Elliott M. Brown is a licensed professional counselor who has worked at Canopy Children’s Solutions, a nonprofit children’s mental health organization, for the past six years. During that time, he has served as a supervisor of therapeutic foster care services.
A native of Chattahoochee, FL, Elliott arrived in Hattiesburg in 1998 in order to pursue a graduate degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. After graduating in 2001 with his master’s degree in counseling psychology, he remained in Mississippi to work at multiple agencies with a variety of populations: adults, children, severely mentally ill, developmentally disabled, soldiers, veterans and college students.
Elliott currently lives in Collins and has a fourteen-year-old daughter named Sophia. He moved his mother, Mary Brown, out to Hattiesburg two and a half years ago to be closer to him. His interests include travelling, trivia (Jeopardy), dogs, computers and environmental conservation.
February 14, 2023: Elliott Brown | Canopy Children's Solutions
Ryan Kelly presided over the meeting. Richard Topp provided the opening prayer. Coty Primeaux led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Ryan then led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Mugshots Bar and Grill in Hattiesburg.
Lee Kemp won the 50/50 drawing today and drew the correct card. He won $119.00.
Ryan reminded everyone of the District Conference on April 21-22. Matt Rumph is looking for golf tournament sponsors. The wine tasting will be at Canebrake Country Club on June 1st. He asked members to begin collecting items for the Silent Auction.
Lee Kemp then introduced our guest, Elliott Brown. Mr. Brown is the TFC Program Supervisor for Canopy Children’s Solutions. Elliott is originally from Florida but relocated to the Hattiesburg area in 1998.Canopy is a non-profit organization founded in 1912 and offers foster care for children enrolled into their program. One of the primary responsibilities Elliott has is to find, train and license foster care families. He says being a foster family is not an easy thing to do but is well worth the effort.
Children in therapeutic foster care are in the custody of MDCPS and are placed in a home licensed to provide foster care. They may come from their family of origin’s home, another foster home or from a more restrictive setting such as a residential facility. The goals is to place children in close proximity to their homes in order for them to stay connected with their family and their community. More than 3,800 children came through the program in 2022.
If you are interested in being a foster parent, please call Mr. Brown at 601-606-0208.
There being no further business to come before the club, Ryan thanked Mr. Elliott for his comments and then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
Southern Miss head coach Jay Ladner announced the addition of Juan Cardona to his staff on May 12, 2022 ahead of the 2022-23 season.
Cardona joins the Golden Eagle staff after spending two seasons at Mercer. In his first year with the Bears, Mercer won 17 games and finished fourth in the Southern Conference. A six-game winning streak early in 2020 helped the Bears garner National Association of Basketball Coaches Team of the Week honors. Cardona then helped the Bears to 18 wins in his second season and a run to the Southern Conference title game where it fell to top-seeded UNC-Greensboro.
At season’s end, three players – Djordje Dimitrijevic, Ethan Stair and Kamar Robertson – received All-SoCon honors for their on-court performance. Dimitrijevic was also recognized by the NABC as a Second Team All-District XXI selection and a College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Second Team Academic All-America
Cardona arrived in Macon following a three-year stretch as the head coach of the varsity boys program at Miami Christian High School in Miami, Fla., where he led the program to a pair of 2A FHSAA state titles (2017, 2018) and a No. 1 ranking in the state of Florida during the 2017 season.
In his three seasons with the varsity boys program at Miami Christian, Cardona achieved a 74-19 record for a .796 winning percentage.
Cardona spent one season (2018-19) on the sidelines with the varsity girls team, leading the squad to a 17-7 record and an appearance in the FHSAA 2A semifinals, which was a first for the girls program.
Cardona additionally led the Miami Tropics AAU program from 2016-19, where he worked alongside his mentor, Art Alvarez.
An experienced and accomplished coach in Puerto Rico and Mexico as well, Cardona served as the head coach for seven different professional organizations from 2007-18, including a recent position with Caciques de Humacao in Humacao, P.R.
Further accomplishments of Cardona’s include leading the Puerto Rican U-17 National Team to a gold medal at the Centrobasket Tournament in 2007 and leading American University (Bayamon, P.R.) and Caribbean University (Bayamon, P.R.) as head coach. Cardona spent one season on the sidelines at American and was at Caribbean University from 2009-2011.
Cardona’s coaching career began in 1998 when he was named head coach at Lino Padron Rivera High School in his hometown of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico.
February 7, 2023: Coach Juan Cardona—USM Men's Basketball
Mallory Donald presided over the meeting. Richard Topp provided the opening prayer. Courtney Payton led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mallory then led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Mugshots Bar and Grill in Hattiesburg.
Cliff with Mugshots won the 50/50 drawing today, but he failed to draw the correct card.
Mallory reminded everyone of the District Conference April 21-22. Matt Rumph is looking for sponsors for the golf tournament on the 21st. The wine tasting will be at Canebrake Country Club on June 1st. Please see Ryan or Mallory to volunteer to help.
Although Lynn Walton has resigned from Rotary, she is still willing to assist with the wine tasting if needed.
Stew Deen then introduced our guest, Juan Cardona. Cardona’s first love was baseball which is what brought him stateside during high school, but an injury changed his baseball career sending him back to Puerto Rico at 18 years old. It was his brother that talked him into coaching baseball.
Cardona eventually met his future mentor, the now-late Miguel Mercado. He then met his other mentor, Art Alvarez through Mercado. Cardona then coached in international professional leagues and during the summer coached with Alvarez in Miami.
Cardona told Alvarez “Whenever you have an opportunity for me, hit me up and I will leave whatever I’m doing.” I want you to guide my career in the states just like you have done for all those kids. He had that conversation with him when he was 18. He called him at age 38.
Alvarez called Cardona on Sunday and said he needed him first thing in the morning. Without hesitation, Cardona resigned from his coaching job with his professional team in Puerto Rico. He arrived in Miami at 6 a.m. and signed to coach at Miami Christian by 9 a.m.
In three years at Miami Christian, Cardona helped guide the school to two state championships, as well as met the current starting forward for Southern Miss, Felipe Haase. Eventually it wasn’t working out with Mercer, so Cardona returned to Miami to work with Art and coached at Miami Prep.
When a deal on a house fell through, Cardona and his family lived in a hotel room for eight months. To try and save money, he lived in his family car with his four children. Cardona drove until all his children fell asleep in the car and finally parked and locked the car into Miami Christian High School’s gated parking lot to provide protection. Once Cardona’s children woke up the following day, he would tell them each night that they had stayed at a hotel but couldn’t remember since they were asleep when they arrived.
In April 2022, Cardona received a call from Ladner, bringing him to USM. In his first season at Southern Miss, Cardona has helped the 8-0 Golden Eagles turn around the program and finished 7-26 last season and has gone 24-65 in the last three years. Ladner put all his faith in Cardona to turn their season around, and Cardona did just that.
There being no further business to come before the club, Mallory thanked Juan Cardona for his comments and then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
Lieutenant Victor Estudiante was born and raised in Rogers, Arkansas. He is the third of five children, and their lives were forever changed when he and his siblings were chosen off the Angel Tree. As a child, his family lost their home to a fire and The Salvation Army provided the assistance his family needed to press on. This act of kindness grew into a deep desire to give back to his city through volunteer projects and community outreach.
He has a love for music and attended the University of Arkansas where he was a member of the Razorback Marching Band drumline while studying Education and History before the Lord called him into full time ministry with The Salvation Army. As much as he loves music, teaching, and calling the Hogs, he found that his greatest passion is serving the Lord.
Over the last 10 years, he and his wife, Myranda, have served in 5 different commands with The Salvation Army across Arkansas and Oklahoma with special focus on youth outreach and evangelism. The Estudiante family moved to Mississippi in June and oversee the mission and ministry of The Salvation Army across the Pine Belt.
Though they are only a short time into their ministry here in the Magnolia State, they want to express their joy and excitement in getting to work as commanding officers of The Salvation Army of Hattiesburg. They welcome your prayers and invite you to join them as they work towards meeting human needs by serving others in their new city.
February 7, 2023: Lieutenant Victor Estudiante | Salvation Army of Hattiesburg
Mallory Donald presided over the meeting. Lucy Sanguinetti provided the opening prayer. Mavis Creagh led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mallory then led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Mugshots Bar and Grill in Hattiesburg.
Ryan Kelly then read a letter from Mark Killingsworth to club members. Mark is taking a break from Rotary while he recovers from personal health issues.
Mavis Creagh was the 50/50 winner today, but she failed to draw the correct card.
Stew Deen then introduced our guests today. A.D. Hunt has Pete Stokes as his guest. Mike Ratliff has his wife Consuelo as his guest.
Mike Ratliff then introduced today’s guest speaker, former governor Ronnie Musgrove. Governor Musgrove is from Batesville, Mississippi. He served as a state senator, Lt. Governor, and Governor. He is currently coordinating the medical marijuana program for the state.
Mississippi became the 35th state in the nation to approve the use of medical marijuana. In a recent statewide initiative, 74% of those voting approved the use of medical marijuana, however, the State Supreme Court overturned the vote because of the procedures used in collecting the signatures on the petition calling for the initiative. The matter then had to come before the state legislature. In 2020 the legislature passed legislation legalizing medical marijuana to treat pain for any one of 20 medical conditions. The program is operated by the State Department of Health.
Anyone with one of more of the identified medical conditions can apply to the Department and, if approved, they will be issued a license to purchase a limited amount of marijuana each month from a licensed dispensary. Those dispensaries cannot be located within 1,500 feet from a church, a school, or another dispensary. The legislation provides for a 5% tax on the dispensary for each sale and a 7% sales tax. Governor Musgrove predicts that the medical marijuana taxes will generate between $80 to $100 million dollars to the state each year for the general fund.
There being no further business to come before the club, Mallory thanked Governor Musgrove for his comments and then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
Ronnie Musgrove served in the Mississippi State Senate from 1988 to 1996, as lieutenant governor from 1996 to 2000, and as Mississippi’s 62nd governor from 2000 to 2004. Governor Musgrove remains engaged with public policy boards and commissions working to advance quality education and better access to health care for rural and low-income families.
Governor Musgrove chaired the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services, a federal advisory committee to the Secretary of Health and Human Services focused specifically on health care challenges in rural America. He was a Senior Policy Scholar in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health.
While Governor Musgrove continues to practice law, he is also actively engaged in opening private sector medical marijuana testing facilities in Mississippi.
A Panola County native, Governor Musgrove is a graduate of Northwest Mississippi Community College, The University of Mississippi, and The University of Mississippi School of Law. Governor Musgrove, a Paul Harris Fellow, was an active Rotarian for more than 20 years.
January 24, 2023: Ronnie Musgrove—Former Governor of Mississippi
Ronnie Musgrove served in the Mississippi State Senate from 1988 to 1996, as lieutenant governor from 1996 to 2000, and as Mississippi’s 62nd governor from 2000 to 2004. Governor Musgrove remains engaged with public policy boards and commissions working to advance quality education and better access to health care for rural and low-income families.
Governor Musgrove chaired the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services, a federal advisory committee to the Secretary of Health and Human Services focused specifically on health care challenges in rural America. He was a Senior Policy Scholar in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health.
While Governor Musgrove continues to practice law, he is also actively engaged in opening private sector medical marijuana testing facilities in Mississippi.
A Panola County native, Governor Musgrove is a graduate of Northwest Mississippi Community College, The University of Mississippi, and The University of Mississippi School of Law. Governor Musgrove, a Paul Harris Fellow, was an active Rotarian for more than 20 years.
OUR GUEST TODAY: Ronnie Musgrove—Former Governor of Mississippi
Stew Deen presided over the meeting. Mark Killingsworth provided the opening prayer. Bryan Shaver led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Stew then led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Mugshots Bar and Grill in Hattiesburg.
Coty Primeaux was the 50/50 winner today, but he failed to draw the correct card.
Lee Kemp introduced today’s guest speaker, Stephen East. He is the Director of Business Development for Gulfport Behavioral Health Systems.
Mr. East says the primary mission of the System is to erase the stigma about mental health. He noted that a suicide is committed every eleven minutes in the United States. Twenty-two vets commit suicide every day.
Gulfport Behavioral Health was established on the Gulf Coast in 1984. They now have ninety beds and work with 350 other hospitals. The system is the only dedicated military unit from Florida to Texas. In addition to inpatient services, they provide outpatient programs which are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There are many causes for mental health issues. They include bullying, phobias, alcohol and drug abuse and gambling additions. Every treatment plan is unique to the individual’s need. Their programs include pet therapy, exercising, art, music, meditation, yoga and gardening therapy. Their treatments are covered by insurance, Medicare and are approved by the Joint Commission.
If you need assistance, dial 988. It is the 911 number for mental health treatments.
There being no further business to come before the club, Stew thanked Mr. East for his work and his comments and then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
Ryan Kelly presided over the meeting. Lucy Sanguinetti provided the opening prayer. Annie Jackson led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Ryan then led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Mugshots Bar and Grill in Hattiesburg.
Ryan reminded members that the wine tasting event will be held in early June at the Canebrake Golf Course Clubhouse. The district conference is coming up in the spring. Silent Auction items are needed for both events. Stew conducted the 50/50 raffle. Mavis Creagh was today’s winner, and she drew the correct card. The pot is valued at $76.00 today.
Ryan reported that the club has received a thank you card from Annie for the toy donations members made to Canopy prior to Christmas.
Annie then introduced today’s guest speaker, William J. Brown. Mr. Brown is the founder and CEO of Cubz 2 Kingz, a 501(c) 3 organization that promotes the study and engagement of Scince, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) to at-risk students between the ages of 8 to 18. The organization was founded in 2018 and serves young people in the Hattiesburg and Wayne County areas.
Mr. Brown notes that most young people today are always on their telephones. He developed a phone app so the Cubz 2 Kingz information can be delivered to their phones. The core training programs teache five basic principles. He teaches participants that (1) they are strong, (2) intelligent, (3) manly, (4) brave and (5) that they can be leaders. The program is trying over-come the “kill – steal” doctrine that many of the area’s children have. He maintains that most of the participants problems stem from not having a father figure in the home. They work primarily through the juvenile detention centers.
There being no further business to come before the club, Ryan thanked Mr. Brown for his work and his comments and then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
Dean Doty, CEO of Gulfport Behavioral Health System grew up in the Jackson, MS area and has called the MS Gulf Coast home since 2006. Receiving his bachelor’s degree from Belhaven College and Master’s from the University of Southern Mississippi, he is a Licensed Master Social Worker and has over 25 years of experience as a social worker, clinical therapist and interventionist providing care to individuals and families throughout the gulf coast. Along with his clinical practice Mr. Doty has also provided his leadership and management expertise to multiple medical and mental health organizations focusing on operations, management, and business development. Through all his experience, Mr. Doty has focused on increasing access to the highest quality of care for the community and he brings this focus and drive to Gulfport Behavioral Health System where he can help further quality and access of care to the provider of choice among patients, families, and healthcare providers along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Stephen East, Director of Business Development for Gulfport Behavioral Health System since January 2020 is a graduate of Mississippi State University, receiving a Bachelor of Professional Accounting degree. Mr. East has 25+ years of progressive healthcare financial, operational, strategic planning, and customer service experience across both the medical surgical and mental healthcare sectors. A native of Mississippi and longtime resident of the Mississippi gulf coast, Mr. East has brought Gulfport Behavioral Health and its extended community a focus on mental health and the possibilities of quality individualized mental healthcare that can be received right here on the Mississippi Coast.
January 17, 2023: Dean Doty & Stephen East—Gulfport Behavioral Health System
Dean Doty, CEO of Gulfport Behavioral Health System grew up in the Jackson, MS area and has called the MS Gulf Coast home since 2006. Receiving his bachelor’s degree from Belhaven College and Master’s from the University of Southern Mississippi, he is a Licensed Master Social Worker and has over 25 years of experience as a social worker, clinical therapist and interventionist providing care to individuals and families throughout the gulf coast. Along with his clinical practice Mr. Doty has also provided his leadership and management expertise to multiple medical and mental health organizations focusing on operations, management, and business development. Through all his experience, Mr. Doty has focused on increasing access to the highest quality of care for the community and he brings this focus and drive to Gulfport Behavioral Health System where he can help further quality and access of care to the provider of choice among patients, families, and healthcare providers along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Stephen East, Director of Business Development for Gulfport Behavioral Health System since January 2020 is a graduate of Mississippi State University, receiving a Bachelor of Professional Accounting degree. Mr. East has 25+ years of progressive healthcare financial, operational, strategic planning, and customer service experience across both the medical surgical and mental healthcare sectors. A native of Mississippi and longtime resident of the Mississippi gulf coast, Mr. East has brought Gulfport Behavioral Health and its extended community a focus on mental health and the possibilities of quality individualized mental healthcare that can be received right here on the Mississippi Coast.
NEXT WEEK: Dean Doty & Stephen East—Gulfport Behavioral Health System
William J. Brown is a native of Buckatunna, Missisippi. He is the founder and CEO of Cubz 2 Kingz, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that promotes the study and engagement of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics to at-risk students 8 to 18. William J. proudly served in the United States Navy for 14 years as a Nuclear Engineer (MM1) and highly decorated retired disable veteran in 2019. Throughout his journey, he developed a passionate interest in bringing healing to young men who have been through a traumatic or stressful experience. In Febuary 2018, that passion involved into Cubz 2 Kingz.
William J. recieved a B.S. in Psychology from University of Phoenix in May, 2018. He is a current student at Northwestern University, Masters in Clinical Psychology internship program. William J.'s goal is to continue to help children, adults, and families to eliminate the socioeconomic gap through hands-on mentoring programs in cities across the U.S.
William J. Brown is a native of Buckatunna, Missisippi. He is the founder and CEO of Cubz 2 Kingz, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that promotes the study and engagement of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics to at-risk students 8 to 18. William J. proudly served in the United States Navy for 14 years as a Nuclear Engineer (MM1) and highly decorated retired disable veteran in 2019. Throughout his journey, he developed a passionate interest in bringing healing to young men who have been through a traumatic or stressful experience. In Febuary 2018, that passion involved into Cubz 2 Kingz.
William J. recieved a B.S. in Psychology from University of Phoenix in May, 2018. He is a current student at Northwestern University, Masters in Clinical Psychology internship program. William J.'s goal is to continue to help children, adults, and families to eliminate the socioeconomic gap through hands-on mentoring programs in cities across the U.S.
William J. Brown is a native of Buckatunna, Missisippi. He is the founder and CEO of Cubz 2 Kingz, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that promotes the study and engagement of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics to at-risk students 8 to 18. William J. proudly served in the United States Navy for 14 years as a Nuclear Engineer (MM1) and highly decorated retired disable veteran in 2019. Throughout his journey, he developed a passionate interest in bringing healing to young men who have been through a traumatic or stressful experience. In Febuary 2018, that passion involved into Cubz 2 Kingz.
William J. recieved a B.S. in Psychology from University of Phoenix in May, 2018. He is a current student at Northwestern University, Masters in Clinical Psychology internship program. William J.'s goal is to continue to help children, adults, and families to eliminate the socioeconomic gap through hands-on mentoring programs in cities across the U.S.
Heidi Nelson has nineteen years of experience as a mental health leader. She now serves as the Director of Student Counseling in a university counseling center. Her career in leadership has allowed her to impact the implementation and delivery of trauma supports, evidence-based practices, and inter-disciplinary collaboration. Heidi is a Nationally Certified Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor. She has served as a certified trainer and coach to support families with crisis history through University of Maryland. She is, also, a recent graduate of a life coaching program (accredited by the International Coaching Federation). Heidi is a native of Louisiana and a graduate of Dillard University in New Orleans, LA. She received her Master’s in Counseling Psychology from The University of Southern Mississippi. She is an alumna of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health’s FOCUS Accelerated Leadership Program and National Council for Behavioral Health’s Management Academy. She serves on two non-profit boards in Hattiesburg, MS, which are RISE and Senior Corp Foster Grandparents Program. Additionally, Heidi is the founder of PrepLYFE, PLLC, a consulting company which encourages others to Prepare and Live for Your Future Enthusiastically.
OUR GUEST TODAY: Heidi Nelson—USM Mental Health Clinic
Heidi Nelson has nineteen years of experience as a mental health leader. She now serves as the Director of Student Counseling in a university counseling center. Her career in leadership has allowed her to impact the implementation and delivery of trauma supports, evidence-based practices, and inter-disciplinary collaboration. Heidi is a Nationally Certified Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor. She has served as a certified trainer and coach to support families with crisis history through University of Maryland. She is, also, a recent graduate of a life coaching program (accredited by the International Coaching Federation). Heidi is a native of Louisiana and a graduate of Dillard University in New Orleans, LA. She received her Master’s in Counseling Psychology from The University of Southern Mississippi. She is an alumna of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health’s FOCUS Accelerated Leadership Program and National Council for Behavioral Health’s Management Academy. She serves on two non-profit boards in Hattiesburg, MS, which are RISE and Senior Corp Foster Grandparents Program. Additionally, Heidi is the founder of PrepLYFE, PLLC, a consulting company which encourages others to Prepare and Live for Your Future Enthusiastically.
January 3, 2023: Heidi Nelson—USM Mental Health Clinic
Mallory Donald presided over the meeting. Ryan Kelly provided the opening prayer. Coty Primeaux led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mallory led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Mugshots Bar and Grill in Hattiesburg.
Mallory reminded members that the wine tasting committee will meet on Wednesday, January 4, to plan the 2023 event. The committee will meet at noon at Tabellas. Stew conducted the 50/50 raffle. Mark Killingsworth was today’s winner, however he failed to draw the right card. The pot rolls over until the next meeting.
Today’s meeting was a club planning meeting. Mallory sent a membership satisfaction survey out to members recently. The results show that 52% of our members are satisfied with the club, however, 14% indicated they are not satisfied. Comments indicate that some of the members think our dues are too high and that meeting menu options are too limited. There is consensus that the Mugshot’s food is good, but more options would be preferred. Some of the members noted that they feel unwelcomed at club meetings.
Suggestions for improvements include reinstating classification talks. It was also suggested that we need to increase membership and seek more diversification in our membership. Club members also suggested that we get back out into the community with more service projects. It was suggested that the best membership recruitment pool is former members who have resigned.
Mark Killingsworth reported that sponsorships are needed for the District Conference. He distributed a list of potential sponsorship opportunities. The conference will be held April 21 and 22 on the USM campus. Raffle items are needed for the conference. Registration is now open and on the District’s website.
Mallory asked members to each bring at least one auction item for the 2023 wine tasting event.
There being no further business to come before the club, Mallory adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
Heidi Nelson has nineteen years of experience as a mental health leader. She now serves as the Director of Student Counseling in a university counseling center. Her career in leadership has allowed her to impact the implementation and delivery of trauma supports, evidence-based practices, and inter-disciplinary collaboration. Heidi is a Nationally Certified Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor. She has served as a certified trainer and coach to support families with crisis history through University of Maryland. She is, also, a recent graduate of a life coaching program (accredited by the International Coaching Federation). Heidi is a native of Louisiana and a graduate of Dillard University in New Orleans, LA. She received her Master’s in Counseling Psychology from The University of Southern Mississippi. She is an alumna of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health’s FOCUS Accelerated Leadership Program and National Council for Behavioral Health’s Management Academy. She serves on two non-profit boards in Hattiesburg, MS, which are RISE and Senior Corp Foster Grandparents Program. Additionally, Heidi is the founder of PrepLYFE, PLLC, a consulting company which encourages others to Prepare and Live for Your Future Enthusiastically.
Mallory Donald presided over the meeting. A.D. Hunt provided the opening prayer. Bill MacLauchlan led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mallory led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Mugshots Bar and Grill in Hattiesburg.
Mallory reminded members that the wine tasting committee will meet on Wednesday, January 4, to plan the 2023 event. Stew conducted the 50/50 raffle. A.D. Hunt was today’s winner.
Latrina Rankin was installed as the club’s newest member. She was recruited by Coty Primeaux. Her husband is a police officer. They have two children. She works for Regions.
Ryan Kelly then introduced today’s guest speaker, Laura Achter. She has been a field instructor with the University of Southern Mississippi’s Child Welfare Training Academy for more than 20 years. She served in the Mississippi Air National Guard.
Laura spoke about the very important task of self-care. She says it is one, if not, the most important things we can do to stay healthy and happy. Self-care is the way you recharge yourself. She says the pandemic changed our behaviors, changing the ways we self-help. Due to the pandemic, we are all having to re-learn how we socialize. She asked members if they have been to the dentist, the doctor, or the eye doctor in the past year. These are some of the things we need to do to stay healthy. Another important element of self-help is eating healthy.
She challenged our members to do a self-assessment and to be accountable for our health. She suggested that we find things to do that will help us re-charge ourselves daily.
