CLUB NEWS
12/9/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Rysheeka Bush, District Governor for Rotary District 7750 for the 2024-25 term
Rysheeka N. Bush, MS, LPC, is deeply rooted in Aiken County, hailing from the quaint town of New Ellenton, S.C., with a rich family history woven into the community’s fabric. With over two decades of dedicated service, she is an integral part of Helping Hands, Inc., a residential facility for children in foster care. Rysheeka’s journey with the agency began as an intern and has flourished into her current role as Clinical Program Manager. In this capacity, she not only oversees the clinical needs of youth in placement but also facilitates therapeutic training for staff.
Her academic journey reflects her commitment to serving others. A graduate of Aiken Technical College with Associate of Arts and Human Services Degrees, she continued her education at the University of South Carolina-Aiken, earning dual degrees in Psychology and Sociology. Her academic pursuits culminated in a Master of Science …….
12/2/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: S.C. State Senator, Tom Young, with a Legislative Update
Tom Young represents Senate District 24 covering large portions of Aiken County including of Aiken, North Augusta, Warrenville, Gloverville, Couchton, New Ellenton, Jackson, Beech Island, and Montmorenci in Aiken County.
In the Senate, Tom has worked to strengthen our economy; to pass ethics reform; to improve education; to control government spending; to restructure state government; to reform child protective services; and to reform our state’s electric and gas utility laws. To keep constituents informed, Tom created a periodic legislative email update that he drafts and sends during the year. Tom has received statewide recognition for leading efforts to restructure state government including shortening the legislative …….
11/25/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Wine Industry/Cline Family Vineyards
The Cline Family vineyards span across Northern California, from Tehama Couty to the Petaluma Gap. We strive to offer a harmonious blend of terroirs that impart distinct flavors to our wines. At Cline, we not only craft exceptional wines but also cultivate a deep-rooted commitment to the land. Our sustainable farming practices reflect our unwavering dedication to preserving the environment and ensuring the long-term health of our vineyards. We believe that great wines start with a deep respect …….
11/4/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Jimmy Foley, Veteran’s Day Panel
First known as Armistice Day, President Woodrow Wilson set aside the day of November 11 (the first anniversary of the signing of the armistice ending World War I) to recognize and thank our American soldiers for their service. This day was declared a National Holiday in 1938, and in 1954 the …….
10/28/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Wade Cleveland – Rotary Exchange Program
Youth Exchange is a study-abroad opportunity for young people who spend anywhere from a few weeks to a full year as an international student hosted by local Rotary clubs.
Are you interested in learning a new language or meeting new people? Rotary Youth Exchange is the opportunity of a lifetime for the more than 8,000 students who participate each year. By sharing your own culture and embracing a new one, you help foster global understanding—and learn a great deal about yourself and your home country in …….
10/21/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Bill Reynolds, Aiken County Capital Project Sales Tax V
If voters in Aiken County approve Capital Project Sales Tax V in November, it would generate more than $260 million that could be used to pave dirt roads, construct new facilities and more.
County Council’s ad hoc study committee received a report from county staff about the projected revenue during a meeting Tuesday at the Aiken County Government Center.
The total amount was based on population figures and point of sale data from the S.C. Department of Revenue, the county’s deputy administrator and chief financial officer, Lynn Strom, told the committee.
County staff used the same data to determine how the money would be divided among the county and its 10 …….
10/14/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Dr. Carl Henson, CMO & CSO of Chief Outsiders
Dr. Carl Henson will give a brief overview of Artificial intelligence (AI) and how it has shifted the paradigm by creating new avenues for growth across all industries and …….
10/7/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Terry Lee, Founder and Executive Director of Overflow Foundation
The mission of Overflow Foundation is to Pour Hope Into Life by promoting mental health awareness and suicide prevention, as well as providing mental health education.
Overflow Foundation was founded in 2019 by a mother who was grieving the loss of her oldest son. Following a dual diagnosis of substance use disorder (SUD) and bipolar disorder (BPD), her son succumbed to severe depression and died by suicide on September 6, 2018. Noting the rise in suicide rates by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and …….
9/23/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Dr. Melissa Martin, USCA Pacer LIFE Program
Pacer LIFE (Learning is For Everyone) is a two-year, post-secondary program at the university that serves students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, providing academic and social inclusion and gainful employment skills. USC Aiken’s Pacer LIFE program gives students with intellectual disabilities the full college experience …….
9/16/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Katheryn Fields, Marketing and Development Director of Georgia Rotary Student Program
Georgia Rotary Student Program (GRSP) Chair Bert Guy recently announced Katheryne A. Fields as the inaugural Marketing and Development Director. In her role at GRSP, Fields will work to strengthen the program’s strategic initiatives, fundraise and market the student scholarship program throughout the state. In the role, Fields will be working closely with the GRSP Chair, officers, directors, and trustees as well as Georgia Rotary Clubs, GRSP students, government officials and the public.
Fields brings more than 20 years of writing, communication, marketing, strategic planning and corporate events …….
9/97/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Joel Duke, Chief Development Officer of Aiken County
Joel discussed the various projects under review and the steps involved in the approval process for development in …….
8/26/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Rotary Readers, Dr. Lisa Fallaw, Principal, East Aiken Elementary
Started in 2013, Rotary Readers is a signature program and joint literacy project between Aiken Rotary Club and East Aiken School of the Arts. Rotarians and other volunteers work with small groups of students to improve reading skills. Volunteers are assigned to groups of four, and at least one member of each group worsion and vocabulary. This program encourages a love of reading and provides the students with positive role modelks with a small group of students (usually four) for thirty minutes each week to improve reading, reading comprehens. Throughout the school year, relationships are built, and …….
8/19/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Corey Murphy, Superintendent of Aiken County Public School District
Murphy has served as chief officer of operations and student services since 2020. He received his doctorate, educational specialist, Master’s of Education and Bachelor’s of Science in biology degrees from the University of South Carolina.
Murphy’s experience also includes stints as chief of staff at Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools in Williamsburg, Virginia, five years as principal at Beaufort High School and five years as principal of Great Falls Middle/High School. He was an assistant principal at Camden High School as well as a classroom teacher for the South Carolina Department …….
8/12/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Mark Ward, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Walk Organizer
Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® is the world’s largest fundraiser for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. This inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to join the fight against the disease.
Since 1989, the Alzheimer’s Association mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk® ; now the Alzheimer’s Association is continuing to lead …….
8/5/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: CLUB ASSEMBLY
Club President, Forest Mahan, will give us an overview of Rotary, Avenues of Service, Club background and demographics, brief SWOT overview. He will also discuss goals for 2024-25, and list of officers and board members. He will give out …….
7/29/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Carmen Landy, Assistant District Governor (Area 8)
Carmen Landy, Assistant District Governor, Area 8. Carmen is also the Club President of Aiken Sunrise Rotary.
Carmen will speak about the Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI), the Membership Summit on 8/24, and make 2024-25 Magical …….
7/22/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Jim Tunison, President of Aiken Chamber of Commerce
Tunison is “the next generation in Aiken,” Jameson continued. “He’s young, he’s smart and he’s innovative. He engages very well with the business community and the community at large. He just exemplifies the same values the Chamber has and the community has.”
The Aiken Chamber of Commerce announced Tunison as Jameson’s replacement in a news release issued Thursday morning. It stated that the selection by the Chamber’s board was unanimous.
Board Chairman Charlie Hartz said in a prepared statement that Tunison has the energy and the experience as an Aiken Chamber leader and collaborator that …….
7/15/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: SRESFS Interns, Protecting Your Online Identity
Whether you are logging into a bank account, sending an email to a co-worker, or posting a picture to a social media page, every action you take can potentially compromise your digital presence. Identity fraud has become an epidemic in recent years, and it is no doubt due in part to how little thought people give to their cybersecurity. And the things we do online can have massive consequences offline.
It could just be a few faulty credit card purchases or theft of your crypto assets. But it could also be someone using your SSN to access the credit they have no intention of repaying. Someone may also try to impersonate you on …….
7/8/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Gary Bunker, Aiken County Council Chair, with an Aiken County Council Update
Gary has been appointed to several committees. He served on the Mattie C. Hall Healthcare Commission (appointed by Councilman Rick Osbon) from 1997 through 2002, and served as chairman during the last year. He was on the Aiken County Board of Appeals (appointed by Osbon) in 2003 and the Aiken County Transportation Committee (appointed by Sen. Greg Ryberg) in 2004.
