

April 20 Program: Dan T. Cathy, President, Chick-fil-A, Atlanta, Georgia

After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Georgia Southern University, Dan returned to Chick-fil-A where he served as director of operations – opening more than 50 new Chick-fil-A restaurants throughout the country.

As Chick-fil-A continued to grow, so did Dan's responsibilities with the company. He has served as senior director of operations, vice president of operations and executive vice president prior to being named president and chief operating officer.

As dedicated to Chick-fil-A as he is, Dan also finds time to give generously of his time and efforts in the community.  Following is just a partial list of his awards, affiliations and associations:

Member, Board of Trustees, Berry College
Member, Board of Councilors, The Carter Center
Member, The New Hope Baptist Church (and trumpet player in the church band)
Sunday School Teacher, 12^th Grade Boys  – Youth teacher for 37 years
Member, Board of Atlanta Metro Chamber of Commerce
Member, Board of The Malizia Clinic
Advisory Board, Heritage Preparatory School
Recipient of the Outstanding American Award from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame – 2003
Honorary Doctorate Degree from the State University of West Georgia, Anderson College and Carver Bible College
Honorary Doctorate of Humanities Degree from Anderson College – 2005
Honorary Doctorate from HBCA Entrepreneur Summit

And in his "spare" time, Dan earned his Airline Transport Pilot license and has completed numerous marathons in Atlanta, Orlando, Los Angeles, Boston and New York.  Additionally, Dan is a passionate trumpet player, gardener and an avid motorcyclist.

A native of Jonesboro, Ga., Dan has been married to the former Rhonda Palmer (whom he met while in the 1st grade at age 6) for more than 37 years, and has two sons, Andrew and Ross.

His personal passion is to see the fulfillment of the Chick-fil-A Corporate Purpose: “To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us.  To have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A.”

April 13 Program: Keith Fiels, Executive Director, American Library Association

Keith Michael Fiels, the Executive Director of the Chicago-based American Library Association, is a champion of the role libraries have played on the front lines during the recession. Our public libraries have helped Americans with expanded job resources, and more people than ever are turning to libraries for technology access and help in applying for jobs and government assistance online. Last year, a record-breaking number of Americans visited their local public libraries.

Despite a dramatic increase in library usage during the past few years, half of the states have reduced funding to libraries, local funding has also suffered, and  close to one-quarter of urban libraries have reduced their  hours.

Fiels will discuss the impact of libraries and librarians in communities throughout the United States, how the business community directly benefits from libraries and why it makes good sense for the business community to advocate for resources for local libraries.
Prior to arriving to ALA in 2002, Fiels served as Director of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and as President of the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies. He has also worked as a public and school librarian and as an independent library consultant, and has co-authored a number of books on planning and technology.
He holds a B.A. and a Masters of Library Science degree from the State University of New York, in Buffalo, and has also done post graduate work at the University of Denver.
The ALA is the oldest, largest and most influential library association in the world with nearly 63,000 members. Members are primarily librarians, but membership also includes trustees, publishers and other library supporters. The association represents all types of libraries—public, school, academic and special. Its mission is to promote the highest quality library and information services and increase public access to information

April 6 Program: Janet Carl Smith, Deputy Commissioner, City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs

Janet Carl Smith has administered quality arts experiences throughout the Chicago area during her thirty years at the Chicago Cultural Center.  In each of the positions she has held at the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, Ms. Smith has worked to build support for the arts through free public access to exhibitions and performances.  Currently Deputy Commissioner of Cultural Affairs, Ms. Smith focuses on external relations, working on projects and issues that impact the broader arts community, and advocating to elevate the arts as an important value in our city.   

Ms. Smith’s continued interest in finding new ways to make the arts more available has led her to support several key arts advocacy and technical assistance projects. She is a lead partner in the Arts Engagement Exchange, a four year effort to enhance public involvement in the arts through a partnership with the Wallace Foundation and the Chicago Community Trust.  In addition, she serves as Vice Chair of Arts Alliance Illinois and co-chairs its Positioning the Arts Task Force, a program to raise awareness about the important role of the arts, innovation and creativity in corporate and civic dialogue.  She is also a member of the Arts and Culture Funders Group of the Donor’s Forum and the Chicago Arts Education Collaborative at the Chicago Community Trust.   

In November, 2009, Ms. Smith was honored by the Arts and Business Council as “one of Chicago’s most skilled and imaginative administrators for the arts.”   

From l968-78, she directed campus programming at the University of Illinois at the Medical Center (now UIC.)  Her exemplary efforts during this period were cited in l984 with the establishment of the JANET CARL SMITH AWARD, now presented annually by the National Association of Campus Activities/Illiana Region for contributions to the field.  In l999, she received an award from the City of Chicago as a finalist for the Kathy Osterman Superior Public Service Awards.

Ms. Smith has spoken to a variety of professional arts and educational groups on such topics as creativity, the arts in Chicago, cultural tourism, collaborative programming, and the Chicago Cultural Center.  She is a New York native and a graduate of Northwestern University, and lives with her husband Mel Smith on the Near North side of Chicago.

March 30 Program: Elizabeth Whiting, Union League Club Art Curator "Celebrating Our Own Series"

Elizabeth K. Whiting believes passionately in the power of art to change lives and enhance communities, and her professional career has focused on creating engaging art encounters and learning opportunities via exhibitions and educational programs. As an art historian, her professional experience has focused on working in both curatorial and educational capacities in museums such as the Museum of Contemporary Photography, the Terra Museum of American Art, the Kresge Art Museum, and galleries.

Ms. Whiting has also served as an adjunct professor of art history and photo history at Northwestern University and at Columbia College for over ten years. She has curated exhibitions featuring some of the most celebrated artists in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries; and has worked with artists, collectors, scholars, and curators in the national and international arena to develop exhibitions and art collections.

Elizabeth K. Whiting is currently the Curator at the Union League Club of Chicago.

