Don Hudson - Hendrick Motorsports
By Jim Kelley
              
Alan Adler introduced Don Hudson with Hendrick Motorsports. After five years as the Charlotte Observer's metro and political columnist, Don joined the Hendrick team as a consultant in 2005, where he has been part of the team that has won back to back (2006 & 2007) NASCAR championships behind driver Jimmie Johnson. Three years after helping the company recover from the October 2004 airplane accident that took several of owner Rick Hendrick's immediate family members and the company's president, general manager, chief mechanic and heir apparent, Don's recent work includes creating several books and video documentaries of the Hendrick Motorsports story, as well as consulting on internal and external communications.
 
Don's professional history with NASCAR stretches back to 1986 when he started covering NASCAR for the Gannett newspaper chain in Atlanta. He covered Alan Kulwicki's first win, Richard Petty's last race, Jeff Gordon's first race and he was a personal friend of Dale Earnhardt Sr. Don proudly showed off his 2007 NASCAR championship ring.
 
Don is frequently asked why Hendrick Motorsports has become the New York Yankees of NASCAR by winning multiple races and championships. He said it's all directly connected to the leadership and vision of owner Rick Hendrick. Don says Rick has an extremely high emotional IQ that allows him to relate well to anyone from the corporate executive to the maintenance shop employee. He has been able to connect the country to the country club. Rick is sincere, has a great sense of humor, is genuine and has a wonderful vision for the company's future. According to Don, Rick Hendrick runs his companies like a family with a focus on outreach and the needs of his employees.
 
Don spent the last part of his talk highlighting 11 NASCAR trends.

• Thinking of you….Meg McElwain is recovering from last week's foot surgery; Marilynn Bowler's daughter, Vicky, has been diagnosed with cancer.
 
• Host Dinners continue to be quite successful. Upcoming guest lists completed: Phil Van Hoy on 2/22; Mark Norman on 3/8; Meg McElwain on 4/12. Available dates: Luther Moore on 3/22; David Zimmerman on 4/26; Lee and John Tabor (lake house) on 5/3/08; Ed Kizer on 5/10; and Ken Poe on 5/17. Register or review the schedule at here.

• Bill Moore, General Manager of the Crowne Plaza, thanked Charlotte Rotary for their business and extended an invitation to their 1st Anniversary Gala on February 21. Festivities are from 5:00 - 10:00, beverages, music, prizes.

• Regina Patton has identified host families for 3 of the 5 GSE team members. If you can host Esther (clothing designer) or Lily (lawyer) between March 15 and 19 - please contact Regina right away.

• Alan Adler introduced Jack Marks on Tuesday. Jack is CEO and owner of Southpoint Solutions and can be reached at jmarkscfc@aol.com. Welcome Jack!

• Shannon Young will be next year's program chair and is in need of committee members and program/speaker ideas. Contact Shannon at syoung@uwcentralcarolinas.org if you can be of assistance.

• Ed Wadsworth and Will Barnhardt were pleased to report the container of items collected for Alta Cayma, Peru arrived safely last month, contents have been inspected, and the goods are being distributed where needed. Charlotte Rotary's Peru team will present an update to the club on April 1. All have reported their trip was truly an amazing experience.
  
• Ed McMahan contributed to a story on the Chamber's effort to put roads back on the NC agenda; Michelle Fish and husband Robert are expanding Integra Staffing and Executive Search by forming an affiliated business that puts financial professionals in high-level posts; Tim Newman commented on the impact of NASCAR and the Hall of Fame; Nominations for the Charlotte Regional Ethics in Business Award are due by February 29. Contact Janice Stevens, 704-527-2244, with questions.
 
• Habitat for Humanity: Registration for this year's Habitat project is available here. Eight to 10 volunteers are needed each day and there is also a need for in-kind donations. Contact Chris Kemper with questions.
 
• Rotary District 7680 Annual Conference: Rotarians and family members are invited to the Annual Conference held at the Marriott Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes, oceanfront Myrtle Beach. April 4-6. Registration forms available at the Rotary office or on the District's website: rotarydistrict7680.org. Friday evening's entertainment will be a "Rotary Idol" talent show and all clubs in the District are asked to provide a contestant. If you can represent the club - and there's lots of talent in this club - call the Rotary office ASAP.