After his service on County Council, Gary served on the Board of the Economic Development Partnership (appointed by Councilman Scott Singer) from 2013 through 2014 and is currently …….
6/24/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Jim Costigan, Security for Masters, LIV Golf Tournaments
Jim Costigan, who has experience with the FBI, and U.S. Navy, and served as head of security for The Masters golf …….
6/17/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: CLUB ASSEMBLY
We will be having a Club Assembly, where Linda Strojan will share a little about her experience at the Rotary International Convention in Singapore and present flags. We will vote on incoming board and vice president slate …….
6/3/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Dr. Forest Mahan, President of Aiken Technical College
Aiken Technical College (Aiken Tech) President Forest E. Mahan, Ph.D., has been named the Chief Executive Officer of the Year for the Southern Region by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT).
Dr. Mahan has also been selected for the Chief Executive Officer state award by the SC Association of Technical College Commissioners.
Dr. Mahan received a bachelor of arts degree from the College of Charleston and a master of arts degree and a doctor of philosophy degree in Higher Education Administration from USC Columbia. Before his current position, Mahan was the vice president for academics at Northeastern Technical College. He began his career as a history instructor at …….
5/20/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Mental Health — ARMC, Aiken Center
Since 1991, Aurora Pavilion Behavioral Health Services has brought renewed hope for those suffering from emotional, behavioral and addiction problems. The 62-bed facility, located on the campus of Aiken Regional Medical Centers, is accredited by The Joint Commission. The facility offers comprehensive, individualized treatment services by a multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, clinicians, mental health technicians and recreation therapists who are committed to high quality care.
Aurora Pavilion Behavioral Health Services offers a …….
5/13/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Staff Sgt Ryan Pitts, Medal of Honor Recipient
Ryan Pitts is a former United States Army soldier and the ninth living recipient of the Medal of Honor from the War in Afghanistan.
Staff Sgt. Ryan Pitts joined the Army in 2003, at the age of 17 under the delayed entry program. He attended basic training and advanced individual training at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma.
Pitts then went to the U.S. Army Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga., before being assigned as a radio telephone operator for the 4th Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment and 173rd Airborne Brigade at Camp Ederle, Italy from 2004-2005. He remained headquartered at Camp Ederle as part of the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Abn. Bde. from 2006 to 2009.
While assigned to the 173rd, Pitts deployed twice to Afghanistan. His first deployment in 2005 lasted 12 months. His final deployment spanned 15 months beginning in 2007. Pitts departed …….
5/6/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Aiken Rotary Scholarship Program, 2024
For many years, the Rotary Club of Aiken has awarded scholarships to worthy students. We awarded a $7,500 scholarship to 23 students from the Class of 2023 for a total of $172,500.
This scholarship is open to all 2024 graduating high school students who live in Area 1 or attend an Area 1 school, including homeschool students. Each of this year’s scholarship winners will receive $7500.
…….
4/29/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Tim Hardee, President of the South Carolina Technical College System
Hardee has served over 30 years in education in South Carolina, including 15 at Central Carolina Technical College. He has been honored by Coastal Carolina University with the Outstanding Alumni award as well as the Sumter Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Achievement Award. Prior to entering higher education administration 15 years ago, he served as a teacher, coach, counselor, principal and administrator on the K-12 level.
With a B.S. in Psychology from Coastal Carolina University, Hardee also holds an M.Ed. in Counselor Education and an Ed.D. in Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina. He currently serves as a member of the South Carolina Workforce Development Board and is a graduate of the South Carolina Economic Development Institute, the Furman Diversity Leaders Institute, and Leadership South Carolina.
Last year, Governor McMaster invested $12 million in South Carolina’s technical college system to train …….
4/22/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Dr. Robert Bank, Director, SC Dept. of Mental Health Agency
Robert Bank, MD, was appointed acting director of the South Carolina of Mental Health by the South Carolina Mental Health Commission in September of 2022.
Dr. Bank, who began his career at SCDMH as Chief of Outpatient Services and Psychiatric Training director at William S. Hall Psychiatric Institute in 1982, has served the Agency in multiple leadership positions throughout his tenure.
Dr. Bank received his Doctor of Medicine degree from Loyola-Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois, and completed his internship, psychiatric residency, and research fellowship at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He served nine years of active duty in the Army Medical Corps, as Chief of Outpatient Services at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center while stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia, and Chief of Community Mental Health Activity at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
In subsequent years, he served as medical director for programs at Palmetto Richland Hospital, Three Rivers Behavioral Health, and United Behavioral Health; in addition, he maintained a general psychiatry private practice for 22 years.
Dr. Bank became executive director of the Columbia Area Mental Health Center in 2006 and assumed a dual role as deputy director of Medical Affairs of the SCDMH in 2008. He left his role as center director in 2018 and continued to serve as deputy director of Medical Affairs; at present, he maintains this position …….
4/15/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: John Boyette – Aiken Standard Executive Editor, History of The Masters
John Boyette picked a heck of a time to step away from the sports desk. After serving as sports editor at The Augusta Chronicle in Augusta, Georgia, for almost 20 years, Boyette took over in late 2019 as executive editor of his hometown newspaper, The Aiken Standard, in neighboring Aiken, South Carolina. But in Augusta and the surrounding region, the Masters blurs the lines between sports and news. And now, so does the coronavirus pandemic that’s postponed the tournament indefinitely. So although Boyette will continue covering the Masters — the next edition, whenever it goes down, will be Boyette’s 33rd — his new position charges him with looking at the tournament’s postponement both as sports news and regional economic news. “I’ve been telling people that have asked me that it’s like a 13th month or a second Christmas for the economy of Augusta, for a lot of people,” Boyette explained. “It’s a situation where …….
4/8/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Polo in Aiken – Tiger Kneece, Aiken Polo Club manager
Polo first arrived in Aiken in 1882, just six years after the game was introduced to this side of the Atlantic. Over the next years, the sport became an integral part of Winter Colony society, attracting many of the best players in the country and the world. By World War II, Aiken was the acknowledged center of America’s polo world during the winter months. Over its 134-year history, Aiken has been home to many famous players, horses and tournaments, including seven of the 21 American born players who have achieved a 10-goal rating.
Today, Aiken has an international reputation as a place to play, as well as a place to breed and train polo ponies. Players come to Aiken for the spring season on their way north from Florida, or for the fall season on their way south from points north and west. A growing number of players stay and play year round, and Aiken now has both summer and winter polo, as well as several arenas that hold …….
4/1/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Pickleball
Pickleball is fun, social and friendly! The rules are simple and the game is easy for beginners to learn, but can develop into a fast-paced, competitive game.
Pickleball is a racket or paddle sport in which two players (singles) or four players (doubles) hit a perforated, hollow plastic ball with paddles over a 34-inch-high (0.86 m) net until one side is unable to return the ball or commits a rule infraction. Pickleball is played indoors and outdoors. It was invented in 1965 as a children’s backyard game in the United States, on Bainbridge Island in Washington state. In 2022, pickleball was named the official state sport of Washington.
While it resembles tennis and table tennis, pickleball has separate rules, paddles, and court dimensions. The court is 44 feet (13.4m) long and 20 feet (6.1m) wide, and the paddle is larger than the one used in table tennis. The hard plastic ball used in …….
3/25/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Check Fraud, Security Federal, Chris Verenes and Mallory Holley
What was once a routine way to pay your bills — handwriting paper checks at the kitchen table, dropping envelopes into a blue metal box on the street — has become a high-risk endeavor: It provides the raw materials for low-level fraud artists and sophisticated crime rings, costing financial institutions billions. It has put banks on high alert, though their efforts to catch the fraud also routinely entangle innocent customers, causing institutions to suddenly freeze or shut down customer accounts in the process. Many of the bad guys manage to disappear without any consequences.
“Fraudsters go where the money is …….
3/11/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Nancy Conwell, Manager for Innovation in the Business Services Division of South Carolina Department of Commerce
From founders to executives to researchers, South Carolinians are developing life-changing technologies and products every day.
South Carolina mobilizes the dynamic flow of resources and information among people, industries and institutions for the prosperity of our citizens. Elevating and connecting the state’s people-driven ecosystem is at the forefront to ensuring global competitiveness and driving future economic growth. The innovation team at SC Commerce embraces a risk-taking culture as we identify, prioritize, develop and launch new assets to support South Carolina’s business community in their relentless pursuits of transformational ideas.
No innovator’s story is the …….