March 23 Program - Alex Alguacil, Concert Pianist from Spain

Pianist Alex Alguacil is one of the most outstanding pianists of his generation. Born in Barcelona, he has performed in major concert halls in Spain, United States, and Japan. He has made himself a name performing the music of his own country, but his artistic abilities are able to embrace many other genres and styles. Critics have said of him, “an intelligent musician”, a “high-class virtuoso” and a pianist “with a secure success in his future career.”

Winner of numerous competitions and awards, he made his début at the prestigious Palau de la Música in Barcelona.

In 2003, Alex Alguacil moved to New York City. He found the cultural life of the city to be most exciting and interesting. He met the Japanese pedagogue Miyoko Nakaya Lotto, who advised him in his new musical American life and from whom he still takes advice. As his career progressed, he got the chance of performing with a number of orchestras, such as the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra among others, and open an array of solo-performance opportunities that took him to prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall. Currently Mr. Alguacil devotes himself to the development of his career as he progresses as one of the most promising pianists of our days.

March 16 Program: Rotary World Peace Fellow Nai-Hua Wu of Taiwan

Nai-Hua Wu is the Jackson S.L. Hsieh Named Rotary Peace Fellow from International Christian University for 2005-07. A native of Taiwan, she has been sponsored by the Norman, Oklahoma Rotary Club.  Currently in PhD program strategic management at the Mays Business School at Texas A & M University, Wu’s ultimate career goal is to work in the development field and help the less privileged, particularly talented young people who have little resources, to have a better financial access and opportunities.

 

To this end, after completing her fellowship, Wu worked in Shanghai, China, partnering with SageVISION and General Electric on a project called Human Resource Best Practice Benchmark and Sharing Study in which she and three other team members designed the questionnaire and interviewed top tier multinational corporations, such as Microsoft, Nokia, and Siemens, in China on HR best practices. She went on to work for the Standard Chartered Bank in Taiwan where she was responsible for the International Program and other talent management projects.

 

While in Taiwan, she was a proud member of the Taipei Metropolitan Rotary Club, the second English-speaking Rotary Club in Taiwan. She is deeply indebted to her sponsoring Rotarians, her fellowship donor, and the Rotarians around the world for their generous support.

March 2 Program: Dr. Sandy Goldberg, A Silver Lining Foundation & NBC 5  Gyrator 03 02 2010

Sandra A. Goldberg, Ph.D., is an Emmy-award winning network television personality, Cable TV talk show host, keynote speaker, podcaster, clinical nutritionist, fundraiser, and philanthropist. Most notably, she is the Founder & Chairman of A Silver Lining Foundation, an educational and advocacy nonprofit that advances awareness of breast cancer and provides uninsured and under-insured women access to mammography and breast cancer diagnostics.

Sandy has always been proactive in the pursuit of her dreams. Upon receiving her doctorate, she started a broad-based clinical nutrition practice. Attracted to television, she campaigned for her own weekend morning segment on the NBC Chicago affiliate after a guest appearance. In 1999, Sandy had a malignant lump removed and elected to battle her breast cancer in front of a television audience. Her on-camera fight, “One Woman’s Story,” earned her an Emmy Award and the admiration and respect of many. In 2002, she founded A Silver Lining Foundation and started the Chicagoland Cancer Information Coalition, an ourtreach and information hub. In 2004, she opened the Evelyn Goldberg Center (named for mom) to enhance the quality of life for underserved women undergoing breast cancer treatment. In 2006, she started the Buy a Mom a Mammogram™ to fund cost-free screening mammograms and diagnostic follow-up for the uninsured and under-insured.

Sandy has emerged as one of the nation's leading advocates for early breast cancer detection. She has installed an extraordinary support system for those who desire mammography but cannot afford it. Sandy’s current mission defines her own personal struggles and triumphant recovery from breast cancer. “We want to get women the treatment they need and deserve,” she claims, “and empower them in the process.” She leverages her position in the electronic media to give back and help others. “It’s my responsibility,” she declares, “I’m lucky and I know it.”






 

 

 

On 23 February 2010, Rotary celebrated to END POLIO NOW.

On behalf of the 33,000 Rotary Clubs and 1.2 million members, Rotary International shone its light on the Wrigley Building - To END POLIO NOW!

NBC 5 Reports on Rotary's 105th Anniversary

Chicago Tribune Report on the 105th

Marina City News reports on the 105th

Rotary International Photos of Landmark Buildings being lit with End Polio Now

Rotary/One members Dr. James Galloway, Barry Axler, Angelo Loumbas; and, Jesse Jackson, Sr.; Governor Quinn; Dr. de Quadros; and Ed Futa

Titch Harrison starting the 105th Anniversary Meeting of ROTARY/One

Rotary Club of  Chicago

 

February 16 - Father Scott Donahue, Mercy Home for Boys and Girls

Fr. Scott Donahue serves as President and CEO of Mercy Home for Boys & Girls. Previously, he served as the Home's Associate President from 1996 to early 2006. He is also principal liturgist for and celebrant of the popular televised "Sunday Mass at Mercy Home" program, which reaches more than 50,000 Chicago-area shut-ins.
Louis Scott Donahue was born in Chicago, graduated from St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights, and in 1977, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Loyola University of Chicago. He entered St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in 1977, became a deacon in 1981, and was assigned to St. Juliana's Parish on Chicago's Northwest Side.  On May 12, 1982, Fr. Donahue was ordained a priest.  
Fr. Donahue joined the Mercy Home Board of Regents in 1990.  Early in 1993, Fr. James J. Close, president of Mercy Home, invited Fr. Scott to join him in working with the children.  With permission from the cardinal, he accepted the position.  He was named Mercy Home's Associate President in 1996. That same year, Fr. Scott earned a Master's degree in Social Work from Loyola University.  He also received a Master's degree in Theology from St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in 1982 and another, in Applied Spirituality, from the University of San Francisco in 1989.
In January 2000, he and Fr. Close launched Mercy Home's Legacy of Miracles campaign to raise $10 million to expand and open more homes for needy youth. In August 2003, the Reverend James J. Close Home was opened to accommodate more youth that ever before in Mercy Home's history. In April 2006, Fr. Close retired after 33 years of leadership of Mercy Home. With Cardinal George's blessing, Fr. Scott became Fr. Close's successor, and Mercy Home's eighth President. He currently resides at St. Robert Bellarmine Parish on Chicago's Northwest Side.

