Events

Brad Smith

• Started in the food business age 14 doing dishes.
• First food handling job age 16.
• Culinary arts degree mid 80's.
• Tried to run away from the food business.  Coined the term 'restaurant refugee' 😏.
• Went back to school for Environmental Health.
• Over a year later I found out this degree gets you a job as a health inspector....And found myself back in the restaurants 🙄.
• Been a health inspector since 1991.

Fate had already decided I belonged in the food business.  49 years later I got no complaints.  It's been a fun ride 😉.

Sort of a love / hate relationship at times, but I'm happy it was the 'bug that bit me' for a career.

Now I find myself living in paradise coasting through my final working years with the best clientele in the state of Michigan (!) 

Dean Schultz and his K9 partner, Dara, along with Steve Poort and his K9 partner, Greta, will share security measures taken to keep passengers safe on the Badger.

With summer ramping up, it's an opportune time to hear from Visit Manitowoc about events, attractions, and amenities in Manitowoc.  What’s going on at the other side of the Badger crossing. 

Courtney was hired as Director of Tourism in February 2022 and immediately began building up the new destination marketing organization. In her role, Courtney directs the overall marketing and sales efforts for Visit Manitowoc. Courtney first dove into the tourism industry when she served the state as Miss Wisconsin 2016. Following this unique position, Courtney continued her career in various roles first in Madison and later in the Manitowoc area in marketing, branding, public relations and fund development. A Manitowoc native, Courtney is committed to serving and growing the community. Courtney served as an Alderwoman for the City of Manitowoc from 2019-2021 and is currently on the Chamber of Manitowoc Board of Directors, Progress Lakeshore marketing committee, Rahr-West Art Museum Board of Directors, and Young Professionals of Manitowoc County. She is also a member of various events committees across Manitowoc and continues to volunteer within the Miss America Organization.

Dr. Taylor received an undergraduate and graduate degree from The University of Michigan, a Doctorate from The University of North Texas, Denton, and was a postdoctoral research fellow, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

He was a research scientist and manager at the Johnson Space Center for twenty-nine years.

In addition to conducting several inflight experiments and serving as the flight crew and lunar sample microbiologist, and managing the NASA immunology program, he was also the director of the microbiology laboratory, the clinical laboratories, the cell image analysis laboratory, and the flow cytometry laboratory.  He was also the science manager for several spaceflight missions, and was SpaceLab mission scientist for the third space life sciences space shuttle flight.

Dr. Taylor was also adjunct professor for the following:  The department of pathology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston; The University of Houston, Clear Lake where he taught immunology and genetics; and the department of microbiology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins.

Crown and Cork
502 W. Loomis St.
Ludington

HANWASH (Haiti National Clean Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Initiative) is a collaborative national initiative to provide thoughtfully managed sustainable clean water and sanitation to all the citizens of Haiti, along with the associated health, community and economic benefits.  This initiative is led by Rotary International District 7020 and DINEPA (the Haitian Government’s National Directorate for Water Supply and Sanitation), along with other non-governmental organization (NGO) partners, such as Haiti Outreach and Pure Water for the World.

The HANWASH Board of Directors hired Ryan Rowe, a Rotary International Peace Fellow, as its first full-time Executive Director in March of 2021.  Ryan has a wealth of professional experiences in business and the nonprofit sectors, including advising the Governments of Haiti and Malawi on policies for safe drinking-water, directing a non-profit in the United Arab Emirates, leading the digital transformation of a philanthropic foundation, and establishing a US$630 million Middle East-focused infrastructure investment fund.

Since 2009, the Lakeshore Children's Advocacy Center has provided a child-centered environment for children and their families who have experienced sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, or if a child has been a witness to violence.  The Lakeshore CAC serves Manistee county and Mason county.

Megan McCarthy has served as the executive director of the Lakeshore Children’s Advocacy Center since 2019. Her duties include program development, staff supervision, grant writing/reporting/management, fundraising, donor engagement, marketing and communications, strategic planning, and performing back-of-the-house duties to keep the CAC running smoothly.

For patients who can’t travel commercially, Wings of Mercy is a unique, nonprofit organization providing free air transportation to distant medical centers.  Peter VandenBosch founded Wings of Mercy in 1991, and since then, we’ve flown over 8,000 missions.
 