3/18/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Family Promise of Aiken County
Family Promise leverages a community-based response to address the root causes of family homelessness and housing insecurity
We address the issue holistically, providing prevention services before families reach homelessness, diversion when they become homeless, and stabilization programs once they have secured or regained housing to ensure they remain independent. We tap existing local resources to empower families towards economic stability. Families come to us in crisis; we help them rebuild their lives with new skills and ongoing support.
Our guiding principle is that every child deserves a home.
We strive to accomplish this by …….
2/26/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Buzz Rich, Aiken Corp
The Aiken Corporation is a community based, private non-profit corporation established to formulate and implement economic development projects in fulfillment of plans and strategies identified in Aiken’s Strategic Plan. The mission of The Aiken Corporation shall be to:
Build a strong and stable economic base through the attraction of jobs, investment, and a diverse mix of businesses
Enhance the downtown’s role as the City’s business and cultural center by assisting existing businesses and …….
2/12/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Jennifer Miller, President of FOTAS
Jennifer Miller: FOTAS president has helped save thousands of animals in Aiken County. When Jennifer Miller moved to Aiken over a decade ago, she never dreamed she would help facilitate the transformation of the Aiken County Animal Shelter and improve the lives of thousands of cats and dogs in need of a good home.
Miller grew up in Swampscott, Massachusetts, a town about 15 miles north of Boston. Swampscott was only a mile from the beach, where Miller enjoyed along the water’s edge and listening to the sound of the waves.
Miller went on to graduate summa cum laude from Duke University with a degree in Psychology.
She also credits her parents with setting an excellent example for her work ethic, which would eventually go a long way in helping animals in Aiken County later in …….
2/5/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Chuck Munns, US National Security Posture
The Nuclear Posture Review is a legislatively-mandated review that establishes U.S. nuclear policy, strategy, capabilities and force posture for the …….
1/29/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: David M. Tavernier, Aiken’s Winter Colony
David M. Tavernier resides in Aiken, South Carolina, and is married to Patrice Durban Tavernier, a third-generation Aikenite. His first book, Stories of the Rich and Famous: Aiken’s Winter Colony in the Gilded Age, was selected as the Featured Book for “In Author’s Words” on …….
1/22/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Dennis Carr, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC (SRNS).
Dennis Carr is the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC (SRNS), responsible to the Department of Energy (DOE) for safe, effective and efficient management and operations of the Savannah River Site (SRS). SRS is one of DOE’s largest production sites, performing activities ranging from environmental cleanup and protection, to nuclear materials storage and disposition, including operation of the only U.S. tritium plant and design and construction of three National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) capital projects, including the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility. His responsibilities include providing vision, leadership, mission growth, technological advancement, and a performance-based culture of safety, security and operational excellence at the …….
1/8/24 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Aiken Mayor, Teddy Milner
Teddy Milner is Aiken’s first female mayor. She replaces Rick Osbon. …….
12/11/23 IN-PERSON ROTARY: USC Aiken Chancellor Dr. Heimmermann with an USC Aiken Update, Including the Advanced Manufacturing Center
USC Aiken Chancellor Dr. Heimmermann will give a USCA Update, including Advanced Manufacturing Center. The facility will provide accessible, modern and flexible laboratory space for EM’s SRNL and its collaboration partners.
Dr. Daniel J. Heimmermann became the fifth Chancellor of the University of South Carolina Aiken on July 1, 2021.
Originally from Wisconsin, Chancellor Heimmermann received undergraduate degrees in history and Spanish before earning Master of Arts and Ph.D. degrees in early-modern French history from Marquette University.
Before coming to USC Aiken, Dr. Heimmermann served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Texas Permian Basin (2014-2021) where he ranked as the most senior chief academic officer in the University of Texas System. Prior to this, he held the same role at Mississippi University for Women from 2012-2014, and from 2008-2012 he served as Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Brownsville (presently The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley).
Dr. Heimmermann began his academic career at the University of North Alabama (1994-2008) where he served as a Professor of History and Chair of the Department of History and Political Science (2001-2008). As a faculty member, Dr. Heimmermann was a recipient of a number of research fellowships and was recognized for excellence in teaching.
A historian of early-modern France, Dr. Heimmermann has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in early-modern European history and the French Revolution an …….
GIRLS…
in Malawi, Africa and most developing countries, have the burden of collecting water for their families.
Girls are often kept out of school – just so they can collect water.
WOMEN…
are in charge of household chores.
Collecting water is considered a household duty.
Many remote villages rely on rivers/streams or hand-dug holes as their only water source.
WOMEN & GIRLS…
start their day collecting water before the sun rises – every single day (rain or shine), walking long distances, carrying buckets on their heads, weighing over 40lbs.
Without a clean water well (borehole), the water they spend so much time and effort on is often dirty, contaminated water.
Collecting water considerably shortens the …….
11/27/23 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Paul Matthews, Director of the Aiken County Emergency Management Department
12/4/23 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Mark Carman Water Mission, Malawi. NGO partner with Rotary drilling wells
The Aiken County Emergency Management Division coordinates the county’s integrated emergency management system through partnerships with all emergency response organizations, voluntary agencies, private non-profit organizations and other support services, to ensure efficient preparation for, effective response to, and timely recovery from emergencies and disasters to ……
11/20/23 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Veterans Panel USCA, ATC
“Duty, honor, country. Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be.” – Douglas MacArthur ……
11/13/23 IN-PERSON ROTARY: Peter Kleinhenz, Executive Director, the Aiken Land Conservancy
The Aiken Land Conservancy is a private, non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve Aiken’s unique character and natural and historic resources for present and future generations through advocacy and land protection. ALC has preserved thousands of acres of land throughout Aiken County. These tracts include rolling meadows, towering pines and shady hardwoods with azaleas and kalmia blooming underneath, wetlands, stream banks and prime habitat for deer, turkey and other wildlife.
ALC’s initiatives include:
Protecting natural resources: sporting lands, forests, fragile ecosystems, working farms, open space and public parks;
Protecting historic resources in Aiken’s Historic Horse District;
Protecting Aiken’s water resources in Upper Shaws Creek and the Edisto River Basin; and
Partnering with the City of Aiken to protect the city’s trees and parkways, particularly the spectacular live oaks that line South Boundary.
ALC preserves land ……
11/6/23 IN-PERSON ROTARY: S.C. State Senator, Tom Young, with a Legislative Update
Tom Young represents Senate District 24 covering large portions of Aiken County including of Aiken, North Augusta, Warrenville, Gloverville, Couchton, New Ellenton, Jackson, Beech Island, and Montmorenci in Aiken County.
In the Senate, Tom has worked to strengthen our economy; to pass ethics reform; to improve education; to control government spending; to restructure state government; to reform child protective services; and to reform our state’s electric and gas utility laws. To keep constituents informed, Tom created a periodic legislative email update that he drafts and sends during the year. Tom has received statewide recognition for leading efforts to restructure state government including shortening the legislative session; for his advocacy for improving education in South Carolina; and for his leadership addressing deficiencies in child protective services at the Department of Social Services.
In the Senate, Tom serves on the Finance, Education, Rules, Fish and Game, Veterans and Family Affairs, Oversight, and Nuclear Advisory Committees and the Savannah River Maritime Commission. In addition, Tom previously served on the Legislative Audit Council. Locally, Tom is chair of the Aiken County Legislative Delegation.
Born and raised in Aiken, Tom graduated from Aiken High and the University of South Carolina where he was student body president at both schools. Before his service in the legislature, Tom served on the boards of …….
10/30/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Aiken Rotary Assembly Meeting
Club President, Jamie Mothkovich, will discuss club business, provide updates on committees, and give an overview for new members during the Club Assembly. She will discuss the goals set for the year and upcoming ……
10/23/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Fentanyl in Aiken County, Margaret Key, Executive Director at AIKEN COUNTY COMMISSION ON ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE
Margaret Key will talk about about how they are working to prevent fentanyl overdose in Aiken County. During a mental health and substance abuse symposium at Cedar Creek Church, Aiken-Barnwell Mental Health Center, Aiken Center, community and law enforcement agencies expressed concern with the increase of overdose deaths. “We are very much trying to stay on top of new and synthetic drugs that are out there in our county,” said Margaret Key, executive director for the Aiken Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Services. In 2022, there were 90 accidental overdose deaths in Aiken County with 80 percent from fentanyl. There were 63 in 2021 and 74 in 2020. Aiken County Coroner Darryl Ables said there have already been 24 overdoses this year.