February 9 - Charles Middleton, President of Roosevelt University "Celebrating Our Own Series" 

Charles R. “Chuck” Middleton has served as the fifth President of Roosevelt University, serving since July 2002.  Roosevelt is a national leader in educating socially conscious citizens for active and dedicated lives as leaders in their professions and their communities.
Dr. Middleton has been a university professor or administrator for 39 years.  Prior to joining Roosevelt, he was vice chancellor for Academic Affairs atthe University System of Maryland, provost and vice president ofAcademic Affairs at Bowling Green State University and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Colorado, Boulder.
Afellow of Great Britain’s Royal Historical Society, Dr. Middleton’s academic expertise is in modern British history from the late 18thCentury to the early 19th Century and he has an interest in the history of sport in America.  He has taught more than 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students, written more than 60 scholarly papers and is the author of the book The Administration of British Foreign Policy,1782-1846.
Under Dr. Middleton’s leadership, Roosevelt University has achieved new levels of excellence and prominence. For example:
•   The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools re-accredited the University in 2006 without restrictions for the maximum period of 10 years.
•    Roosevelt’s retention and six-year graduation rates, the major indicators of student success, have improved dramatically. In addition, ACT scores of incoming freshmen have increased from 21.4 in fall 2004 to 22.3 in fall2006.
•    The University’s commitment to social justice has been enhanced by, among other activities, providing a challenge to all 2009and 2010 graduates of Chicago’s Social Justice High School that the cost of attending Roosevelt will be covered if they successfully complete high school and qualify academically.  Many of these students will be the first members of their families to earn college degrees. In addition, Roosevelt instituted flat-rate tuition in 2005, making it financially advantageous for students to take more courses each semester. 

• The University’s commitment to social justice has been enhanced by, among other activities, providing a challenge to all 2009 and 2010 graduates of Chicago’s Social Justice High School that the cost of attending Roosevelt will be covered if they successfully complete high school and qualify academically.  Many of these students will be the first members of their families to earn college degrees.  In addition, Roosevelt instituted flat-rate tuition in 2005, making it financially advantageous for students to take more courses each semester.

February 2 -  Ambassadorial Scholars and other Rotary Travelers: "Celebrating Our Own Series"  

Kathleen Day
Kathleen Day was raised in Chicago (though born in Paris), attended Chicago Public Schools, and now represents District 6450 as Ambassadorial Scholar to Morocco. Starting next August, she will study urban development in Casablanca, a city that enjoys an active cultural exchange with its Sister City--Chicago!
Kathleen's experience growing up in Chicago's West Humboldt Park neighborhood steered her towards studying sociology at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. After receiving her Bachelor's degree, Kathleen returned to Chicago and served as an AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteer for one year, organizing tenants of subsidized housing in South Chicago and Joliet.
In addition to working for the American Bar Association, Kathleen currently volunteers at a tenant help hotline and nurtures an avid interest in food and cooking.

Irene Ivanova
Born in Russia, Irene Ivanova has pursued her education in the U.S., Rotterdam, and Moscow, earning law degrees in International and Business and Trade Law. She speaks English, Russian, and Spanish, and has travelled extensively internationally. Irene has been a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar from Russia to the U.S., and has many accomplishments: 2005 Employee of the Year at Gorodissky & Partners, an internship at the International Court of Justice at the Hague, and numerous legal publications among them.
Since 2001, Irene has worked for Baker& McKenzie in the U.S., as well as several law firms in Russia. Irene is currently working on her MBA in Management at Roosevelt University.

 

 

January 26 - Steve Georgas, Chicago Police Assistant Deputy Superintendent

Assistant Deputy Superintendent Georgas has had a distinguished career with the Chicago Police Department. He proudly took the oath of a Chicago Police Officer on November 18, 1991, and his first assignment as a patrolman was in the 24th District, along with an assignment in the 18th District and the Special Operations Section.
As part of the Special Operations Section, Assistant Deputy Superintendent Georgas and his partner created the Targeted Response Unit (TRU), which has been instrumental in lowering the violent crime rate in the City of Chicago. In 2005, under Steve Georgas’ command, the Marine Unit began a transformation to include established training protocols, standardization of equipment, and the purchase of state-of-the-art technology, along with a dedicated swim training facility.  While under Georgas’ command the unit also expanded and was renamed as the Marine & Helicopter Unit as the Department returned to the air for the first time in over 30 years.  On December 10, 2006, Steve E. Georgas was promoted to District Commander and once again was assigned to the 18th District.  
On August 1, 2009 Steve E. Georgas was promoted to the rank of Assistant Deputy Superintendent and placed in command of the Special Functions Group.  In this assignment he presently oversees the following units:  Targeted Response Unit, Mobile Strike Force, Special Weapons & Tactics (SWAT) Team, Traffic Section, Marine & Helicopter Unit, Mounted Unit, Canine Unit, Troubled Buildings Unit and the Bait Car Team.  In addition he is in command of various large scale events and demonstrations that may occur within the City such as the Chicago Marathon and all high profile visits such as the President of the United States.  
Assistant Deputy Superintendent Georgas earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Law Enforcement Administration at Western Illinois University and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration at the Illinois Institute of Technology.  He has been honored with the Superintendent’s Award of Merit, Special Commendation Award, Department Commendation, Life Saving Award, 53 Honorable Mentions, and numerous citations and complimentary letters. 