There being no further business to come before the club, Mallory thanked Laura for her thoughts and suggestions. She then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
Laura Achter received her BS (emphasis in Social Work) and MSW from the University of Southern Mississippi. Her professional background includes mental health clinician with Pine Belt Mental Health Care Services, Family Preservation Specialist with Child Protective Services (CPS), child welfare social worker, and therapeutic foster care specialist, intensive in-home specialist with Mississippi Children’s Home Services/Canopy. She was a Transition of Care (TOC) Coach with Molina Healthcare. She was the Assistant Director to the USM Child Welfare Training Academy. She has been a Field Instructor with USM School of Social Work for students for over 20 years.
She served in the Mississippi Air National Guard for 32 years. She started the military as an enlisted airman and was later commissioned as an officer. She has served as Medical Service supervisor, Equal Opportunity Officer and base Inspector General.
Interests: Child Welfare, Family and Children, Ethics, Cultural Competency, School Social Work
December 20, 2022: Laura Achter—USM School of Social Work
Laura Achter received her BS (emphasis in Social Work) and MSW from the University of Southern Mississippi. Her professional background includes mental health clinician with Pine Belt Mental Health Care Services, Family Preservation Specialist with Child Protective Services (CPS), child welfare social worker, and therapeutic foster care specialist, intensive in-home specialist with Mississippi Children’s Home Services/Canopy. She was a Transition of Care (TOC) Coach with Molina Healthcare. She was the Assistant Director to the USM Child Welfare Training Academy. She has been a Field Instructor with USM School of Social Work for students for over 20 years.
She served in the Mississippi Air National Guard for 32 years. She started the military as an enlisted airman and was later commissioned as an officer. She has served as Medical Service supervisor, Equal Opportunity Officer and base Inspector General.
Interests: Child Welfare, Family and Children, Ethics, Cultural Competency, School Social Work
OUR GUEST TODAY: Laura Achter—USM School of Social Work
Laura Achter received her BS (emphasis in Social Work) and MSW from the University of Southern Mississippi. Her professional background includes mental health clinician with Pine Belt Mental Health Care Services, Family Preservation Specialist with Child Protective Services (CPS), child welfare social worker, and therapeutic foster care specialist, intensive in-home specialist with Mississippi Children’s Home Services/Canopy. She was a Transition of Care (TOC) Coach with Molina Healthcare. She was the Assistant Director to the USM Child Welfare Training Academy. She has been a Field Instructor with USM School of Social Work for students for over 20 years.
She served in the Mississippi Air National Guard for 32 years. She started the military as an enlisted airman and was later commissioned as an officer. She has served as Medical Service supervisor, Equal Opportunity Officer and base Inspector General.
Interests: Child Welfare, Family and Children, Ethics, Cultural Competency, School Social Work
Ryan Kelly presided over the meeting. Joe Bost provided the opening prayer. Anthony Harris led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Ryan led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Mugshots Bar and Grill in Hattiesburg.
Ryan reminded members that the wine tasting committee will meet in the near future to plan the 2023 event. Stew conducted the 50/50 raffle. There was no winner for the $210.00 pot.
Ryan then introduced today’s speakers. Jim Wild and Olha Zutsepilo. Jim retired in 2021. He is a long-term resident of Hattiesburg and set four goals to accomplish in his retirement. He wants to become more involved in Heritage Church, spend more time traveling with his family, make investments in his personal health and find something purposeful to become involved in. He and his wife helped relocate a Ukrainian family from Odesa to Hattiesburg.
Olha Zutsepilo was born in Ukraine. She met and married Alex Fokin, a Russian national. They were married in December 2016. Alex was in the United States when Russia invaded Ukraine. He began efforts to get his family out of that country after the invasion. Alex connected with Jim, who asked Heritage Church for help. The church had a home, and 40 members showed up to get the house ready for the immigrants. When they left, the home was fully furnished and there was food in the refrigerator. The Rotary Club in McComb raised money to help with the project and provided sponsors for Olha and her family.
The entire family eventually relocated to Hattiesburg, after spending 20 days in Ireland. Olha says she has met two other Ukraine families in the Hattiesburg area since she has been here.
There being no further business to come before the club, Ryan thanked our speakers. He then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
Jim Wild was born and raised in McComb, MS. A lifelong resident of Mississippi, Jim has been a resident of Hattiesburg for the past 20 years. He retired in June 2021 after a long, successful career in commercial banking. As he approached retirement, Jim wanted to continue to be involved in the Hattiesburg community and Heritage Church. He had four objectives in retirement: 1) Become more involved in his church; 2) Spend more time traveling with his family; 3) Make investments in his personal health; and 4) Find something purposeful to become involved in.
In February 2022, Jim watched in disbelief as Russia attacked Ukraine. Over the next few weeks, his desire to find something purposeful combined with what he believes was a divine conversation led him and his wife to help relocate a Ukrainian family from Odesa, Ukraine to Hattiesburg, MS. Today, Jim will share that story.
Olha Zatsepilo Bio
Olha Zatsepilo was born in Odesa, Ukraine. While working for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines in 2015, she met Alex Fokin, a Russian national. Olha and Alex fell in love and married in December 2016. They moved to Odesa, Ukraine, where they worked and lived prior to the Russian invasion in February 2022.
Alex was visiting the U.S. at the time of the invasion. Through a personal connection with a Hattiesburg resident, Alex began efforts to get his family out of Ukraine and to the United States. So, on March 1st, 2022, his wife Olha (who was 7 ½ months pregnant with their 2nd child), their son Vova and Olha’s mother left Odesa by car and traveled to the border of Moldova, where their long journey began. Today, Jim and Olha will talk about her journey.
December 13, 2022: Jim Wild | Zatsepilo Family—Ukraine
Jim Wild was born and raised in McComb, MS. A lifelong resident of Mississippi, Jim has been a resident of Hattiesburg for the past 20 years. He retired in June 2021 after a long, successful career in commercial banking. As he approached retirement, Jim wanted to continue to be involved in the Hattiesburg community and Heritage Church. He had four objectives in retirement: 1) Become more involved in his church; 2) Spend more time traveling with his family; 3) Make investments in his personal health; and 4) Find something purposeful to become involved in.
In February 2022, Jim watched in disbelief as Russia attacked Ukraine. Over the next few weeks, his desire to find something purposeful combined with what he believes was a divine conversation led him and his wife to help relocate a Ukrainian family from Odesa, Ukraine to Hattiesburg, MS. Today, Jim will share that story.
Olha Zatsepilo Bio
Olha Zatsepilo was born in Odesa, Ukraine. While working for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines in 2015, she met Alex Fokin, a Russian national. Olha and Alex fell in love and married in December 2016. They moved to Odesa, Ukraine, where they worked and lived prior to the Russian invasion in February 2022.
Alex was visiting the U.S. at the time of the invasion. Through a personal connection with a Hattiesburg resident, Alex began efforts to get his family out of Ukraine and to the United States. So, on March 1st, 2022, his wife Olha (who was 7 ½ months pregnant with their 2nd child), their son Vova and Olha’s mother left Odesa by car and traveled to the border of Moldova, where their long journey began. Today, Jim and Olha will talk about her journey.
OUR GUEST TODAY: Jim Wild | Zatsepilo Family—Ukraine
Mallory Donald presided over the meeting. Lucy Sanguinetti provided the opening prayer. Courtney Payton led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mallory led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Mugshots Bar and Grill in Hattiesburg.
Mallory reminded members to bring unwrapped toys to the meeting before December 15. The toys will be distributed by Canopy. She also reported that the wine tasting committee will meet one day next week. She will announce the date, time and meeting location by email. Anyone interested in working on the event is encouraged to let Mallory know.
Stew then conducted the 50/50 raffle. Mary Cromartie was the winner, however, she failed to draw the Queen of Hearts, so the pot grows. He introduced Karen Gallagher who is a visiting Rotarian from the Tarpon Springs, Florida club.
Mallory then installed two new Rotarians, Courtney Payton, and Lee Kemp.
Courtney then introduced today’s guest speaker, Dr. Phyllis Chambers-Berry. Dr. Berry complimented Rotarians for the good work they do for the community.
Dr. Berry assumed the duties of Chief Nursing Officer at Forrest General Hospital in September of 2019. She recently served as Director of Emergency and Nursing Staff Services at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Southaven, Mississippi. She earned a Masters of Science in Nursing from Loyola University, New Orleans. She went on to receive a Doctorate of Nursing Practice also from Loyola in 2016.
She grew up in the south side of Chicago and said if it were not for several volunteers in her life, she would not have been able to accomplish what she has accomplished. Her grandmother put her into a high school where she learned to play the piano and violin. A volunteer at the school convinced her to join the swim team. After marriage her husband, another volunteer in her life, insisted that he be a “stay at home” dad and encouraged her to continue her education. He remained behind and took care of their six children.
She encouraged Rotarians to continue their service in the community. She says you never know whose life you will change by letting others stand on your shoulders.
There being no further business to come before the club, Mallory thanked Dr. Berry for her remarks. She then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
Phyllis Chambers-Berry, DNP, RN, NE-BC, assumed the duties of Chief Nursing Officer at Forrest General Hospital in September of 2019.
Dr. Chambers-Berry most recently served as Director of Emergency and Nursing Staff Services at Baptist Memorial Hospital Desoto in Southaven, Mississippi. In that position, Dr. Chambers-Berry was involved with supervising a 92 person staff, managing the daily operations of an emergency department, which cares for 67,000 patients annually, overseeing a multimillion dollar budget, and strategic nursing oversight for a 25-bed emergency expansion project. Additionally, Dr. Chambers-Berry oversaw nursing support services at Baptist Desoto and was responsible for bed flow daily operations.
Dr. Chambers-Berry has a wide range honors and accomplishments including serving as President of the Mississippi Nurses Association of Marshall, Tate, and De Soto Counties from 2018 till her relocation to Hattiesburg on September 1 and being voted Top 100 Nurses in Memphis-Shelby County 2015. She was also nominated for the prestigious Nightingale Nurse of Distinction Award.
Dr. Chambers-Berry earned a Masters of Science in Nursing from Loyola University New Orleans and went on to receive a Doctorate of Nursing Practice also from Loyola University New Orleans in 2016.
Phyllis Chambers-Berry, DNP, RN, NE-BC, assumed the duties of Chief Nursing Officer at Forrest General Hospital in September of 2019.
Dr. Chambers-Berry most recently served as Director of Emergency and Nursing Staff Services at Baptist Memorial Hospital Desoto in Southaven, Mississippi. In that position, Dr. Chambers-Berry was involved with supervising a 92 person staff, managing the daily operations of an emergency department, which cares for 67,000 patients annually, overseeing a multimillion dollar budget, and strategic nursing oversight for a 25-bed emergency expansion project. Additionally, Dr. Chambers-Berry oversaw nursing support services at Baptist Desoto and was responsible for bed flow daily operations.
Dr. Chambers-Berry has a wide range honors and accomplishments including serving as President of the Mississippi Nurses Association of Marshall, Tate, and De Soto Counties from 2018 till her relocation to Hattiesburg on September 1 and being voted Top 100 Nurses in Memphis-Shelby County 2015. She was also nominated for the prestigious Nightingale Nurse of Distinction Award.
Dr. Chambers-Berry earned a Masters of Science in Nursing from Loyola University New Orleans and went on to receive a Doctorate of Nursing Practice also from Loyola University New Orleans in 2016.
Mark Killingsworth introduced Copeland Nowell prior to the beginning of today’s meeting. Copeland is a native of Hattiesburg and a graduate of Sacred Heart Catholic School. After high school graduation he enrolled in the U.S. Naval Academy and received a full scholarship to the Academy. The scholarship includes tuition, room and board, books, and a $120 weekly stipend for living expenses. It is estimated that the scholarship is valued at $500,000. The Academy is a four-year public university. Graduates earn a Bachelor of Science degree and specialized training in an area they wish to enter. They also graduate as a commissioned officer in the Navy or the Marines. In exchange for the scholarship, they agree to serve in the commission for an additional five years after graduation.
Mallory Donald presided over the meeting. Ryan Kelly provided the opening prayer. Copeland Nowell led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mallory led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Mugshots Bar and Grill in Hattiesburg.
Richard Topp distributed a sign-up sheet for this year’s Salvation Army bell ringing event. Our club will ring the bells on Saturday, December 3rd and the evening of Tuesday, December the 6th.
Stew then conducted the 50/50 raffle. There was no winner, so the pot rolls over to next week.
Mallory reported that the board has decided to move forward with our annual wine tasting event. Committee members are needed. If you are interested, please let Mallory know.
Annie Jackson then introduced today’s guest speaker, Danyella Terrell. She is a graduate of the USM School of Social Work and is a licensed social worker. She began her career as an intern at Ellisville State School. Her work experience includes supervision, front line and regional case management, hospice, as well as navigation with the Medicaid Bridge to Independence program. In addition to being a social worker, she owns three businesses in the Hattiesburg area.
Danyella encouraged Rotarians to leave a legacy, not for us but for God. Her daily, personal goal is to make someone’s life better. She reminded us that nothing just happens, but everything happens for a reason. She says we should take what we have and make the best of it while being encouraging to others, because you never know when they need you.
There being no further business to come before the club, Mallory thanked Danyella for her remarks. She then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
Danyella Terrell, LMSW is a native of Pearl, MS youngest girl of 7 children, and 2-time graduate from The University of Southern Mississippi School of Social Work. Currently serving as an adjunct instructor at the University, her determination to teach with integrity and compassion is conveyed to her students. She began her social work career as a licensed social work intern at Ellisville State School. Her 1st post undergraduate job was with Forrest County DHS where she was assisted in decreasing the custody count from 400 to 76 children over a five-year time span. Her social work experience includes supervision, front line and regional case management, hospice, as well as navigation with the Medicaid Bridge to Independence program, currently known as Community Transition Services and Clinical therapy.
In addition, she is a flourishing entrepreneur of 3 Businesses: Berry Boujee' Boutique Inc, The Boujee' Boss Pop-Up Market and DBT Properties.
OUR GUEST TODAY: Danyella Berry-Terrell—USM School of Social Work
Mallory Donald presided over the meeting. Ryan Kelly provided the opening prayer. Lucy Sanguinetti led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mallory led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Mugshots Bar and Grill in Hattiesburg.
Mallory then conducted the 50/50 raffle. Annie Jackson was the winner, however, she failed to draw the Queen of Spades, so the pot rolls over to next week.
Richard Topp introduced his guest today from the Salvation Army. Our club rings the bells for the Army each Christmas season. There is consensus that we will ring on December 3rd and again for one evening. Sign-up sheets will be ready for volunteers at our next meeting.
Lucy then introduced today’s guest speaker, Ben Smith. Ben is an assistant baseball coach at William Carey University. He is a native of Laurel. He first arrived at William Carey in 2004 as an infielder/pitcher. He joined the Crusader baseball coaching staff in the fall of 2008 and helped lead the Crusaders to a GCAC Championship and NAIA National Tournament in his first season. In 2010 he became the first ever coach of the Men’s and Women’s Cross-Country teams. In 2015 the Men’s Cross-Country team won the SSAC Championship and advanced to the NAIA National Championship.
Ben says the Cross-Country team members are the hardest working athletics at William Carey. They start running at 4:30 a.m. each morning and run multiple miles before they rest.
Ben talked a great deal about travel ball and the often-negative impact it has on children. He says the most serious negative impact in his opinion is that travel ball teams play ball on Sunday morning when they should be in church. There are lots of player injuries as a result of the pressure travel ball puts on the players. Travel ball is also very expensive for parents.
His number one advice for parents of children who play youth sports is to make sure they play in multiple sports.
There being no further business to come before the club, Mallory thanked Ben for his remarks. She announced that a board meeting will be scheduled either before or after next Tuesday’s meeting. She then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
Ben Smith is entering his 15th season as the assistant baseball coach at William Carey. Smith, a Laurel, MS native, first arrived at William Carey in 2004 as an infielder/pitcher out of Laurel High School. In his playing time with the Crusaders, he was a member of the 2005 GCAC Championship team and 2 NAIA Regional teams (2005 and 2007).
Smith joined the Crusader baseball coaching staff in the fall of 2008 and helped lead the Crusaders to a GCAC Championship and NAIA National Tournament in his first season in 2009.
In 2010, Smith became the first ever coach of the Men's and Women's Cross Country teams at William Carey. He continued to split time between baseball and cross country for five years. In 5 years of coaching cross country, WCU produced two NAIA All-Americans, 3 SSAC Individual Conference Champions, and 14 All-SSAC runners. Smith's 2014 Men's Cross Country team won the SSAC Championship and advanced to the NAIA National Championship. Smith was awarded with the 2014 SSAC Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year honor.
In 2011, Smith took over the WCU pitching staff and coached Carey pitchers through 2019. The Crusaders had several All-SSAC selections during this time, as well as one MLB Draft pick. In 2013, the Crusader staff posted a 3.57 ERA and Carey hosted an NAIA Opening Round. In 2016, the Crusaders returned to the NAIA National Tournament and finished runner-up in the Santa Barbara Opening Round after posting 40 wins for the first time since 2004.
In 2017, Smith helped lead the Crusaders to an NAIA Opening Round Championship and a berth in the 2017 NAIA World Series where the Crusaders finished 3rd, the highest finish at William Carey since 1969. The 2018 Crusaders, once again, finished runner-up after hosting an NAIA Opening Round, falling one game shy of a repeat trip to the NAIA World Series.
In 2021 and 2022, Smith helped lead the Crusaders to back to back SSAC Championships and NAIA Regional appearances while working with infielders/hitters and coaching first base.
Outside of athletics, during the Covid shutdown in 2020, Smith started an outdoor blog titled “Pinstripes to Camo” to detail his transition from being a coach to an outdoorsman. Soon the blog grew into a weekly outdoor column that is published in multiple newspapers throughout the state today. In 2021, Smith launched the “Pinstripes to Camo” Podcast which currently reaches thousands of people weekly. In June 2021, Smith’s column was awarded as the #1 Weekly Sports Column in Mississippi by the Mississippi Press Association. Smith also serves as a History Instructor in the William Carey University School of Arts and Letters.
Smith earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from William Carey in 2008 and a Master of Education in 2012. He is an active member of Temple Baptist Church in Oak Grove. He and his wife, Amy, have been married for 12 years and have three daughters (Mackenzie-11, Collins-7, and Allie-3).
Ryan Kelly presided over the meeting. Bill McLeod provided the opening prayer. Joe Bost led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Ryan led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Mugshots Bar and Grill in Hattiesburg.
Stew Deen then conducted the 50/50 raffle. Bill McLeod was the winner. He donated his winning back to the raffle.
Joe Bost then introduced today’s guest speaker, Juli Martinez. Juli is the Executive Director of the Hope Community Collective. The Collective is a non-profit organization serving the Pine Belt. She and her husband David founded the organization in 2019 to provide wrap-around services to families in need. She and David also founded the Via Hattiesburg church community where Juli is the Administrative Pastor. The Collective is a United Way of Southeast Mississippi agency. Although the agency does receive some funding from the United Way, most of their funding comes from people who care.
The Collective provides a food pantry and offers a behavioral health clinic. Juli focused on two additional services offered by the organization. Project Hope has a mission to meet and invest in the needs of those who are seeking a life-change. The heartbeat of Project Hope is to fortify families across the region by providing adult education classes, including anger & stress management, drug and alcohol recovery, addiction rehabilitation, parenting education and G.E.D. preparatory classes. Approximately 100 students take advantage of Project Hope’s services.
The Collective also offers a Hispanic Family Resource Services program. The mission of that service is to empower, education and enrich the Spanish-speaking populations across the Pine Belt. They offer mental health and wellness programs, sponsor family events, assist Spanish families with local vital non-profit and emergency resources. They provide translation for agencies & municipalities to disseminate information or serve clients in Spanish. The Collective offers counseling services provided by one of the four Spanish speaking licensed professional counselors in the state.
You can learn more about the Collective by visiting their website hopecommunitycollective.com or by calling 601-724-3628. You can use that same number if you know of a family in the area in needed of services provided by the Collective.
There being no further business to come before the club, Ryan thanked Juli for her remarks and then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
Mallory Donald presided over the meeting. Allen Anderson provided the opening prayer. Shirley Moore led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mallory led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Mugshots Bar and Grill in Hattiesburg.
Stew Deen then conducted the 50/50 raffle. Mary Cromartie was the winner.
Stew introduced visitors. Prospective members Courtney Payton, Lec Kemp and Latreka Rankin were in attendance. Nadine Armstrong with the City of Hattiesburg was also in attendance.
Mallory announced Brandon Hodges has moved to Ellisville, so we will need a volunteer to take over the newsletter.
Mark Killingsworth then introduced today’s guest speaker, Julie Cwikla, Ph.D. Dr. Julie Cwikla, professor of Mathematics Education in The University of Southern Mississippi’s College of Arts and Sciences, she was named 2021-23 T.W. Bennett Distinguished Professor of Mathematics Education.
The Center for STEM Education offers Certificate, M.S., and Ph.D. programs in STEM education as well as opportunities to collaborate on STEM education research.
The Center for STEM Education, established in 1964, has served almost 1500 graduate students in mathematics and science education. The graduate degree programs currently serve nearly 40 masters and doctoral level students. We stimulate, develop, and support interdisciplinary STEM education research initiatives both on and off campus. We also design and provide STEM Education outreach activities for the region.
The Center for STEM Education serves three main missions:
(1) Academic Programs: We offer STEM Education Certificate, Masters and Doctoral programs with content areas including mathematics, biology, chemistry, marine science, polymers, computer science, and more. Students may pursue research focused on any area of human development in STEM learning, in formal or informal settings, and at any level - Elementary, Secondary, or Post-Secondary.
(2) Research: We design and develop research programs and grant proposals for our students to participate and learn about STEM education research methods and design.
(3) Outreach: We design and implement STEM outreach programs across the region both on and off campus. These include the State and Regional Science Fairs for Regions I and VI, Hackathons, STEM Invitationals, Lunch-and-Learn Speaker Series, VEX robotics competitions, and more.
We have full time graduate students and serve many working educators in K12 and higher education. Graduate admissions allow students to begin one of their programs in the Spring, Summer, or Fall.
Please feel free to contact her with any questions, set a meeting on campus or via Zoom to discuss any of our courses, graduate student supports, and Center events. And all are always welcome to attend the STEM Education Speaker Series offered on zoom monthly and be a part of the conversation.
There being no further business to come before the club, Mallory thanked Julie for her remarks and then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
Juli Martinez serves as the Executive Director of Hope Community Collective, a non-profit organization serving the Pine Belt. She founded the organization alongside her husband, David Martinez, and board of directors in 2019. She is passionate about seeing life-change in those who simply need a helping hand. The collective operates family programs that provide wrap-around services for families in need.
Juli also serves as the Administrative Pastor of Vida Hattiesburg, a church community she and her husband established in 2012. Her biggest and best accomplishment is being mama to the 3 cutest kids in the world, and one giant mutt named Ben. She loves Hattiesburg, loves to garden and makes a mean gumbo.
November 8, 2022: Juli Martinez - Hope Community Collective
Ryan Kelly presided over the meeting and provided the opening prayer. Stew Dean led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Ryan led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Mugshots Bar and Grill in Hattiesburg.
Stew Deen then conducted the 50/50 raffle. There was no winner today, so the pot rolls over. Stew reported that Dr. Joe Paul has been named the University of Southern Mississippi president.
Annie Jackson then introduced today’s guest speaker, Yolanda Wooten. She is the statewide director of the LINK program with Canopy Children’s Solutions. LINK coordinates services for children, adolescents, and their families. Also attending the meeting was Gloria Sims, a staff member of Canopy.
Canopy has been in existence for the past 110 years. They operate statewide working out of nine satellite centers across the state. The program has served more than 3,000 families thus far this year and has served more than 70,000 families since it has been in existence. The LINK program links these families to free services and provides them with advocacy and navigation. Their goal is to get the families to a place where they can resolve their specific problems once LINK moves out.
The services they offer include, education, housing, utility payments, transportation, free parenting classes, clothing, medical assistance, suicide prevention, substance abuse, domestic violence, and family reunification. Services are available for up to one year for families with children under the age of twenty-one.
Churches are a big supporter of Canopy, and they work closely with youth court judges. The program is funded by a federal grant through the Department of Human Services. If you know a family that is in need of their services, please call 800-388-6247.
There being no further business to come before the club, Mallory thanked Rebecca for her remarks and then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
Julie Cwikla, Ph.D. is the T.W. Bennett Professor of Mathematics Education. She holds degrees in Mathematics, Chemistry, Applied Mathematics, and Mathematics Education. She serves as Director of the Center for STEM Education and Director of Creativity & Innovation in STEM at the University of Southern Mississippi. She was named the 2019 Ada Lovelace STEM Educator and the 2022 Post Secondary Teacher of the Year by ALACTE. Funded by the National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, NASA, W.K.Kellogg Foundation, U.S. Department of Education, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, Robert M. Hearin Support Foundation, and others she studies STEM teaching, learning, and development. A recipient of the National Science Foundation's "Early CAREER Award" she's directed over $20 million in funded research programs serving children, teachers, professors, and families.