“Last year was the highest number that my office has recorded, and so far we are tre ……
10/16/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: District Governor 2023-24, Renee Stubbs
Renee joined the Rotary Club of Fountain Inn in 2005 and later the Rotary Club of Newberry. She was president of the Newberry Rotary Club for 2015-16 and served on the board of directors from 2011-2017. During her time as membership chair, she helped develop the Discover Rotary, Red Badge, and Orientation programs for new members of the club.
Renee was Assistant District Governor, Area 10 from 2016-2019, and is the Rotary Leadership Institute district chair. She is an RLI graduate, faculty member, and helped write the Faculty Training Guide for RLI Faculty, as well as assisted with the RLI online curriculum development. Renee is a member of the Paul Harris Society, a Major Donor, and a Benefactor.
Renee worked in the Greenville County School system for 28 years as a secondary mathematics teacher and Instructional Coach. After retiring, she accepted a faculty position at Newberry College as the Teaching Fellows Director and an Associate Professor of Education, and later, Associate Professor of Mathematics. She has been an invited speaker at local, national, and international conferences on best practices for instruction.
Renee is a member of the Newberry Opera House Guild, served on the board of directors, and chaired ……
10/9/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: William Tucker, Whitney Trustees & Court Tennis/Tour
A game with roots that reach back as far as 14th-century France is still played in downtown Aiken.
Court tennis has been played at the Aiken Tennis Club, a red brick building at the southeast corner of Newberry Street and Park Avenue, since the facility was constructed in 1902.
New York financier William C. Whitney, a founding member of Aiken’s Winter Colony who expanded a small residence into Joye Cottage, brought the sport to the city and, through his sponsorship, the Aiken Tennis Club was incorporated in 1898.
Aiken’s court tennis court is one of only a handful in the United States, most in the Northeast, and one of only about 50 in the world, most in Great Britain.
Court tennis is the forerunner of modern tennis, which originally was called “lawn tennis,” according to a news story in the Aiken Standard in 2022.
Lawn tennis originated in the 1870s in England, centuries after court tennis. To distinguish the sport from lawn ……
10/2/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY:AIKEN MALL REDEVELOPMENT, Southeastern Development Associates
Southeastern Development Associates is re-developing the former Aiken Mall in Aiken, SC into a mixed-use site that will include retail, multi-family, and public space. The +/- 44 acre site is located on Whiskey Road, which has the highest traffic count in the county with an AADT of 38,600. The property is located at the entrance to Woodside Plantation, the largest residential community in Aiken containing 3 golf courses and more than 3,000 homes. Upon completion, the Aiken Mall redevelopment will include 256 Class A multifamily units, a hotel site, and 146,000 S.F. of retail which includes an exterior renovation for the Belk store an ……
9/25/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Dr. Steven Simmons, Ed.D., Dean of the School of Technical and Continuing Education at Aiken Technical College
Dr. Steven F. Simmons, is a dedicated professional in the field of education, training, and workforce development. With a rich background spanning over 25 years, he has garnered extensive experience in leadership, higher education, research, and teaching. His educational achievements include a Doctor of Education degree from Northeastern University, where he specialized in Leadership and Organizational Communication.
Throughout his career, he has passionately pursued research interests centered around organizational and individual leadership, personality types, and organizational communication. His …..
9/18/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Dr. Sandra Field, President of Joye in Aiken
Joye in Aiken is a nonprofit organization dedicated to making the very best in the performing arts available to our citizens, and especially our students. In 2016, Joye was awarded the Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Award (South Carolina’s highest honor in the arts) for its Educational Outreach Program.
Founded in 2008, Joye in Aiken is the heir to, and the very embodiment of, Aiken’s longstanding tradition of nurturing excellence in the arts. The organization takes its name from Joye Cottage, a fabulous Gilded Age mansion once the center of a social circle that included America’s most prominent families. The 60-room “cottage” hosted performances by some of the world’s greatest artists, attended by some of the nation’s wealthiest arts patrons.
Today,ries that legacy forward, but with a difference. Where in earlier times only the privileged few in our area were able to enjoy those truly world-class experiences, now the organization brings that same magic to a much wider and more diverse audience. In the last 15 years we have brought over 600 musicians, actors and dancers at the top of their disciplines (primarily from The Juilliard School) to participate in the weeklong Performing Arts Festival held each March, where a wide variety of events are made available to the public at low or no cost. Even more importantly, through our Outreach Program, those artists have taught, mentored and inspired over 46,000 area schoolchildren.
The name “Joye in Aiken” is meant to honor the central role that Joye Cottage has played in our history ……
9/11/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Rotary Readers Update, Melanie Starks and Lisa Fallaw
Started in 2013, Rotary Readers is a signature program and joint literacy project between Aiken Rotary Club and East Aiken School of the Arts. Rotarians and other volunteers work with small groups of students to improve reading skills. Volunteers are assigned to groups of four, and at least one member of each group works with a small group of students (usually four) for thirty minutes each week to improve reading, reading comprehension and vocabulary. This program encourages a love of reading and provides the students with positive role models. Throughout the school year, relationships are built, and volunteers are invited to attend school programs.
At the beginning and end of the school year students are tested and annual program results are presented to the club to monitor the success of the program. Over the seven years, the annual results have been overwhelming ……
8/28/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Free Medical Clinic of Aiken County, Executive Director, Orion Jeter
The clinic was originally formed in 1998 by Area Churches Together Serving (ACTS) and was named the ACTS of Caring Clinic. After the clinic began operating under the direction of its own board of directors, the clinic changed its name to the Free Medical Clinic and practiced out of the nursing building at the University of South Carolina-Aiken.
Then in 2007, the clinic moved to its current location at 244 Greenville Street NW and the name was changed to the Community Medical Clinic of Aiken County.
The CMCAC is an United Way of Aiken County agency and a member of the South Carolina Free Clinic Association, a group created to support and assist each other in improving the quality and availability of health care to the medically underserved through the effective and efficient management of free medical clinics and expanding efforts to other South…….
8/21/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Why Aiken is an equestrian mecca? Speaker, Billy Benton
There’s a very good reason that Aiken, South Carolina, is considered the best equestrian community in the South. Where else can you find tournament-grade polo, professional show jumping, fox hunting, dressage, three-day eventing, carriage driving, and a world-class training track that has crowned more than 40 champion Thoroughbreds? Once a winter getaway for the Northeast’s elite, Aiken is now renowned as the “South’s Best Small Town” and is a mecca for equestrians from around the globe. It’s also one of the only places in the world where horses have the right of way! No matter your discipline, the possibilities are endless when you live in the heart of horse country.
In 1941, renowned horsemen Fred H. Post and his son William came to Aiken to play polo. Aiken was revered as a national polo capital, and the town’s lure as a ‘Winter Colony’ for wealthy Northerners was well-established by that time. The comfortable climate of mild winters and early springs combined with the sandy soil was ideal for the pursuit of a variety of equestrian activities. Post, impressed by the area, decided to construct the Aiken Training Track to condition his flat racers. He found the perfect location along Two Notch Road where his track would be surrounded by established polo fields and quiet dirt roads. The track was also within hacking distance to the Hitchcock Woods. With more than 2,000 acres and 70 miles of sandy trails, this is one of …….
8/14/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: CSRA Walk for Water, Jeff Kertscher
The CSRA Walk for Water 2023 will bring together teams of participants from both sides of the Savannah River and from all walks of life, as we boldly battle the global water crisis which affects 2.1 billion people around the world. Together, we can make a real difference by bringing safe water to people in need.
The CSRA is uniting to bring safe water to hundreds of men, women, and children across the world. Local schools, churches, businesses, and individuals are putting their feet into action by raising awareness, raising money, and walking for water.
Every day, millions of women and children in developing countries walk nearly 4 miles to retrieve water for their family’s daily needs. In most cases, even after walking for miles and miles, the water they have to drink is …..
8/723: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Brian Sanders, Aiken County Administrator
One week after Clay Killian announced that he would be retiring as Aiken County administrator July 20, Aiken County Council chose his successor.
The panel unanimously approved Tuesday a voice motion by its vice chairman, Andrew Siders, to authorize its chairman, Gary Bunker, to negotiate a contract with Deputy Administrator Brian Sanders to replace Killian.