Grace Spelde (spel-dee), Managing Director of Wings of Mercy.  Grace has been with the organization for 13 years.  Grace says "I am a transplanted Texan; my children grew up in West Michigan, and now my grandchildren are here so I guess I am staying.  I am not a pilot, but I know some really good ones😊.  I came to know about Wings of Mercy through my husband. He worked for a company with a C414 that was used for Wings missions.  I love being a part of the organization because it allows me to put my Christian Faith into action."

Expect a fun program, sure to make you hungry!

Whitney Atchetee is a visiting Rotarian from the Abbeville, Louisiana club.  A Rotarian for 35+ years and Past President, Whitney practiced physical therapy for 45 years; 5 years in Lexington, Kentucky, and 40 years of private practice in Abbeville.  He is married to Deborah.  They have 2 children and 2 grandchildren.  Whitney is a master gardener and wood worker.  Today, Whitney will tell us about another of his passions, The Giant Omelette.

 

• Genevieve Lux – 12th grade Ludington High School
• Kylee Johnson – 11^th grade Ludington High School
• Nadia Grierson – 11^th grade Ludington High School

"Edgar Struble is a film producer, music director, author, performer, and public speaker who works in a wide range of media, with a focus in television and film. Respected in the industry for his discerning leadership, talent, and warm personality, he brings exceptional organizational ability and a passion for creativity to every project."

Karalee Bradshaw, Executive Director
Chelsea Hasse, Director of Development 

Karalee Bradshaw: Karalee is the Executive Director at COVE and has been with the organization for over 5 years. Karalee was born and raised in Mason County and holds a Master's Degree in Social Work from Michigan State University. She is a passionate leader for her team and for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

Chelsea Hasse: Chelsea is the Development Director at COVE and just recently celebrated her 1 year anniversary. Chelsea Spent her life vacationing in Oceana and Mason county enough that it always felt like home. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. 

Jeff joined the Fremont Rotary club in 2013. He was introduced to Rotary by PDG Tom Schmidt. He served as his club’s president during the 2015-2016 Rotary year. Following his term as president he served as AG for 5 years. Jeff has served as AG Coordinator. He has also served on the District Foundation committee, the District Grants committee and chaired the District 50/50 Foundation raffle for 2 years. He also serves on the 6290 Champion District HANWASH committee and is currently the DGE for District 6290. Jeff is also a member of the Paul Harris Society.

Jeff was a board member of the River Country Chamber of Commerce in Newaygo for several years. One of his duties was to chair the chamber marketing committee.

Jeff graduated from Ferris State University. He had a career in sales and sales management. He was involved in the sales of various types of communications and data equipment.

Jeff enjoys woodworking, boating, and traveling with his wife Jan. He and Jan live in Newaygo. Jeff has 2 children and 2 grandchildren. Jan says most conversations with Jeff include 2 things: Rotary and the grandchildren.

Jack Greve was hired at the new Executive Director of the Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers Association in December of 2022.

Prior to his hire, Jack served the communities in Berrien County for nearly 8 years as the Executive Director and Curator of the North Berrien Historical Museum. During this time, he installed several exhibits including a display on the machines that created veneer baskets for the Michigan fruit industry, and an operational letterpress print shop.

While attending Western Michigan University to obtain his Public History degree, Jack was an active member of the Western Sailing Team. His passion for history and for being on the water aligned him well for the position at Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers Association.

Vans Stevenson, once a cub reporter for the Ludington Daily News turned Senior Vice President, State Government Affairs for the Motion Picture Association of America.

Vans is a lifelong Epworth cottager who will fill us in on his fascinating career of lobbying for the film industry. 

This meeting will be held at Epworth.  

Jamie Bandstra - Director of Career and Technical Education, West Shore ESD
Shannon Miller, CTE Culinary Instructor

Jonnie J Sam II, Director
Historic Preservation Department
NAGPRA Representative
Self Governance Coordinator

Ellen Plummer, LMSW, is a member of the West Michigan Community Health senior management team as Chief Healthcare Integration Officer (CHIO). Ellen joined WMCMHS in October 2010 and has worked as a case manager for individuals with developmental disabilities, supervisor for home-based services, and team leader for family and children’s services. She earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Grand Valley State University and a Master of Social Work from Michigan State University. As CHIO, Ellen provides leadership to the core areas of utilization management, access and planning while also driving organizational philosophy on integrated care, clinical assessment, person-center planning, recovery and trauma-informed care.