 

 

January 19 - Damon T. Arnold M.D., M.P.H., Illinois Public Health Director

Damon T. Arnold, M.D., M.P.H., was named the 16th director of the Illinois Department of Public Health on October 1, 2007.  Dr. Arnold has hosted International delegates from the Czech Republic, Poland, Russia and Taiwan.  He also was appointed Adjunct Professor with Southern Illinois University, School of Medicine; University of Illinois, School of Medicine; University of Illinois, School of Public Health.    

Prior to his appointment to director, Dr. Arnold was the medical director for bioterrorism and preparedness for the Chicago Department of Public Health.  He has served in the Army National Guard for 25 years, holds the rank of colonel and, currently, is the guard’s commander of the Joint Task Force Medical Command in Springfield and the Illinois State Surgeon.

Dr. Arnold received his M.D. and M.P.H. degrees from the University of Illinois, and has completed several law courses at DePaul University College of Law.  He began his career in public service by volunteering nearly 2,000 hours of community service during high school, taking care of hospitalized patient’s needs.

Over the years, he has had a distinguished military career and received many military awards, including Army Commendation, National Defense Service and Humanitarian Service medals. He has served missions to Iraq, Kuwait, Central America, South America, Africa and Europe, as well as participated in relief efforts for hurricanes Katrina and Rita. He was the American Red Cross Military Hero of the Year for 2007.

Dr. Arnold has served in the role of a medical director for St. Francis Hospital, Blue Island, Illinois; LTV Steel Company in Indiana; and Mercy Hospital and Medical Center, Chicago.

He has received training and certification in holistic medicine, for massage therapy and acupuncture, and the martial arts. He currently lives with his wife Sharon Johnson-Arnold in Chicago.

 

January 12 - Heather Dalmage, PhD, Fulbright Scholar, Roosevelt University:  "US Race Scholars' Observation from Africa' 

Heather Dalmage is Professor of Sociology and Director of the Mansfield Institute for Social Justice and Transformation at Roosevelt University in Chicago. She earned her PhD from the City University of New York, Graduate Center where her dissertation, In Black and White: Examining Racial Borders, received the David Spitz Distinguished Dissertation  award. She is the author of Tripping on the Color Line: Black-White Multiracial Families in a Racially Divided World, Rutgers University Press, 2000, and editor of The Politics of Multiracialism: Challenging Racial Thinking, SUNY Press, 2004, and the forthcoming, Race in an Era of Change: A Reader (Oxford University Press).  She has published articles and presented on a broad range of topics including adoption, whiteness and white privilege, multiracial families,
housing discrimination, and cultural capital. Specializing in race, multiracialism, whiteness, and social justice, her research in Chicago focuses on the legacy of white flight and the race-based housing battles on the South and West sides. Dalmage was a Fulbright Scholar and visiting researcher at the Centre for Critical Research on Race and Identity at the University of KwaZulu-Natal where she examined the construction of racial borders and whiteness in South Africa.

 

 

January 5 - Ken Bowers, Baha'i  House of Worship

 

Kenneth E. Bowers currently serves as Secretary-General of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States, the annually elected body governing the activities of Bahá'ís in the 48contiguous states.  Prior to being elected to the National Assembly, he served as an appointed member of the National Teaching Committee, the principal arm of the National Assembly, acting as its Secretary formerly for 10 years.  Until 1991, Mr. Bowers owned and operated a business in Atlanta.  He is the author of God Speaks Again, an introductory book about the Bahá'í Faith. Together with their children, Mojdeh and Ford,Ken and his wife Mojgan make their home in Wilmette, Ill. in the northern suburbs of Chicago.

 

 

 

 

December 15 and 22 - No Luncheon

 

 

 

 

December 8 - George William Christy, M.D., Christy Cardiology, LTD, Advocate Christ Hospital  

George W. Christy is a noted cardiologist, currently on staff at Advocate Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn.  Prior to this, Christy was the Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital from 2002 – 2008. He has served as Consulting and Staff Cardiologist at a number of hospitals in the Chicago area and Little Rock, Arkansas since 1991.  Dr. Christy also served in the U.S. military from 1989 until 2003 as Commander, United States Naval Reserve Medical Corps at Camp Robinson in Little Rock, as well as serving at a number of military hospital appointments around the world.

Dr. Christy’s career as a cardiologist grew out of a very personal interest:   his father was (at the time) the oldest living heart transplant recipient in the country. This personal mission grew into an illustrious career that has included significant faculty and administrative appointments.  He is a sought-after speaker on heart disease and a prolific writer, having published numerous articles in cardiology research, and is a member of numerous medical societies.

 

 

 

December 1 - Dr. Horowitz, CEO of TCS Education System and TheChicago School of Professional Psychology

 

 

Dr. Michael Horowitz has served as a professional psychology school leader and faculty member since 1988. He became The Chicago School’s president in 2000, where under his leadership the school has focused on becoming the “school of choice” in professional psychology.
Before joining The Chicago School, Michael was dean and professor at the Arizona School of Professional Psychology. Michael is a past president of the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology and previously served as co-director of the Fatherhood Research Project, a collaborative study of the experience of fatherhood. He is a site visitor for the American Psychological Association’s Committee on Accreditation and a consultant/evaluator for the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Michael professional and scholarly interests include organizational leadership, political advocacy, graduate education and the expansion of professional psychology education and practice. He currently serves on the board for the Illinois Campus Compact and is a past member of the Board of Directors of Chicago Youth Centers and the President's Council of Heartland Alliance.
Michael received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Northwestern University and a Certificate in Psychoanalysis from the Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis. He did his undergraduate studies at Columbia University, graduating cum laude with a B.A. in Psychology and Political Science. He was honored at Columbia with the Cumming Prize for Outstanding Psychology Graduate.