Sanders has worked for the county for 30 years as a park supervisor, tourism program coordinator, assistant director of the Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department and director of the Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department. He has been the deputy administrator since 2019. Immediately prior to that, Sanders served as assistant ……
7/31/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Amy Breitmann, President and CEO of Golden Harvest Food Bank
Amy Breitmann is the President and CEO of Golden Harvest Food Bank. Amy joined the Food Bank in 2019, bringing over 20 years of non-profit leadership experience to her role.
A native of northern Ohio, Amy holds a BA in English and a Masters in Community Agency Counseling from Bowling Green State University. Amy was the Co-Founder and Director of Development for The Lydia Project, a nonprofit organization that provides thousands of cancer patients across the country with supportive services. Later, she worked with Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia to fundraise for major projects including the opening of Helms College and Edgar’s Grill. Amy also served as the Vice President of Marketing for Vi Bella Jewelry, an international nonprofit providing employment in impoverished villages in Haiti ……
7/24/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: King Laurence, Aiken County Supt. of Schools
King Laurence was named Superintendent of Aiken County Public School District on February 18, 2020, after serving as interim superintendent since September 10, 2019. With an educational career spanning more than three decades, Laurence is an experienced administrator dedicated to the Aiken County community’s future. A graduate of the University of South Carolina Aiken in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education, Laurence received his Master’s Degree in Educational Administration in 1990 from the University of South Carolina.
After twelve years as a teacher and assistant principal in Edgefield County Public Schools, Laurence moved to Aiken County in 1998, assuming the role as principal at Cyril B. Busbee Elementary. He has since served in a variety of leadership roles for Aiken County Public Schools, including Director of Federal Programs (2005-2012), Associate Superintendent for Instruction and Accountability (2012-2016), and Chief Officer of Administration and Human Resources (2016-2019).
On the state level, Laurence has been involved with the South Carolina Association of Title I Administrators, serving as that orgKing Laurence was named Superintendent of Aiken County Public School District on February 18, 2020, after serving as interim superintendent since September 10, 2019. With an educational career spanning more than three decades, Laurence is an experienced administrator dedicated to the Aiken County community’s future. A graduate of the University of South Carolina Aiken in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education, Laurence received his Master’s Degree in Educational Administration in 1990 from the University of South Carolina.
After twelve years as a teacher and assistant principal in Edgefield County Public Schools, Laurence moved to Aiken County in 1998, assuming the role as principal at Cyril B. Busbee Elementary. He has since served in a variety of leadership roles for Aiken County Public Schools, including Director of Federal Programs (2005-2012), Associate Superintendent for Instruction and Accountability (2012-2016), and Chief Officer of Administration and Human Resources (2016-2019).
On the state level, Laurence has been involved with the South Carolina Association of Title I Administrators, serving as that org……
7/17/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Emma Dean, Executive Director SC Bar Association
After 16 years of public service through various legal platforms, Dean became the first woman to hold the position of executive director of the South Carolina Bar Association in January 2023. Dean attended Washington and Lee University where she double majored in politics and economics, and then went straight to law school at University of South Carolina School of Law.
After graduating, Dean began working as a staff attorney at the Court of Appeals and immediately confirmed her decision to practice law.
Dean joined Judge John Kittridge’s chambers in the Court of Appeals shortly after and remained with him when he was elected to the Supreme Court.
“I suddenly found myself surrounded by mentors, who took an interest in helping me and helping me develop and it was just incredible,” Dean said. “It’s an awesome thing to know and to find people with similar interests in service and dedication to justice.”
Dean worked in civil litigation at Nelson Mullins before she went to work at the statehouse for the House Judiciary Committee, first as assistant chief counsel and later as chief counsel.
“I was really excited about working as chief counsel because I really got to utilize my interests those while working with the public,” Dean said. “I was helping members as they draft legislation and really trying to problem solve. Constituents or members would come to me with problems that they were hearing about in their communities, and we’d look at the law and look at ways to help solve these problems.”
As executive director of the South Carolina Bar Association, Dean hopes to strengthen the member services to support attorneys, cultivate relationships with attorneys throughout the state, and continue to serve her community. “I’m very grateful for this opportunity,” Dean said. “It’s a huge opportunity for service. I believe in fairness, and I believe in serving this legal system that we’ve all dedicated our lives to. It’s a huge honor to get to do that.”
As the first woman to hold this position, Dean wants to be a voice for younger female attorneys. “Relationships are very important to me,” Dean said. “Communication is very important to me. I want to hear from them and hear what support they need in order to be the best advocates they can be.”
From a young age, service, fairness, ……
7/10/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: CYBER – USCA, SRS, DOE
South Carolina is poised to capitalize on the exploding cyber market and grow the cyber footprint to meet the technical challenges and opportunities the digital world presents. To keep pace with increasing cyber threats in South Carolina and in our country, USC Aiken operates the Center for Cyber Initiatives and Awareness (CCIA). The CCIA and our institution take an integrated approach that unites sophisticated cyber defense capabilities, research, education, and workforce development.
The mission of the CCIA is to bring together USC Aiken’s cyber curriculum and cyber initiatives to produce an educated cyber workforce capable of handling the cyber needs of this region, South Carolina, and the country. This is done through our offering of a distinctive cyber curriculum that is based on foundational principles of computer science and cybersecurity that also incorporates professional experience opportunities (e.g., internships, research, industry capstones) for our students so that they are “career ready” as …..
6/19/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Dr. Forest Mahan, President of Aiken Technical College
Dr. Mahan received a bachelor of arts degree from the College of Charleston and a master of arts degree and a doctor of philosophy degree in Higher Education Administration from USC Columbia.
Before his current position, Mahan was the vice president for academics at Northeastern Technical College. He began his career as a history instructor at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, where he later became dean of arts and sciences.
Dr. Forest Mahan became President of Aiken Technical College in 2016, becoming the College’s fifth president since it opened in fall of 1972.
Classes for Aiken Technical College began in temporary facilities in Aiken. One hundred and seventy-seven students enrolled in the first class of what was then the Aiken Technical Education Center. The current campus opened in the winter of 1973. The name was changed to Aiken Technical College in March 1978.
The original ATC campus consisted of three buildings constructed at a cost of $2.3 million — $80,000 provided by Aiken County and the ……
6/12/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Susan See, the owner of Nothing Bundt Cakes in Aiken
Susan will explain to us her journey to becoming a Woman-Owned Small Business.
To help provide a level playing field for women business owners, the government limits competition for certain contracts to businesses that participate in the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract program.
These contracts are for goods and services in specific industries (identified via NAICS code) where WOSBs are underrepresented. Some contracts are restricted further to economically disadvantaged ……
6/5/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Joerg Klisch, Director of Operations at the Rolls-Royce’s MTU Aiken manufacturing facility
Rolls-Royce’s MTU Aiken manufacturing facility is a 395,000 square-foot-campus, which produces off-highway MTU-brand diesel engines, opened in the fall of 2010 when the company decided to move its manufacturing operations from Detroit, MI to Graniteville, Aiken County, SC. What started off as an assembly plant for two product lines has continually expanded in size and scope over the past decade to become much more.
“The original goal of the Aiken plant was to carve out our own space where we could take greater control over our destiny and our manufacturing here in the US,” said Joerg Klisch, Director of Operations at the MTU Aiken plant. “Everything that we’ve been able to achieve here over the past 10 years reflects the positive culture and spirit of innovation that we have. We have continually challenged ourselves to take on the next program or develop the next competency, all with a focus on developing our people and our community along the way.”
Assembly and Machining on-site
The facility began with the assembly of MTU Series 2000 and Series 4000 diesel engines, which together cover a power range from 760 – 4,000 hp and are used in a variety of ….
5/22/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Gary Stooksbury, CEO of Aiken Electric Cooperative, Update on Carolina Connect and Club Business Meeting
Aiken Electric Cooperative
Aiken Electric Cooperative has joined an effort to make sure that every resident of South Carolina access to affordable, high-speed internet.
The cooperative, serving 46,000 customers in a nine-county area, recently joined with 10 other electric cooperatives to form the Broadband Cooperatives of South Carolina.
Gary Stooksbury, CEO of Aiken Electric, said the cooperative’s mission is to power and empower the communities it serves and enhance its members’ quality of life. He said during the COVID-19 pandemic, the cooperative became even more aware of the challenges its members in rural areas faced due to the lack of broadband internet. Stooksbury said the cooperative’s board met and discussed how to provide broadband to its members.
In 2021, Aiken Electric announced a partnership with Carolina Connect.
