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 MIKE ROBINSON
US LEC
By: Christie Taylor
Chip Scholz introduced our guest speaker, Michael K. Robinson,
Executive Vice President and CFO of US LEC. Prior to joining the
company, Mr. Robinson was with Alcatel, an international,
multi-billion dollar developer and manufacturer of telecom
equipment, where he served as EVP and CFO of the US based
transmission systems division, the worldwide enterprise and daga
division, as well as corporate committees including investments and
purchasing. Prior to Alcatel, Mr. Robinson worked for Winward
International and Siecor (now Corning). He holds a Bachelor's degree
from Emory & Henry and an MBA from Wake Forest University.
Mr. Robinson joined US LEC in July 1998 as Chief Financial Officer
and is responsible for finance and public relations. He now assumes
additional responsibilities including information systems and
information technology, human resources, facilities and real estate,
and billing system development.
The break-up of the Bell system in l984 and the Telecom Act passed
in Congress in l996 (structured to open up competition for local
phone services), launched a new competitive sector, CLEC, offering
more choices in the telecommunication industry. US LEC, now
headquartered in South Park, opened its operations in Charlotte in
March, 1997. US LEC is a publicly traded, (Nasdaq:CLEC)
super-regional carrier providing integrated voice, data and internet
services to over 17,000 mid to large size businesses in the
mid-Atlantic and Southeast United States. With the ever changing
telecommunication industry, Mr. Robinson’s experiences bring a
common sense approach to surviving a competitive market: Simply,
execute a strong business plan and build on it. Concentrate on
partnership and customer care. Don't try to get "fancy"...keep one
foot on the break and one on the gas. Don't read your own press,
stay focused on the future. Keep your balance sheet in balance.
Build a strong team committed to the mission of the company. Keep
the train moving! From the beginning, US LEC’s management team
recognized there is more to telecommunications than simply offering
products and selling more of them. Their business philosophy has
taken them to new levels of unparalleled service, enabling the
company to become the premier partner for voice, data and Internet
service to business throughout the Mid Atlantic and Southeast.
Head Table:
David Norman, Myra Johnston, Chip Scholz,
Tom Robertson, Ed Lewis, Will Barnhardt
Visitors and Guests:
Invocation: Mary Ciminelli; Visitors & Guests: Jeff Searcy
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Attendance
Record |
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3/9/04 |
3/11/03 |
| visitors &
guests |
9 |
22 |
| club
members |
195 |
188 |
| total
attendance |
204 |
210 |
| |
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Wedding
Anniversaries |
16 Vicki and Duke Ison
17 Jane and John Johnson
22 Janis and William Rikard |
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New Members | Resignations |
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Ken Carter |
Mark Schaffner
Ron Vinson |
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| Roaming
Rotarians |
Cynthia Marshall,
Pinehurst, NC | |
| Birthdays and
Birthplaces |
16 Bill Loftin, Jr., Charlotte, NC
17 John Stedman, Fayetteville, NC
19 Harry Weatherly, Greensboro, NC |
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2003-04
RI
Theme
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z Wishes for a speedy recovery are
extended to Fred Brown as he
recuperates from back surgery.
z
Martin Welton reports that
two-week old baby Charles had successful heart surgery in
Philadelphia last week. He will remain in the hospital for
another month and is scheduled for his next round of surgery at
six months, and again when he’s three years old. Continue to
hold the Welton family in your heart and prayers.
z
According to Charlotte magazine, City Manager
Pam Syfert ranks No.8 in the
city’s 50 most powerful people list.
z
Rotary provides lots of things to lots of people. For
poker advice, you’d want to turn to Mac
“Deuces Wild” McCarley, John “Blackjack” Lassiter, or
Big John Tabor. Mum’s the word on
Ron Kimble’s alias.
z
Myra Johnston
has an article published in the April edition of Coping
magazine, a widely circulated magazine among healthcare
professionals, cancer survivors, and their support team.
z
Welcome to our newest Rotarian,
Ken Carter. |
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WWII ORAL HISTORY
ARCHIVES UPDATE
Report submitted by Richard Bailey |
We are pleased with the overwhelming positive
response to the presentation on the progress of our Centennial
Project. The WWII Oral History Archives is a lasting gift to our
community that will preserve stories of the men and women who
served in the armed forces during the war years, and on the home
front. We have completed 98 one-hour interviews, and plan to do
twelve more. The stories are powerful and real and will be
available in the archives for historians and the general public.
They will be the basis of two 60-minute television
documentaries, How I Survived the War and The Rest of My Life.
Eric Davis, WTVI’s award-winning producer, will produce the
shows. The three minute promotional video, which we are using to
fund the documentaries, and handout will soon be available on
our website www.charlotterotary.org for viewing or copying.
Giving Opportunities
We have already received a number of inquiries from Rotary
members about the giving levels to fund the television
documentary. We are seeking major corporate sponsors, business
partners, and individual donors. The giving levels will be
announced soon. Gifts of all levels will be permanently
recognized as part of the archives. Gifts may be made in memory
or honor of those who served during WWII. Gifts should be made
to WTVI – Rotary WWII Project, and are deductible to the full
extent of the law.
Help Identify Funders
Your help is needed in introducing the Centennial project to
major Charlotte corporations, and to your business to explore
the documentary sponsorship opportunities. The documentaries
will be shown in WTVI’s viewing area and is expected to be shown
nationally through PBS affiliates. Review the project handout
for details.
Contact Us
Please contact Ken Harris (704-367-5130 or
kharris@charlottenc.nef.com)
or Richard Bailey (704-554-7470 or
rbailey6@carolina.rr.com) for
individual giving and corporate giving opportunities. Gifts of
all sizes are important. |
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2004 Rotary District 7680
Conference/Assembly
April 16-18, 2004
Myrtle Beach, SC
Register Today! |
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