Events

In September 2021, former branch manager and customer service manager Jaime Prothro returned to Wichita to become the city's director of libraries. Prothro was most recently customer experience director for the library system in Pierce County, Wash. Before leaving for the Tacoma area, Prothro had worked for a decade in the Wichita Public Library system under former director Cynthia Berner, who retired a year ago. Prothro was the branch manager at the Evergreen library.

Prothro has a Master of Library Studies degree from Emporia State University. She was the 2011 recipient of the Kansas Library Association Presidential Award for Library Personnel, and five years before that was Kansas Library Association's new professional of the year.

Bob Neier was raised on a Kiowa County farm southwest of Mullinville KS. He worked with local leaders in the planning, fundraising and restoring the Fromme-Birney Round Barn in the 1990’s.  He is on the board of the Kansas Barn Alliance, a group that teaches and  promotes barn restoration throughout the state of Kansas. In the presentation we will explore methods of preserving rural buildings and view barns that you can add to your schedule when traveling around Kansas.

Dave Abbott is a Postal Nomad.  His first mentor asked him if he wanted to have 40 years of Postal Experience or one year Postal Experience 40 times over???   I chose the former. (1966-2005)

Distribution/Window Clerk: Wichita KS

Postal Inspection Service: St Louis Postal Data Center

Postal Finance/Human Resources:  St Joseph MO, Salina KS,  Kansas City MO

District Director Finance: Atlanta GA (covered States of Alabama and Georgia)

Faculties and Procurement: Wichita Division (state of Kansas and Eastern Colorado)

Postmaster: Shawnee Mission and Leavenworth

WARNING:  This path can be very hard on the family, but my wife stayed with me and we celebrate number 54 this year.  We have one son David J who lives in Connecticut.

Dave has been a Rotarian since 1990 in five different clubs [Shawnee Mission, Johnson County, Leavenworth, West Sedgwick County Sunrise, and West Wichita].  He is Past President of the Leavenworth and Sunrise Club.   He is currently serving as Global Grant Chair for District 5680.

Military Service- Kansas National Guard, US Army Reserve (1970-1976)  US Marine Reserve (1983-1988)

Jeremy Kindy is the Director of Philanthropy for Kansas Children’s Service League.  He has worked with KCSL for 4 years and has been a professional fundraiser in the Wichita area for 17 years.  Jeremy graduated from Bethel College in North Newton KS in 1998 and has been married to his wife Becky and lived in Newton KS for the last 25 years.  In his free time he golfs, plays frisbee golf, sings in a barbershop chorus and serves as a Trustee at his local church. He is working for KCSL because he learned to be a servant leader from his parents as they served as foster parents for infants who needed care.  Jeremy is not only here today to speak to us about KCSL but is also considering joining the Rotary.

Kansas Children’s Service League has been operating in Kansas for 129 years.  They are the official chapter in Kansas for Prevent Child Abuse America.  The mission statement for KCSL is to protect and promote the well-being of children.  KCSL walks alongside families who are raising children to help support and resource parents.

Jonathan Clayton currently serves as the Director of Economic Recovery for the Kansas Department of Commerce. He oversees the administration and development of programs funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that are directed through the Kansas Department of Commerce. He joined the agency in 2020 as the In-State Business Development Regional Project Manager for Southwest Kansas, serving 18 counties. He aided Kansas businesses and helped new businesses invest over $1 billion in capital investment for 2021. He also served as the Certified Sites Program Manager for the state, providing guidance and direction for public and private landowners to certify land eligible for economic development projects. He obtained both his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and his Master of Professional Studies in Political Management from Fort Hays State University. Jonathan’s office is located within the Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation at the Depot Train Station in Dodge City.

Today is the last club meeting for our 2021-22 Rotary year. Committee Chairs will present highlights of their committee's activities and the gavel will be passed to incoming Club President, Joey Timmer.
Our thanks to Club President, Randy Bowles, and our Board, for their leadership!
Rolling Hills Country Club is not availabe for us to meet the next two weeks so plan to join us for our Semi-Annual Committee Meetings on July 12th, 12:00 noon, at Pizza Ranch, 21st & Tyler.
If anyone wants to switch committees for the new year (we especially could use more members on the Club Service Committee!) please let Diane know TODAY.