Stooksbury said over 4,000 homes and businesses have joined the new service and that buildout of the system is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
“We are thankful to be able to make a noticeable difference in the lives of those we serve,” he said.
Aiken Electric’s efforts to connect its members to the worldwide web were not unique. Other electric cooperatives launched new broadband operations, expanded ,….
5/15/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Aiken Rotary Club 2023 Scholarship Winners Celebration
For many years, the Rotary Club of Aiken has awarded scholarships to worthy students. We awarded a $5000 scholarship to 23 students from the Class of 2022 for a total of $115,000.
This scholarship is open to all 2023 graduating high school students who live in Area 1 or attend an Area 1 school, including homeschool students. Each of this year’s scholarship winners will receive $7500.
5/8/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Al Ridilla, President and CEO of AGY in Aiken
Al Ridilla assumes day-to-day leadership of AGY Holding Corp. and join the company’s board of directors. AGY makes glass fiber yarns, reinforcements and materials used in industries ranging from aerospace to electronics and employs more than 700 in manufacturing, research, product support and sales.
Ridilla, who most recently served as president and CEO at Parkway Products, has more than 30 years of leadership experience at advanced materials technology companies, according to a news release.
“Al brings deep strategic and operational know-how to strengthen and expand AGY’s business in the United States and in our European and Asian markets,” said Ryan Carroll, managing director in the private credit group at the TCW Group, which acquired a majority stake in AGY in September of 2020. “His well-rounded executive experience in strategic planning, revenue growth, innovation, acquisitions ……
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5/1/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Dr. Julie Helm, Clemson University – Avian flu and the Return of Backyard Chickens
The United States continues to experience outbreaks of the highly pathogenic Avian Virus also known as the ‘Bird Flu’.
Clemson’s Poultry Health Director, Julie Helm, says the particular strain of the virus is proving to be very deadly.
According to the USDA, the virus has been found in mammals such as black bears, dolphins, raccoons, and ……
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4/24/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Dave Olson
Executive Vice President, NNSA Capital Projects Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC
Olson’s responsibilities include executing the conceptional design and other pre-critical decision activities for the proposed Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility project, as well as responsibility
for the Tritium Finishing Facility and the Surplus Plutonium Disposition projects, and MOX Project termination activities.
Olson has more than 38 years of experience in project management, operations and engineering in nuclear materials processing and nuclear waste treatment in multiple government nuclear facility operations and projects.
Olson has previously led prime contracts at both SRS and the Hanford site in Washington. Prior to his return to SRNS, he held the position of Chief Nuclear Officer for Fluor Global Government Services (GGS) in Greenville, S.C., where he was responsible for oversight and support of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Environmental Management projects in the GGS portfolio, which included SRNS. Olson also chaired ……
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4/17/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Dr. Sanela Porca, Economic and Societal Impact of USC Aiken on Aiken County
Dr. Sanela Porča, a economics and international business professor at USCA, will present the results of an economic impact analysis conducted by the USCA Pacer Center Research Team.
The analysis divides the output into three categories: direct, indirect and induced effects.
Direct effects are the direct expenditures made by the university in the Aiken community including employees and taxes paid. Indirect effects are the economic impacts of the USCA employees and suppliers spending the money ……
4/10/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Tim Hardee, Update of the Technical College System and Aiken Tech
Hardee has served over 30 years in education in South Carolina, including 15 at Central Carolina Technical College. He has been honored by Coastal Carolina University with the Outstanding Alumni award as well as the Sumter Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Achievement Award. Prior to entering higher education administration 15 years ago, he served as a teacher, coach, counselor, principal and administrator on the K-12 level.
With a B.S. in Psychology from Coastal Carolina University, Hardee also holds an M.Ed. in Counselor Education and an Ed.D. in Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina. He currently serves as a member of the South Carolina Workforce Development Board and is a graduate of the South Carolina Economic Development Institute, the Furman Diversity Leaders Institute, ……
4/3/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Del Hickey, the History of Women in Rotary
A top priority for Rotary is growing and diversifying our membership to make sure we reflect the communities we serve. We know that our capacity to increase our impact and expand our reach is larger when more people unite with us, which is why we value diversity, equity and inclusion. Rotary celebrates and welcomes the contributions of people of all backgrounds, regardless of their age, ethnicity, race, color, abilities, religion, socioeconomic status, culture, sex, sexual orientation, and ……
3/27/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Todd Wilkinson, Future of USCA Athletics
Todd Wilkinson, Director of Athletics at USCA, assumed his duties on Feb. 1, 2023.
Wilkinson has 37 years of coaching and administrator experience, including 30 years spent at Barton College.
Wilkinson spent the last eight years as the Director of Athletics with Barton. During his time as the Director of Athletics, he supervised over 50 staff members and oversaw 690 student-athletes while adding several athletic teams, including football, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s swimming and cheer/dance.
Since 2015, Barton captured 17 conference championships, registered 12 runner-up spots, sent eight teams to the NCAA Championships and garnered nine individual All-America accolades. Additionally, the GPA of the student-athletes ranged between 3.1-3.2.
Wilkinson serves as the Conference Carolinas baseball liaison and participates on the Regional Advisory Committee for NCAA Division II baseball. Wilkinson was appointed as the one Division 2 Administrator to the NCAA Baseball Rules Committee in 2020 and will serve as a member of this …..
3/20/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Bill Gutfarb, President of the Aiken Training Track
Bill Gutfarb and his wife Wendy have maintained a house in Aiken since 2009 as seasonal residents, becoming full time residents in 2014 with the purchase of their home in the Horse District. He formally retired in 2016 after ten years with the Boston Red Sox and thirty four with Boston Trust Management Corporation. Retiring as Executive VP and Treasurer with responsibility for the business affairs of the late Jean Yawkey, her trust and estate, the Yawkey Foundations, her controlling interest in the Boston Red Sox, and the 25,000-acre Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center in Georgetown, SC. Over the years Bill has served as a trustee of a number of New England independent schools and charitable organizations. He was a charter member of the board of Boston’s Emerald Necklace Conservancy. He also served for many years as a trustee and Clerk of the Corporation of ……
3/13/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Caroline Gwinn, Executive Director of the Aiken Center for the Arts, on the Indigo Exhibition
Interwoven: The Art of Indigo and Silver brought together three contemporary artists—a silversmith, textile designer, and photographer—and a curator in 2018 at City Gallery located in Charleston, SC. Curator Brandy Culp worked with Jack Alterman, Kaminer Haislip, and Madame Magar to weave a story based on their artwork and the Lowcountry’s deep culture both past and present. Haislip and Magar are now bringing a second version of this exhibition to Aiken Center for the Arts situated in historic, downtown Aiken, SC.
This exhibition explores the intersection between the past and present while recognizing that ultimately contemporary art and craft must be rooted in its own time. Inextricably linked, indigo and silver are transformative as raw materials, imbued with symbolism that transcends time and cultures, and imbedded within the early cultural fabric of the Carolina Lowcountry. Although inspired by Charleston’s cultural heritage, each artist brings unique contemporary perspective and original artwork to the exhibition. Interwoven will include silver hollowware, flatware and jewelry, textile art, and artist
renderings.
Kaminer Haislip is the only practicing female silversmith in Charleston that continues to employ traditional metalworking techniques and tools that have been used for centuries. As a contemporary silversmith, she is inspired by as well as carrying forth the city’s long-standing silversmithing tradition—the silver and metals manufacturing trade was vital to Charleston’s economy from the eighteenth through the early-twentieth centuries. With a nod to the …….
3/6/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: John Riley, Plant Manager at Shaw Industries in Aiken
Shaw Industries Group, Inc. (Shaw), a leading global flooring provider, today announced plans to expand its operations in Aiken County. The approximately $400 million investment will create more than 300 new jobs at the manufacturing facility, which creates fiber used to manufacture residential carpet.
“Our expansion in Aiken represents a significant, long-term investment in our people and processes that will allow us to meet current and future projected market demand for high-quality carpet products,” said Shaw executive vice president of operations David Morgan. “This investment positions Shaw well for the future and represents tremendous career opportunities for current and future associates.”
Located in Aiken, Shaw’s expansion will increase the company’s manufacturing capacity and support future growth for new products. This location currently employs more than 600 associates.
“Shaw benefits from a talented, well-trained associate base in Aiken County. We’re proud to …….