 

November 24 - Ray Gleason, Major US Army & Author: A Grunt Speaks: A Devil’s Dictionary of Vietnam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 17 - Akhtar Badshah, Senior Director, Microsoft Community Affairs

 

 Akhtar Badshah is the senior director of Global Community Affairs at Microsoft Corporation, where he administers the company’s global community investment and employee programs. Through monetary grants, software and curriculum donations, technology solutions, and employee volunteer hours, Microsoft supports programs and organizations that address the needs of communities worldwide.

Among his responsibilities, Badshah manages the Microsoft Unlimited Potential Community Technology Skills Program (CTSP), a global initiative designed to help narrow the technology skills gap; aid global work-force development; and create social and economic opportunity by providing technology training through community technology centers.  Badshah also oversees programs aimed at helping nonprofit organizations improve their effectiveness through increased technology capacity.
Prior to joining Microsoft, Badshah was the CEO and president of Digital Partners Foundation, a Seattle-area nonprofit organization whose mission is to utilize the digital economy to benefit the poor. At Digital Partners, he established the organization’s core programs in India, Africa and Latin America. His work included development of the Digital Partners Social Venture Fund, designed to support the expansion of IT-based anti-poverty efforts around the world, and the Digital Partners Social Enterprise Laboratory (SEL), an initiative that provides mentorship and seed money to entrepreneurs whose vision and business models use ICT to empower the poor and their underserved communities.
Badshah is a Board Member of United Way King County, the Global Knowledge Partnership, Council on Foundations, Youth Employment Summit Inc, and the US Chamber of Commerce’s Business Civic Leadership Center. He also serves on the WA Governor’s New Americans Policy Council and AYP Blue Ribbon Commission, and on Advisory Boards of the following organizations: World Affairs Council (Seattle), Santa Clara University Center for Science Technology and Society, University of Washington South Asia Center, and University of Washington Business School.
Badshah is an architect by training, a doctoral graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the former president of the Lambda Alpha International, New Jersey Chapter. He is very active in the Seattle area community.

November 10 - Veterans Day - Kimo Williams, musician, composer & professor = Lt. Dan Band

Kimo Williams is a Chicagobased composer, musician and educator.  Since 1989, he has been afaculty member at Columbia College Chicago, where he now serves asAssociate Professor and Coordinator for the Music Business Program. Heholds an MA in Management from Webster University as well as a BA inComposition from Berklee College of Music in Boston.
As a composer, he has released four CDs of original works, includingtwo with his big-band fusion ensemble “Kimotion”, as well as symphonicworks that have been performed by the Detroit, Atlanta, Savannah,Philadelphia and Indianapolis symphony orchestras, among others. As aVietnam Veteran,
many of his award-winning compositions are inspired by his experienceand interest in the military, including “Symphony for the Sons of Nam”and “Buffalo Soldiers”, which was commissioned by West Point MilitaryAcademy in 2002.
Kimo founded the United States Vietnam Art Program (USVAP) in 1998 tocreate opportunities to promote communication through artistic mediumbetween the two countries. He travels to Vietnam once a year in supportof his USVAP program initiatives.  Through USVAP he provides “ArtisticTools”  (musical instruments, computers, cameras etc.,) to soldierswounded in Afghanistan and Iraq who wish to pursue art. He is alsoFulbright Specialist providing special music programs to children inVietnam.
Individually, Kimo has visited wounded soldiers at Walter Read Hospitaland several Veterans hospitals in support of our service members andVeterans.  In 2003, he co-founded the “Lt Dan Band” with actor GarySinise, supporting the USO worldwide.  He will be traveling with hisLt. Dan Band to Afghanistan for Thanksgiving to support our servicemembers.  He is currently on the Board of Directors for the USO Chicago.
In 2004 he served as the executive director of the Vietnam Veterans ArtMuseum, and organized an unprecedented fund-raising event to ensure theexpansion of the museum.  Through the years, he has been involved withtwo of Chicago’s’ best-known theater companies as a musical director(“MaRainey’s’ Black Bottom” by the Goodman Theater), and composer(“Streetcar Named Desire” by Steppenwolf Theater).  As part of theMayors commission on Veterans Affairs he helped design, create and namethe Vietnam Memorial Plaza at Michigan and Wabash.
He and his wife, singer/songwriter Carol Williams, have collaborated onmany of his works, as well as performed together since 1978.  Now aretired Army Captain, Kimo’s other interests in art include photographyand film.

 

 

 

 November 3 - ROTARY/One Foundation and Rotary Club of Chicago Annual Meeting

 

Business Meeting Agenda: 

 

·         Director and Officer election results and Retired Board of Directors Recognition

·         Foundation Trustee Appointments, Officer Election and Retiring Trustee Recognition

·         Recognition of club volunteers – special awards

 

·         An overview of the Club

·         Club financial report – prior year and year to date

·         Membership report

 

·         An overview of the Foundation:

·         Purpose and Goals:  Definition of the Foundation and how it supports the goals and objectives of Rotary/One

·         Key Initiatives and Results over last year

·         Why supporting the Foundation is very important to the future of Rotary/One

·         Foundation financial report – prior year and year to date: Evy  

 

·         ROTARY/One Annual Campaign Kick Off

 

·         Service Project Report: prior year and year to date; plans for balance of year –

 

·         Questions and Discussion

 

 

October 27 - Anne Roosevelt, Vice President for Global Corporate Citizenship, The Boeing Company

 