2021 - 2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President - Randy Bowles
President-Elect - Joey Timmer
Secretary - Jon Roper
Treasurer - Sean Babjak
Club Service - Kandace Day
Community Service - Jodi Besthorn
International Service - Mark Hansen
Vocational Service – Scott Hinderliter
Foundation - Monty Allen
Membership & Public Relations - Mindy Wagner 
Immediate Past President - Colin McKenney

When you arrive at Pizza Ranch, go through the line to get your food & let them know you are with our Rotary club. Come to our meeting room and sit with your committee to plan activities for the new Rotary year.

Dan Dillon was raised on a farm west of Omaha.  After graduation from the University of Nebraska, Dan worked at an all-news radio station in Omaha. Two years later, Dan became the news director at KFDI Radio in Wichita.   

In 2013, Dan moved from KFDI to the Sedgwick County Courthouse to be the Media Coordinator for District Attorney Marc Bennett. 

Dan and his wife Carol are the parents of Lindsay Crawford. They have two grandchildren, 10 year old Vayda and 7 year old Pierce.

Breana Tucker, LMSW is the Program Director for the Central and Western Kansas chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and has been with the Chapter for over 6 years.   Breana holds degrees in social work and psychology and Breana has 8 years of experience working in the social service area. This includes community outreach, family support and consultation, community and professional education, program design and administration, support group facilitation, and direct care services.  

Lorrie Beck, Community Educator, Central & Western Kansas Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. Well before Lorrie moved to Wichita from Denver, Colorado in 2001, she knew something wasn't quite right with her mother's memory.  Her family struggled with how to deal with these memory issues until they sought out a geriatric specialist who officially diagnosed her mother with Alzheimer's Disease in January 2013. Later that year, her parents - who had been living in rural central Kansas - were convinced to move to Wichita to live with Lorrie. Four months after moving into Lorrie's house, her father suffered a major stroke and 4 weeks later, he died of complications. After his death, Lorrie told her sister she would retire early from the Great Plains Nature Center in order to care for her mother at home. Before her retirement from the US Fish & Wildlife Service in December 2014, Lorrie used Larksfield Place's Memory Care - Adult Day program to help her juggle work and care for her mother. Lorrie cared for her mother in her home for nearly 5 years until April 1, 2019, when Alzheimer's Disease progressed to the point where Lorrie and her sister were unable to continue to care for their mother in her home. Lorrie's mother is currently a resident of a memory care facility here in Wichita. Lorrie has been a volunteer with the Alzheimer's Association since August, 2018. 

Ashley Opliger is the President and Executive Director of Bridget’s Cradles 501c3 nonprofit in Wichita, Kansas. Her daughter, Bridget, was stillborn at 24 weeks gestation in 2014. Ashley’s mother had knit a cradle that allowed her family to hold Bridget on the day she was born. After realizing there was a need for hospitals and bereaved families to have a dignified way to hold tiny babies born into Heaven, Ashley left her career as a Speech-Language Pathologist and started the nonprofit in her daughter’s empty nursery. 

Under Ashley’s leadership, Bridget’s Cradles has grown in seven years from first donating cradles to their local hospital to now serving over 1,250 hospitals in all 50 states. From their headquarters in Kechi, Bridget’s Cradles comforts over 26,000 bereaved families each year. Ashley’s vision is to one day provide cradles, support, and the hope of the Gospel to every family who loses a baby.

Ashley leads Hope Gatherings, monthly Christ-centered support groups in Kansas and online for women throughout the country. She also organizes the Wave of Light, an annual event on October 15th, Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day, that impacts hundreds of grieving families. Ashley regularly speaks at women’s Bible studies, bereavement and nursing conferences, and makes appearances on local news stations and nationwide faith-based podcasts. She is also the host of the award-winning podcast, Cradled in Hope, that releases biweekly Gospel-focused episodes for grieving parents.

Steve Schaumburg was born in Oklahoma, went to high school at both Buhler and McPherson, traveled West for community college in Colby, and then graduated college at Wichita State. After college, his career included 8 years working in advertising agencies and more than 30 years in marketing and communications, sales, and fundraising roles within the financial services, higher education, and healthcare industries. His career took him to Oklahoma City, Sacramento, Dallas, Tulsa, and then Fort Lauderdale before making the decision to “boomerang” back to Wichita about 4 years ago to be near aging parents. Upon his return to Wichita, Steve joined The Nature Conservancy where he works with individuals, foundations, and corporations that share The Conservancy’s commitment to “protect the lands and waters on which all life depends.”