November 1, 2022: Dr. Julie Cwikla - USM Center for STEM Education
Julie Cwikla, Ph.D. is the T.W. Bennett Professor of Mathematics Education. She holds degrees in Mathematics, Chemistry, Applied Mathematics, and Mathematics Education. She serves as Director of the Center for STEM Education and Director of Creativity & Innovation in STEM at the University of Southern Mississippi. She was named the 2019 Ada Lovelace STEM Educator and the 2022 Post Secondary Teacher of the Year by ALACTE. Funded by the National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, NASA, W.K.Kellogg Foundation, U.S. Department of Education, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, Robert M. Hearin Support Foundation, and others she studies STEM teaching, learning, and development. A recipient of the National Science Foundation's "Early CAREER Award" she's directed over $20 million in funded research programs serving children, teachers, professors, and families.
NEXT WEEK: Dr. Julie Cwikla, USM - Center for Stem Education
Ben Smith is entering his 15th season as the assistant baseball coach at William Carey. Smith, a Laurel, MS native, first arrived at William Carey in 2004 as an infielder/pitcher out of Laurel High School. In his playing time with the Crusaders, he was a member of the 2005 GCAC Championship team and 2 NAIA Regional teams (2005 and 2007).
Smith joined the Crusader baseball coaching staff in the fall of 2008 and helped lead the Crusaders to a GCAC Championship and NAIA National Tournament in his first season in 2009.
In 2010, Smith became the first ever coach of the Men's and Women's Cross Country teams at William Carey. He continued to split time between baseball and cross country for five years. In 5 years of coaching cross country, WCU produced two NAIA All-Americans, 3 SSAC Individual Conference Champions, and 14 All-SSAC runners. Smith's 2014 Men's Cross Country team won the SSAC Championship and advanced to the NAIA National Championship. Smith was awarded with the 2014 SSAC Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year honor.
In 2011, Smith took over the WCU pitching staff and coached Carey pitchers through 2019. The Crusaders had several All-SSAC selections during this time, as well as one MLB Draft pick. In 2013, the Crusader staff posted a 3.57 ERA and Carey hosted an NAIA Opening Round. In 2016, the Crusaders returned to the NAIA National Tournament and finished runner-up in the Santa Barbara Opening Round after posting 40 wins for the first time since 2004.
In 2017, Smith helped lead the Crusaders to an NAIA Opening Round Championship and a berth in the 2017 NAIA World Series where the Crusaders finished 3rd, the highest finish at William Carey since 1969. The 2018 Crusaders, once again, finished runner-up after hosting an NAIA Opening Round, falling one game shy of a repeat trip to the NAIA World Series.
In 2021 and 2022, Smith helped lead the Crusaders to back to back SSAC Championships and NAIA Regional appearances while working with infielders/hitters and coaching first base.
Outside of athletics, during the Covid shutdown in 2020, Smith started an outdoor blog titled “Pinstripes to Camo” to detail his transition from being a coach to an outdoorsman. Soon the blog grew into a weekly outdoor column that is published in multiple newspapers throughout the state today. In 2021, Smith launched the “Pinstripes to Camo” Podcast which currently reaches thousands of people weekly. In June 2021, Smith’s column was awarded as the #1 Weekly Sports Column in Mississippi by the Mississippi Press Association. Smith also serves as a History Instructor in the William Carey University School of Arts and Letters.
Smith earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from William Carey in 2008 and a Master of Education in 2012. He is an active member of Temple Baptist Church in Oak Grove. He and his wife, Amy, have been married for 12 years and have three daughters (Mackenzie-11, Collins-7, and Allie-3).
November 15, 2022: Ben Smith - William Carey University Baseball
Mallory Donald presided over the meeting. Bryan Shaver provided the opening prayer. Richard Topp led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mallory led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Mugshots Bar and Grill in Hattiesburg.
Stew Deen then conducted the 50/50 raffle. Annie Jackson was the winner, again.
Stew introduced visitors. Latrec Rankin and Lee Kemp are prospective members attending today’s meeting.
Annie Jackson then introduced today’s guest speaker, Rebecca Brown Pearl River Community College’s Dean of Workforce and Community Development.
Rebecca noted that PRCC is one of 15 community colleges in Mississippi. It is the oldest, founded in 1909. It is also Mississippi’s fastest growing community college. A total of 5,500 students are enrolled this year. Enrollment was up 42% from 2016+ through 2022.
PRCC students enrolled in Workforce and Community Development study academics, plus skilled technical worker training. The college offers Associate degrees in robotics, welding, electrical, mechanical servicing, hydraulics, communication, and nursing assistant.
Rebecca talks to area businesses to find out what kind of training they look for in new employees. The curriculum is adapted based on the company’s needs. She says employers are not looking for incentive packages but are looking for employees who have qualified workforce training.
There being no further business to come before the club, Mallory thanked Rebecca for her remarks and then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
Yolanda Bronner- Wooten is a two-time graduate from Jackson State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a Master’s of Education in Early Childhood Education. Yolanda is certified through the International Board for Certification of Safety Managers (CHSP) and an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. After graduating from Jackson State University, Yolanda moved to Southaven, Mississippi where she worked as a school Director for 6 ½ years.
Growing up, Yolanda wanted to be in a profession affiliated with assisting people, especially children. Yolanda grew up in rural Mississippi, Shelby, MS to be exact! Yolanda experienced first-hand living in low-income areas and seeing her friends and family struggle. Growing up with her story, Yolanda knew she wanted to study Social Work and give back to her community.
In December of 2014, Yolanda moved to Jackson, Mississippi to pursue a career with an organization she once knew, Mississippi Children’s Home Society now known as Canopy Children’s Solutions. Yolanda is currently, the Statewide Director of the LINK program with Canopy Children's Solutions. Yolanda resides in Pearl, Mississippi with her husband and daughter. For more than 17 years, Yolanda has been dedicated to serving others and coordinating services for children, adolescents, and their families.
TODAY'S GUEST: Yolanda Wooten - Canopy Children's Solutions/ LINK Solutions
Yolanda Bronner- Wooten is a two-time graduate from Jackson State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a Master’s of Education in Early Childhood Education. Yolanda is certified through the International Board for Certification of Safety Managers (CHSP) and an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. After graduating from Jackson State University, Yolanda moved to Southaven, Mississippi where she worked as a school Director for 6 ½ years.
Growing up, Yolanda wanted to be in a profession affiliated with assisting people, especially children. Yolanda grew up in rural Mississippi, Shelby, MS to be exact! Yolanda experienced first-hand living in low-income areas and seeing her friends and family struggle. Growing up with her story, Yolanda knew she wanted to study Social Work and give back to her community.
In December of 2014, Yolanda moved to Jackson, Mississippi to pursue a career with an organization she once knew, Mississippi Children’s Home Society now known as Canopy Children’s Solutions. Yolanda is currently, the Statewide Director of the LINK program with Canopy Children's Solutions. Yolanda resides in Pearl, Mississippi with her husband and daughter. For more than 17 years, Yolanda has been dedicated to serving others and coordinating services for children, adolescents, and their families.
NEXT WEEK: Yolanda Wooten - Canopy Children's Solutions/Link Solutions
Yolanda Bronner- Wooten is a two-time graduate from Jackson State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a Master’s of Education in Early Childhood Education. Yolanda is certified through the International Board for Certification of Safety Managers (CHSP) and an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. After graduating from Jackson State University, Yolanda moved to Southaven, Mississippi where she worked as a school Director for 6 ½ years.
Growing up, Yolanda wanted to be in a profession affiliated with assisting people, especially children. Yolanda grew up in rural Mississippi, Shelby, MS to be exact! Yolanda experienced first-hand living in low-income areas and seeing her friends and family struggle. Growing up with her story, Yolanda knew she wanted to study Social Work and give back to her community.
In December of 2014, Yolanda moved to Jackson, Mississippi to pursue a career with an organization she once knew, Mississippi Children’s Home Society now known as Canopy Children’s Solutions. Yolanda is currently, the Statewide Director of the LINK program with Canopy Children's Solutions. Yolanda resides in Pearl, Mississippi with her husband and daughter. For more than 17 years, Yolanda has been dedicated to serving others and coordinating services for children, adolescents, and their families.
October 25, 2022: Yolanda Wooten - Canopy Children's Solutions/Link Solutions
Rebecca serves as Dean of Workforce and Community Development for Pearl River Community College. She has over 15 years of experience in workforce development, working previously as Community and Economic Development Coordinator for PRCC and as Workforce Director of the Twin Districts Workforce Area/Southern MS Planning & Development District. Rebecca is a Certified Training and Development Professional and earned her M.B.A. from Mississippi State University and a B.S. from The University of Southern Mississippi. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Human Capital Development.
Along with the Area Development Partnership, Rebecca led efforts to create the Pine Belt Works Basic Manufacturing Skills program and developed active industry-educational partnerships with manufacturers throughout south Mississippi. Rebecca serves on the Area Development Partnership’s Racial Equity Task Force and as a board member of the Twin Districts Workforce Development Area. She has previously served as on the board of United Way of Southeast Mississippi, as co-Chair of the Leadership Pine Belt Steering Committee, and president of the Hattiesburg Chapter of the American Society of Training and Development.
Rebecca thoroughly enjoys the collaborative discovery of good ideas to facilitate meaningful change. She and her daughter, Sophia, live in Petal, MS. They joke about nearly everything nearly all of the time.
TODAY'S GUEST: Rebecca Brown - Pearl River Community College
Rebecca serves as Dean of Workforce and Community Development for Pearl River Community College. She has over 15 years of experience in workforce development, working previously as Community and Economic Development Coordinator for PRCC and as Workforce Director of the Twin Districts Workforce Area/Southern MS Planning & Development District. Rebecca is a Certified Training and Development Professional and earned her M.B.A. from Mississippi State University and a B.S. from The University of Southern Mississippi. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Human Capital Development.
Along with the Area Development Partnership, Rebecca led efforts to create the Pine Belt Works Basic Manufacturing Skills program and developed active industry-educational partnerships with manufacturers throughout south Mississippi. Rebecca serves on the Area Development Partnership’s Racial Equity Task Force and as a board member of the Twin Districts Workforce Development Area. She has previously served as on the board of United Way of Southeast Mississippi, as co-Chair of the Leadership Pine Belt Steering Committee, and president of the Hattiesburg Chapter of the American Society of Training and Development.
Rebecca thoroughly enjoys the collaborative discovery of good ideas to facilitate meaningful change. She and her daughter, Sophia, live in Petal, MS. They joke about nearly everything nearly all of the time.
NEXT WEEK: Rebecca Brown - Pearl River Community College
After growing up in Clinton and graduating in engineering from Mississippi State, Tony lived in West Palm Beach, Miami, Denver, Tokyo, Brookhaven, Chicago, Detroit & Cleveland before returning to Mississippi to work with startups at Innovate Mississippi. Tony has an MBA and Masters of Engineering from Kellogg at Northwestern University. He and his wife Sheila and two boys live in Madison.
Rebecca serves as Dean of Workforce and Community Development for Pearl River Community College. She has over 15 years of experience in workforce development, working previously as Community and Economic Development Coordinator for PRCC and as Workforce Director of the Twin Districts Workforce Area/Southern MS Planning & Development District. Rebecca is a Certified Training and Development Professional and earned her M.B.A. from Mississippi State University and a B.S. from The University of Southern Mississippi. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Human Capital Development.
Along with the Area Development Partnership, Rebecca led efforts to create the Pine Belt Works Basic Manufacturing Skills program and developed active industry-educational partnerships with manufacturers throughout south Mississippi. Rebecca serves on the Area Development Partnership’s Racial Equity Task Force and as a board member of the Twin Districts Workforce Development Area. She has previously served as on the board of United Way of Southeast Mississippi, as co-Chair of the Leadership Pine Belt Steering Committee, and president of the Hattiesburg Chapter of the American Society of Training and Development.
Rebecca thoroughly enjoys the collaborative discovery of good ideas to facilitate meaningful change. She and her daughter, Sophia, live in Petal, MS. They joke about nearly everything nearly all of the time.
October 18, 2022: Rebecca Brown - Pearl River Community College
After growing up in Clinton and graduating in engineering from Mississippi State, Tony lived in West Palm Beach, Miami, Denver, Tokyo, Brookhaven, Chicago, Detroit & Cleveland before returning to Mississippi to work with startups at Innovate Mississippi. Tony has an MBA and Masters of Engineering from Kellogg at Northwestern University. He and his wife Sheila and two boys live in Madison.
October 11, 2022: Tony Jeff - Innovate Mississippi
Mallory Donald presided over the meeting. Alan Anderson provided the opening prayer. Lucy Sanguinetti led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mallory led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Mugshots Bar and Grill in Hattiesburg. Mallory announced that the Rotary board will meet after today’s membership meeting.
Stew Deen then conducted the 50/50 raffle. Mike Ratliff was the winner.
Stew introduced visitors. Courtney Payton is a guest of Annie Jackson and Lee Kemp as a guest of Bryan Shaver.
Mark Killingsworth then introduced today’s guest speaker, Rob Johnston. He is the Area Director of Young Life. Young Life is a Christian ministry that reaches out to middle school, high school, and college students in all 50 of the United States and in more than 100 countries around the world to ensuring every kid feels a sense of belonging.
Young Life began with a few simple ideas about sharing the truth of God’s love with adolescents. Seven decades later, those simple ideas have become time-tested methods for reaching out to middle school, high school and college students in friendship and hope.
There are Five C's of Young Life:
Contact Work: Caring for Kids- Young Life leaders show they care by going where kids are, meeting them as they are, and believing in who they can be. We call this "contact work," but kids just call it friendship.
Club: A Party with a Purpose- It’s the best night of the week for thousands of kids. We like to think of it as a party with a purpose. And before the party ends, we share a simple message about God's love for them.
Campaigners: A Time to Learn and Grow- Is a weekly meeting for kids who wish to learn more or grow in their faith through study, service, and leadership.
Camp: The Best Week of Their Lives- Kids consistently tell us that Young Life camp is the best week of their lives. It’s a week where deep relationships are forged in the midst of mind-boggling fun, and you experience and listen to what we believe is the greatest love story ever told?
Committee: Adults Who Care- In each community, the local "committee" — composed of parents, Young Life alumni and civic leaders — provides a foundation of financial, administrative, and moral support for the local Young Life team.
If you look at the numbers that describe Young Life, you’ll see a growing worldwide movement of volunteers and staff making a daily difference in the lives of middle, high school, and college students.
Young Life is donor based. Most donations are out of state. Every dollar donated makes a difference in the lives of kids – helping them experience the depth of the gospel. Donations make it possible for leaders to give young people a sense of belonging, identity, and hope.
If you would like to donate or become a volunteer, please visit https://younglife.org.
There being no further business to come before the club, Mallory thanked Rob for his remarks and then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
Mallory Donald presided over the meeting. Lynn Walton provided the opening prayer. Shane Germany led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mallory led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Mugshots Bar and Grill in Hattiesburg. Mallory announced that the Rotary board will meet next Tuesday following the membership meeting.
Stew Deen then conducted the 50/50 raffle. Mary Cromartie was the winner.
Stew introduced visitors. Latrena Rankin is a guest of Coty Primeaux.
Ryan Kelly then introduced today’s guest speaker, Karen Sims. She is the Executive Director of the Hope Clinic. Their mission is providing clarity with compassion for those who seek out the Clinic’s services.
Karen says she and her staff encourage young women and men to get the facts about pregnancy and to know your worth. The clinic encourages their clients to choose life and the life of the unborn, avoiding abortion. They are also counseled on ways to life a healthy lifestyle for themselves and the unborn.
The Clinic operates a 24/7 hope line for anyone seeking their services. They share how an unplanned pregnancy will change their lives.
They have seen more than 2,000 clients since their doors opened. Most of their clients are between the age of 18 and 24. One in four women will experience an abortion by the age of 45.
In addition to counseling, the Clinic offers STD/SIT testing.
The Clinic will be moving to their new location early 2023. They have purchased their first building located at 808 28th Avenue. Renovations are currently underway on the new facility
A new state law, the Pregnancy Resource Act, allows businesses to contribute up to one-half of the state income tax they owe. Participating businesses get a tax credit for their donation.
For more information about the Act or the services offered by the Clinic, visit www.hcfriends.com.
There being no further business to come before the club, Mallory thanked Karen for her remarks and then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
Leslie Lee is the Executive Director of the Jimmie Rodgers Foundation, which houses the Jimmie Rodgers Museum in Meridian, MS and puts on the oldest running music festival in the United States, The Jimmie Rodgers Music Festival, the Singing Brakeman Century Ride and much more. As a lover of all genres of music, she is honored to be integral in helping preserve the legacy of the "Father of Country Music". Leslie is a "retired" professional ballroom dancer and now serves on the teaching artist roster for the Mississippi Arts Commission working with schools around the state. She owns and operates Elegance Ballroom in Meridian as well as Moonpie Baby Boutique and Moonpie Dance Shoppe.
October 4, 2022: Leslie Lee - Jimmie Rodgers Museum
Mallory Donald presided over the meeting. Ryan Kelly provided the opening prayer. Joe Bost led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mallory led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Mugshots Bar and Grill in Hattiesburg.
Mallory read a thank you note from the University Baptist Church for the memorial gift our club gave in memory of Bill Hughes.
Stew Deen then conducted the 50/50 raffle. Lachel Story was the winner. She walked away with $105.00. Before ticket sales next week, the pot stands at $65.00.
Stew introduced visitors. Katie Martin is a guest of Lucy Sanguinetti.
Ryan Kelly then introduced today’s guest speaker, Kristy Gould. Kristy serves as the corporate planning and development officers at Hattiesburg Clinic. She oversees the marketing, public relations, communication, provider relations and patient satisfaction for the Clinic.
According to Kristy, Hattiesburg Clinic now has 450 doctors and providers working in 17 counties throughout the state. Of those, 50 are specialists. She encourages everyone to have a primary care physician. That doctor is the first point of contact for a patient. Individuals with a primary care physician are healthier with lower health care costs.
She reports that 1,000 lives are lost daily due to high blood pressure. One in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year and one in five individuals are affected by depression. Primary care physicians can detect these conditions early and prescribe proper treatments, improving the patient’s health.
There being no further business to come before the club, Mallory thanked Kristy for her remarks and then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
Karen Sims is the Executive Director of Hope Clinic, and she holds a Master of Marriage and Family Counseling degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. Karen has been involved with helping those in unplanned pregnancies for over 20 years. She has had experience serving as an Executive Director for 11 years here in Hattiesburg as well as in Meridian, MS. She has been married to Allen Sims, Music Minister at FBC, Purvis, for over 25 years. They have two beautiful adult children, Katie and Cody experiencing their own life journey.
Kristy Gould serves as the corporate planning and development officers at Hattiesburg Clinic. In this role, she oversees the marketing, public relations, communications, provider relations and patient satisfaction for Hattiesburg Clinic, which is the largest privately owned multispecialty outpatient clinic in Mississippi. She holds a master's degree in public relations from Southern Miss, and is also a cum laude graduate of Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in interpersonal communications.
Gould has nearly 20 years of experience in marketing, public relations, sales and customer service, and also volunteered on various community boards and organizations. She has also been a group fitness instructor for more than 20 years.
Mallory Donald presided over the meeting. Lucy Sanguinetti provided the opening prayer. Matt Rumph led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mallory led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Mugshots Bar and Grill in Hattiesburg.
Stew Deen then conducted the 50/50 raffle. There was no winner today so the pot will carry over next week. Thanks to all of the members who are participating in the raffle. Proceeds from it will be donated to a local charity.
Stew noted that our meeting location has moved to Mugshots. They will provide us more food options and the location is more centralized for our members.
Mark Killingsworth then introduced today’s guest speaker, Dr. Jim Weir. Dr. Weir is Associate Dean for Student Affairs, and Professor of Pathology, Histology, and Oral Health at William Carey University in the College of Osteopathic Medicine. He has been in this position for the past thirteen years.
Dr. Meir noted that A.T. Still founded the first Osteopathic Medicine school just after the Civil War. Patients undergoing surgery at the time were about as likely to die from the surgery as they were the disease that was being treated. His goal was to start a school that taught doctors how to treat the whole person. The training also teaches preventative medicine.
The College of Osteopathic Medicine at William Carey University was first accredited in 2009. The first year the College was operational, there were 1,064 applicants. Of those 100 were admitted to the first class. Today there are more than 6,000 applicants and 200 students in the program. The William Carey program is the largest medical school in the state.
The first two years of the College’s program focuses on classroom instruction. After that the students must complete 3 to 4 years of rotation. After that the students serve in residencies for 3 to 8 years. About 25% of the students go into family medicine. Another 25% work in primary care areas. Graduates must commit that they will work in underserved areas such as rural areas.
Dr. Weir says the College has a large economic impact on the Hattiesburg area community. Just tuition payments total $40 million annually. Each doctor adds another $1 million in economic impact.
There being no further business to come before the club, Mallory thanked Dr. Weir for his remarks and then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
Karen Sims is the Executive Director of Hope Clinic, and she holds a Master of Marriage and Family Counseling degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. Karen has been involved with helping those in unplanned pregnancies for over 20 years. She has had experience serving as an Executive Director for 11 years here in Hattiesburg as well as in Meridian, MS. She has been married to Allen Sims, Music Minister at FBC, Purvis, for over 25 years. They have two beautiful adult children, Katie and Cody experiencing their own life journey.
Kristy Gould serves as the corporate planning and development officers at Hattiesburg Clinic. In this role, she oversees the marketing, public relations, communications, provider relations and patient satisfaction for Hattiesburg Clinic, which is the largest privately owned multispecialty outpatient clinic in Mississippi. She holds a master's degree in public relations from Southern Miss, and is also a cum laude graduate of Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in interpersonal communications.
Gould has nearly 20 years of experience in marketing, public relations, sales and customer service, and also volunteered on various community boards and organizations. She has also been a group fitness instructor for more than 20 years.
September 20, 2022: Kristy Gould - Hattiesburg Clinic
Kristy Gould serves as the corporate planning and development officers at Hattiesburg Clinic. In this role, she oversees the marketing, public relations, communications, provider relations and patient satisfaction for Hattiesburg Clinic, which is the largest privately owned multispecialty outpatient clinic in Mississippi. She holds a master's degree in public relations from Southern Miss, and is also a cum laude graduate of Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in interpersonal communications.
Gould has nearly 20 years of experience in marketing, public relations, sales and customer service, and also volunteered on various community boards and organizations. She has also been a group fitness instructor for more than 20 years.
September 20, 2022: Kristy Gould - Hattiesburg Clinic
Mallory Donald presided over the meeting. Bill McLeod provided the opening prayer. Ryan Kelly led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mallory led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn in Hattiesburg.
Several guests were introduced.
Stew Deen then conducted the 50/50 raffle. There was no winner today so the pot will carry over next week. Thanks to all of the members who are participating in the raffle. Proceeds from it will be donated to a local charity.
A.D.Hunt then introduced today’s guest speaker, Senator Roger Wicker. Senator Wicker has represented Mississippi in the U.S. Senate since 2007. He is the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.
Senator Wicker noted that the U.S. economy was going well in January 2020, and then Covid-19 appeared. In January that year our inflation rate was 2.5%. The unemployment rate was 3.5% and the average mortgage rate was 3.62%. You could buy a gallon of gas that month for $2.50.
The Cares Act was passed by the Congress in March 2020. The economy began a slow recovery after the act was passed. Later that year the Quantum Leap legislation was passed, mandating that the government develop a Covid vaccine. The vaccines became available, free of charge, to Americans in November and December of that year. People took the vaccines and slowly began returning to work.
The Cares Act extended unemployment benefits, which Senator Wicker says was a mistake. Many Americans were making more money staying at home rather than returning to work. Another legislation passed in early 2021 added $1.9 trillion dollars in relief. The result of this legislation was dumping money on an expanding economy, setting the stage for what we are now seeing in the economy. Another mistake made in the early days of the Biden administration was the war on the oil and gas industry, increasing the cost to all Americans.
The highlight of the Trump administration, according to the Senator was the tax relief package that was passed in 2017.
Things that need to happen to fix today’s economic problems include a repeal of the recent tax increase, reopen the Keystone Pipeline and return to the “Remain in Mexico” policy for immigrants. Senator Wicker also says we need to build more ships, preventing a war with China.
There being no further business to come before the club, Ryan thanked Toni for her remarks and then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
Dr. Jim C. Weir is a native of Meridian, Mississippi. He graduated from Millsaps College in 1971 with a B.S. in biology. He received his D.D.S. degree from the University Of Tennessee College Of Dentistry in 1974. He completed residency training in Oral Pathology at Emory University School of dentistry in 1976. He also earned a J.D. degree from Loyola University School of Law in 1985.