Anna Eleanor Roosevelt (known as Anne) leads Boeing's Global Corporate Citizenship function, providing philosophical and strategic direction to the company's integration of citizenship goals. She also leads a network of U.S. and international community investors, who employ and leverage Boeing's multiple resources to address needs of communities where the company has a business presence.
Roosevelt began her professional career when she moved to Kentucky, following graduate school, to join the faculty of Western Kentucky University. There she taught museum studies and worked on the The Kentucky Museum staff for nearly eight years. In 1983, she moved to Chicago as a freelance collection consultant, and was later named the first director of the Center for Scandinavian Studies at North Park College in Chicago.
In 1987, Roosevelt pursued her lifelong interest in politics, working for the Democratic National Committee. In 1989 she managed late U.S. Sen. Paul Simon's Chicago office and then his successful campaign for re-election in 1990. The following year, Roosevelt served as a consultant on the successful "Daley for Mayor" campaign. In 1991, she became the first executive director of the Museums in the Park, an organization representing the political interests of nine museums located on Chicago Park District land.
From 1996 through 1998, she was director of the Mayor's Office of Program Development for the City of Chicago. From January 1998 to 2001, Roosevelt served as executive director of the Brain Research Foundation, an affiliate of The University of Chicago. When The Boeing Company relocated to Chicago, Roosevelt became director of Community and Education Relations for Boeing's Corporate Offices, and now serves as vice president of Global Corporate Citizenship.
Roosevelt is a trustee of Roosevelt University where she also chairs their advisory committee for the Center for New Deal Studies. She is also a trustee of Spelman College; is a member of the advisory boards of the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Foundation, and the Joan B. Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies; is a member of the Chicago Sister Cities Casablanca Committee and the Foundation for the National Archives board, and co-chairs the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute in New York.
Born in Pasadena, Calif., Roosevelt holds a bachelor of arts degree in art and art history, from Stanford University, and a master of science degree in library science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

 

October 20 - Jodie Winnett, Acting Superintendent, Illinois Lottery  

Jodie Winnett

Associate Director, Illinois Department of Revenue

Acting Superintendent, Illinois Lottery

 

Since 2003, Jodie Winnett has served as the Associate Director of the Illinois Department of Revenue, a 2,100-person state agency charged with administering the state’s tax code and overseeing the Illinois Gaming, Liquor and Racing Commissions and the Illinois Lottery.  Since April 2007, she has also been Acting Superintendent of the Illinois Lottery, and was recently appointed to the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries Executive Committee.

 

Prior to joining the Department of Revenue, she helped found World Business Chicago, a public-private partnership that markets the Chicago region as a business location.  She spent four years at the City of Chicago’s Office of Budget & Management where she worked on numerous projects to improve business regulation and processes.  Immediately after graduate school, Jodie was a MacArthur Fellow in the Mayor’s Policy Office working on economic development and housing policy.  She served as policy director on Mayor Daley’s 1999 and 2003 campaigns.

 

Jodie holds a master’s degree in public policy from the Harris School at the University of Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in political science from James Madison University in Virginia.  She is originally from Maryland and has lived in Chicago for the last 16 years.

 

About the Illinois Lottery:

Founded in 1974, the Illinois Lottery is a state agency with annual sales over $2 billion. Since its

inception, the Lottery has contributed more than $14 billion to the state Common School Fund to assist K-12 public schools. Players must be at least 18 years old. For more information on the Illinois Lottery please visit our Web site at www.illinoislottery.com.

 

October 13 - Gail MarksJarvis, Chicago Tribune

 

Gail MarksJarvis is one of the nation's leading personal finance columnists. Based at the Chicago Tribune,her columns reach million of readers in many of the nation's leadingmetropolitan newspapers. She was named Best Financial Columnist by theMedill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. MarksJarvisprovides advice weekly on CLTV, and on Chicago's WGN radio, and beenfeatured on NPR and both CBS and ABC affiliates. Formerly a reporterfor public radio's Marketplace program and USA Today, she currently serves on the board of directors of the Society of American Business Editors and Writers.

 

 

October 6 - David D. Hiller, President and CEO,McCormick Foundation

David D. Hiller began serving as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the McCormick Foundation in July 2009.
David is the past President, Publisher, and Chief Executive Officer ofthe Los Angeles Times, where he served from October 2006 to July 2008.Previously, he was President, Publisher, and Chief Executive Officer ofthe Chicago Tribune Company, from November 2004 to October 2006.

From February 2003 to October 2004, Hiller was Senior Vice President ofTribune Publishing, responsible for Tribune Media Services, BaltimoreSun Company, Hartford Courant Company, and CLTV, a 24-hour cable newschannel serving Chicagoland. He also oversaw Tribune Publishing’sSpanish-language newspapers.

Hiller was President of Tribune Interactive from 2000 to 2004. In thatrole, he was responsible for the interactive businesses in Tribune’snewspaper and television markets, as well as Tribune’s nationalInternet products and services. From 1993 to 2000, Hiller served asTribune Company Senior Vice President/Development, with responsibilityfor strategic planning, acquisitions, and new-venture investments ininformation and entertainment businesses related to Tribune’sstrategies for long-term growth. He was Vice President/General Counselfrom 1988 to 1993.

Prior to Tribune, David was with the Chicago law firm of Sidley &Austin. He joined Sidley in 1983 and became a partner three yearslater. Before that, he served two years at the U.S. Department ofJustice as Special Assistant to Attorney General William French Smithand as Associate Deputy Attorney General. During 1979 and 1980, Hillerwas a law clerk to United States Court of Appeals Judge Malcolm Wilkeyand Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart.

A native of the Chicago area, born June 12, 1953, David Hiller receiveda bachelor’s degree from Harvard College and a law degree from HarvardLaw School. He serves on the boards of the Chicago History Museum, TheField Museum, the Metropolitan Planning Council, and RooseveltUniversity. He is a member of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs,the Commercial Club of Chicago, and the Economic Club of Chicago. 

