The Honorable Richard Moore
North Carolina Treasurer

     Richard Hancock Moore was elected State Treasurer in 2000.  Born and raised in Granville County, he is an honors graduate of Wake Forest University and Wake Forest Law School, and also holds a graduate degree in Accounting and Finance from the London School of Economics.
      As State Treasurer, Richard Moore is sole fiduciary for over $60 billion in public monies and state investments, oversees the pension funds for nearly 600,000 public sector employees, and is responsible for the management of the public debt of state and local governments.  In addition, the Treasurer serves on many boards and commissions, including the State Board of Education and the State Board of Community Colleges.
      Treasurer Moore has been a national leader in the fight to protect shareholder rights in the wake of Wall Street corporate abuse.  He is the author of protection principles that have been adopted by pension fund managers across the county and his efforts have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Business Week, and numerous other worldwide publications.   Treasurer Moore has been active in increasing financial literacy among North Carolinians.  Through partnerships with groups such as AARP, 4-H and the North Carolina Council of Economic Education, Treasurer Moore works with North Carolinians of all ages to assist them in gaining the knowledge necessary to make smart financial decisions for themselves and their families.
      Before becoming State Treasurer, Richard Moore served as Chief Executive of the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, which includes the State Highway Patrol, National Guard, and State Emergency Management.  While Secretary, Richard led North Carolina’s extraordinary response and recovery from two major winter storms and five hurricanes, all presidentially declared disasters, including the states most devastating and destructive storms this century, Hurricanes Fran and Floyd.    Treasurer Richard Moore’s career in public service also includes appointments as a law clerk with the U.S. District Courts and as a federal prosecutor, successfully prosecuting numerous white collar and environmental criminals.  He has also served in the North Carolina House of Representatives.
      These items of interest were drawn from Richard’s presentation:

·         The position of State Treasurer of North Carolina has had only 13 office holders in our States history, and Richard’s is only the third in the past 55 years.

·         The State Treasurer oversees the retirement funds of 1 in 8 North Carolinians.

·         Charlotte and Mecklenburg County possess a Triple A credit rating.

·         60% of the tax revenue generated in North Carolina goes toward Education, which supports our Universities and Community Colleges.

·         Population growth in North Carolina generated by migration to our state has been a budget strain.

·         Escheats and unclaimed property currently totals $500 million owed to 5 million people.

     In Richard’s closing he read the names of many Rotarians who had not claimed money from this unclaimed fund.  As a special surprise Sandy Osborne gave him the names of our rotary club members, which resulted in $38,000 that the State owed to various members.  What a gift!
     Head Table: David Anderson, Brenda Lea, Jim Alexander, David Erdman, David Zimmerman; Invocation: Bob Brietz.
     Visitors & Guests: Martin Waters; Health & Happiness: Worth Williamson; Song: David Erdman.

*    *   *

DID YOU KNOW ...

z 4^th Quarter Invoices must be paid immediately in order to close out the 2002-2003 Rotary year.

z Jerry Orr can’t recall taking more than a day or two of vacation.  But being a workaholic doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a life.  As quoted in The Business Journal, Jerry says “It’s just, my life is the airport.”

z Joel Walters will expand his role as regional managing director for the Charlotte region in Wachovia’s wealth management division, adding territory in Western North Carolina from Hickory to Asheville.  In this position, Joel has overall responsibility for the delivery of estate planning and financial planning, insurance, investment management, charitable, and private banking services in the region.

z While commenting on taming your time, City Manager Pam Syfert says getting away is “absolutely vital” and before going, “I try to get all the loose ends tied up.”

z Wishes for a speedy recovery are extended to John Rogers as he recuperates from surgery.

z Gayle Smith is the proud grandmother to twins, Ian and Connor.

z The 307-acre Whitewater Park is a go.  Jeff Wise, executive director of U.S. National Whitewater Center, said the organization wanted to involve as many local firms as possible because of its community-based mission, including A. G. Zoutewelle Company as surveyor.

*    *   *

Rotary International Convention
Update

     President Elect-Elect Catherine Browning gave an update on the RI Convention in Brisbane, Australia.  “Thank you my friends for sending Bill and me as your representatives to the RI Convention in Brisbane.   The opening ceremony was most impressive - 6 beautiful horses and their riders entered bearing Rotary flags, and then one by one, each flag was carried in by a young person.  All club sizes were represented, including a man whose club has a membership of 15.  Of the 15 members, one is 97, another 90; over 50% of the members are over 70.  All but 4 members have served as President.   The youngest President in attendance at the conference was 27 years old.

      Incoming RI President Jonathan Majiyagbe, an attorney from Nigeria, is the first African ever elected.  The real tragedy of the event was that Jonathan’s wife, Ade, died as Jonathan was making his closing remarks.  She had suffered a stroke and was in the hospital in London.

      Items of most significance: (1) The Brisbane Club has a very attractive bucket at their airport asking that people drop their change in for the Foundation.  They raise over $10,000 a year.  (2) RI admitted 2 new cubs this year – one being Afghanistan.  They had existed from 1968-1979, and of course, because of political instability and 2 decades of war, it was impossible for them to remain active.  With a standing ovation, Rotarians welcomed them back after a 24 year absence. (3) Fifteen months ago, it was announced that RI still needed $80 million to achieve the goal of eradicating polio by 2005, Rotary’s 100^th birthday.   It was announced at the closing ceremonies that $88,557,000 has been raised, making this achievement the absolute climax of the entire convention.

      And finally, the closing ceremonies…an almost tear jerking speech by RI President, Bhichai Rattakul, who so cares about Rotary and has given his heart and soul for many years, beautiful entertainment, and 7,000 people holding hands and singing Auld Lang Syne…an experience to remember.”

*    *   *

Click here for photos of this Meeting