From 1976 to 1980 he served on the faculty at the University of Mississippi Medical Center as Assistant Professor of Pathology and Oral Pathology. In 1981 he accepted the position of Head of the Department of Oral Pathology at the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry. Upon retirement from LSU, he was Professor and Head of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Assistant Dean for Admissions. He is currently Associate Dean for Student Affairs, and Professor of Pathology, Histology, and Oral Health at William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Dr. Weir is a Fellow of the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. He is a member of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, and the Eastern Society of Teachers of Oral Pathology. In addition to his teaching and administrative duties, he has been actively involved in the practice of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, serving as Director of the Oral Pathology Biopsy Service at the LSU School of Dentistry from 1981-2009.
During his career, Dr. Weir has authored 31 scientific articles and abstracts in National or International journals. He has presented over 500 continuing education lectures on a local, state, and national level. He has also been the recipient of fifteen “Teacher of the Year” awards from his students. He and his wife, Nancy, currently reside in Hattiesburg, MS. They have four children: Christie, Marcie, Abby and Katie. Dr. Weir joined WCUCOM in 2010.
September 13, 2022: Dr. Jim Weir - William Carey Medical School
Ryan Kelly presided over the meeting. Anthony Harris provided the opening prayer. Brian Shaver led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Ryan led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn in Hattiesburg.
Mallory announced that our club will meet on August 30, which is the 5th Tuesday of the month. Senator Roger Wicker will be the guest speaker. We will not meet on September 6.
Stew Dean Introduced our guests for today. Danyella Terrell is a guest of Mavis Creagh. Jane Hankins is a guest of Bill McLeod. Courtney Peyton is a guest of Annie Payton.
Stew then conducted the 50/50 raffle. Mavis Creagh was the winner, taking $60 home. Thanks to all of the members who are participating in the raffle. Proceeds from it will be donated to a local charity.
Lucy Sanguinetti then introduced today’s guest speaker, Toni Floyd. Toni is a teacher in the Hattiesburg High School’s Culinary Arts Career and Technical Education program. She currently has 15 students enrolled in the program. Students have to apply for the program and all of the applicants are screened before being admitted.
The course is designed to give students a working knowledge of many different segments in the food service and hospitality industry. The class focuses on a hands-on learning environment is a small class setting. Students focus on professional food preparation and related areas such as catering and hotel/restaurant management. They also learn equipment operation, safety,02 and sanitation; stocks, soups, and sauces; meat, poultry and seafood cookery; vegetable and starch cookery; baking and dessert preparation, cold food production; menu planning and record keeping.
The CTE program offers credentialing in Servsafe Food Handler and ServSafe Manager certification. Graduates often start in their profession at a higher payrate than those who do not go through the program.
There being no further business to come before the club, Ryan thanked Toni for her remarks and then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
United States Senator Roger F. Wicker has represented the state of Mississippi in the U.S. Senate since 2007. Wicker is the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. He is a senior member of the Armed Services Committee. He also serves on the Environment and Public Works Committee and the Rules Committee. From 1995 to 2007, Wicker served in the U.S. House of Representatives. He started his career in public service in the Mississippi Senate representing Lee and Pontotoc counties.
Senator Wicker also served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force, retiring from the reserve in 2004 with the rank of lieutenant colonel. Wicker and his wife, Gayle, live in Tupelo and have three children and eight grandchildren.
United States Senator Roger F. Wicker has represented the state of Mississippi in the U.S. Senate since 2007. Wicker is the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. He is a senior member of the Armed Services Committee. He also serves on the Environment and Public Works Committee and the Rules Committee. From 1995 to 2007, Wicker served in the U.S. House of Representatives. He started his career in public service in the Mississippi Senate representing Lee and Pontotoc counties.
Senator Wicker also served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force, retiring from the reserve in 2004 with the rank of lieutenant colonel. Wicker and his wife, Gayle, live in Tupelo and have three children and eight grandchildren.
Mallory Hill presided over the meeting. Annie Jackson provided the opening prayer. Tyler Gravley led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mallory led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn in Hattiesburg.
Mallory read a note that Bill Hughes narrated to his wife before he passed away on July 29th. He thanked Rotary for the many years of service and the friends he made over the years.
Mallory announced that our club will meet on August 30, which is the 5th Tuesday of the month. Senator Roger Wicker will be the guest speaker. We will not meet on September 6.
Stew Dean introduced the rules for the 50/50 raffle. Tickets are $1.00 each. The winner each week will get to pick one of the remaining five cards. If the winner picks the queen of spades, they will the pot. Richard Topp is today’s winner. He did not draw the queen of spades so the pot will continue next week.
Lucy Sanguinetti then introduced today’s guest speaker, Reverend Eric Davis with the University of Southern Mississippi Wesley Foundation. He joined the foundation in 2018. Davis says at USM Wesley they foster meaningful relationships that provide a faith family for students during their college years. Many students feel disconnected when they arrive on campus. They provide a space for grace, meeting weekly on Tuesday night. In addition to their regular meetings, they host on and off campus activities throughout the school year, including a golf tournament. They also provide an indoor and an outdoor food pantry for students and offer free mental health counseling.
The Foundation was founded 80 years ago and is supported by citizens and local churches. They recently received a donation of a 15-seat passenger bus. Plans are underway to build a new facility for the Foundation on the campus. Their current location floods every time there is a heavy rain. The new facility will have residential units for students who need a place to stay.
There being no further business to come before the club, Mallory thanked Reverend Davis for his remarks and then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
"I graduated from Hattiesburg High School in 1978, Go TIGERS!! I am a 1982 graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a B.S. degree in Home Economics Education. I have teaching certifications in Health, Family and Consumer Science, and CTE Culinary Arts. I'm also a licensed instructor for the National Servsafe Manager Course and Exam. My love for cooking, entertaining, and hospitality began right here at HHS through the influence that my high school Home Economics teacher, Mrs. Billie Williams, along with my mom, Joyce Tadlock, were in my life.
I have taught in Biloxi, MS, Monroe, LA, Charlotte, N.C., Columbia, MS, and presently in my position as the Culinary Arts Instructor for the Career and Tech Program at my alma mater, Hattiesburg HIgh School, in Hattiesburg, MS. I taught for 8 years from 1983-1991, leaving the profession in 1991, to stay home to raise my 3 children. I returned for the '2nd half' of my career in 2011 when my children started leaving the nest for college. It's been such a blessing to be back in the classroom again, working with teenagers, in a field that I love. In the years that I stayed at home, I was constantly entertaining, cooking, baking, and started a home-based cheese straw business, 'Toni's Cheese Straws', using my sweet Momma's recipe that beckons back to 1963.
The highlight of each day for me is interacting with the teenagers that are in my classes. I love teaching them about life lessons, hospitality and social skills, and always throw in healthy ways of dealing with stress and difficulties that they will encounter in their lives. The amazing thing is, I have learned so much more from the incredible young people I teach, much more than they have probably learned from me!
The highlights of my career in the past 10 years have been receiving the honor from several senior classes of Columbia High School of being selected as one of the 'most influential teachers'. I also received the honor of being selected as the 'most influential teacher' by 3 different senior baseball players at CHS and was presented at Senior Night by those players. This past year, perhaps the ultimate designation for any teacher, was being selected as
'2021 Star Teacher' by our Star Student at Hattiesburg High School, Rachel Johnson. The star student is chosen based on their grades, ACT score, and activities. They are able to choose any teacher from kindergarten to 12th grade who made the greatest impact in their life. Rachel and I were blessed to travel to Jackson where we were honored among the other Star Students and Teachers in Mississippi."
-Toni Floyd
August 23, 2022: Toni Floyd - Hattiesburg High School
Mallory Hill presided over the meeting. Annie Jackson provided the opening prayer. Tyler Gravley led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mallory led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn in Hattiesburg.
Mallory read a note that Bill Hughes narrated to his wife before he passed away on July 29th. He thanked Rotary for the many years of service and the friends he made over the years.
Mallory announced that our club will meet on August 30, which is the 5th Tuesday of the month. Senator Roger Wicker will be the guest speaker. We will not meet on September 6.
Stew Dean introduced the rules for the 50/50 raffle. Tickets are $1.00 each. The winner each week will get to pick one of the remaining five cards. If the winner picks the queen of spades, they will the pot. Richard Topp is today’s winner. He did not draw the queen of spades so the pot will continue next week.
Lucy Sanguinetti then introduced today’s guest speaker, Reverend Eric Davis with the University of Southern Mississippi Wesley Foundation. He joined the foundation in 2018. Davis says at USM Wesley they foster meaningful relationships that provide a faith family for students during their college years. Many students feel disconnected when they arrive on campus. They provide a space for grace, meeting weekly on Tuesday night. In addition to their regular meetings, they host on and off campus activities throughout the school year, including a golf tournament. They also provide an indoor and an outdoor food pantry for students and offer free mental health counseling.
The Foundation was founded 80 years ago and is supported by citizens and local churches. They recently received a donation of a 15-seat passenger bus. Plans are underway to build a new facility for the Foundation on the campus. Their current location floods every time there is a heavy rain. The new facility will have residential units for students who need a place to stay.
There being no further business to come before the club, Mallory thanked Reverend Davis for his remarks and then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
Eric Davis, a Starkville native, graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Mississippi College before pursuing his theological education at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY. After graduating with a Masters of Divinity from ATS, Eric became the associate minister at Louisville United Methodist Church in 2015 and launched a contemporary worship service within a few months of arriving. In 2016, Eric began serving as the senior pastor at Memorial United Methodist Church in Bolton, MS. He also began teaching Bible at Hinds Community College, and launched the Wesley Campus Ministry on the Raymond Campus of Hinds CC. In 2018, he arrived at the University of Southern Mississippi Wesley Foundation as Executive Director. Eric is married to Christine Davis, the instructional design coordinator at Pearl River Community College eLearning, and together they have a four-year-old son and two-year-old girl.
August 16, 2022 - Rev. Eric Davis - USM Wesley Foundation
Eric Davis, a Starkville native, graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Mississippi College before pursuing his theological education at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY. After graduating with a Masters of Divinity from ATS, Eric became the associate minister at Louisville United Methodist Church in 2015 and launched a contemporary worship service within a few months of arriving. In 2016, Eric began serving as the senior pastor at Memorial United Methodist Church in Bolton, MS. He also began teaching Bible at Hinds Community College, and launched the Wesley Campus Ministry on the Raymond Campus of Hinds CC. In 2018, he arrived at the University of Southern Mississippi Wesley Foundation as Executive Director. Eric is married to Christine Davis, the instructional design coordinator at Pearl River Community College eLearning, and together they have a four-year-old son and two-year-old girl.
NEXT WEEK: Rev. Eric Davis - USM Wesley Foundation
Robert Johnson is a local community leader in the great city of Hattiesburg, MS. The number of people who haven’t been largely or slightly impacted by his life are few and far between. He plays an active role in various forms of community outreach; he's a local pastor, relationship mentor, a devoted husband, involved and present father, and a breath of fresh air to any stranger. Robert is a man of principle and a believer in extending love to those who deserve it and those who may not. He is intentional about investing in the relationships he has in his life and often encourages those around him to do the same. He delivers encouragement with power and conviction, so don't be surprised if your life is a tad different after hearing him speak or just a simple conversation.
August 9, 2022 - Robert Johnson - Real Life Church
Robert Johnson is a local community leader in the great city of Hattiesburg, MS. The number of people who haven’t been largely or slightly impacted by his life are few and far between. He plays an active role in various forms of community outreach; he's a local pastor, relationship mentor, a devoted husband, involved and present father, and a breath of fresh air to any stranger. Robert is a man of principle and a believer in extending love to those who deserve it and those who may not. He is intentional about investing in the relationships he has in his life and often encourages those around him to do the same. He delivers encouragement with power and conviction, so don't be surprised if your life is a tad different after hearing him speak or just a simple conversation.
Ryan Kelly presided over the meeting. Joe Bost provided the opening prayer. Matt Rumph led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Ryan led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn in Hattiesburg.
Ryan announced that our club will meet on August 30, which is the 5th Tuesday of the month. Senator Roger Wicker will be the guest speaker.
Mark Killingsworth then introduced today’s guest speaker, Dr. Kathy Young. Kathy has been a veteran of early education with a great diversity of experiences for over 30 years. She has served as administrator and classroom teacher of programs serving infants through preschoolers. She currently serves as the Chairperson of the Coalition for Hattiesburg Excel by 5.
Excel By 5 is a community-based certification designed to improve a child’s overall well-being by age five. The first-of-its-kind in the United States, this program emphasizes the important roles communities play in educating their children during their most formative years–birth to five.
Initially funded with a grant from Chevron, Excel By 5 is currently working with thirty-eight communities throughout the state of Mississippi.
The Excel By 5 certification requirements are divided into four groups: Community Involvement; Family and Parent Support; Early Care and Education; and Health and vary according to community size and capacity. The certification process takes about two years to complete, and the certification is awarded for three years.
Excel By 5 sets forth a variety of standards involving parent training, community participation, childcare, and health to help communities focus on supporting young children and their families. Early Childhood Communities reach the goal that all of their children will be ready to learn when they start school at age five.
There is no cost to the state. However, the community may incur some cost locally during the certification process. These funds can be raised through community contributions or in-kind services. The actual cost will vary from location to location. This topic along with restrictions will be discussed at the initial informational meeting(s) and the first formal coalition meeting.
Locations throughout the State of Mississippi are mobilizing to ensure their children are better prepared for kindergarten and first grade.
Excel By 5 certification identifies gaps in community resources, promotes community collaboration, volunteerism and economic development. On the whole, children in Excel By 5 communities will be healthier and better prepared for kindergarten and first grade.
Communities begin the Excel By 5 certification process by forming a local leadership team made up of representatives from key community groups, including schools, churches, businesses, parents, hospitals, early care and education centers and government organizations.
If you would like more information about Excel By 5, please visit http://excelby5.com or contact the state office at 601-707-7726
There being no further business to come before the club, Ryan thanked Dr.Young for her presentation and then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
Kathy Chase Young has been a veteran of early education with a great diversity of experiences for over 30 years. She has served as administrator and classroom teacher of programs serving infants through preschoolers. She has been an adjunct professor, a CDA trainer, author, consultant, and speaker.
She currently serves as the Children’s Ministry Director at the First Presbyterian Church in Hattiesburg, where she and her husband have been members for nearly 30 years. Kathy holds a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from William Carey University and her master’s degree from University of Southern Mississippi is in Child Development. Kathy has represented early childhood education as an officer and President of the Mississippi Early Childhood Association, and as a board member of the Southern Early Childhood Association.
Her most recent community service is as the Chairperson of the Coalition for Hattiesburg Excel by 5. Hattiesburg has been her home since 1988, and Louis has been her husband since 1989. They have loved raising their two children in this community, and even delight in seeing one adult child return to be part of Hattiesburg and part of the early education community. The other one encourages these efforts from Oxford!
TODAY'S GUEST: Dr. Kathy Young - Hattiesburg Excel by 5
Kathy Chase Young has been a veteran of early education with a great diversity of experiences for over 30 years. She has served as administrator and classroom teacher of programs serving infants through preschoolers. She has been an adjunct professor, a CDA trainer, author, consultant, and speaker.
She currently serves as the Children’s Ministry Director at the First Presbyterian Church in Hattiesburg, where she and her husband have been members for nearly 30 years. Kathy holds a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from William Carey University and her master’s degree from University of Southern Mississippi is in Child Development. Kathy has represented early childhood education as an officer and President of the Mississippi Early Childhood Association, and as a board member of the Southern Early Childhood Association.
Her most recent community service is as the Chairperson of the Coalition for Hattiesburg Excel by 5. Hattiesburg has been her home since 1988, and Louis has been her husband since 1989. They have loved raising their two children in this community, and even delight in seeing one adult child return to be part of Hattiesburg and part of the early education community. The other one encourages these efforts from Oxford!
Ryan Kelly presided over the meeting. Annie Jackson provided the opening prayer. Coty Primeaux led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Ryan led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn in Hattiesburg.
Ryan announced that our club will meet on August 30, which is the 5th Tuesday of the month. Congressman Roger will be the guest speaker. The club will not meet on the first Tuesday of September, which is the Tuesday after Labor Day. He also reported that Mallory plans to call a board meeting soon. Mark Killingsworth noted that we will have two guest speakers next Tuesday, including the District Governor. The meeting needs to begin at 11:30 a.m. to accommodate both speakers.
Lynn Walton then introduced today’s guest speaker, Chad Newell. Chad serves as President of the Area Development Partnership. Chad has worked in the private, public, and non-profit sectors for nearly three decades in Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. He is a native Mississippian and holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Mississippi State University and a master’s degree in Economic Development from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Chad thanked Rotarians for their support of the ADP. Two-thirds of the organization’s funding comes from the private sector and one-third from public funding.
He noted that both the national and local economies were doing well in 2020 until March of that year when Covid hit causing a shutdown of the economies. The economic leaders figured out ways to navigate through the shutdown. The Federal government then inserted more than one-trillion dollars into the national economy, which caused it to overheat. As result we are now facing a 9.1% inflation rate, which is the highest inflation has been since 1981. Fortunately, wages are up, however, they are not keeping up with inflation. The FED has raised interest rates 3.3% since the beginning of this year, to slow inflation. They are expected to raise rates again when they meet next week.
Locally, we have seen $1 billion dollars of investments over the past five years. According to the 2020 census our state’s population decreased to 3 million. However, Hattiesburg’s population has increased by 6% since 2010. Our unemployment rate is at 3.3% which is much better than the national and Mississippi’s unemployment rate. The local cost-of-living rate is at 85% of the national average. Our local household income is at $75,000. The housing market was on fire in 2021 with 2,200 units sold. The average days-on-the-market was 35 and the average sales price was $221,000. Housing is expected to slow substantially in the coming months due to the increases in interest rates.
Chad reported that Idaho Forestry is building a $130 million dollar facility in Lumberton. It will employ 170 fulltime employees. Jones Company is building a new four-story headquarter building across from USM in the Mid-Town area. It will be a $30 million investment and will employ more than 200 employees. FedEx Ground is constructing a new facility near the airport. When completed it will employ 200 people. And finally, Chad sees a significant increase in green energy investments over the next several years and months. Ford has announced that their new F150 will be all electric. He sees the need for development of electric mobility plants.
There being no further business to come before the club, Ryan thanked Chad for his update and then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
Regina Scotto Wedig joined the Rotary Club of Amite in 2006 after she and husband, Eric moved from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Regina has served as treasurer, secretary, president and executive secretary for her club.
In 2015 she received the Service Projects Award, District Service Award and the Visionary Leader Award for District 6840. For 2016-17, she was named a District All-Star. Regina has served as Assistant Governor for the Tangipahoa Territory and Deputy Governor of Louisiana. Regina is a facilitator for the Membership Initiative for the District and for the virtual RLI classes established by Past District Governor Elizabeth Van Sant. She is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, Sustaining Member and a member of the Paul Harris Society. She will serve as District Governor for 2022-23.
Regina is an attorney and practices in Amite. Regina and Eric will celebrate 43 years of marriage this year. Regina spends her spare time with her horses, cats and dog and enjoys baking and cooking for family and friends.
July 26, 2022: Regina Wedig - District Governor 2022-2023
Regina Scotto Wedig joined the Rotary Club of Amite in 2006 after she and husband, Eric moved from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Regina has served as treasurer, secretary, president and executive secretary for her club.
In 2015 she received the Service Projects Award, District Service Award and the Visionary Leader Award for District 6840. For 2016-17, she was named a District All-Star. Regina has served as Assistant Governor for the Tangipahoa Territory and Deputy Governor of Louisiana. Regina is a facilitator for the Membership Initiative for the District and for the virtual RLI classes established by Past District Governor Elizabeth Van Sant. She is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, Sustaining Member and a member of the Paul Harris Society. She will serve as District Governor for 2022-23.
Regina is an attorney and practices in Amite. Regina and Eric will celebrate 43 years of marriage this year. Regina spends her spare time with her horses, cats and dog and enjoys baking and cooking for family and friends.
OUR SECOND GUEST TODAY: Regina Wedig - District Governor 2022-2023
Paralyzed from the waist down following a 2005 car accident, Dwight Owens has shared his story of triumph over personal tragedy with thousands across the country. Owens considers his survival of the accident a miracle. Rear-ended by a 71 year-old drunk driver, his injuries included punctured lungs, six broken ribs, severe internal injuries, a broken back, a dislodged liver and a severed spine. Doctors doubted his ability to survive the ordeal.
After nearly a year of hospitalization that included life support and rehab, Owens spent the next two years enduring more surgeries, medical setbacks and continued rehabilitation. Keeping a promise he made to God, Owens began sharing his story to inspire others and advance the cause of the disabled. He has spoken to more than 40,000 people in approximately 120 presentations to various groups and organizations across the country.
A native of Taylorsville, Miss., Owens serves on the board of directors for the South MS Public Accessibility Association, which advocates for the disabled and their legal right to access facilities through the Americans with Disabilities Act. He also organized a support group for men with disabilities and their families. Among his many honors and awards, Owens is the 2010 recipient of the Spirit of Service Award from the National Corporation for Community Service.
Paralyzed from the waist down following a 2005 car accident, Dwight Owens has shared his story of triumph over personal tragedy with thousands across the country. Owens considers his survival of the accident a miracle. Rear-ended by a 71 year-old drunk driver, his injuries included punctured lungs, six broken ribs, severe internal injuries, a broken back, a dislodged liver and a severed spine. Doctors doubted his ability to survive the ordeal.
After nearly a year of hospitalization that included life support and rehab, Owens spent the next two years enduring more surgeries, medical setbacks and continued rehabilitation. Keeping a promise he made to God, Owens began sharing his story to inspire others and advance the cause of the disabled. He has spoken to more than 40,000 people in approximately 120 presentations to various groups and organizations across the country.
A native of Taylorsville, Miss., Owens serves on the board of directors for the South MS Public Accessibility Association, which advocates for the disabled and their legal right to access facilities through the Americans with Disabilities Act. He also organized a support group for men with disabilities and their families. Among his many honors and awards, Owens is the 2010 recipient of the Spirit of Service Award from the National Corporation for Community Service.
Mallory Donald presided over the meeting. Ryan Kelly provided the opening prayer. Mark Killingsworth led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mallory led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn in Hattiesburg and via Zoom.
Annie Jackson brought Courtney Payton a potential member in today.
Mark Killingsworth then introduced today’s guest speaker. Akwete Muhammad is responsible for outreach to the broader community, recruiting volunteers, assists in grant writing, project manager for fundraising events, and is responsible for press releases and maintaining a constant social media presence for Habitat for Humanity. She also assists Pine Belt Habitat in offering families, sustainable and affordable housing solutions throughout the Pine Belt Area.
Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization dedicated to building homes for those in the community who need housing the most. Their mission is to make sure everyone in the Pine Belt has a decent place to live.
Habitat’s mission is also to empower families with a life-changing opportunity to own a decent house they can call home. Every family deserves to own a home that is both clean and affordable, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, or religion. Pine Belt Habitat's greatest mission is to provide families with sustainable housing, while ensuring they reach homeownership status.
Habitat for Humanity today operates around the globe and has helped build, renovate and repair more than 600,000 decent, affordable houses sheltering more than 3 million people worldwide.
Habitat welcomes volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds and serves people in need of decent housing regardless of race or religion. As a matter of policy, Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliated organizations do not proselytize. This means that Habitat will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must either adhere to or convert to a particular faith or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith.
If you would like more information, please visit https://pinebelthabitat.org.
There being no further business to come before the club, Mallory thanked Akwete Muhammad and then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
Chad Newell serves as President of the Area Development Partnership (ADP) in Hattiesburg, MS, a position he has held since December 2009. The ADP is the regional chamber of commerce and economic development organization for Greater Hattiesburg, MS...
Chad Newell serves as President of the Area Development Partnership (ADP) in Hattiesburg, MS, a position he has held since December 2009. The ADP is the regional chamber of commerce and economic development organization for Greater Hattiesburg, MS...
Mallory Donald presided over the meeting. Ryan Kelly provided the opening prayer. AD Hunt led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mallory led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn in Hattiesburg and via Zoom.
Mallory announced that the Zoom option for the weekly meeting is ending. Members are encouraged to attend the meetings in person.
Mark Killingsworth then introduced today’s guest speaker. Dr. Colin McKenzie is an educator, conductor, and music administrator. He is currently serving as Director of the School of Music and Conductor of the Symphonic Winds at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Dr. McKenzie notes that the School of Music now has 360 music major students. The music majors performed at 272 events during the 2021-2022 fiscal year. McKenzie says it is very important that their students learn about their major but also experience performances.
The school has 235 undergraduates and 125 graduate students. The school is led by 38 full-time instructors and 9 staff members. Approximately 20% of their students are first generation college students with a cumulative GPA of 3.164. Students come from 20 states and 14 different countries.
McKenzie says that music is the most universal language of humans. He says they teach their students to appreciate music and the arts. Music always elevates what we do. In short, he says they teach their students to be more human.
There being no further business to come before the club, Mallory thanked Dr. McKenzie for his information and then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
Chad Newell serves as President of the Area Development Partnership (ADP) in Hattiesburg, MS, a position he has held since December 2009. The ADP is the regional chamber of commerce and economic development organization for Greater Hattiesburg, MS...