 

September 29 - Christie Hefner

 AsChairman and CEO of Playboy Enterprises, Inc. from 1988 to 2008,Christie Hefner oversaw the global expansion of Playboy’s legendarybrand to a wide array of new platforms and markets, transforming adomestic publishing-based business into a global multi-media andlifestyle company.  During her tenure, Christie recapitalized theCompany, making it the first NYSE corporation allowed to issue a secondclass of stock with disparate voting rights.  Under Christie’sleadership, the company developed its profitable television business —the first time a magazine successfully leveraged its brand intotelevision. Continuing the Company's electronic expansion, in 1994Christie led the Company onto the Internet when Playboy became thefirst national magazine on the World Wide Web.  Christie greatlyexpanded the leveraging of the Playboy brand via licensing.  In 2008,Playboy generated close to $1 billion in global retail sales. In 2007,the Company opened the Playboy Club and Casino at the Palms in LasVegas; a second multi-faceted location-based entertainment venue, thePlayboy Mansion Macau, is under construction in China.  Since steppingdown, Christie has been working with the Center for American Progress,the leading progressive think tank started and run by John Podesta, andappearing regularly on cable news to talk about business and publicpolicy.  She also serves on the board of Business Forward which is anew trade group designed to engage business leaders in building supportfor healthcare, education, and energy reform.  The first woman electedto the Chicago chapter of the Young Presidents' Organization, Christiehelped to found the Committee of 200, an international organization ofpreeminent women business owners and executives.  She currently sits onthe Council of National Advisors for Springboard Enterprises, whichsupports women-led growth ventures, is a trustee of Rush MedicalCenter, and on the advisory board of Canyon Ranch.   Christie was bornin Chicago in 1952. Elected to Phi Beta Kappa in her junior year ofcollege, she graduated from Brandeis University summa cum laude with aBachelor of Arts degree in English and American literature in 1974. She became a President's Councilor of her alma mater in 1978. She ismarried to real estate developer and attorney William A. Marovitz, aformer Illinois state senator.

 

September 22: Martin Sheil, Forensic Accountant, Drug Enforcement Administration

Martin J. Sheil serves as a Financial Investigative Contractor – U.S. Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Agency

 

The Criminal Investigation Division of the IRS is responsible for investigating allegations of Tax Evasion and related Financial Statutes e.g. Money Laundering. The above experience is reflective of varying increased supervisory responsibilities supportive of the mission. Martin has been recognized as an expert witness for Money Laundering for testimony in Federal Court. He has been designated Coordinator for Bankruptcy Fraud Projects, Suspicious Activity Report Coordinator and Bank Secrecy Act Coordinator during the course of my career. Numerous commendations and citations have been received including testimonials from former FBI Director Louis Freeh with regard to the Dallas Bank Task Force convened in the early Nineties. Martin has lectured US Attorney offices and other appropriate audiences numerous times throughout the State of Texas on the various Money Laundering Statutes and Asset Forfeiture regulations.

 

Martin was elected to the American Academy of Forensic Science in 2003 and was certified as an Enrolled Agent eligible to practice before the IRS 2009.  His Security Clearance – Top Secret. 

 

Martin lives in Aurora, Illinois; MBA Finance – St. John’s University; BA Sociology – University of Buffalo.  Prior positions included: Deloitte Touché; Director Forensics IRS Criminal Investigation Chicago; SAC San Antonio Field Office; Director Asset Forfeiture Washington DC; ASAC North Texas Field Office; Gulf Coast Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Coordinator Houston; SSA Houston Field Office; Regional Analyst – North Atlantic Region – Manhattan; Special Agent – Manhattan Field Office; Revenue Agent – Manhattan Field Office.

 

September 15, 2009: Father Bruce Wellems, CEO—Boys Town Chicago

Fr. Bruce Wellems, a Claretian Missionary, was born March 4, 1957, the third of six siblings, and grew up in New Mexico near the mountains, where his parents live. He took every opportunity growing up to camp in those mountains and later became an Eagle Scout. He graduated from Gonzaga University (BA,’79), and came to Chicago in the fall of 1979.  He studied theology at Catholic Theological Union (M.Div,’84) and still later at University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein (D.Min,’93).  He was ordained a priest January 4, 1986.
Wellems has worked in the Back of the Yards neighborhood at Holy Cross/IHM Parish, on the near southwest side of Chicago, among immigrant families since 1990.  Valuing education and the right of the child to be cared for, Wellems set out on an ambitious task to support youth pursuing their education in a safe and healthy environment.  He started a youth choir, Marimba Ensemble and worked with members of the neighborhood based Peace and Education Coalition to establish an Alternative Public High School for youth at-risk sponsored by the Chicago Public Schools.
In 2007, after sending 50 youth to Father Flanagan’s Boys Town in Omaha, Nebraska, Wellems opened an affiliate short-term residential assessment center in the Back of the Yards. Boys Town Chicago, Inc. has expanded to serve youth not only with residential placement, but also with in-home family services.  Boys Town works with local community organizations to sustain a neighborhood threatened daily by violence.
Father Wellems is a member of the Chicago City Urban Development Board, and also serves on the Board for the City of Chicago Department of Human Services. Recognitions include: Jane Addams Medal of Honor, Peace Leaders Award, Community Builder Award, Illinois Hispanic Heritage Award, New American Community Award, and the American Red Cross Hero Award. 
When accepting the 2008 American Red Cross Hero award, Father Wellems said, “When you see the success of one child, and you know that child affects so many others, you can’t stop doing this work. The way to stop violence and bring about peace is to educate these kids.” 

 

September 8, 2009: Alex Fozailoff, Diamond Expert

Alex Fozailoff was born in Israel in 1935 and experienced that nation's War of Independence firsthand during his teenage years during 1948-1949. He completed his education with an emphasis on engineering in 1954. He subsequently worked with number of engineers and scientific innovators on adapting machine tools for precisely defined purposes by the industry of that period. His progress in that field was interrupted by 2 1/2 years of compulsory military service in the military. upon completion of his service Alex determined to further his education with an apprenticeship in diamond cutting and worked for eight years as an expert diamond cutter. Alex expertise and understanding of diamond industry raised the interest of the executive officers at one of the largest diamond manufacturers and exporters in Israel. at that time Israel was well known as the largest diamond cutting center in the world.  In 1964 these officers recruited Alex to represent their company's interests in the United States.  In 1972 he helped to establish A&B International Inc. which served the community with direct import and cutting of diamonds.   In 1976 Alex became the sole owner of this corporation, subsequently he established two additional companies including Sella Diamond Inc. and Diamond Collection Inc. which served in the overall marketing of his initial venture.  In 2006, at the age of 71, Alex retired to further pursue is love for education and presently attends Olli ( Osher life long learning) at Northwestern University School for Continuing studies. 