A dynamic duo, Cody Hanna and Kennady King, are the masterminds behind Victory Pyrotechnics and Special Effects. Although they both wear many hats, they serve Victory in unique ways that have contributed to its success today.

From Clearwater, Kansas, Cody Hanna founded Victory Pyrotechnics in the winter of 2017. It fulfilled one of his life-long dreams to bring extravagant and immersive fireworks displays to the Midwest. Victory Pyrotechnics sets itself apart by creating shows that combine pyrotechnics effects, special effects, music, and lighting to create an experience and tell a story. Cody, a graduate of Kansas State University, serves as the visionary for all that we do. He is seated as the Director of Business Development, where he walks clients through our Ultimate Client Experience and leads the design and operations teams to execute top-notch shows across the state of Kansas.

After a class in college and an immediate friendship (or alliance, depends on how you look at it), Kennady King joined Cody’s efforts to create a brand and a customer experience in the entertainment and, specifically, the pyrotechnics space.

After graduating from Kansas State University, Kennady joined Victory as the lead integrator. She works as the Marketing and Events Coordinator, where she maintains Victory’s strong brand position, plays a hand in all marketing efforts, and assists with people operations.

We are so excited to be speaking with all of you and introducing you to our unique business and the ways we strive to innovate in our space!

Club President, Joey Timmer, and President-Elect, Colby Reynolds, have compiled the results of our recent Club Survey and will present that to the club for discussion today. Thanks to those who took the time to fill out the survey! We also have several presentations planned, along with...drum roll, please....the annual Paul Harris Fellow group drawing and the drawing for the week's stay in the Bowles' Colorado house! 

Joe Terick,  Black Hills Energy, 2330 N. Hoover Rd.   

Sean Babjak, Rod Brown, Bob Bundy, Ed Frey, Brian Goudie, , Vern Klassen, Phil Michel, John Oswald, Bruce Pearson, Dale Rein, Joey Timmer

Annie Pfeifer, JP Weigand & Sons, 4050 N. Ridge Rd.                                                  

Dave Abbott, Christy Barnett, Jodi Besthorn, Bob Broeckelman, Terry Gardner, Scott Hinderliter, Dan Kreis, Jon Roper, Allan Sands, Wade West, Diane Walker

Jacob Beckman, Rhoden Roofing, 320 S. Laura                                                   

Heidi Bowen, Randy Bowles, Roger Bowles, Mark Chamberlin, Bob Goebel, Cindy Hand, John Mosley, DeAnn Sullivan, Mindy Wagner, Sharon West

Ivanhoe Love, Jr. retired from the United States Army on September 12, 1990, after completing 28 years of service. While in the military service, Mr. Love attained the highest enlisted rank possible: Command Sergeant Major, a position he held for over 10 years. His service to his country saw him with two tours of duty in Vietnam and four tours in Europe. Mr. Love was the first African American Sergeant Major to be assigned to the Military Science Department at the University of Texas at Arlington. He was also the first African American Command Sergeant Major to be selected for the United States Military Academy at West Point. Mr. Love’s awards include the Silver Star Medal, 3 awards of the Bronze Star Medal, 3 awards of the Meritorious Service Medal. Since his retirement from the military in 1990, Mr. Love has continued being a public servant. He established the community corrections program within the 26th judicial district in 1991. During the same period, he was appointed by the Governor of Kansas to be Seward County’s first African American County Commissioner, a position he held for one year. Mr. Love developed a program to help at risk youth within the community. The program, Adolescent Support Services has been recognized by the governor as one of the state’s most innovative programs in Kansas. In 2012, Mr. Love developed a truancy program for Seward County and in 2015 a youth (teen) court program. Mr. Love was elected to the City Commission in 1992 and served one year as Vice-Mayor and three terms as Mayor of Liberal, Kansas from April 1998 to April 2001. He graduated from Leadership Liberal in 1992 and was elected to the board of trustees in 1993. He has served on the board of the American Red Cross, the high school site council, a director of Citizens State Bank for over 12 years, a trustee for the Douglas A. Smith Masonic Lodge, a Rotarian, and is a former member of the board of directors of the Seward County Historical Society. Mr. Love is currently a trustee on the hospital board at Southwest Medical Center, chairman of Focus on the Future (an oversight committee of the one cent sales tax) and chairman of the Northeast Liberal Leadership Group (N.E.L.L.). He has two sons, Sean Bedford and Ivanhoe Love III. Ivanhoe joined the Rotary Club of Liberal in 1992 A Paul Harris fellow second award recipient He served as President-Elect 2017-2018 Club President 2018-2019 District Governor Nominee 2020-2021 District Governor Elect 21-22 District Governor 22-23. Ivanhoe says that Rotary has become a way of life and is looking forward to working with other Rotarians imagining the good that Rotary will do in our communities our state and around the world. 