Akwete Muhammad is responsible for outreach to the broader community and recruiting volunteers that support the mission of Pine Belt Habitat. She assists in grant writing, serves as project manager for fundraising events, is responsible for press releases, and maintains a constant social media presence. She also assists Pine Belt Habitat in offering families, sustainable and affordable housing solutions throughout the Pine Belt Area.
Akwete is a current member of the ADP’s Leadership Pinebelt Class of 2022. She is a recipient of the class of 2022, Mississippi Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 for business leaders. Akwete is a proud member of Pine Belt Young Professionals (PBYP). She is also a chair for the United Way of SEMS Economic Mobility Council. She prides herself on being involved in her community and pushing the mantle of increasing the quality of life for families across the Pine Belt Area.
Akwete is a proud graduate of Tupelo High, and she attended the University of Mississippi as a Bio-Chemistry Pre-Med Major. In her spare time, she enjoys basketball, cooking, reading, traveling, art, and binge-watching Netflix. She also has two amazing parents who are veterans of the United States Army. She has two siblings, a younger sister and a twin brother.
OUR GUEST TODAY: Akwete Muhammad - Habitat for Humanity of the Pine Belt
Akwete Muhammad is responsible for outreach to the broader community and recruiting volunteers that support the mission of Pine Belt Habitat. She assists in grant writing, serves as project manager for fundraising events, is responsible for press releases, and maintains a constant social media presence. She also assists Pine Belt Habitat in offering families, sustainable and affordable housing solutions throughout the Pine Belt Area.
Akwete is a current member of the ADP’s Leadership Pinebelt Class of 2022. She is a recipient of the class of 2022, Mississippi Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 for business leaders. Akwete is a proud member of Pine Belt Young Professionals (PBYP). She is also a chair for the United Way of SEMS Economic Mobility Council. She prides herself on being involved in her community and pushing the mantle of increasing the quality of life for families across the Pine Belt Area.
Akwete is a proud graduate of Tupelo High, and she attended the University of Mississippi as a Bio-Chemistry Pre-Med Major. In her spare time, she enjoys basketball, cooking, reading, traveling, art, and binge-watching Netflix. She also has two amazing parents who are veterans of the United States Army. She has two siblings, a younger sister and a twin brother.
July 12, 2022: Akwete Muhammad - Habitat for Humanity of the Pine Belt
Akwete Muhammad is responsible for outreach to the broader community and recruiting volunteers that support the mission of Pine Belt Habitat. She assists in grant writing, serves as project manager for fundraising events, is responsible for press releases, and maintains a constant social media presence. She also assists Pine Belt Habitat in offering families, sustainable and affordable housing solutions throughout the Pine Belt Area.
Akwete is a current member of the ADP’s Leadership Pinebelt Class of 2022. She is a recipient of the class of 2022, Mississippi Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 for business leaders. Akwete is a proud member of Pine Belt Young Professionals (PBYP). She is also a chair for the United Way of SEMS Economic Mobility Council. She prides herself on being involved in her community and pushing the mantle of increasing the quality of life for families across the Pine Belt Area.
Akwete is a proud graduate of Tupelo High, and she attended the University of Mississippi as a Bio-Chemistry Pre-Med Major. In her spare time, she enjoys basketball, cooking, reading, traveling, art, and binge-watching Netflix. She also has two amazing parents who are veterans of the United States Army. She has two siblings, a younger sister and a twin brother.
NEXT WEEK: Akwete Muhammad - Habitat for Humanity of the Pine Belt
Lynn Walton presided over the meeting. Mark Killingsworth provided the opening prayer. Matt Rumph led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Lynn led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn in Hattiesburg and via Zoom.
Lynn thanked club members for showing up, volunteering, and making this year a success for our club. She noted that the new officers and directors for the coming year will be installed at today’s meeting.
Lynn then presented the award winners for 2021-2022.
Presentation of the Milam S. “Sonny 34” Cotton New Rotarian Award
Awarded to a dedicated Rotarian who has been a member of the club for less than three years. This award is named for Dr. Milam “Sonny 34” Cotton, a dedicated Rotarian who lived to serve. Dr. Cotton was the last member of this club to rise to the level of District Governor. For his eagerness and enthusiasm in taking on club responsibilities, this year’s New Rotarian Award goes to Coty Primeaux.
Presentation of “The Bill Gwyn Non-Rotarian Service Award”
Our club’s best attempt to look beyond our membership. It is our opportunity to recognize someone from our region who exemplifies our club’s values, our commitment to service, and the empowerment of those less fortunate. This year the Bill Gwyn Non-Rotarian Service Award goes to Mavis Creagh. Although Mavis is now a Rotarian, the award was presented to her for her work throughout the community before becoming a Rotarian.
Presentation of “The Joe Spell Spirit of Rotary Award”
The Joe Spell Spirit of Rotary Award” is presented to a club member for their service not only to the Rotary Club of Hattiesburg, but to the community as well. This honor is named for Hattiesburg Rotarian, Joe Spell, who displayed a consistent, enthusiastic passion for the Rotary Club of Hattiesburg and Rotary International. Joe was often heard to say, “Being a member of Rotary is not the same as being a Rotarian”. This year’s Joe Spell Spirit of Rotary Award goes to Mark Killingsworth.
Presentation of the “T.C. Hannah Rotarian of the Year”
The T.C. Hannah Rotarian of the Year Award is given in recognition of a Rotarian for outstanding service and unwavering dedication to the Rotary Club of Hattiesburg. T.C. Hannah was a charter member and the first president of the Rotary Club of Hattiesburg. Through serving on the board of directors, management of our Clubs involvement with the Rotary International Foundation and taking care of things that often go unnoticed, this Rotarian does it all. This year the T.C. Hannah Rotarian of the Year is Matt Rumph.
The 2022-2023 Officers and Directors were then sworn in by Lynn. Mallory Donald will be the club president. Other board members for the coming year include Lucy Sanguinetti, Ryan Kelly, Stew Deen, Mark Killingsworth, Matt Rumph, Katie Anthony, Bill McLeod, and Mike Ratliff. Stew Deen will be the Sergeant at Arms.
Mark Killingsworth has volunteered to chair the membership committee. He encouraged each member to recruit just one new member throughout the coming year.
There being no further business to come before the club, Lynn adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
Dr. Colin McKenzie is an educator, conductor, and music administrator, currently serving as Director of the School of Music and Conductor of the Symphonic Winds at The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS.
Before moving into an administrative role at The University of Southern Mississippi, McKenzie served as Associate Director of Bands, Associate Professor of Music, and Director of the Pride of Mississippi at the same institution. He conducted the Symphonic Winds, administered all facets of the comprehensive athletic band program, taught course work in conducting, and assisted in student teacher preparation and observation.
Prior to his appointment at the University of Southern Mississippi, Dr. McKenzie served as Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at Georgia Southern University. At Georgia Southern, he directed and administered all facets of the Southern Pride Marching Band and Hoop Troop Athletic Bands. He also served as conductor of the Georgia Southern University Wind Symphony, founding conductor of the University Band, and taught graduate conducting and marching band techniques within the Department of Music.
Before teaching at Georgia Southern, McKenzie was on the faculty at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where he was assistant director and, later, acting director of the Golden Wave Band, conducted the concert band, co-conducted the symphonic band, and taught undergraduate courses in music education and conducting. In addition to his duties within the University Bands, McKenzie also served as Associate Conductor of the Waco Symphony Youth Orchestra.
Dr. McKenzie holds the Bachelor in Music Education from Valdosta State University, the Master of Music in Conducting from Baylor University, and the Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting from Michigan State University. His primary conducting teachers are Dr. Kevin Sedatole and Dr. Joe Brashier. His professional affiliations include the College Band Directors National Association, the Mississippi Bandmasters Association, honorary membership in Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi, and membership in Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
July 05, 2022: Colin McKenzie - Director of the School of Music, Conductor of the Symphonic Winds - USM
Dr. Colin McKenzie is an educator, conductor, and music administrator, currently serving as Director of the School of Music and Conductor of the Symphonic Winds at The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS.
Before moving into an administrative role at The University of Southern Mississippi, McKenzie served as Associate Director of Bands, Associate Professor of Music, and Director of the Pride of Mississippi at the same institution. He conducted the Symphonic Winds, administered all facets of the comprehensive athletic band program, taught course work in conducting, and assisted in student teacher preparation and observation.
Prior to his appointment at the University of Southern Mississippi, Dr. McKenzie served as Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at Georgia Southern University. At Georgia Southern, he directed and administered all facets of the Southern Pride Marching Band and Hoop Troop Athletic Bands. He also served as conductor of the Georgia Southern University Wind Symphony, founding conductor of the University Band, and taught graduate conducting and marching band techniques within the Department of Music.
Before teaching at Georgia Southern, McKenzie was on the faculty at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where he was assistant director and, later, acting director of the Golden Wave Band, conducted the concert band, co-conducted the symphonic band, and taught undergraduate courses in music education and conducting. In addition to his duties within the University Bands, McKenzie also served as Associate Conductor of the Waco Symphony Youth Orchestra.
Dr. McKenzie holds the Bachelor in Music Education from Valdosta State University, the Master of Music in Conducting from Baylor University, and the Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting from Michigan State University. His primary conducting teachers are Dr. Kevin Sedatole and Dr. Joe Brashier. His professional affiliations include the College Band Directors National Association, the Mississippi Bandmasters Association, honorary membership in Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi, and membership in Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
TODAY: Colin McKenzie - Director of the School of Music, Conductor of the Symphonic Winds - USM
Lynn Walton presided over the meeting. Ryan Kelly provided the opening prayer. Mavis Creagh led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Lynn led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn in Hattiesburg and via Zoom.
Lynn thanked those who showed up for the workday at Wesley Manor. She noted that the project exceeded what was budgeted and encouraged members to purchase raffle tickets to help offset the expense. The drawing for the raffle will occur at the end of today’s meeting.
Lynn also announced that the awards program and the officer installation ceremony is scheduled for June 24. She encouraged members to contact past presidents and invite them to the ceremony.
Lynn then introduced today’s guest speaker, Sandy Middleton who is the Executive Director of the Center for Violence Prevention. The Center is a non-profit organization in Mississippi designed to combat domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking while serving those effected by these acts of violence.
Human Trafficking is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to control another person for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts or soliciting labor or services against his/her will. Force, fraud, or coercion does not need to be present if the individual engaging in commercial sex is under 18 years of age. Sandy says the Center has five rapid response teams across the state to respond to human trafficking issues. The Center also operates the Tower. It provides voluntary services to identified victims of trafficking through its multidisciplinary professionals and community partners to achieve safety, recovery, and restoration. Participation in the program is voluntary and requires consent, active participation, and adherence to the established guidelines for the safety and well-being of all clients and staff. Victims can participate in Tower programs for up to two years.
Sandy noted that only ten rape cases were successfully prosecuted in Mississippi last year, far below the average in other states. In 2021 the Center housed 105 human trafficking victims. They counselled 105 victims through their outreach program and had 188 rapid responses.
The target age of girls in our state for human trafficking is 14 – 16. About 99% of the buyers are males.
Lynn thanked Sandy for this update. A drawing was held for the raffle basket. Mark Killingsworth was the winner.
There being no further business to come before the club, Lynn adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
David Saulters is a native of Prentiss, Mississippi. He came to Hattiesburg in 1986 as a student at USM and has lived here ever since. He graduated in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a major in banking and finance and worked in banking for most of the 90’s.
David left banking in 1999 to go into business for himself, and ultimately purchased RE/MAX Real Estate Partners in 2015 with his wife Christa which they operate along with several other business ventures.
Although not active in residential construction, David still holds a residential contractors license and is a Certified Professional Builder/Remodeler as designated by the Mississippi Housing Institute. He is a past president of both the Greater Hattiesburg Home Builders Association and Home Builders Association of Mississippi and still serves on the board of directors of each, as well as holding the rank of life delegate of the National Association of Home Builders. He is also a member of the Hattiesburg Area Association of Realtors.
David and Christa have a combined seven children and three grandchildren. They are active members of Heritage United Methodist Church and stay involved with the University of Southern Mississippi through the Alumni Association and Eagle Club.
Mallory Hill stepped in for President Lynn Walton and presided over the meeting. Bill MacLauchlan provided the opening prayer and Allen Anderson led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mallory led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn in Hattiesburg and via Zoom.
Marissa Nearman was a guest of Cody Primeaux. Mallory reminded everyone of the raffle ticket for sale at the front desk.
Lucy Sanguinetti announced that we are scheduled to build a sun structure gazebo at Wesley Manor this weekend. She is looking for volunteers to help with the building structure and raised flower beds.
Bill McLeod then introduced today’s guest speaker, Whitney Lipscomb, Deputy Attorney General with the Mississippi Attorney General's Office. Whitney is taking the place of Lynn Fitch today who had a scheduling conflict.
The Attorney General’s Office is the State’s law firm. They provide legal representation to the State’s agencies, boards, and commissions. They ensure the best possible representation for their client-agencies as efficiently and cost-effective as possible for Mississippi taxpayers.
The Division is organized into seven Groups: Agencies, Boards, and Commissions, Business & Finance, Children's Services Group, Education, Health & Well-Being, Natural Resources and Public Safety & Infrastructure.
Whitney explained the different departments within the Mississippi Attorney General's Office. Some of those departments are Bureau of Victim Assistance, Civil Litigation, Consumer Protection, Criminal Appeals, Cyber Crime, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Prosecutor and Law Enforcement Training and Public Education and Community Engagement.
The Bureau of Victim Assistance (BOVA) was established to provide statewide assistance to victims of crime. BOVA offers victims and their loved ones a single point of contact they can turn to.
The Consumer Protection Division protects Mississippians from unfair, anticompetitive, and deceptive business practices that harm our community. The Division’s efforts include protecting consumer privacy and advocacy against illegal robo-calls.
Attorneys in the Criminal Appeals Division represent the State in criminal appeals and other criminal proceedings in the Supreme Court of Mississippi, the Court of Appeals of Mississippi, and the Supreme Court of the United States, and also represent the State’s interest in extradition matters.
If you would like more information, please visit www.ago.state.ms.us
There being no further business to come before the club, Mallory thanked, Deputy Attorney General Whitney Lipscomb for her presentation and then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
Whitney is one of the Deputy Attorney Generals for the State of Mississippi. She oversees the Civil, Solicitor General, Legislative and Administrative Divisions. Prior to this, she served as the as Deputy Chief of Staff and Counsel for Governor Phil Bryant. In this role she provided strategic counsel to the Governor on a wide range of policy and legal matters. Whitney previously practiced law in Gulfport where she did civil defense work and regularly represented state entities.
June 7, 2022 - Whitney Lipscomb, Deputy Attorney General
Lynn Walton presided over the meeting. Mark Killingsworth provided the opening prayer and Coty Primeaux led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Lynn led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn in Hattiesburg and via Zoom.
Lynn reminded members that our club will not meet on May 31 since it is the fifth Tuesday of the month. The Wesley Manor project is being finalized. A workday is scheduled for June 11th beginning at 7:00 a.m. Every member is expected to participate. She reminded members to purchase their raffle tickets soon. Mark reported that a District Conference committee meeting will be held in the next couple of weeks.
Lucy Sanguinetti then introduced today’s guest speaker, Representative Missy Magee. Ms. Magee is the Representative for District 102, which includes the City of Hattiesburg.
Missy noted that the Legislature just wrapped up this year’s 90-day session. During the session a total of $1.8 billion was awarded. Although that may sound like a large number, there were requests before the Legislature of $7 billion. Revenue is running ahead of projections this year, largely due to an influx of federal money. Most of the money awarded went to local governments.
The 2022 Legislature passed the Medical Marijuana bill. The Department of Health is currently writing the rules and regulations for the legislation. The State Supreme Court overturned the ballot initiative, resulting in the need for the legislature to re-write the initiative which allows citizens to petition the legislature for action. That legislation failed and will come back for consideration during the next session.
There was an effort this session to eliminate the state income tax. Although the effort failed, the tax rates were reduced.
A teacher pay raise was passed during the session. The raise brings starting teacher pay above the southeast average.
Representative Magee worked on legislation that allows cities to board up and clean up vacant buildings. She also got legislation passed that allows food trucks to sell alcohol in go-cup districts if the truck’s owner has a brick & mortar facility and is licensed to sell alcohol out of the facility. She also got legislation passed that improves new-born screening in our state. The state can now screen new-borns for three more screenings that the federal government allows. And finally, she got legislation passed that tightens up regulations for school-based programs such as the Dubard School and the Children’s Center.
There being no further business to come before the club, Lynn thanked Representative Magee for her presentation and then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
Missy McGee is the Representative of Mississippi House District 102 - Forrest and Lamar counties. Her committee membership includes Medicaid, Elections & Apportionment, Universities & Colleges, Transportation, and she is also Vice-Chairman of the Public Health Committee.
Missy is a graduate of Hattiesburg High School. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, as well as her Masters Degree in Speech Communication, at The University of Southern Mississippi.
Missy is a former instructor of Speech Communication from USM, and she is also a former Legislative Assistant to Senator Trent Lott. She is a lifetime member of the USM Alumni Association, a lifetime member of the Hattiesburg Junior Auxiliary, and a member of the Leadership Pinebelt Alumni. Missy's community involvement also includes the Area Development Partnership and Hattiesburg Dixie Youth Baseball. Missy has served on numerous boards for civic organizations and foundations, and she is also a member of Main Street United Methodist Church.
Missy is married to Sean McGee and have two sons, Patrick and Jackson.
May 24, 2022 - Missy McGee, State Representative for Mississippi House District 102
At first glance, Brett’s career has spanned a wide range of experiences and industries. But if you look closely, you will see it has been consistently marked by service.
A year abroad in Spain unlocked a curiosity and empathy in him for other cultures and people different from himself that has continued to impact his life and work to this day. After earning degrees in Spanish and International Development from the University of Southern Mississippi, Brett worked in Community Development with the Peace Corps in South America, followed by work in training management and human resources upon his return to the United States.
The catalyst for Brett’s interest in drug reform came by way of two very different experiences. The first is the impact opioid use disorder has had on his close relative who has been in more than a decade long battle with opioid addiction and is now in recovery.
The second experience came during his time in human resources. After recruiting a great fit candidate for a position at the company, he was prohibited from hiring him because the applicant had a felony drug possession charge in his past. From Brett’s perspective, the applicant lost and the company lost that day.
Those experiences launched Brett into volunteer advocacy work that landed him at an End It For Good community discussion. As they say, the rest is history.
As the CEO at End It For Good he has returned to full-time humanitarian work as he and his teamwork to help the people of Mississippi consider how current drug laws adversely impact individuals, families, businesses, communities, and law enforcement, alike.
Brett has always had a passion for helping people and has a deep curiosity for traveling and experiencing the culture, art, and food of countries in places like Europe and South America. Brett is a 6th generation Mississippian and a 5th-generation Hattiesburger. In his free time, you will find Brett either volunteering at community events in downtown Hattiesburg, bike-riding the Longleaf Trace, or hanging out with friends and family. Contact at brett@enditforgood.com
May 17, 2022 - Brett Montague, CEO "End it for Good"
Lynn Walton presided over the meeting. Richard Topp provided the opening prayer and Sean Priebe led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Lynn led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn in Hattiesburg and via Zoom.
Lynn reminded members that board election has been completed and everyone on the ballot was elected. She also reported that the district conference is coming up on April 19 – 21. She encouraged members to attend the Biloxi event. Hattiesburg will host the 2023 conference on April 21 – 23 on the USM campus. She encouraged the club to work with the Petal and the Sunrise club and provide a table at the food fest next year. Volunteers are needed to work on the conference and the food fest. She also reminded members that it is time to nominate the Rotarian and Non-Rotarian of the year. If you have a candidate for one or both of these awards, please let Lynn know.
Mark Killingsworth then introduced today’s guest speaker, Steve Casteel. Steve is the Senior Pastor at Heritage United Methodist Church. He has been a pastor for the past 42 years. He is a graduate of Mississippi State University and Emory University.
Pastor Casteel has a real passion for leadership development and community involvement. His personal mission statement is “live loved.” He noted that covid eroded much of our community over the past two years and encouraged Rotarians to help him rebuild the community. He has founded a non-profit organization, Store Soup, with a focus on doing just that. He encouraged us to look around and discover a way we can help bring the community back. He notes that every community has needs and needs leaders.
He wants us to use our vision to see where the needs are, the approach the needs with integrity and passion. He encouraged everyone to re-connect to your community. Find a non-profit working on community needs and then invest yourself.
There being no further business to come before the club, Lynn thanked Pastor Casteel for his presentation and then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
Lynn Walton presided over the meeting. Mark Killingsworth provided the opening prayer and Anthony Harris led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Lynn led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn in Hattiesburg and via Zoom.
Lynn reminded members that board election ballots are being distributed today. Members are asked to vote for the candidates of their choice and leave the ballots on the tables at the end of today’s meeting. She also reported that Annie Jackson has agreed to be the program committee chair for the coming year. Members are encouraged to volunteer to assist her
Lynn then introduced today’s guest speaker, Anni Carracedo. She is a champion of Rotary Youth Programs in District 6840. She is chair of the inaugural student-led District Interact. Anni accepted the challenge of serving a year as a Rotary Goodwill Ambassador (Rotary Youth Exchange student) after becoming involved in the Interact Club of Valencia in her home country of Venezuela. Her exchange to Bay St. Louis was curtailed when the Covid pandemic shut down schools and communities. She has been allowed to extend her visa and remain in the United States.
Anni explained that Interact clubs bring together young people ages 12-18 to develop leadership skills while discovering the power of Service Above Self. Benefits of being a Interact club member include taking action to make a difference in their schools and communities, discovering new cultures and promoting international understanding, becoming a leader in their school and community, and having fun while making friends from around the world. Rotary Interact clubs are now being expanded to local communities. Anni encouraged our club to consider starting an Interact club.
Through her Interact club in Bay St. Louis, Anni and other members began a Shoes, Socks and Hats program to raise money for Venezuela refugees. That program has received recognition from Rotary International. She began the project with just a handful of students, but it has now expanded to more than 900 members from 80 countries. They meet via Zoom. She encouraged our members to consider volunteering to host a Youth Exchange student in the future.
Another important youth program is the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA). Anni says it is an intensive leadership experience organized by Rotary clubs and districts where students develop their skills as a leader while having fun and making connections. Rising high school seniors are eligible to participate in the program.
Benefits of the RYLA program includes connecting with leaders in the community and around the world. Participants build communication and problem-solving skills, discover strategies for becoming a dynamic leader in their school or community and unlock their potential to turn motivation into action. Our club has sponsored RYLA candidates in the past. Anni says Rotary needs RYLA applications this year. The program has suffered the past two years because of Covid.02
There being no further business to come before the club, Lynn thanked Anni for her presentation and then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
At first glance, Brett’s career has spanned a wide range of experiences and industries. But if you look closely, you will see it has been consistently marked by service.
A year abroad in Spain unlocked a curiosity and empathy in him for other cultures and people different from himself that has continued to impact his life and work to this day. After earning degrees in Spanish and International Development from the University of Southern Mississippi, Brett worked in Community Development with the Peace Corps in South America, followed by work in training management and human resources upon his return to the United States.
The catalyst for Brett’s interest in drug reform came by way of two very different experiences. The first is the impact opioid use disorder has had on his close relative who has been in more than a decade long battle with opioid addiction and is now in recovery.
The second experience came during his time in human resources. After recruiting a great fit candidate for a position at the company, he was prohibited from hiring him because the applicant had a felony drug possession charge in his past. From Brett’s perspective, the applicant lost and the company lost that day.
Those experiences launched Brett into volunteer advocacy work that landed him at an End It For Good community discussion. As they say, the rest is history.
As the CEO at End It For Good he has returned to full-time humanitarian work as he and his teamwork to help the people of Mississippi consider how current drug laws adversely impact individuals, families, businesses, communities, and law enforcement, alike.
Brett has always had a passion for helping people and has a deep curiosity for traveling and experiencing the culture, art, and food of countries in places like Europe and South America. Brett is a 6th generation Mississippian and a 5th-generation Hattiesburger. In his free time, you will find Brett either volunteering at community events in downtown Hattiesburg, bike-riding the Longleaf Trace, or hanging out with friends and family. Contact at brett@enditforgood.com
NEXT WEEK: 05/17/2022 - Bret Montague, CEO "End It For Good"
Steve is Senior Pastor at Heritage Church. He is married to Cindy, a retired teacher. They have two children, Cari and Matt. Cari is a History professor at The University at Buffalo and Matt is a worm farmer in Jackson.
Steve loves comic books and reading. He has a real passion for leadership development and community involvement. His personal mission statement is, ”live loved.”
TODAY: 05/10/2022 - Steve Casteel, Senior Pastor at Heritage Church
Steve is Senior Pastor at Heritage Church. He is married to Cindy, a retired teacher. They have two children, Cari and Matt. Cari is a History professor at The University at Buffalo and Matt is a worm farmer in Jackson.
