Steven Utroska presided over today’s meeting. Gene Owens provided the invocation. Joe Meador led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Steven Utroska and Steve Ramp served as our greeters today.
Mike McPhail introduced our visitors. Lachel Story is a prospective member and Mike Freeman is a guest of Gene Owens. Steven asked people to volunteer to assist with the Meals on Wheels program. Volunteers are needed for this week.
LUCRETIA HALL • FGH HOSPICE & ASBURY HOSPICE HOUSE
Lucretia Hall is the Hospice Volunteer Coordinator for Forrest General Hospice & Asbury Hospice House. After a successful career at the University of Southern Mississippi, she retired in 2005 with twenty-five years of service.
Wendy Hutchins joined the American Cancer Society in 2017 as the Community Development Manager for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and Real Men Wear Pink -both programs covering Central Mississippi. Much like so many of our valuable employees and volunteers, Wendy was deeply affected by cancer, losing her mother after a valiant battle with colon cancer in 2014. Wendy has converted her grief into serious action and she propelled the Strides program to much-needed growth and visibility over the last three years. Under her direction, the Real Men Program hit national records (#7 highest fundraising campaign in the nation in 2018 and #13 highest fundraising campaign in the nation 2019). Prior to joining the American Cancer Society, Wendy spent more than twenty years in private industry honing her best skills, forming valuable partnerships, and laying a solid foundation for networking. Wendy earned a degree from the University of Mississippi with an emphasis in Banking and Finance. She is the proud mother of two sons, one a graduate of Mississippi State and the other a soon-to-be graduate of Ole Miss. Wendy enjoys traveling, photography, art and is active in her church and the community of Terry, Mississippi.
Steven Utroska is a fourth-generation Mississippian and the owner and operator of Windlass Armory, LLC located in Hattiesburg, MS. Steven graduated with a Bachelor of Science in engineering from the University of Mississippi and worked in both industry and private consulting for nearly ten years before founding Windlass Armory, LLC, a custom firearm manufacturing company, in 2016. Windlass Armory, LLC is a “Class 3” firearms manufacturer and produces both AR15 and AR10 style firearms right in the heart of the Pine Belt. Steven is a staunch advocate of the Second Amendment and when he’s not practicing engineering or manufacturing firearms, he spends his time studying the constitutionality of firearms policy and regulations.
Grace Kent Johnson is Co·Founder and Senior Director of Creative Bread. Creative Bread works with communities and companies looking for a holistic approach to unity and healthy growth. Grace's unique background in architecture and branding has instilled in her a passion for seeing brands come to life, especially in businesses and communities. Grace was born and raised here in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and that sense of rootedness fuels her love and appreciation for communities and the people who represent them. uncovering the unique stories of people and places is her greatest passion. Once the story has been discovered, Grace oversees our team to ensure that all results represent each client with the utmost authenticity.
Many thanks to this year's Leadership Pinebelt group, G3, for providing our program on Tuesday. Pictured L-R are: Trina McAlister, Ronnie Venable, LaTreaka Rankin, and Rotary Club President, Steven Utroska.
President Steven Utroska presided over today’s meeting. Allen Anderson provided today’s invocation and Michaela Harper led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mark Killingsworth served as our greeter today.
Mike McPhail and thanked those who volunteered to help with today’s meeting. He also introduced today’s visitors. Jay Hughes and Garrison English are guests of Mike Ratliff and Harrison Edwards is a guest of Bill McLeod.
PRESIDENT RODNEY D. BENNETT • THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
Rodney D. Bennett serves as the chief executive officer and principal educational officer of The University of Southern Mississippi (USM), a comprehensive public research institution delivering transformative programs to approximately 15,000 students on campuses in South Mississippi and along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.