2/13/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Stuart Bedenbaugh & Joanna Dunn, Hitchcock Woods Gateway Project
The city of Aiken and the Hitchcock Woods Foundation worked together to address the impact of storm water runoff from the town on the Woods. The most notable effect is that over time, erosion had created a deep canyon at the source of the Sand River making that area unsafe for visitors due to unstable ground.
A series of underground retention vaults that will hold storm water runoff would be constructed on properties at the entrance to the Woods, which will allow water to naturally filter into the ground below and
use smart valves to allow for the controlled release of water during prior to large storm events. The vaults will allow the collected water to naturally filter into the ground below. If the computerized Opti System forecasts an upcoming storm event, the system initiates the controlled release of water into Sand River prior to the storm. The City anticipates the work on the stormwater project will be completed by September 2022.
Although the work requires the clearing of the property where the vaults will be installed, the City, the Hitchcock Woods Foundation, the Aiken Land Conservancy, and Aiken Streetscapes have joined together to develop a plan to create a new community green space when …..
2/6/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Matthew Thornburg, Effects of South Carolina Moving Up to 1st in the Presidential Primaries
Matthew is an Associate Professor of Political Science, University of South Carolina Aiken.
South Carolina hosting the Democratic primary would have big impacts, two-fold There’s one related to politics and another to economics
The first primary is generally considered to be very important because whoever wins that primary will come out of it with some momentum. Attention gets focused on that first state, so more attention on South Carolina and the candidates come to this state, they will start coming the summer before, they bring along media with them and so it really does have a significant economic impact in the state as well.
The Republican National Committee has already decided that they will keep their primary state in Iowa just …..
1/30/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Brian Forrest, Federal Aviation Administration
Aviation industry leaders believed the airplane could not reach its full commercial potential without federal action to improve and maintain safety standards. At their urging, the Air Commerce Act was passed in 1926. This landmark legislation charged the Secretary of Commerce with fostering air commerce, issuing and enforcing air traffic rules, licensing pilots, certifying aircraft, establishing airways, and operating and maintaining aids to air navigation. A new Aeronautics Branch in the Department of Commerce assumed primary responsibility for aviation oversight, and William P. MacCracken, Jr., became its first director.
In 1934, the Department of Commerce renamed the Aeronautics Branch the Bureau of Air Commerce to reflect the growing importance of aviation to the nation. In one of its first acts, the Bureau encouraged a group of airlines to establish the first air traffic control centers (Newark, New Jersey; Cleveland, Ohio; and Chicago, Illinois) to provide en route air traffic …..
1/23/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Scott Weiss, Music Director and Conductor of the Aiken Symphony Orchestra
Scott Weiss is the Music Director and Conductor of the Aiken Symphony Orchestra and the Director of Orchestras at the University of South Carolina School of Music. In demand internationally as a guest conductor, Scott has conducted recent performances with the orchestras of Shenzhen, Tianjin, Hunan, Inner Mongolia, Shandong, and Nanchang and at major international venues including the Taipei National Theatre and Concert Hall, the National Centre for the Performing Arts Concert Hall in Beijing, and the Hangzhou Grand Theatre Concert Hall. Soloists he has recently shared the stage with include Elena Urioste, Angelo Xiang Yu, Zuill Bailey, John O’Conor, Marina Lomazov, and Paul Jacobs.
Scott has several critically-acclaimed recordings on the Naxos Records and Summit Records labels. His latest offering is the world premiere recording of Nico Muhly’s Reliable Sources, released on the Cantaloupe Music label in October 2021. The piece is one of dozens of new works that Scott has commissioned from many of today’s leading composers, including Samue …..
1/9/23: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Lindsey Loparo, Guardian ad Litem Program
The Guardian ad Litem program was founded in 1984 and holds free training courses throughout the state at various times during the year to teach community volunteers how to advocate as Guardians ad Litem for abused and neglected children who are involved in family court legal proceedings through the Department of Social Services.
GAL volunteers get to know the child and everyone involved in the child’s life, including family, teachers, doctors, social workers and others. They gather information about the child and what the child needs. Their recommendations to the court help the judge make an informed decision about a child’s future. GAL volunteers provide a stable presence in a child’s life, remaining on each case until the child is placed in a safe, permanent home.
The GAL Program is a division of the South Carolina Department of Children’s Advocacy (DCA). DCA is an independent state agency led by Director and State Child …..
12/5/22: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Dennis Shock, Novice Perspective on Writing
Dennis recently published three books in the James Brickman series available on Amazon and will be speaking at Rotary about self-publishing and giving us a novice perspective …..
11/28/22: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Allen Johnson & Robert Abshire, Aiken Beekeepers
Allen became involved in the Aiken Beekeepers Association, helping to teach the beginner course and later becoming the President of the Association. Through the South Carolina Beekeepers Association, he advanced to the Journeyman level in the Master Beekeeping Program.
Over a decade later, he and his wife, Marie, have become fulltime beekeepers and Johnson’s Bees and Supplies has been born. They want nothing more than to be your go-to source for their own labeled honey, quality nucs and queens, spring packages, beekeeping equipment, supplies and …..
11/21/22: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Eric Emerson, Director and State Historic Preservation Officer at South Carolina Department of Archives and History
Eric Emerson is the sixth director of the South Carolina Department of Archives and History and State Historic Preservation Officer. During the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, he served as chair of the South Carolina Civil War Sesquicentennial Advisory Board and authored a number of articles regarding the commemoration. He currently serves on the National Historic Publications and Records Commission and a number of other state and national boards and committees.
A native of Charlotte, N.C., he holds a BA in history from UNC-Charlotte and a MA and PhD in history from the University of Alabama. He began his career in public history as editor of the South Carolina Historical Magazine and later served was executive director of the South Carolina Historical Society and the Charleston Library Society. He has edited three annotated editions of Civil War letters published by the University of South Carolina Press and …..
Albrecht family increases support for Rotary Club of Aiken’s scholarship program to $100.000 which will allow the Rotary Club to increase the value of an individual scholarship from $5,000 to $7,500.
11/14/22: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Scholarship Update & Friends of the Aiken Symphony
The Friends of the Aiken Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1986 to bring exceptional music to our community. We do this through our partnership with Aiken Symphony Orchestra (ASO). The Friends is responsible for seeking Sponsors and conducting Special Events that raise funds for the music programs for students and the ASO concert series. The student programs include the Youth Concert Series for all fifth-grade students in Aiken and Edgefield counties. To date, more than 35,500 fifth graders have attended these concerts. In addition, advertising in the ASO concert Program is a project of the Friends in support of your Aiken Symphony Orchestra.
The Friends is an all-volunteer organization. Generous contributions by individuals, corporate sponsors, advertising by local businesses in the concert program, and grant awards happen because of the efforts of Friends, passionate about bringing great music to Aiken. We thank our sponsors, program advertisers, donors, members, and all who attend ASO concerts. The Friends of …..
11/1/22: IN-PERSON ROTARY:Aimee Hannah, Executive Director at Aiken Senior Life Services
A veteran of the luxury hospitality industry, Aimee Hanna is an experienced leader with a passion for delighting the customer, improving work processes, leading teams to success – all with an eye to generating revenue and building on profitability. Having traveled the globe extensively, Aimee has a high taste level and understanding of service, incorporating her vision for perfection in every aspect of her work – from honing in on the details to executing the big picture.
Her successes extend from training and motivating teams, giving five-star, five-diamond service and exceeding discerning customers’ expectations. A consummate professional with excellent communication skills, Aimee has delivered par excellence for customers in the high …..
10/31/22: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Rod Funderburk, CART Fund Update
The CART Fund is dedicated to raising funds to provide “seed” money for cutting edge, high impact research in hopes of finding prevention and ultimately a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.
CART is a Rotary-initiated project that illustrates the amazing power of the Rotary Brand. By providing grants to researchers in the early and conceptual stages of a line of research, CART enables its grant recipients to explore approaches to arresting or curing Alzheimer’s Disease that may be outside the mainstream ideas being pursued by big pharmaceutical companies.
When one of these studies shows promise, it’s not unusual for a $100,000 CART grant recipient to attract an additional grant of a quarter or half million dollars from a larger foundation or perhaps a pharmaceutical company. So, once again, our dollars are multiplied by those with deeper pockets.
CART was founded by …..
10/24/22: IN-PERSON ROTARY: David Tavernier, Center for Lifelong Learning UofSCA
The Center for Lifelong Learning was formed in 2021 by the merger of the Academy for Lifelong Learning and the McGrath Computer Learning Center. Both predecessor organizations were associated with the Office of External Programs, Continuing Education, and Conferences of the University of South Carolina Aiken. The Center continues this association.