Steve loves comic books and reading. He has a real passion for leadership development and community involvement. His personal mission statement is, ”live loved.”
Next Week: 05/10/2022 - Steve Casteel, Senior Pastor at Heritage Church
Lynn Walton presided over the meeting. Freddy Walter provided the opening prayer and Stew Deen led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Lynn led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn in Hattiesburg and via Zoom.
Lynn reminded members that board elections will take place next week. A printed ballot will be available for the election. She also reminded members about the Rotary Foundation and its Endowment Fund. Members are asked to contribute before the end of this fiscal year, which is June 30.
Mark Killingsworth encouraged members to attend this year’s District Conference. It will be held in Biloxi May 19 – 22. A golf tournament is scheduled for Thursday. The food fest will be held on Friday and concurrent sessions will be held on Saturday. The conference will conclude with a banquet Saturday evening. Lynn noted that the conference will be held in Hattiesburg next year. A committee is needed to plan the details.
Mavis Creagh was then installed as our club’s newest member. Mavis is the executive director of R3SM.
A.D. then introduced today’s guest speaker, Tony Ducker, the seventh Mayor of the City of Petal. Mayor Ducker moved to Petal in 1998 and after a short stint in television, he opened an insurance agency. After serving on the Board of Aldermen for twelve years, he ran and was elected as Mayor.
Mayor Ducker noted that Petal is ripe for small business growth in the downtown area. He is meeting with investors later this week who are considering locating in the downtown area. Regional and national stores are venturing into the city, especially with the arrival of the Evelyn Gandy Parkway. Petal was named as America’s safest city in 2021 and the city’s school system is top rated. The current population totals 11,000 residents. The mayor says that city government’s primary responsibility is customer service. Therefore, he is focused on making improvements in those areas. Sixty-seven percent of the city’s budget consists of payroll. Another 17% consists of PERS expenses. Due to federal grants, the city is undertaking a major sewer improvement project. Bids were released in January and construction to the 70-year-old system is expected to begin in July.
There being no further business to come before the club, Lynn thanked Ducker for his presentation and then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
Samantha "Sam" Walley and Anniela "Anni" Carracedo are champions of Rotary Youth Programs in District 6840 and around the world! In addition to being host mom and daughter, they are an integral part of the District 6840 Youth Services Committee, which supports Interact, Rotary Youth Exchange, and Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. Currently, Sam serves as the Deputy Governor for Youth Services and Anni as chair for the inaugural student-led District Interact Committee.
Sam joined Rotary after her son became a Rotary Youth Exchange student. She has hosted multiple exchange students and been involved in Rotary youth program leadership at the Club, District, and International levels. Sam has previously served as president of the Rotary Club of Bay St. Louis and will lead our district as Governor in 2024-25.
Anni accepted the challenge of serving a year as a Rotary Goodwill Ambassador (a.k.a.Rotary Youth Exchange student) after becoming involved in the Interact Club of Valencia in her home country of Venezuela. Her exchange to Bay St. Louis, MS was curtailed when the Covid pandemic shut down schools and communities. Due to sociopolitical factors in Venezuela, Anni has been allowed to extend her visa and remain in the United States. Now a member of the Rotary Club of Bay St. Louis, Anni is preparing to attend college and pursue her passion of international peacebuilding.
Together, Sam and Anni lead efforts to strengthen youth programs locally and internationally.
"It is the greatest of honors to represent Petal as its seventh Mayor. In 1998, I married and moved to Petal all in the same weekend, and it has honestly been one of the best decisions I've ever made. After a short stint in TV, I opened an insurance agency which ultimately landed me in the heart of downtown Petal. Running a small business and making sure the numbers match up at the end of year are close to my heart.
Moving us forward!
Petal is ripe for small business growth downtown. At the same time, regional and national stores are venturing into our commercial corridor along the Evelyn Gandy Parkway. From our top-rated school, to our safe city status, Petal's future is bright. Be assured I will work hard every day, so we can move our city forward. Building on our proud history, join me in this great adventure and we can have a city better than what we found. The best is yet to come."
Lynn Walton presided over the meeting. Ryan Kelly provided the opening prayer and Lucy Sanguinetti led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Lynn led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn in Hattiesburg and via Zoom.
Lynn reminded members that board elections will take place soon. Candidates include:
Stew Deen 2021-2023
Shirley Moore 2021-2023
Mark Killingsworth 2022-2024
Matt Rumph 2022-2024
Bill McLeod 2022-2024
Mike Ratliff 2022-2024
Lucy Sanquinetti 2022-2024
Kathryn Anthony 2022-2024
Ryan Kelly as president-elect 2023-2024
She also reminded members about the Rotary Foundation and its Endowment Fund. Members are asked to contribute before the end of this fiscal year, which is June 30.
A.D. then introduced today’s guest speaker, Patrick Bigbie.,WDAM Chief Meteorologist. Patrick is a native of Seale, Alabama. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Alabama.
Patrick notes that television weather has undergone a multitude of changes in recent years, largely due to improved technology. Social media is also driving many changes. Social media has an impact on brand loyalty.
Our weather has been very active thus far this spring. We recorded 87 tornados since March 1. Mississippi is ranked number one for tornadoes in the United States.
Many improvements have been made to the warning system. The lead time for warnings in the 90’s was between 5 and 10 minutes. Today residents have a 20-minute lead time. There has also been an increase in the way residents can receive their warnings. Storm fatigue is being studied and it is believed that it is real and can have a negative impact on safety.
Patrick says global warming and climate change are real issues, however, it is unclear how much, if any impact they are having on our weather. Weather data has only been around for about 75 years.
There being no further business to come before the club, Lynn thanked Patrick for his presentation and then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
Lynn Walton presided over the meeting. Allen Anderson provided the opening prayer and Matt Rumph led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Lynn led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn in Hattiesburg and via Zoom.
We had two visitors today. Rob Young with the Sunrise Club and Mavis Creagh, a potential new member.
Lynn reminded members to sign up for our Meals on Wheels service project. She also reminded members that our quarterly project this quarter is Wesley Manor. Committee members are working on pricing for the project. It may be necessary to ask the board to increase the budget for this project.
A.D. then introduced today’s guest speaker, Forrest County Sheriff, Charlie Sims. Sheriff Sims has a 40-year career in law enforcement. Before being elected to his current position he was the City of Hattiesburg Chief of Police.
After assuming his duties in the sheriff’s office, he reorganized the department. He created two bureaus, Corrections and Operations. All the office’s responsibilities were merged into one of these two bureaus.
The Adult Detention facility is a part of Corrections. Sims reports that the average population of the Detention facility is about 300 inmates. The facility houses county inmates, along with inmates from the state and the federal governments, who are awaiting trial. The state and federal governments pay the county for their inmates. Contraband continues to be a problem at the facility, however, Sims says the department is about to control it. Everyone entering the facility must now go through a full body scan.
Sims has seen an increase in juvenile crimes in recent years. Some of their crimes are serious. The Juvenile Detention Facility houses an average of 7 to 8 inmates daily. In addition to providing them food and medical care, local schools send teachers in to teach classes. He has also organized a mentorship program for juvenile inmates.
The department also operates an Evaluation Center. Inmates with mental health issues or drug and alcohol abuse issues are housed in this facility. The department has five deputies who patrol the unincorporated areas of the county. Reserve deputies also assist in patrols. They work for no pay. However, Sims pays their way to the academy and furnishes them with the equipment they need for their service. They department answered 19,000 calls last year. Five-hundred-twenty-one of those calls were for felony violations. Sheriff Department officers are paid an average of $42,500 annually. There are currently no vacancies in the department.
There being no further business to come before the club, Lynn thanked Sheriff Sims for his presentation and then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
Patrick's love and passion for weather began the day he was born. "As a kid, I would watch The Weather Channel more than cartoons. The weather just came naturally to me. I took every opportunity I had growing up to become a meteorologist."
At 13, he became the youngest Weather Watcher for WSFA in Montgomery, AL. This allowed him to become friends with and learn from some of the best meteorologists in the business. He became an advanced SkyWarn Spotter before he even graduated high school and when presented the opportunity will chase anything from blizzards to tornadoes to hurricanes...
Sheriff Sims is a career law enforcement officer with over 37 years of experience. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, Sims worked his way up through the ranks of the Hattiesburg Police Department to the position of Chief of Police. Under Sims’s leadership, the Hattiesburg Police Department was recognized for several accomplishments in the area of community policing and the department was recognized as a law enforcement leader in the state...
Lynn Walton presided over the meeting. Mark Killingsworth provided the opening prayer and AD Hunt led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Lynn led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn in Hattiesburg and via Zoom.
Lynn reminded members that volunteers are needed for the Meals on Wheels service project. She also reported that RYLA is coming up soon. If any member has a child or grandchild interested in attending, please give her that information. The club will pay the registration fees. The next quarterly service project is the construction of a pergola at Wesley Manor Retirement Center. If anyone knows anyone or a company that could assist in providing materials for the project, please let Lynn know. Donations are now being sought for the Rotary Endowment Fund. A Kollege of Knowledge will be planned soon for new members.
Lynn then introduced today’s guest speaker, Noah Harris. Harris, who graduated from Oak Grove High School in 2018, has always been involved in school and community activities. The violin and piano player participated in sports and was an Eagle Scout. He also served as an intern for Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker.
Noah now attends Harvard and is majoring in government. Noah is also the first Black man Harvard's student body elected as council president Harris, a junior majoring in government, said of the confidence placed in him. “Especially with everything that went on this summer with the death of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, all the protests that went on in this moment of racial reckoning in this country. This is a major statement by the Harvard student body to entrust a Black man with such an unprecedented moment in its history.
Growing up, Noah recognized how blessed he was to have supportive parents, as well as a great school system behind him. He wanted to find a way to give back to those in his community and others like it who did not have that same opportunity. This took the form of a children’s book because of how important a great education is to what we want to achieve in life. He wrote and self-published a children's book during the summer after his senior year of high school.
Noah wrote a children’s book called Successville to inspire and encourage children to “dream big” and work hard to achieve their goals. Based on his own childhood growing up here in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, the brightly illustrated story teaches children about the importance of education. It tells readers that everyone has their own Successville, and everyone’s Successville is a different, special place.
Noah has been surprised by the overwhelmingly positive response he has received from friends, family, and his community. Kids love the book everywhere he goes with it.
If you would like a copy of Successville, you can find it at itAmazon, Barnes and Noble and everywhere else books are sold online.
Lynn thanked Noah for his presentation. There being no further business to come before the club, she adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”
Chad Newell serves as President of the Area Development Partnership (ADP) in Hattiesburg, MS, a position he has held since December 2009. The ADP is the regional chamber of commerce and economic development organization for Greater Hattiesburg, MS...
Darby Berthelot is the Director of Estate and Gift Planning serving both Louisiana and Mississippi. Darby joined the American Cancer Society (ACS) staff in 2018 after serving as an ACS volunteer for 19 years. With over 20 years’ nonprofit experience, Darby has spent his career working with some of the leading national nonprofit agencies.
Darby holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Nicholls State University (Thibodaux, LA). Darby is a member of several Estate Planning Councils throughout Mississippi and Louisiana. In addition, Darby is currently serving as President-Elect of the Society of Financial Service Professionals New Orleans Chapter. In his spare time, Darby serves on the Board of Directors of numerous community organizations.
Latoya Norman is the Director of Museums for the Hattiesburg Convention Commission. Her work with the Commission began in 2008 when she was hired as their Education Coordinator. This position gave her the opportunity to educate children of all ages about the selfless service and sacrifice of African Americans in the military and the meaningful role community members have played during times of war. Today, she oversees developments in the Sixth Street Museum District which include: the African American Military History Museum, Oseola McCarty House, Historic Eureka School, and the Smith Drug Co.
Lynn Walton presided over the meeting. Ryan Kelly provided the opening prayer and Brandon Hodges led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Lynn led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn in Hattiesburg and via Zoom.
Lynn requested a volunteer to serve as the program committee chair for the upcoming year. She also requested a volunteer to fill in for Wes Brooks who is taking a six-month leave of absence. Brandon Hodges is considering accepting this challenge.
Bill MacLauchlan introduced today’s guests. Paula Brahan is here today and is rejoining the Club. Landon Woodall is also here. He is currently a member of the Columbia club but is in the process of transferring his membership to our club.
Jerome Brown then introduced today’s guest speaker, Dr. Robert Williams, Superintendent, Hattiesburg Public Schools. Dr. Williams has worked in education for more than 20 years. He has been with the Hattiesburg Public School System for the past 18 years. He was joined by Jasmine Baxter who works in the district’s communication department.
Many thanks to VisitHATTIESBURG Exec. Dir., Marlo Dorsey, for providing our program Tuesday!
Lynn Walton presided over the meeting. Mark Killingsworth provided the opening prayer and Ryan Kelly led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Lynn led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn in Hattiesburg and via Zoom.
Lynn reminded members of the February 3, 2022, wine tasting. She reminded members to pick their tickets up today and encouraged members to continue to collect auction items. If you need additional tickets, they can be purchased on the Clubrunner site. Ten more items are needed. The auction is now live. Four volunteers are needed the night of the wine tasting. They will pour the wine. She also encouraged members to share the wine tasting event via their social networks.
Lucy Sanguinetti then introduced today’s guest speaker, Marlo Dorsey. She is the Executive Director of VisitHATTIESBURG.
PAM JUNIOR • DIRECTOR, MS DEPT. OF HISTORY & ARCHIVES
Motivational speaker, historian, and women's activist, Pamela D.C. Junior is the director of the Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson, Mississippi. As former manager of Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center, Pamela fought passionately and tirelessly to make the museum a first-class place of interpretation, bringing the museum from financial struggles to features across the nation, most notably, one of CNN’s “50 States, 50 Spots.”
Lynn Walton presided over the meeting. Jerome Brown provided the opening prayer and Richard Topp led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Lynn led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn in Hattiesburg and via Zoom.
Lynn reminded members of the February 3, 2022, wine tasting. It is scheduled for the Canebrake Country Club. She also reminded members of the need to secure silent auction items. She reported to members that each one has been invoiced $80 for four tickets to the event. Those tickets should be mailed within the next few days.
Our thanks to State Auditor Shad White for providing our program and his staff for the work they are doing to return stolen funds back to Mississippians.
L-R: MS State Auditor Shad White, Lynn Walton, and Bill McLeod
Lynn Walton presided over the meeting today. Mark Killingsworth provided the opening prayer and Bill MacLauchlan led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Lynn led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn in Hattiesburg and via Zoom.
Lynn thanked Wes for the club’s newsletter. She also thanked members who attended today’s meeting noting that it is good to be back after the Thanksgiving break. She noted that a few slots remain unfilled for the Club’s bell ringing schedule next weekend. The Salvation Army is our charity of the quarter. They will present to the club on December 21. Silent auction items are still needed. She encouraged members to get their donations in before January 1, 2022, so the auction can go live. Membership solicitation brochures were distributed. She encouraged members to take one and consider bringing a new member into our club. Mike Ratliff introduced his guest, Daniel Waide.
Grant is a sixth-generation Mississippian who grew up in Laurel. He founded Empower Mississippi in 2014 as a solution center, tackling Mississippi’s biggest challenges so everyone can rise. Previously, Grant served as Director of Development for the Mississippi Center for Public Policy. He is an alumnus of The Witherspoon Fellowship in Washington D.C.
Grant graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from Belhaven University and was selected as their “Young Alumnus of the Year” in 2009. Grant earned an M.A in Government from Regent University. Grant has been named to the Top 50 Most Influential Mississippians list by Y’all Politics. Grant currently lives in Madison with his wife Page and their five children. Grant and Page are members of Redeemer Church, PCA, where Grant serves as an elder.
Lynn Walton presided over the meeting today. Wes Brooks provided the opening prayer and Stew Dean led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Lynn led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn in Hattiesburg and via Zoom.
Lynn thanked Mallory for filling in for her the past two weeks. She reminded everyone to bring in an item for the silent auction. A sign-up sheet is being circulated at this meeting. Members will be ringing the bells for the Salvation Army during December. Richard Topp is developing the schedule. You can sign up to ring the bells on our Clubrunner site. Members were reminded that this is the last meeting for the month of November, due to the Thanksgiving holidays.
At first glance, Brett’s career has spanned a wide range of experiences and industries. But if you look closely, you will see it has been consistently marked by service.
A year abroad in Spain unlocked a curiosity and empathy in him for other cultures and people different from himself that has continued to impact his life and work to this day. After earning degrees in Spanish and International Development from the University of Southern Mississippi, Brett worked in Community Development with the Peace Corps in South America, followed by work in training management and human resources upon his return to the United States.
A graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biochemistry with Minors in Forensics and Biology, Dameon C. Hutto began public service in the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences as a Drug Chemist in 1997. As part of his duties, Dameon attended the Southwest Alabama Police Academy and became a sworn state law enforcement Officer in 1998. Dameon was responsible for the analysis of evidence for the presence of controlled substances and served as the Safety Chemist/Officer on regional federal, state, and local Clandestine Laboratory Law Enforcement Teams.
Mallory Donald presided over the meeting today since President Lynn Walton was not in attendance. Jerome Brown provided the opening prayer. Bill McLeod led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn in Hattiesburg and via Zoom.
Mallory reminded everyone to bring in an item for the silent auction. Ryan Kelly reminded everyone that we are committed to ringing the bell for two days this year. Richard Topp suggested we have two locations this year, both being Corner Markets. The MidTown and Belleview locations. Others recommend we have the scheduled times after work on a weekday rather than Saturday. With December Saturdays being taken up with family and the holidays.
President Lynn Walton presided over today’s meeting. Mark Killingsworth provided the opening prayer. Lynn led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Hattiesburg Zoo. Lynn thanked everyone in attendance.
Lucy Sanguinetti brought her employer Chris Robinson as a guest to today’s meeting. Mark Killingsworth introduced today’s guest Rick Taylor. Rick Taylor is the Executive Director of the Hattiesburg Convention Commission and currently operates a convention center, a visitors’ center, a performing arts theater, a museum district, a zoo, and the pocket museum.
Michael Dixon received his undergraduate degree from Palm Beach Atlantic University and his Masters of Divinity at Mercer University. In 2007 Michael founded Ekklesia Hattiesburg, a non-denominational Church committed to serving those in need in Hattiesburg. Michael is the former Director of Extra Table. He currently serves as the Executive Director for the Pinebelt Foundation, which has distributed over $21 million in grants. He is married to Sarah Dixon and is a father to Lillian and Chapman.
Susan relaunched Stages Mississippi in the summer of 2012 as the owner and editor-in-chief. Having previously co-owned a floor covering store, she knew absolutely nothing about publishing a magazine, but she rapidly learned the business and grew Stages MS from 58 pages per issue at relaunch to 124 pages per issue where it remains consistent today. Stages Mississippi’s mission is to provide readers with a collectable resource library for all matters of homes and gardens specific to Mississippi. As a local business, Stages MS is also passionate about providing a resource guide for other businesses, large and small, across the Southeast region.
Susan is is originally from Yazoo City, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from Mississippi State University, and is an avid Dawg fan. She lives in Madison and has two grown sons, a 6 year old grandson, twin 2 year old grandsons, and an Olde English Bulldogge named “Queen Sheba of Hoy.” She enjoys church fellowship, her family and friends, gardening, and anything to do with a coastal environment. She wears her heart on her sleeve, loves people, and can be found on a beach somewhere on her days off.
Rick Taylor is the Executive Director of the Hattiesburg Convention Commission and currently operates a convention center, a visitors center, a performing arts theater, a museum district, a zoo, and a little hidden museum in an alley. He began his 34-year career in the tourism industry with a five-year stint in tourism development in the British, Dutch and French West Indies before coming to Hattiesburg. His experience is in attraction development, operations and marketing. A strong believer that unique and compelling experiences create customers for life, Rick implements this concept at each facility he develops. He is an advocate for motivated professionals to incorporate quality and creativity into every aspect of their career and responsibilities.
Rick is an inductee into the Mississippi Tourism Hall of Fame and a recipient of Hattiesburg’s Hub Award, the international Edward L. Bernays Tourism Award, and USM’s Margaret McCarthy Award for Tourism Industry Partner. He is a past officer of the International Association of Venue Managers and the Mississippi Tourism Association. Rick received an undergraduate degree in Humanities from Ambassador University in Los Angeles and a Master’s degree in Economic Development from the University of Southern Mississippi. He and his wife, Vicki, are parents of two boys, of which only one is still at home and only until next summer (whether he likes it or not).
MS Aquarium Director, Jeff Clark, shows students a replica alligator skull.
Mississippi Aquarium will tell the incredible story of all of Mississippi's aquatic resources from the Delta to the coastline and the remarkable connection that ties all of the state's natural resources uniquely together. Featuring the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and beyond, the roaring waters of the mighty Mississippi River, and the wetlands and marshes of the tranquil bayous, the story of Mississippi's natural resources had never been told in this extraordinary way. The Aquarium understands that living in Mississippi is about the outdoor experience and the relationships of its people. Mississippi Aquarium represents education, conservation, and community. The Aquarium will provide visitors with many opportunities to be entertained and fully immersed in the aquatic wonder that Mississippi has to offer.
Mississippi Aquarium is a 501c(3) non-profit organization and local leader in coastal conservation, education, and community participation. The Aquarium operates without subsidies and every contribution supports animal care and health, education and conservation initiatives, aquatic research, and future growth.
President Lynn Walton presided over today’s meeting. Freddy Walter provided the opening prayer. Tyler Gravely led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Lynn led us in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North and on Zoom. Lynn thanked everyone in attendance.
Bill MacLauchlan introduced today’s guests. Annie Jackson is a guest of Mark Killingsworth. She is applying for membership. Lynn announced that we have 3 new Rotarian prospects. Mark Killingsworth has two and Jerome Brown has one. Lynn also announced that we are wrapping up the donations for The Disaster Relief Fund today. We collected $75 today at lunch.
President Lynn Walton presided over today’s meeting. Mark Killingsworth provided the opening prayer. Joe Meador led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Lynn led us in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North and on Zoom.
Lynn thanked everyone in attendance. Bill MacLauchlan introduced today’s guests. Annie Jackson is a guest of Mark Killingsworth. She is applying for membership. Allen Anderson had Sonny Messengale as his guest. Lynn announced the sad news that long-time Rotarian, Conrad Welker passed away this week.
The club will not meet during Thanksgiving week and we will not meet the following Tuesday, which is the fifth Tuesday in November. On October 19 we will meet at the Zoo. The Convention Center is sponsoring and hosting that meeting. Details will be announced later.
A Hattiesburg native with an eye for sculpture, Dr. Erik Graham believes that every smile is a work of art ready to be unveiled. After attending dental school at University Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi, Dr. Graham and his wife Ginny (also a Hattiesburg native) moved back to Hattiesburg and joined Dr. Baker, where they formed Baker & Graham Family Dentistry. Ever since he was a child, Dr. Graham has been fascinated by how things work. He loves working with his hands, taking things apart, and putting them back together again. He has always been fascinated by innovation and captivated by the power of technology to improve people’s lives.
Outside of the office, Dr. Graham loves spending time with his wife Ginny and his three sons, Gregg, Parker, and Bradley. He coaches their baseball teams and helps coordinate their Boy Scout endeavors. Dr. Graham also enjoys wood carving, furniture building, and the art of sculpture, a passion which he carries into his dental practice, as well.
Our thanks to MS Supreme Court Justice Dawn Beam for providing our program on Tuesday.
L-R: Justice Beam; Club President, Lynn Walton, and Justice Beam's host, Shirley Moore.
President Lynn Walton presided over today’s meeting. Ryan Kelly provided the opening prayer. Matt Rumph led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Lynn led us in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North and on Zoom. Lynn thanked everyone in attendance.
Bill MacLauchlan introduced today’s guests. Mackenzie Parker and Greg Carter are guests of Jerome Brown. Markus Simmons is a guest of Brandon Hodges. Annie Jackson is a guest of Mark Killingsworth.
Lynn is also looking for volunteers to help plan a Christmas event. She also reported on the three quarterly charities selected by the board. They include The Salvation Army, purchasing and distributing Noah Wheeler’s new children’s book, and Wesley Manor. The club will assist Ida survivors and members are asked to bring items they need to club meetings through the October 5 meeting. A list of needed items was distributed. Lynn also reported that Shirley Moore has been added as a new board member.
Our thanks to MS Supreme Court Justice, Dawn Beam, for providing our program on Tuesday.
L-R: Justice Beam; Club President, Lynn Walton, and Rotary host, Shirley Moore.
Justice Dawn H. Beam joined the Mississippi Supreme Court on February 16, 2016. Gov. Phil Bryant appointed her to fill the unexpired term of former Justice Randy Pierce. She is the fourth woman to serve on the state’s highest court, and the first woman appointed from the Southern District. Justice Beam, the daughter of a minister, was born in Marks in the Mississippi Delta and as a child lived in numerous communities across the state. She graduated from Caldwell High School in Columbus, Mississippi. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business from the University of Mississippi and a law degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law. She was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1989.
