Meeting |
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Report |
Meeting |
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Report |
April 30, 2002 |
| Click here for photos of this Meeting | |
| President Jim called the meeting to order at
12:45 p.m. Don Carmichael introduced the guests and visiting Rotarians. Bryan
Adams reported that the health of the Club was good. He shared stories about how
children view dating and marriage. President Jim led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Howard Chadwick had us sing "God Bless America." Frank Martin gave the invocation. Our president introduced the head table which included Jerry Blanchard, Harry Weatherly, David Lewis, Jeff Wise, and Ed Kizer who introduced our speaker, James Fain. Fain is the North Carolina Secretary of Commerce. He was appointed to the position in 2001 by Governor Mike Easley. Prior to his appointment he was Assistant Secretary of Commerce. Before he entered public service, he spent his career in banking. James grew up in Hendersonville and is a graduate of Chapel Hill. Fain began his remarks by recognizing a number of friends and associates who were in the audience. He went on to tell the story of beginning his banking career in Charlotte in 1975 with First Union. Within a short period of time he was asked to move to High Point to head up the bank there. He and his wife discussed the opportunity and came to the conclusion that they really loved Charlotte and did not want to leave. He spoke with his boss and told him that he did not want to leave Charlotte. His boss said that he wanted him to talk to the CEO about it. He spoke with Ted Sumner and Ted told him that he and his wife had felt the same way about Charlotte when they were asked to move. He went on to say that back in those days if the bank asked you to move, you moved. Needless to say, they moved to High Point. Fain told the audience that he wanted to cover three areas in his talk. The three areas are the Department of Commerce, successful economic development, and what this means to Charlotte. He stated that he views the Department of Commerce as a business, that his department is developing a sales and service mentality and has been reengineered to be more effective and efficient. The three values or 3 C's they live by are change, collaboration and communication. The Department of Commerce needs to be proactive, knowledgeable, and targeted in everything they do, not unlike a Rotary member's business. He went on to speak about economic development. The department has a Recruiting Division, Existing Business Division, International Division and an affiliation with the Board of Science and Technology. He stated that the four cornerstones of economic development include: (1) maintaining a good business climate, (2) an excellent work force, (3) attractive communities, (4) investing in science and technology. He stated that we are doing well in all four. In fact, North Carolina was recently ranked number one in a trade journal for best business climate. He then spoke about the Commerce Department activities for the Charlotte region. The Commerce Department invests a million dollars a year in promoting international nights from London and Frankfurt to Charlotte. In addition, it also promotes Charlotte to the film industry. It promotes a state-wide science/ technology footprint as opposed to just the Research Triangle. He underlined this point with his recent visit to UNC-Charlotte. He concluded his talk stating that Charlotte's growth and progress is very important to all of North Carolina. Fain then entertained some questions from the audience. This was followed by President Jim thanking him and concluding the meeting. * * * |
New Member
2002 Real Estate, Residential Prudential Carolinas Realty4529 Sharon Rd. (28211) 704-366-5548 FAX 704-365-5735 e-mail: mrash@prudentialcarolinas.com Mike Rash is the area president for Prudential Carolinas Realty. He is responsible for strategic planning and growth for the Residential, Commercial and Relocation Divisions for the greater Charlotte region. Prudential Carolinas Realty has 21 offices with 920 sales associates serving the Triad, Triangle and Charlotte areas. Before becoming president of the Charlotte region, Mike started his real estate career in Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1979 as a sales associate. In 1985, he moved into management with Merrill Lynch Realty, opening the Cary, N.C., office. In 1989, he transferred to Lakeland, Florida, with Merrill Lynch to manage the residential office in Lakeland. In 1991, Mike transferred back to the Carolinas and managed the Prudential Carolinas Realty Southpark office for seven years before he was promoted to his current position. A native of Charlotte, Mike graduated from Myers Park High School in 1965. After graduation, Mike joined the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam where he was a doorgunner on a helicopter. After his tour with the Army, he returned to Charlotte and attended college and began a career in sales. He has been married for 23 years to Lila, a native of Shelby, N.C. The Rashes are members of First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte and spend much of their free time in the North Carolina mountains at Leatherwood riding their horses. In addition to work and family, Mike has served as past president of the Charlotte Regional Realtor Association and as board member of Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, has completed Leadership Charlotte and has been American Lung Association director and Lake Wylie Sertoma Club past president. Welcome to Charlotte Rotary, Mike. * * * POWELL'SOBSERVATIONS
POWELL MAJORS Jan Thompson addressed domestic violence in a feedback article on the editorial page of the "Observer."Rusty Brink is launching a two-year campaign to raise $35 million for the Presbyterian Hospital Foundation. Luther Fincher thanked the business community for the funds provided to aid the Charlotte Fire Department in becoming the first response team in North Carolina certified in urban search and rescue in an article on the editorial pages of the "Business Journal." Jerry Orr's response to a federal agent who wanted to close the airport upon finding one metal detector unplugged—"This is stupid"—was noted in the April 8th issue of "Time." John Lassiter wrote an article for the "Business Journal" in support of Eric Smith. Lassiter stated among other things that Smith has been recognized as the best in his profession when very few high quality leaders exist. Mark Norman grew very excited when the membership of the area's newest "Y" topped 1000. Thomas Moore is quoted in the April 2002 issue of "Parents" magazine giving advice on how to nurture toddlers' confidence. He suggests to notice and respond to children's preferences. Hal Bouton has announced his retirement for August 2003. For two decades he has been the VP and General Manager of WTVI. In letters to the Editor of the "Observer": Sadler Barnhardt pointed out that the Duke mansion was in Myers Park, not Eastover as reported in a column on public life in Carolina.Tony Marciano told how treatment is very limited for uninsured drug abusers. Byron Billiard suggests an increase in alcohol and tobacco taxes as one way to help the state solve its deficit problem. Ric Cannada, a former member, has been appointed as the third president of the Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. Mike Whitehead's firm has been chosen to provide leadership development for local attorneys. Sessions will be held at the Duke mansion. * * * |
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