NXTUS, Inc is a catalyst for the region’s startup ecosystem. At our essence, we serve as a nexus for entrepreneurs, investors, corporate partners, and the community at-large. Our primary aim is to achieve the ‘next us’ by growing startups, strengthening innovation culture and building support systems. Based out of Wichita, we collaborate with other entrepreneur support organizations, government agencies, economic development groups, corporate innovators, and, most of all, founders and investors to positively impact and advance the economy, culture and vitality in our Midwest region.

Mary Beth Jarvis joined in August 2019 to launch the NXTSTAGE Pilot Competition, which challenges global startups to bring innovative solutions to Kansas businesses and communities.Previously, she was President and CEO of Wichita Festivals, Inc. which produces diverse community celebrations, including Riverfest, one of the 40 largest outdoor events in the world. For 15 years prior to that, she was at Koch Industries, Inc., with roles that included Director of Public & International Affairs and Vice President of the Public Affairs Division. Before that, she was a Captain in the U.S. Air Force. Mary Beth is an active community volunteer and director for organizations including the Greater Wichita YMCA, Visit Wichita and the University of Notre Dame’s Class of 1990. Ingram’s recognized her as one of 50 Kansans You Should Know, and the Wichita Business Journal named her a Women in Business, Newsmaker, Innovator and 40 Under 40 Hall of Fame honoree.

Quinn Robertson is a graduate of the University of Arkansas with his Master’s of Accountancy. He began his career at Koch Industries in a Strategy and Innovation capability and then spent 3 years creating and growing a digital transformation capability. While at Koch, he got first-hand experience in working with and evaluating startups for enterprise use and investment as well as how to build a product and service from the ground floor. Quinn joined the NXTUS team in late 2019 focused on continuing to grow and develop Accelerate Venture Partners as well as the continuing to grow NXTUS’ Capital focused programming.

Major Donald E. Peacock, II is the Director of Safety for the Kansas Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (NCR-KS-001).

Major Peacock is a retired Air Force Command Pilot with over 5,000 flight hours in the T-34, T-1, E-6, KC-35 and F-15 aircraft. Major Peacock has combat experience in both OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM and OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.

In 1993, Major Peacock married the love of his life, the former Ms. Charlene Kauffman of Newaygo, Michigan. They operate a small hobby farm outside Wichita, KS and are blessed with eight children, Jacob-25, Jarod-24, Haley-22, Hannah-19, Joshua-19, Hope-16, Josiah-14 and Hattie-13.

Major Peacock initially joined the Civil Air Patrol in 2001 while stationed at Vance AFB, OK and was active with the Cadet Programs and Emergency Services missions. He was qualified as a Transport Mission Pilot. He rejoined the Civil Air Patrol upon arrival in Wichita in 2010.

Upon retiring from the US Air Force in 2013, Major Peacock started working as a simulator instructor pilot with FlightSafety International in the Cessna 500 series aircraft. In 2018, he transferred to the Air Force’s newest tanker program, the KC-46 Pegasus at McConnell Air Force Base where he continues today.

A Color Guard team will be joining Major Peacock to present colors for our meeting opening today.

Cindy Carnahan has lived in Wichita her entire life and is proud to be a part of the Wichita area community. Cindy is a passionate fan and supporter of her alma mater, Wichita State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Cindy currently serves on the National Advisory Council and the Barton School of Business. Following graduation, Cindy went on to teach in the Wichita Public School System for a short time before going to work with her mother and father in the family-owned business, Ed Clarke Company Realtors®. Cindy devoted herself to the family business, expanding her knowledge and experiences and learning the best of the Real Estate business for 14 years. Cindy decided to broaden her experience by going to work for her biggest competitor and the largest Real Estate company in Wichita, J.P. Weigand & Sons. Cindy has a reputation for tenacity and dedication to customer service. Today, with more than 48 years of Real Estate experience, Cindy has started Reece Nichols South Central Kansas. Cindy is widely recognized as one of Wichita’s most successful entrepreneurs and The Carnahan Group has been the #1 Team in South Central Kansas for more than two decades. Her knowledge and skills are unparalleled. Cindy is an avid gardener, and her hobby has now become a passion for beauty in downtown Wichita. Flowers on Douglas is now rounding out their fifth year.