ANN McCULLEN • Executive Director, Edwards Street Fellowship
Executive Director of Edwards Street Fellowship Center since July 2013.
Previously served as Children’s Ministry Director at Heritage United Methodist Church in Hattiesburg.
Graduate of Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree.
Proud mother of Elizabeth, who is an auditor with KPMG - Atlanta.
Resident of Hattiesburg since 1991.
Edwards Street Fellowship Center, a United Methodist mission agency, was established in 1979 to provide a helping hand to the poor, the underserved, the suffering in the greater Hattiesburg area. The agency's ministries include a food pantry, medical clinic, thrift store, and other programs designed to shine the light of God’s love across the Pine Belt. www.EdwardsStreetFellowship.org
President Lynn Walton presided over today’s meeting. Wes Brooks provided the opening prayer. AD Hunt led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Lynn led us in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North and on Zoom.
Lynn thanked everyone in attendance. She said this was a great turnout. Lynn reminded board members of the board meeting next week after lunch. She will send out an email reminder.
Tyler Gravley was inducted and asked to provide a brief classification talk. Tyler is from Wiggins. He attended Stone High School and USM. He now works at The Citizens Bank of Philadelphia.
She also reminded everyone of the donation box in front and you can donate to the Edwards Street Fellowship Center until September 30. Everyone will need to think about a charity for the next quarter. Lynn is also looking for volunteers to help plan a Christmas event.
President Lynn Walton presided over today’s meeting. Gene Owens provided the opening prayer. Brandon Hodges led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Lynn led us in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North and on Zoom.
Bill MacLauchlan thanked those who helped with today’s meeting and noted that we have no guests. He circulated two get-well cards for members to sign. They are going to Bill Hughes and Larry LeBlanc. Both are under the weather.
Lynn reminded members that our club will not meet next week. Our September 7 meeting will be an evening social. There will be no lunch meeting that day. We’ll meet at the Holiday Inn beginning at 5:30 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to bring a potential member to the meeting. Lynn will need a headcount by the week’s end of those who will be attending. She will send out an email request.
Colonel (Ret) Peter Crean is the Vice President of Education and Access at the National WWII Museum and is responsible for the content aspects of the Museum’s mission. Prior to his arrival in 2017, Crean served as Director of the US Army Heritage and Education Center at the US Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The AHEC includes the Army’s historical archive, its largest library and one of its largest museums, all focused on “telling the Army story, one soldier at a time.” As an Army officer with nearly three decades of experience and multiple deployments, Crean has an extensive record of service as a leader in logistics and administrative roles. He holds a Master of Science degree in logistics management from the Florida Institute of Technology and a Master of Strategic Studies degree from the US Army War College, where he was also a graduate of the Advanced Strategic Arts Program.
L-R: Anthony Harris, Noah Harris, Rep. Kent McCarty, Lynn Walton, Sen. Brice Wiggins.
President Lynn Walton presided over today’s meeting. Wes Brooks provided the opening prayer. Anthony Harris led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Lynn led us in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North and on Zoom. Bill MacLauchlan thanked those who helped with today’s meeting and noted that we have guests, who will be introduced later.
The Hattiesburg Rotary Club delivered two cooking appliances to a Lumberton family with two young children, one with special needs. They had no stove or appliances to cook food or a refrigerator/freezer to keep food cold. A monetary donation was also given when the appliances were delivered, and a refrigerator was provided by Dr. Annie Jackson with Canopy Children's Solutions.
President Lynn Walton presided over today’s meeting. Allen Anderson provided the opening prayer. Lucy Sanguinetti led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Lynn led us in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North and on Zoom.
Bill MacLauchlan thanked those who helped with today’s meeting and noted that we have no guests. Lynn informed the members that the planning meeting was held immediately before the membership meeting. She asked members to put the following events on their calendars. A Friend-raiser is scheduled as an evening event on September 7. There will be no lunch meeting that day. Members will be notified of the location. The club will hold its lunch meeting on November 23 at the Hattiesburg Zoo.
Senator Brice Wiggins has represented District 52 (south Jackson County, including the cities of Pascagoula, Gautier, and Ocean Springs) since 2012. During this time, Brice has established himself as a leader in the Mississippi Senate currently serving as Chairman of Judiciary A, one of the legislature’s leading committees with jurisdiction over many different areas of the law. Brice served the 2020 year as Chairman of Judiciary B (criminal and criminal justice reform legislation) having been appointed by then new-Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann at the start of his third term in 2020. Brice previously served in his second term as Chairman of the first-ever Senate Medicaid Committee and Chairman of Ports and Marine Resources in his first term, a rare occurrence for a freshman legislator, both under Lt. Governor, now Governor, Tate Reeves.
Rachel Wilson • MS Commission on Judicial Performance
Article is taken from the Mississippi College University News website, July 17, 2020.
Rachel L. Wilson is the new executive director of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance. Her appointment became effective July 1 (2020).
A 2000 Mississippi College Law School graduate, Wilson served as the commission’s senior staff attorney. A major in the Mississippi Air National Guard, the Mississippian also serves as the assistant staff judge advocate for its 172nd Air Wing in Jackson.
Rachel “brings the rare blend of institutional knowledge and fresh energy and ideas to the position,” says commission chair Kent McDaniel, a Rankin County Court Judge.
She’s transitioning from the senior prosecutor position and brings two decades of litigation experience to the commission office in Jackson this summer.
The commission prosecutes instances of judicial misconduct. The agency serves as a resource for judges by teaching continuing judicial education courses and speaking at seminars.
“I have been given the extraordinary opportunity to lead an agency whose mission is an incredibly laudable one,” Wilson said. “I do not take that opportunity or responsibility lightly and look forward to serving the Commission in its endeavor to protect the integrity of the judiciary.”
MC Law Dean Patricia Bennett is proud of Rachel and salutes her appointment.
“She will lead and manage with compassion to protect the judiciary and the public,” Bennett said Wednesday. “She knows how to balance the interests of both sides to ensure a just outcome.”
Her appointment, the MC Law dean added, will “ensure a well-trained and fair judiciary. The purpose of the Commission is to be rehabilitative and educational as well as disciplinary. Rachel is well qualified and deserving of this appointment.”
Rachel Wilson received a bachelor’s of arts and a master’s of English at William Carey University in Hattiesburg.
The Mississippi attorney is licensed to practice before all state and federal courts, the Choctaw Trial Court, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.
In addition, Wilson served as an adjunct instructor at Mississippi University for Women in Columbus and as a volunteer teacher at law enforcement academies.
MC Law alumni offered their congratulations to Rachel Wilson on her new post at a key state agency.
I want to thank you for sharing this year of growth, innovation, and adaptation with me. I learned something every single time we had the opportunity to exchange ideas and that is a fantastic way to spend the time we have: learning and growing.
It has been my great honor to have served this year as District Governor. The dash between 2020 and 2021 when we write out this year in Rotary terms, 2020-2021, is difficult, to sum up.
President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting. Jerome Brown provided the opening prayer. Joe Meador led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mark led us in the Four-Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North and on Zoom.
Mark then began our annual award presentations with the Milam S. “Sonny 34” Cotton New Rotarian of the Year Award.
Ceremonial passing of the gavel pictured L-R: Mark Killingsworth, 2020-2021; Steven Utroska, 2019-2020; Paula Brahan, 2017-2018; Sean Priebe, 2015-2016; Wes Brooks, 2014-2015; Maura McLaughlin, 2012-2013; Bill McLeod, 2010-2011; Richard Topp, 2008-2009; Freddie Walter, 2007-2008; Jalil Y. Buti, 2002-2003, and Mike Ratliff, 1995-1996.
CONGRATULATIONS to our 2021 Rotary Club of Hattiesburg Awards winners! Pictured L-R: Lynn Walton, Club President; Mark Killingsworth, The T.C. Hannah Rotarian of the Year; Dr. Rambod A. Rouhbakhsh, The Bill Gwyn Non-Rotarian Service Award; Lucy Sanguinetti, The Milam S. “Sonny 34” Cotten New Rotarian of the Year, and Bill MacLauchlan, The Joe Spell Spirit of Rotary Award.
On Tuesday, July 6, Rotary Club of Hattiesburg will hold its annual officer induction and awards ceremony. This event will be held at the normal weekly meeting time (noon–1:00 p.m.) at the Holiday Inn Hattiesburg-North on Highway 49. In addition to thanking our outgoing President, Mark Killingsworth, and board members, the club will induct its new President, Lynn Walton, and her cabinet, and will recognize four recipients with awards.
Awards given that day will include:
THE T. C. HANNAH “ROTARIAN OF THE YEAR”—Given in recognition of their outstanding service and unwavering dedication to the Rotary Club of Hattiesburg. T. C. Hannah, charter member and first president of the Rotary Club of Hattiesburg.
THE “MILAM S. ‘SONNY 34’ COTTEN NEW ROTARIAN OF THE YEAR”—Awarded to a dedicated Rotarian who has been a member of the club for less than three years. Named for Dr. Milam “Sonny 34” Cotton, a dedicated Rotarian who lived to serve, was the last member of this club to rise to the level of District Governor.
THE BILL GWYN “NON-ROTARIAN SERVICE” AWARD—Our club’s best attempt to look beyond our membership. This is the Rotary Club of Hattiesburg’s recognition of someone in our region who exemplifies our values, commitment to service, and the empowerment of those less fortunate.
THE JOE SPELL “SPIRIT OF ROTARY” AWARD—Presented to a club member for their service not only to the Rotary Club of Hattiesburg but to the community as well. This honor is named for Hattiesburg Rotarian, Joe Spell, who displayed a consistent, enthusiastic passion for the Rotary Club of Hattiesburg and Rotary International.
Click the "Read More" button to view past award recipients →
President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting. Mark provided the opening prayer. Denny Bubrig led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mark led us in the Four-Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North and on Zoom. Joe Bost thanked those who helped with today’s meeting. There were no guests.
Mark then introduced today’s guest speaker, Rebecca Silba, Annual Giving Officer of the Rotary Foundation for our region of the country. Rebecca thanked club members for their recent contributions to the Foundation and for the work that our club and others are doing locally and around the world.
Rebecca Silber is the Annual Giving Officer for Zones 30 and 31. With over a decade of experience in nonprofit fundraising, board engagement, volunteer management, and event planning, she cares deeply about connecting donors and volunteers to the causes they are most passionate about. Previously Rebecca has worked at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago, and the Hippodrome State Theatre in Gainesville, FL.
Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Rebecca has spent the last twelve years in Chicago falling in love with the people, culture, architecture, and culinary offerings of the Midwest. She’s still learning to tolerate winter.
Most recently, Rebecca served as a Donor Relations Specialist. In that role, she worked with Arch Klumph Society members to help recognize their significant generosity and dedication to The Rotary Foundation. Rebecca feels strongly about building bridges between Rotarians and The Foundation so they can experience a deep sense of fulfillment and accomplishment through their generosity and service.
President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting. Allen Anderson provided the opening prayer. Richard Topp led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North and on Zoom. Joe Bost thanked those who helped with today’s meeting and welcomed guests.
Mark then introduced today’s guest speaker, Bill Raymond. Bill is an Executive Planner and serves as the historic preservation officer for the City of Biloxi overseeing development in the City’s six locally designated historical districts.
Bill’s topic today is the Old Biloxi Cemetery. It was started in 1748 when the property was donated. The property has a 200-foot frontage on the beach and is the highest point in Biloxi. It is believed the property was donated because it already had graves on it and could not be used for anything other than a cemetery. The property was located next to the first French encampment in Biloxi.
Our guest, Bill Raymond, and Hattiesburg Club President, Mark Killingsworth.
A Biloxi native, Bill is a graduate of Notre Dame High School and the University of Southern Mississippi. His professional history includes 5 years as Downtown Services Manager for the City of Biloxi, which included managing the Main Street Program and the city’s visitor services program, as well as coordinating community special events. He also served as Main Street Executive Director for Greenville, Mississippi for two years. Presently he is an Executive Planner and serves as the historic preservation officer for the City of Biloxi overseeing development in the City’s six locally designated historical districts and managing the City owned and operated historic properties and museums including the Biloxi Visitors Center and the Biloxi Civic Center.
Bill is a board member for Main Street Biloxi, Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art, Biloxi Chamber of Commerce, Humane Society of South Mississippi, The Peoples Heritage Foundation and Southern Coastal Federal Credit Union. Bill lives in Harrison County with his three fur babies, Rosie Marie, Bruiser and Scarlett Ann.
President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting. A.D. Hunt provided the opening prayer. Stephen Utroska led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North and on Zoom.
Joe Bost thanked those who helped with today’s meeting. Mark has Nick Adams as his guest.
Mark then introduced today’s guest speaker, Paula Mathis. Paula is the Director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Southern Mississippi. She took that position in the fall of 2018. Prior to that she taught in the USM Honors College for 17 years.
Our guest, Paula Mathis (OLLI) and Club President, Mark Killingsworth.
Here we are in full swing, recovering from our vaccinations, meeting up with friends and people outside our limited circles, and seeing what has really changed over the past year. As Rotarians, we have perhaps had an easier time this year than others: we are guided by our shared core values as we approach every task and encounter obstacles: Service, Leadership, Diversity, Integrity, and Fellowship.
As individuals and as entire clubs we have saved over 1200 lives this year through our blood drives.
As individuals and clubs, we have provided shelter for families displaced by civil unrest and natural disasters through our inTENTS Events with ShelterBox.
As a district, we have helped our neighbors after hurricanes and flooding with nearly $20,000 in direct assistance. Many clubs contributed even further with work days on-site and food, cleaning supplies, and clothing fund drives and deliveries.
Ten clubs came together at the urging of the Rotary Club of Pass Christian to provide 6 truckloads of much-needed bottled water and hand sanitizer to the people of Jackson, MS after the hard freeze burst pipes and interrupted clean water access.
Eight clubs along the Mississippi Gulf Coast worked together with local hospitals and health systems to hold vaccination days and help to get shots in arms so that communities are healthy and return strong from these long months of COVD.
Thirty-two club presidents have already earned the Presidential Citation from Rotary International President Holger Knaack for their service projects, completion of goals, and important work within their communities and among their members.
In May alone four clubs are hosting golf tournaments and many more are holding annual events to raise money for scholarships that provide important opportunities for young people.
President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting. He provided the opening prayer. Coty Primeaux led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North and on Zoom.
Mark then introduced today’s guest speaker, Eric Graham with Baker & Graham Dentistry. Eric graduated from the University Medical Center in Jackson. He and his wife have three sons. Eric presented via Zoom and has Robert Lockhart as his guest.
Do you have someone in mind who might provide an interesting, thoughtful, and/or entertaining program during our weekly lunch meetings? Take a moment to review our guidelines and current open dates by clicking the link(s) below. Once you have a program and date in mind, contact Mark Killingsworth or submit your information by clicking the "CONTACT US" tab in the menu.
REMINDER!: Our giving challenge for Q4 is the Rotary International Foundation. Members and friends of the Rotary Club of Hattiesburg are encouraged to make a $100–$125 contribution to the Rotary Foundation. This can easily be done online via the Rotary Foundation website. Click the graphic below to make your contribution.
President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting held at Holiday Inn North and the Zoom online conference platform. Lucy Sanguinetti provided the opening prayer. Richard Topp led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Joe Bost and thanked those who helped with today’s meeting. He asked Mike McPhail to introduce his guest. Mike has Steward Davidson as his guest today.
Mark then introduced today’s guest speaker, Mark LaSalle. Mark is a member of the Moss Point Rotary Club. He currently supports the District’s Membership and Foundation Committees. He is a naturalist and wetland ecologist.
Mark introduced Rotary’s Membership Initiative. The Initiative demonstrates ways to engage and secure new members and ways to engage and retain existing members. By using the Initiative, Mark’s club was able to attract two new members. He is encouraging each Club in his District to develop a club action plan incorporating these strategies.
Paula Mathis is the director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at The University of Southern Mississippi (Southern Miss). OLLI at Southern Miss has two locations: the main campus is in Hattiesburg, and the satellite campus overlooks the Mississippi Gulf Coast in Long Beach. Paula has been with OLLI since the fall, 2018. Prior to joining OLLI, she worked in the Southern Miss Honors College for seventeen years. Her background is in counseling, and she earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree at Southern Miss. In her downtime, she travels with family and friends, reads, binge-watches television drama series, and listens to podcasts.
A Hattiesburg native with an eye for sculpture, Dr. Erik Graham believes that every smile is a work of art ready to be unveiled. After attending dental school at University Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi, Dr. Graham and his wife Ginny (also a Hattiesburg native) moved back to Hattiesburg and joined Dr. Baker, where they formed Baker & Graham Family Dentistry. “It’s amazing having a partner like Dr. Graham. His wife’s grandmother was my patient, and she told Dr. Graham about me and my desire to find a good partner and expand the practice,” Dr. Baker said of Dr. Graham. “We get along because we are so different. He works at an amazing, meticulous pace and has an encyclopedic knowledge of dentistry. He is so caring with patients, and we complement each other really well.”
L-R: Mark Killingsworth, Destiny Blackwell, Lindsey Sloan, and Lucy Sanguinetti
President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting. Allen Anderson provided the opening prayer. Wes Brooks led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North and on Zoom.
Joe Bost and thanked those who helped with today’s meeting. He also announced that members are now encouraged to sign-up on-line to assist with future meetings.
DESTINY BLACKWELL • TRADITION HOME HEALTH & HOSPICE CARE
Destiny Blackwell is a Care Coordinator for Traditions Health. Traditions Health provides hospice and palliative care to loved ones at end of life. These services include a doctor, nurse practitioner, RN, CNA, social worker, chaplain, and medical equipment and supplies. Destiny is originally from Hattiesburg, MS where she graduated from The University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science in Communications. She currently lives in Gulfport, MS and covers both the Hattiesburg community and the the gulf coast community, where she educates families and community partners on the under-utilized benefits of hospice services.
L-R: Mark Killingsworth, Clark Hicks, Lucy Sanguinetti.
President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting. Steven Utroska provided the opening prayer. A.D. Hunt led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North and on Zoom.
Joe Bost and thanked those who helped with today’s meeting. He also announced that members are now encouraged to sign-up online to assist with future meetings. Volunteers are needed for greeters, prayers, and the Pledge.
Mark then inducted Coty Primeaux as our club’s newest member. Coty introduced his wife, Holly, who was able to attend the ceremony. Coty grew up in a small southern Louisiana town. He graduated from LSU as a finance major. He currently works as a financial adviser for Regions Bank.
Lucy Sanguinetti then introduced today’s guest speaker, Clark Hicks. Clark is a Mississippi civil litigation attorney in Hattiesburg.
USM HEAD FOOTBALL COACH, WILL HALL, TO SPEAK AT ROTARY CLUB OF HATTIESBURG
Hall, a native of Amory, Miss., heads to Southern Miss after serving the last two years as offensive coordinator at Tulane, where he helped the Green Wave average 396.4 yards per game this season and his offense scored 30-or-more points in eight of its final nine regular-season games. As a player, Hall was a two-time Junior College All-American quarterback at Northwest Mississippi Community College before playing his two final seasons at North Alabama, where he earned the Harlon Hill Trophy in 2003 as top player in Division II.
President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting. Mark provided the opening prayer. Bill McLaughlin led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North and on Zoom.
Richard Topp filled in for Joe Bost and thanked those who helped with today’s meeting.
Lucy Sanguinetti then introduced today’s guest speaker, Katie Dixon. Katie owns the Birdhouse Cafe that offers a range of power foods, salads and healthy takes on traditional, southern fare. Katie also offers a full-service meal prep program, a healthy sweet treats menu, private dining, event catering & cooking classes.
L-R: Lucy Sanguinetti, Mark Killingsworth, and Chef Katie Dixon.
L. Clark Hicks, Jr. is the managing partner of Hicks Law Firm, PLLC, a civil litigation firm in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where his practice is focused on civil litigation defense. He is a graduate of Mississippi College where he earned his BA Degree in History, special distinction with highest honors. He received his JD, cum laude, from the University of Mississippi School of Law where he served as Research Editor on the Law Journal.
Our many thanks to Chef Katie Dixon for making time in her very busy schedule to visit our club today. In addition to sharing her expertise in nutrition and unique insights in creating healthy, cost-effective recipes, Chef Dixon also shared her experiences as a participant on Food Network's Masterchef (season 7) and Food Network Star (season 14).
Visit the following links to find out more about Katie, her businesses, and the services she offers:
Chef Katie Dixon opened the Birdhouse Cafe in 2017 to create an environment where everyone leaves feeling loved, nourished & inspired. The Birdhouse offers a range of power foods from acai bowls and salads to healthy takes on traditional, southern fare. Aside from owning the Birdhouse, Katie also offers a full-service meal prep program, a healthy sweet treats menu, private dining, event catering & cooking classes.
RANDY PIERCE • Author & Director at MS Judicial College at U.M.
Randy is the director of the Mississippi Judicial College at the University of Mississippi School of Law. He previously served on the Mississippi Supreme Court, as a Chancellor for the Sixteenth Chancery Court District, and as a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives. Randy received his Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law where he served as LSSB President. He has an undergraduate degree in accounting and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.
President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting. Steven Utroska provided the opening prayer. Gene Owens led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North and on Zoom. Joe Bost thanked those who helped with today’s meeting.
Stew Deen then introduced today’s guest speaker, Sam Burke. Sam is the Executive Director of the St. Vincent de Paul Community Pharmacy. He has been in this position since 2011. The Community Pharmacy is in Biloxi, however’ they have opened a pharmacy here in the Hattiesburg area. The Pharmacy began operations in 1998 and has been serving the Hattiesburg area for the past 5 years. The Pharmacy serves individuals who need prescription assistance. It buys prescriptions at the wholesale cost, receives sample drugs from area doctors, and has partnerships with nursing homes that provide unused prescriptions.
L-R: Stew Deen, Sam Burke, and Mark Killingsworth.
President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting. Lynn Walton provided the opening prayer. Mark Killingsworth led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North and on Zoom. Joe Bost thanked those who helped with today’s meeting.
Pictured L-R: from the DuBard School, Wes Brooks, and Hattiesburg Club President Mark Killingsworth.
SAM BURKE • ST. VINCENT DE PAUL COMMUNITY PHARMACY
Sam Burke is the Executive Director of the St. Vincent de Paul Community Pharmacy in Biloxi and has served in that capacity since 2011. He is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and has worked in non-profit management for the past 18 years. He has certifications from the Boys and Girls Clubs of America’s School of Executive Leadership, Portland State University’s Non-Profit Leadership Development Program, the MS Center for Non-Profits Leadership Institute, and Excellence in Action Accreditation Program. Sam currently serves on the Board of Directors for the MS Alliance of Non-Profits and Philanthropies, as well as the Biloxi Chamber of Commerce.
President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting. Joe Meador provided the opening prayer. Bill MacLauchlan led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North and on Zoom. Joe Bost thanked those who helped with today’s meeting. There were no guests.
Lynn Walton then introduced today’s guest speaker, David Saulters. David is a native of Prentiss. He came to Hattiesburg in 1986 to attend USM and he chose Hattiesburg as his new home. David is the owner of Sigma Companies, LLC and is also the owner of ReMax Realty along with his wife Christa. He served as the president of the Greater Hattiesburg Home Builders Association and the Home Builder Association of Mississippi. He was also a member of Hattiesburg Rotary in the 1990s.
Hi, District 6840! I have just completed training to become your 2021-2022 District Governor. Next up I train the Leadership Team on February 27. Then all incoming Club Presidents must attend the Presidents-Elect Training Seminar (PETS) on March 12 and 13. This is one of the very few requirements shared by every Rotarian who is elected to serve as Club President. For several years, D6840 has collaborated with the other four Rotary Districts in Mississippi and Louisiana to provide this training. For the first time, PETS will be entirely virtual.
Elizabeth Van Sant became a Rotary Alumna in 1986, when she returned from a year in Cotabato City, Philippines, as a Rotary Youth Exchange Student from D7170 in New York State. In 2007, having moved to Covington, LA and becoming a Master Roaster of coffee and small business owner, she was invited to join the Rotary Club of Covington. Since joining, she has served in several leadership roles including Scholarship Chair, Foundation Chair, and twice as Club President.
In addition to being a host mom and mentor to Rotary Youth Exchange Students, Elizabeth is mother of two ROTEX: Ethan (who represented D6840 in Taiwan 2014-2015 and Egypt 2018) and Sofia (Turkey 2018; Romania 2018-2019). Her children are third generation Paul Harris Fellows following Elizabeth's father's example.
President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting. Richard Topp provided the opening prayer. Lucy Sanguinetti led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North and on Zoom.
Joe Bost thanked those who helped with today’s meeting. There were no guests.
Wes Brooks then introduced today’s guest speaker, Jaimee Dorris. Jaimee is Mrs. Mississippi and a television host with 15 years of experience in writing, shooting, hosting, producing and marketing media.