In the summer of 1989 the dreams of three individuals merged and began to take shape. Ida Crawford Stewart, then Vice President of Estee Lauder, Inc., a native of South Carolina, and a former resident of Aiken, believed that people of all ages should continue to maximize their individual potential. To further this belief, she established an irrevocable trust at the University of South Carolina Aiken (USC Aiken) to create a Chair in the Department of Sociology in Gerontology.
Dr. Robert Alexander, Chancellor of USC Aiken at that time, agreed with Mrs. Stewart and asked Dr. Mary Leslie Hudson, then Dean of Continuing Education at USC Aiken, and Dr. Trudy Henson, then Chair of the Sociology Department at USC Aiken, to present a plan by which USC Aiken could serve the rapidly growing population of older persons …..
10/17/22: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Dr. Frank Xie, of UofSCA, China’s Economic Conditions, Trade Relations & Current Events
Dr. Frank Tian Xie is John M. Olin Palmetto ChairProfessor in Business and Associate Professor of Marketing at the University of South Carolina Aiken. He was a recipient of Taiwan Fellowship and Visiting Scholar at National Taiwan University. Prior to USC Aiken, he was on the faculty of business at Drexel University. Professor Xie obtained his Ph.D. in marketing and MBA in finance from the Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University and B.S. from Peking University in Beijing, China.
A native of China and an expert on Chinese business, society, & economy, Dr. Xie is a columnist on business for New Epoch Weekly, a global Chinese language magazine. His research interest includes Chinese business and economy, marketing strategy, business-to-business marketing, international marketing, and research methodology. Prior to his career in academia, Dr. Xie had eight years of industry experience. His book on Chinese economy, The Dragon’s Vault, was published in Taiwan in 2013 and has been sold …..
10/10/22: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Kisner Foundation, Tee It Up to Read
The Tee Up to Read program is brought to you by the Kisner Foundation, in partnership with Ferst Readers. Together, under The Tee Up to Read program, Ferst Readers of Aiken County sends one age-appropriate book every month to a child until their fifth birthday. Included with each book is a parent/caregiver newsletter that contains additional tools and resources promoting the importance of reading and communicating with their child beginning at birth. These resources help better prepare a child …..
Judge Carman received his B.S. in Wildland Hydrology from Colorado State University in 1978 and his J.D. in 1981 from the University of Wyoming. During his legal career he worked as a prosecuting attorney for District Attorney’s Offices in Casper, Wyoming and California. Judge Carman practiced both plaintiff and defense civil litigation as a shareholder with Williams, Porter, Day and Neville, P.C. and Balzer Carman Murdock, L.L.C. from 1988 to 2005. In 2005, he formed Carman Law Office, P.C. in Billings, Montana, a litigation firm representing clients in Wyoming and Montana and was Of Counsel with Brown, Drew & Massey, L.L.P. of Casper. Judge Carman’s practice focused on personal injury, class action oil and gas litigation and aviation law. Judge Carman enjoyed an AV rating and was listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. He taught Aviation Law as an adjunct professor for Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana. During his career Judge Carman has been admitted to the practice of law in Wyoming, Montana, California and Colorado. Mark Carman was sworn in as United States Magistrate Judge in February 2013 with his chambers in the Yellowstone Justice Center in Yellowstone National Park. In addition, Judge Carman regularly handles the criminal docket in Jackson and presides over civil matters in Casper and Cheyenne, as well as …..
9/26/22: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Kevin Hyman of HaloCarbon, The benefits of Fluorochemistry
Halocarbon Products Corporation is one of the world’s leading producers of specialty high-quality fluorochemicals with over 65 years of experience. We have a wide range of fluorinated lubricants, performance fluids, semiconductor fabrication chemicals, lithium ion battery chemicals, pharmaceutical & biotech solutions and agricultural chemical intermediates. Halocarbon partners with clients to create product breakthroughs that improve day-to-day lives by unlocking the benefits of fluorochemistry. Our chemistry makes products safer, longer lasting and higher performing. Unlike large, public chemical companies, Halocarbon does not seek massive volume or revenue targets from our clients before we begin. We approach each client with an “entrepreneurial curiosity” to create new and improved products that truly improve their bottom line.
Our chemists and engineers commit the time and energy required to develop new ideas into commercial reality. When it’s time for production, we can redesign and adapt our facilities to meet capacity and delivery …..
9/19/22: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Tiger Kneece, Aiken Polo Club & the History of Whitney Field
Polo first arrived in Aiken in 1882, just six years after the game was introduced to this side of the Atlantic. Over the next years, the sport became an integral part of Winter Colony society, attracting many of the best players in the country and the world. By World War II, Aiken was the acknowledged center of America’s polo world during the winter months. Over its 134-year history, Aiken has been home to many famous players, horses and tournaments, including seven of the 21 American born players who have achieved a 10-goal rating.
Today, Aiken has an international reputation as a place to play, as well as a place to breed and train polo ponies. Players come to Aiken for the spring season on their way north from Florida, or for the fall season on their way south from points north and west. A growing number of players stay and play year round, and Aiken now has both summer and winter polo, as well as several arenas that hold matches.
Polo is an essential part of the city because, as 10-goaler Devereux Milburn remarked many years ago, …….
9/12/22: IN-PERSON ROTARY: District Governor, Joyce Morin
Joyce joined the Lancaster Rotary Club in 2011, served as club president 2013 – 2014, and became Assistant Governor for Area 7 in 2018. She is a RLI graduate, multiple Paul Harris Fellow and a Major Donor. Rotarian of the Year 2015 – 2016. Joyce originally joined the Rotary family in 1994 as a charter member of Brattleboro Sunrise Rotary (VT), where she also served as club president.
Joyce holds a B.A. in English from the University of Massachusetts. She worked in the insurance industry for 35 years in both company and agency settings. Joyce worked on many community projects and has served on various civic boards through the years.
After being …….
8/29/22: IN-PERSON ROTARY: John Travis, My Why Foundation Co-Founder
My Why Foundation was founded in 2020 by John Travis and Matthew Travis, two financial advisors who wanted to make an impact in our underserved communities. They work in the financial services industry helping people with retirement by investing in the stock market and making smart financial decisions. While many factors contribute to the wealth gap in America, investing (or not investing) in the stock market is one of the contributing factors, and they have a passion to educate people and can help them open up their first stock market account.
My Why Foundation meets monthly to provide an overview of the stock market and then helps participants open up accounts on-line at Charles Schwab. Two matching programs are available to participa …….
8/22/22: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Joe Renwick, Green Energy Biofuel & Re-Soil
BioJoe Renwick comes from a long line of entrepreneurs in Winnsboro, SC. Both his father and grandfather owned businesses in town. Joe’s first business was a landscaping business that he sold when he moved to North Augusta with his wife, Dr. Beth Renwick, who was completing her residency in emergency medicine. However, Joe kept his sturdy 2003 Chevy Diesel Pickup truck that he bought for the landscaping business which would later come in handy as he moved forward in his career path.
While living in North Augusta Joe worked at Wachovia Bank until the banking industry collapsed in 2007. Shortly after that, he found a job selling pharmaceutical drug manufacturing equipment – tanks, pumps, and valves. Joe acquired experience as a salesperson and gained a deep understanding of fluid process design. Unfortunately, the sole …….
8/15/22: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Morgan Purvis, Old Barnwell Golf Course
Old Barnwell Golf Club is the brainchild of entrepreneur Nick Schreiber. Barnwell’s mission statement is both simple and noble: “Bring people together through golf.” At one end Old Barnwell will stand as a private club boasting sought-after national and tiered memberships, while at the other end it will be a retreat for a broad range of younger members, families, collegiate golfers and those who aspire to a professional career in the game. With plans to open in the fall of 2023, Old Barnwell will be a twin course …..
8/8/22: IN-PERSON ROTARY: Dr. Andy Dyer, ‘EATERS DIGEST: The Care and Feeding of Your Microbiome’
Dr.Andy Dyer is a professor at the University of South Carolina Aiken (since 2000) where he teaches botany, ecology and evolution, environmental science, restoration ecology, and research methods. He has degrees in zoology and wildlife biology (BA, MA, California State University, Fresno), and plant ecology (PhD, University of California, Davis). Dr. Dyer spent two years working in the Negev Desert in Israel (University of Michigan). His research focus is …..
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