It's no secret that the media landscape has changed drastically, not only in the last couple of decades, but even in the last couple of years. That's cause for complaint on many levels, but is it justified? Is there anything that can be done about it? Carrie tackles the hard questions in what's sure to be an enlightening and provocative talk.

Michigan native Carrie Rengers was an Arkansas transplant before moving to Wichita in late 2002 when she joined her husband, former Wichita Eagle food editor Joe Stumpe, at the publication. She started the Have You Heard? business column with stories of what's opening and closing around the city. Since then, she's broken a lot of business news and has written on numerous other topics, including everything from serious subjects, such as COVID-19, to fun stories, such as what it's like to raise backyard chickens. She and Joe live in Riverside with their chickens, Slim Shady, Jamie Lee Curtis and Penny Lane.
 
 

Rachel Banning, Orpheum Performing Arts Centre’s Executive Director. She is also an entrepreneur and collaborator who is passionate about finding new and innovative ways to grow projects and people. She is a Wichita native, Wichita State University graduate and together with her husband owns a small durable medical company.

Stacee Olden, Orpheum Performing Arts Centre’s Development Director. Stacee is by nature a genuine relationship builder, with cultivation and collaboration at the core of her development efforts. She feels all paths have led her to the Orpheum where her passion lives and she is thrilled to be here to bring this grand theatre to her restored glory and continue showcasing first class performing arts in ICT. 

Today's presentation: For 100 years the Orpheum has been a cornerstone in the heart of Wichita, providing lively entertainment and elevating the SOUL of our downtown. Olden will reflect on the grandeur and impact this iconic landmark has had on our community and Banning will share how the theatre is using technology to further restoration.

Robert Mendoza is the Director of Public Works for the City of Derby, Kansas. He serves a vibrant, growing community that continues to take a leadership role in the metropolitan area development. Robert has 30 years of municipal management experience and has worked in many communities across Kansas. He specializes in infrastructure and public utility management and parks and recreation development.

He is a member of the Derby Rotary Club and has held several leadership positions including Governor of District 5690 in 2017/18. He served as Club President, Assistant Governor and District Rotary Foundation Chair for Districts 5690 and District 5680. He now serves as the Assistant Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator (ARRFC) for Zones 25B and 29. He works directly with Rotary Districts across the Zone as they create and implement grant projects throughout the world.

Today, Robert will enlighten us with “the rest of the story” about life after being District Governor; finding your place and real opportunities to serve and help Rotary and Rotarians achieve their goals.

Four Ukrainian leaders participating in the Open World Program will spend November 4-12 in Wichita examining the theme: Administration of Healthcare Facilities. The delegates will be hosted by Rotarians from the West, East and Downtown clubs.

While in Wichita, the delegates will meet with local leaders to share ideas and experience for supporting their work in Ukraine. Their program includes visits at the Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Starkey, Ascension Via Christi hospitals, Red Cross, the Kansas Health Foundation, Catholic Care Center, Guadalupe Clinic, Homehealth and Hospice, Medical Loan Closet, Resthaven Mortuary and with several medical practitioners (dentist, chiropractor, pediatrician, podiatrist, family practice). Cultural activities are planned for them as well, including dinners with Rotary families, shopping, an evening at Chicken and Pickle, and museums including the new health exhibit at Exploration Place.

Funded almost entirely by the U.S. Congress, Open World links delegates to their counterparts and is an instrument for Americans engaged in citizen diplomacy. This International Service project supports all of the seven areas of focus for Rotary: Supporting Education, Saving Mothers and Children, Fighting Disease, Providing Clean Water and Sanitation, Growing Local Economies, Protecting the Environment; and especially Promoting Peace.

The team from Ukraine will be presenting a program to our club today and on Wednesday noon, Nov 9, at the East Wichita Rotary Club at the Wichita Country Club. They will share their knowledge and first-hand experience of what it’s like being in the medical profession at times of war. They will be introduced at the Downtown Rotary Club meeting on Monday noon, Nov 7, at Botanica and will be available after the meeting to meet attendees.