 

August 25, 2009: Maria E. Wynne, CEO, Girl Scouts 

Maria E. Wynne is CEO for Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, the largest Girl Scout council in the country. She is the first CEO to lead the council following a merger of seven councils on July 1, 2008. Through her life's work cultivating relationships and pioneering strategies, Maria is uniquely positioned to embrace the challenges and spotlight the achievements of our nearly 94,000 girls and 24,000 adult members. She is focused on expanding leadership opportunities for girls, as well as increasing diversity and bringing together girls from different backgrounds and communities. The council brings together vast resources that expand opportunities for girls and volunteers in 245 communities in six Illinois counties (Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kankakee, Lake and Will) and four Indiana counties (Jasper, Lake, Newton, and Porter).  In her leadership position, Maria oversees all council operations, including the work of all professional staff members and the actions of its volunteers and girl members, with the goal of further enhancing the Girl Scout Leadership Experience for all girls.   Prior to joining the Girl Scouts, Maria was senior director for the Office of Citizenship and Innovation for the US Public Sector for Microsoft Corporation. In that role she worked primarily with mayors and mayoral staffs across the country to develop programs that conquered the "digital divide." She also served as the general manager for US State and Local Government division where she led the sales organization's major strategic accounts.  Maria successes include myriad accomplishments in sales, marketing, business development and operations management for technology leaders Xerox, Microsoft, Ameritech, and Moore Corporation (now RR Donnelley). As a senior executive leader, she has held vice president and general manager roles leading sizable sales organizations serving both public and private sectors.  Maria earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, and her Master of Business Administration from Northern Illinois University. She has continued her executive development through the Center for Creative Leadership and through Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.  She is co-author of "A Road Map Toward Digital Inclusion: New Imperatives Offer Municipalities Social and Economic Opportunities" and "Innovating for Inclusion: A Digital Inclusion Guide for Those Leading the Way," groundbreaking whitepapers in the area of digital inclusion and digital literacy planning for state and local governments.  A lifelong supporter of the arts, Maria serves on the board of the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. She also serves on the advisory board for POWER, a mentoring organization for professional women.  Maria, born in the United States, was raised in Bogota, Colombia, South America, until age 15. She credits her school in Colombia, led by Franciscan Nuns from Minnesota, for having encouraged girls to think broadly and develop leadership skills. She recognizes the importance of early exposure to freeing young minds and spirits in order for children to develop a desire to pursue their full potential. Maria shares her personal mission with that of the Girl Scouts, bringing a true commitment to her desire to nurture today’s girls so they become the next generation of future women leaders.  She resides in the northwest suburbs of Illinois.

 

August 18, 2009: Tom Thayer, The Chicago Bears

For the 10th consecutive season, Chicago Bears broadcasts will be heard on WBBM Newsradio 780.  Former Bear Tom Thayer, a 13-year Bears radio veteran adds color commentary and insight to the weekly broadcasts, along with Jeff Joniak.

Originally a Bears’ fourth-round draft pick in 1983 after an All-America career at Notre Dame, Tom Thayer played for three seasons with the USFL’s Chicago Blitz and Arizona Wranglers before joining the Bears.  One of the team’s strongest players, Thayer earned his starting role at right guard four games into the 1985 season and eventually compiled consecutive game and consecutive start streaks that led the Bears during the late 1980’s.

Thayer left the Bears in 1992 after a distinguished eight-year career at offensive guard.  He retired in 1993 after one season with the Miami Dolphins.  Before joining the Bears radio team in 1997, Thayer worked for two years as a Bears analyst on WFLD-TV’s pro football programming.  A former all-state lineman at Joliet Catholic High School, Thayer resides in Chicago.

 

August 11, 2009: Jim Czerwionka, Rotary District 6450 Governor

Born and raised in Chicago, Jim Czerwionka did his undergraduate work at Chicago`s St. Mary of the Lake Seminary, his masters` work in rehabilitation counseling and in child development at the University of Pittsburgh.  Subsequently, he earned a doctorate in cognitive psychology.  His professional career was dedicated to directing residential treatment centers for emotionally disturbed adolescents, and later on, for adults with developmental disabilities.  his part-time avocation was teaching child development, psychology, research design, and business planning as an adjunct professor at various colleges and universities.
Joining the Bradley-Bourbonnais Rotary Club in 1996, Jim served as Youth Exchange Officer and Counselor, International Service Chairperson, Foundation Chairperson, and Club President.  Following a post-Soviet trip to Lithuania in 1999 as part of an all-Rotarian Group Study Exchange (GSE), Jim organized a club-to-club youth exchange project with Lithuania, plus a matching grant project to train rehabilitation professionals.
Following his trip to Lithuania, Jim became involved with the District as the GSE Chairperson for exchanges with Israel, Germany, the Philippines, India, and Brazil.  He later served as District Vocational Chairperson, as a member of the Governor Nominating Committee, and as an Assistant Governor (AG).  He and his wife, Marcia hosted seven youth exchange students over the years, participated in a Sun Oven and Literacy mission to Panama, and served as translators for a medical mission to Peru.  Recently, Jim participated in a polio immunization mission to Nigeria, and subsequently organized two matching grants for water wells.  He is a member of the Paul Harris Society, and both he and Marcia are Paul Harris Fellows and members of the Rotary Foundation Bequest Society.
Jim and Marcia have three children and four grandchildren.  Their children have been involved in Youth Exchanges to Mexico and Venezuela; and have been participants in Interact, Rotaract, and in the Ambassadorial Scholarship Program.