Mrs. Mississippi Jaimee Dorris (left) and Hattiesburg Club President, Mark Killingsworth.
David Saulters is a native of Prentiss, Mississippi. He came to Hattiesburg in 1986 as a student at USM and has lived here ever since. He graduated in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a major in banking and finance and worked in banking for most of the 90’s.
Jaimee Dorris is a professional television host with 15 years of experience writing, shooting, hosting, producing, and marketing media. She began her career as a news reporter at WLOX-TV in Biloxi, MS, and covered the legendary storm Hurricane Katrina. In 2007, she opened her first business, Jaimee Designs Web Studio, and specialized in web design and social media marketing.
Since 2015, Jaimee has produced her own show, MS Congeniality TV, where she inspires viewers to get out of their comfort zone and live a “Life Without Borders.” She was named “Mississippi” in 2017… the official mascot for Mississippi’s 200th birthday celebration. She is currently the reigning Mrs. Mississippi American 2020.
As an advocate for Rotary International Youth Exchange, Jaimee has created a national scholarship to make youth exchange more affordable for American teens. She’s married to Joel Dorris and together they have 5 children, 3 businesses, and 1 fur baby, Dakota.
President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting. He also provided the opening prayer. Bill MacLauchlan led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North and on Zoom. Joe Bost thanked those who helped with today’s meeting. There were no guests.
President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting. Lucy Sanguinetti provided the opening prayer and Mark led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North and on Zoom.
Joe Bost thanked those who helped with today’s meeting. There were no guests.
Richard Topp then introduced today’s guest speaker Rambod Rouhbakhsh, M.D. Dr. Rouhbakhsh is a faculty physician and program director at the Forrest General Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program. He is also the principal investigator for MediSync® Clinical Research at Hattiesburg Clinic. His topic today is a COVID-19 Update.
President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting. Ryan Kelly provided the opening prayer and Katie Anthony led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North and on Zoom. Joe Bost thanked those who helped with today’s meeting. Elizabeth Ann and Andrew Kelly were guests of Ryan Kelly.
Richard Topp then introduced today’s guest speaker, Mayor Toby Barker. Mayor Barker is now serving as the 35th City of Hattiesburg Mayor. Richard noted that the Mayor was the first in the state to open a community testing site for COVID-19, through a partnership with the Mississippi State Department of Health. Richard also noted that the Mayor secured a grant through the Hattiesburg Arts Council to create Pop-Up Entertainment programs through the city. The grants helped local entertainers who have found it difficult to find employment during the pandemic.
Michael Finley is Curriculum Manager for the National Center for Spectator Sports, Safety and Security (NCS4) at The University of Southern Mississippi. He is responsible for the development of curriculum in domestic training and oversees international training efforts with INTERPOL working with Project Stadia to prepare Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
At age 25, Toby Barker was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives to represent District 102. At that time, he became the youngest legislator and first Millennial elected to the House. Now, he serves as the 35th Mayor of Hattiesburg.
Mayor Barker moved to Hattiesburg in 2000 to attend The University of Southern Mississippi. After earning a bachelor of arts degree in communications in 2004 and a master of science degree in economic development in 2006, he chose to make Hattiesburg his home. In 2015, he earned a master of healthcare leadership degree from Brown University.
In addition to serving as an elected official, Mayor Barker is heavily involved in the Hattiesburg community. He is a Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow affiliated with the Rotary Club of Hattiesburg-Sunrise. He also serves on the Hattiesburg Public School District Foundation Board and the Avenues Alliance.
He lives in the historic Parkhaven neighborhood with Kate and their two children, Audra and Mack. They attend Ekklesia Church in Hattiesburg.
Dr. Garrett started Homes of Hope for Children over 14 years ago. As a child, Michael was blessed along with his two sisters to live and grow up at the Baptist Children’s home in Louisiana. God used that ministry to change the direction of his life and now he is back serving in the ministry that first served him.
In the summer of 2006, he came to South Mississippi with the passion and vision to build a children’s home ministry that would serve the needs of hurting children in South Mississippi. In just four years, the ministry grew from a vision to reality. Homes of Hope for Children is a debt-free ministry with a 42-acre campus. Currently, the ministry has four cottages that can serve 28 children, and two transitional duplexes that can serve up to 12 young adults once they graduate from high school on our campus.
Dr. Garrett has been happily married to his wife Julie for 18 years. They have a 15-year old son named Caleb and an 11-year old daughter named Kelly Rose.
President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting. A.D. Hunt then provided the opening prayer and Joe Meador led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North. Mark reported that James Riley, a former club past president died recently.
Ryan Kelly introduced his guest, Elizabeth Ann Kelly. Mark then introduced today’s guest speaker, Dr. Brian Batson, Hattiesburg Clinic’s Chief Executive Officer. Before accepting the CEO position, Dr. Batson practiced medicine in the Hattiesburg area for the past 17 years.
President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting. Stephen Utroska then provided the opening prayer and A.D. Hunt led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North.
Tom Smith became the President/Owner of the Wildrose Oxford facility after 4 years as the General Manager. After training his first dog in 1998 the American style, Tom visited Wildrose and decided to join the pack. Wildrose Dixie became his best friend, hunting partner, and office companion in 2008. He then became an associate trainer in 2010. After selling his industrial construction company, and deciding to further the never-ending adventures with Wildrose, Tom joined the Wildrose staff full time as the General Manager in October 2014. He received his bachelor's degree in history from the University of Kentucky and served in the military as an Infantry Officer from 1990 - 97 in Georgia, Alaska, Thailand, Japan, Egypt, and Virginia. He is originally from Tell City, Indiana. Tom and his wife Tina reside on the property with their dog Dixie and Spot the cat.
Jim Coll is The University of Southern Mississippi’s Chief Communication Officer, a role in which directs the University’s marketing and public relations efforts and serves as the primary public relations advisor to President Rodney D. Bennett and other USM administrators. In 2017, the Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF) honored Jim with its senior practitioner award. In recent years, USM’s Office of University Communications, which he directs, has earned the Southern Public Relations Federation’s Best of Show Award, the Public Relations Association of Mississippi’s Judges’ Choice Award, and the College Public Relations Association’s Grand Awards for Electronic and Print Media, among other honors. Jim is the current President of the Downtown Hattiesburg Association, and is an avid runner and triathlete who has completed the Boston and New York Marathons, and Ironman Louisville, among other events.
The month of November is when we accept nominations and hold an election for Club President (2022-2023) and fill Board of Director vacancies for the next Rotary year (2021-2022).
Committee Chairs for the upcoming 2021-2022 year are appointed by the incoming president. As mentioned by Club President Mark Killingworth in a previous message, the club will continue to employ Lamar Evans as its Administrative Agent/Executive Secretary, Will Sanderson has agreed to continue as Chair of Membership Committee, and Mark Killingsworth has agreed to continue as Program Committee Chair.
If you have an interest in chairing or serving on any of the remaining committees please let Lynn Walton, Mark Killingsworth, or one of the directors know. Per the bylaws, our club has six standing committees:
Membership—Will Sanderson
Administration (includes Program and Scholarship subcommittees)—Mark Killingsworth
President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting. Mike Ratliff provided the opening prayer. Bill MacLauchlan led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was held by Zoom due to COVID-19 meeting restrictions. Joe Bost thanked those who helped with today’s meeting.
Mark then introduced today’s guest speaker, Laura Hansen. Ms. Hansen is the National Outreach Manager at Smithsonian Affiliations. She manages over 50 of the Institution’s strategic partnerships in 11 states.
Dean Doty is Operations Manager at Right Track Medical Group. A Licensed Master Social Worker, Dean has provided care to individuals and families as a social worker, clinical therapist and interventionist. In addition to his work with patients, he has more than 18 years of experience in operations, management, and business development in medical and mental health centers. Prior to joining Right Track Medical Group, Dean has steered strategic growth and development, as well as providing administrative and clinical oversight in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. At Right Track Medical Group, Dean focuses on provider management and productivity.
Mattie Codling is the Director of Collections and Exhibitions at the Walter Anderson Museum of Art (WAMA) in Ocean Springs, MS. She has been a part of the WAMA staff since April 2016. Codling is responsible for exhibition research, development, and installation, as well as the care and promotion of the Museum’s permanent collection.
Codling completed her undergraduate work at The University of Mississippi where she double majored in Art History and Anthropology. She received her Master’s degree in Art History from Florida State University with a specialization in Museum Studies.
Contemporary art and the exploration of modernity through alternative media is a point of study for Codling. She has participated in numerous exhibitions of contemporary art and enjoys being introduced to new artists’ work that challenges viewers. A Southerner by birth, Codling is drawn to artwork that pulls from the region’s rich legacy, yet confronts it through new means of interpretation. “The state of Southern art is changing,” states Codling, “it is exciting to be a part of this creative surge that is deeply rooted in our culture.”
Codling has worked in the museum field for nine years. Her passion lies in uncovering the past through contemporary modes of interpretation. Her present work revolves around the art and legacy of American master, Walter Inglis Anderson.
JUDGE ROBERT KREBS • LA POINTE KREBS HOUSE & MUSEUM
Judge Robert P. Krebs is a native of Pascagoula, Mississippi. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy from St. Joseph Seminary College attended St. Joseph Seminary College and later received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Mississippi.
Judge Krebs and his wife of 48 years, Cynthia, have no children but have numerous nieces, nephews, and godchildren. They are devoted members of Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church where he has held numerous leadership positions.
President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting. A.D. Hunt provided the invocation and Joe Meador provided the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North. Mark thanked those who helped with today’s meeting.
Pictured L-R: Michael Dixon, Pinebelt Foundation; James Moore, Mark Killingsworth, Rotary Club President.
On Tuesday, September 22, Rotary Club of Hattiesburg welcomed Mr. James Moore as our speaker and Mr. Michael Dixon of the Pinebelt Foundation as our guests. Mr. Moore shared the deeply personal story of his son Jeffrey's long battle and heartbreaking fall to opiate addiction. At the conclusion of Mr. Moore's presentation, Hattiesburg Club President, Mark Killingsworth, presented Mr. Moore with a $1,000 contribution to Jeffrey's Fund which is managed locally by the Pinebelt Foundation in Hattiesburg, MS.
In addition to ensuring all first responders in Hattiesburg are equipped with the NARCAN® (a lifesaving drug which counteracts opiate overdose), he has been a tireless advocate for those struggling with addiction and their families. Mr. Moore's primary goals continue to be minimizing the stigma that shrouds drug addiction and spreading the message that "addiction is an illness, not a moral failing."
ROTARY CLUB OF HATTIESBURG DONATES $1,000 TO JEFFREY'S FUND
President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting. Guest, Michael Dixon, provided the invocation and Mark Killingsworth provided the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North.
Mark thanked those who helped with today’s meeting. He also announced that Rotarian Chris Dunkley lost his 20-year-old son recently. The club will be sending condolences. Denny Bubrig introduced his guest, Chris Pfalzgraf. Chris is a prospective member.
President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting. Michael McPhail provided the invocation and Joe Meador provided the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North.
Mark thanked those who helped with today’s meeting.
Gene Owens introduced his guests, Sam Hogue and Greg Lowery. We also had a surprise visitor from Illinois. John Schrader a Past President from Illinois was staying at the Holiday Inn and saw our Rotary sign and decided to join us.
Matthew Rigel then introduced today’s guest speaker, his father, Lamar County Sheriff Danny Rigel. Sheriff Rigel warned us of the dangers of Heroin, Fentanyl, Opioids, Methamphetamines, Club Drugs and edibles.
James Moore is a graduate of USM who taught elementary music in Texas public schools for 6 years before returning home in 1984 to open Moore’s Bicycle Shop. James participated in the early development stages of the Longleaf Trace and also served as Alderman for the City of Petal 2005-2009.
James joins us today to share the story behind the loss of his son, Jeffrey, the misinformation and stigma that often accompany addiction, and the fund created in his name at the PineBelt Foundation.
President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting. Ryan Kelly provided the invocation and Gene Owens provided the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North.
Joe Bost thanked those who helped with today’s meeting. Will Sanders introduced his guest, Matt Rumph. Matt is the Executive Director of the YMCA and he’s interested in joining our club.
Sheriff Danny Rigel is a native of Biloxi, MS. After finishing MGCCC and USM, he began his law enforcement career in 1982 as a patrolman with the Hattiesburg Police Department. He was promoted to Detective and was promoted to Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain while assigned to the Detective Division where he served as Chief of Detectives for three years. He formulated and commanded the Metro Crime Scene Unit for three years. This unit worked all of the major crime scenes in Forrest, Lamar, and Perry Counties and is still in existence today. He was promoted to Major of Operations and served there until his retirement in 2002. He was awarded Law Enforcement Officer of the year four separate times.
President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting. Mark provided the invocation. Joe Bost led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mark led us in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held by Zoom due to COVID-19 restrictions. Mark announced that the club will be unable to meet in person until September 8. Joe Bost thanked those who helped with today’s meeting.
Jerome Brown then introduced our guest speaker, Mitchell Williams, Director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He is also an ordained minister. Mitch started working for FCA after a 27-year career in the broadcast industry. Mitch began his presentation by reporting that the University of Southern Mississippi will play its first football game of the season in about ten days.
TODD JACKSON • EXEC. V.P., AREA DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP
Todd spent the first ten years of his career as an Engineer in advanced manufacturing facilities around the country and is now utilizing that background to serve the Area Development Partnership as Executive Vice President, providing leadership to both the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Divisions. Much like the mission of the ADP, Todd’s focus every day is continually improving the quality of life in the region through economic progress. The ADP team is a group of talented hard-working professionals that work on a wide array of programs and projects to positively impact the community and Todd plays a vital role in that progress.
The Biological Mechanics and Effects of COVID-19 on the Human Body
Ryan Kelly, MS, is a Mississippi native and founder/CEO of Horizon Professional Services. He previously served as Chief Advancement Office for William Carey University and Director of External Relations for The University of Southern Mississippi College of Health.
MITCHELL WILLIAMS • FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES
Prior to being hired with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Mitchell worked at WDAM-TV for 27 years, serving as sports director for 20 of those years. While at WDAM, the sports department was recognized by the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters for excellence on 40 different occasions and named Williams the state’s best sportscaster 8 of the last 10 years he was employed at WDAM.
President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting Lucy Sanguinetti provided the invocation. The meeting was held by Zoom due to COVID-19 restrictions. Bill MacLauchlan led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mark announced that the club will be unable to meet in person until September 8. Joe Bost thanked Lucy and Bill for helping with today’s meeting.
President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting Lucy Sanguinetti provided the invocation. The meeting was held by Zoom due to COVID-19 restrictions. Bill MacLauchlan led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Joe Bost thanked Lucy and Bill for helping with today’s meeting.
Jerome Brown then introduced today’s guest speaker, Dr. Robert Williams. Dr. Williams is the Superintendent of the Hattiesburg Public School District. He assumed that position in 2016 after spending 20 years in the educational system as a teacher, a coach, and superintendent.
President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting Stephen Utroska provided the invocation. The meeting was held by Zoom due to COVID-19 restrictions. Bill MacLauchlan led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mark opened the meeting by noting that due to COVID-19 meeting restrictions, the club will likely meet via Zoom for the next week or so. Joe Bost thanked Stephen and Bill for helping with today’s meeting.
Mary Kim has been a Registered Nurse for over 34 years. She began her Nursing career as a Women’s Health and Labor & Delivery nurse at Methodist Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, and Woman’s Hospital in Flowood, before shifting to the other end of life’s continuum to care for our Elders. Her work in Senior Care over the last 20 years has included serving as the Executive Director at Peach Tree Village Retirement Community in Brandon for 17 years, Executive Director for the Alzheimer’s Association Mississippi Chapter for 2 years and currently serves as the Executive Director at Wesley Manor Retirement Community here in Hattiesburg. She loves being part of the Hattiesburg community and is an active member of Heritage United Methodist Church.
Mary Kim and her husband Clayton have a wonderful family, including their daughter Lindsey, son-in-law Tadd, son Nick, and daughter-in-law Emily. They have 4 grandchildren Maddie (14), Mayley Grace (11), Mary Hayden (6) and they welcomed their grandson Cooper three weeks ago.
KARI LYNN BESING • UNITED WAY OF SOUTHEAST MISSISSIPPI
Kari Lynn is the Director of Community Impact for the United Way of Southeast Mississippi where she manages the grant funding process for partner agencies as well as internal programs in the areas of education, health, and financial stability.
Kari Lynn moved to Hattiesburg in 2018 to join her fiancé who is a Ph.D. student at USM. She previously lived in Indianapolis, Indiana to earn her Masters in Higher Education Administration from Indiana University. She is a 2016 graduate of the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. She has published and presented on her work in civic engagement motivation and the ethics of global service. Her free time is filled with video chatting her 4-year-old nephew, running on the Trace with her dog, and doing the Sunday crossword puzzle.
Born and raised in Clarksdale, Mississippi, Martha Allen accepted the position of Executive Director with Extra Table in March of 2018.
Extra Table is the amazing partnership launched by well-known restaurateur Robert St. John, in 2009, making a difference in the lives of Mississippians by fundraising to stock food pantries and soup kitchens across the state with wholesome nutritious food from Sysco. Extra Table is currently providing food to 45 food pantries across our great state.
President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting. Jerome Brown provided the invocation and Wes Brooks led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Joe Bost thanked A.D. for acting as today’s greeter and thanked Jerome and A.D. for the pledge and prayer. Joe joined us today through Zoom. Lucy Sanguinetti introduced today’s guest speaker via Zoom, Dr. Michael Pinto from Festival South
FestivalSouth costs hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. Sponsorships, donations, and grants help pay some of those expenses making it possible to have inexpensive ticketed events and often free events. The Festival’s economic impact is $1.5 million annually on our local economy.
A true Renaissance man, Dr. Mike Lopinto has written, directed, music directed, designed sets and lighting for numerous productions, recently directing the two co-winners of the 2018-19 American Prize in Musical Theatre: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera (Southern Opera and Musical Theatre Company at Southern Miss) and Pasek and Paul’s James and the Giant Peach (The Hub City Players at FestivalSouth).
Based on the recommendations of the CDC, WHO, and Rotary International regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus) the Rotary Club of Hattiesburg is suspending meetings until April 14.
Please check our website's home page atwww.rotaryofhattiesburg.comfor additional club news and announcements.
Dr. Holloway is an Assistant Teaching Professor at The University of Southern Mississippi with over 14 years of teaching at the collegiate level. She has taught numerous courses at various levels in areas such as cardiac, respiratory, neurologic, psychiatric, and community health nursing education. Dr. Holloway has practiced full- and part-time as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) for nine years and currently serves as faculty for PMHNP students at USM. Additionally, she practices part-time as a PMHNP with Centurion Mississippi Department of Corrections.
Dr. Holloway has also served in management and administrative capacities in clinical and academic nursing settings. She has participated in various roles, including chairperson on nursing, committees including, but not limited to, curriculum, faculty development, student retention, and remediation, simulation, process education—learning-to-learn camp, and behavioral intervention teams (BIT). She has an unwavering passion for all things mental health and prides herself on being an advocate, champion, and educator for individuals with mental health concerns.
Dr. Holloway has been married to her husband Robert for 34 years and they have two adult children-Chad (Anne) and Allyson and one amazing granddaughter (Keira). Her hobbies include reading, traveling, and most of all spending time with family.
Many thanks to our guest, Dr. Marti Jordan, for providing our program last Tuesday.
President Steven Utroska presided over today’s meeting. Steven provided the invocation and Sean Priebe led the club in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Steven reminded members that volunteers are needed to work the Hub Fest event coming up on March 28. Shifts are in four-hour increments, but if you can only work two hours, he still asks for club members to sign up.
President Steven Utroska presided over today’s meeting. Steven provided the invocation and William MacLauchlan led the club in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Steven thanked Hattiesburg Coca-Cola for providing the trailer and the water for our Hub Fest event coming up on March 28. Volunteers are needed to work the event and a sign-up sheet is now available. Shifts are in four-hour increments, however, if you can only work two hours, please still sign up.
He also noted that volunteers are needed for the Meals on Wheels project. Volunteers are needed immediately for the next three weeks. Michael McPhail thanked those who helped with today’s meeting.
Steven then introduced today’s guest speaker, Rotarian Denny Bubrig. Denny joined the Southern Miss community in July 2017 as Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs. In this role, he works with and provides oversight for Campus Recreation, Student Union Operations, and Conference and Event Services in addition to other divisional responsibilities.
Doctorally prepared Nationally Certified Nurse Practitioner with an in-depth knowledge base and extensive clinical background in Acute Care, Primary Care, and management of Chronic Illnesses, especially Diabetes. Hold certifications in ACLS, PALS, ATLS, FCCM, and as a CDE and a CDFS. Hold a Ph.D. focused in Nursing from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and have 12 years of academic teaching experience in undergraduate and graduate nursing programs.
Rotary Club of Hattiesburg welcomed it's newest member, Will Sanderson.
President-Elect Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting. Steve Ramp provided the invocation and Joe Meador led the club in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mark thanked Coke for providing the trailer and the water for our Hub Fest event coming up on March 28. Volunteers are needed to work the event and a sign-up sheet will be available beginning next week.
"Thank you!" to our guest and program speaker, Dr. Daniel Smith.
Dr. Daniel H. Smith, M.D., M.S., received his graduate degree in biomedical engineering from Mississippi State University in 2004, and he received his medical degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson in 2007, where he also served a general surgery residency. He served a general surgery internship at the University of South Alabama Health System in Mobile, Alabama. Dr. Smith joined Hattiesburg Clinic in 2014, and he became a wound care specialist at Forrest General Hospital in 2015. He was also named the medical director for Bariatric Surgery at Hattiesburg Clinic in 2018. Smith is board certified in general surgery by the American Board of Surgery. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Dr. Denny Bubrig joined the Southern Miss community in July 2017 as Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs. In this role, Denny works with and provides oversight for Campus Recreation, Union Operations, and Conference and Event Services in addition to other divisional responsibilities. Denny has been a part of the higher education/student affairs profession for over 15 years having worked at such institutions as the University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa, Bowling Green State University, Samford University, and the University of Texas-Austin. His roles have ranged from Student Organization Services to Greek Life, and from Parent Programs to Campus Major Events/Student Activities. An active member of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), Denny serves on the Regional Board as Professional Programs Coordinator, and on the Centennial Celebration Education Committee. Denny has been active in the Scouting community as an adult volunteer and has served as an alumni club chairman in two cities for his undergraduate institution. When he is not on campus or involved in the community, you may find Denny traveling, enjoying outdoor sports, training for his fourth marathon, or working with the PTO at his sons’ schools. Denny is married to Kathryn and they have three sons, Collier, Ellis, and Flynn.
The new Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience (The MAX) is a revolutionary museum experience showcasing Mississippi’s global legacy—honoring our legends and inspiring tomorrow’s artists to follow their creative dreams. There are two main objectives behind the creation of this new cultural attraction. First, The MAX provides educational opportunities for youth and families and creates a sense of pride in our great state and its people. Second, The MAX is a new cultural economy asset, attracting not only interstate tourists but also visitors from international markets. Mark Tullos, The MAX President and CEO, provides a 20-minute multimedia presentation to major civic clubs and service organizations.
In the late 1980s, an idea was conceived for an economic development tool that would draw new money to Hattiesburg. That idea was a volunteer group of business and community leaders who would put their experience, business acumen and dedication to Hattiesburg to work for the good of all of the citizens of Hattiesburg.
In 1990, the City Council requested that the Legislature of the State of Mississippi create this body and empower it to realize this vision of economic importance. In 1991, the Hattiesburg Convention Commission was formed with a legislative mandate to develop a convention center and other tourism-related facilities that would bring new revenues to our community.
Since that time, the HCC has helped bring new dollars into our local economy by constructing, renovating, and operating six attractions. These attractions bring over $50 million in visitor spending to Hattiesburg’s economy each year.
The HCC has worked to achieve the vision this community set in action when the Commission was established. So far, six tourism attractions have been created to escalate the impact of visitors and to grow the long-term economic benefits to all of Hattiesburg. With this as its historical precedent, the Commission continues to look forward.
Casey began his Scouting career as District Executive in the Sequoyah Council in Johnson City, Tennessee in 1996. He moved on to become a Senior District Executive and later Field Director. He was promoted to Assistant Scout Executive of the Westark Area Council, Fort Smith, Arkansas in 2009 and on to Director of Field Service / COO in the Great Smoky Mountain Council, Knoxville, Tennessee in 2012. He was selected as Scout Executive / CEO of the Pine Burr Area Council in Hattiesburg effective February 1, 2016.
Casey and his wife, Ann, have three children. Sam, Claire, and Ryan attend school in Lamar County.
The Pine Burr Area Council Service Center is located at 1318 Hardy Street, Hattiesburg Mississippi and serves 17 counties in the Pine Belt and the Gulf Coast.
Wes Brooks is the Development Coordinator for the DuBard School for Language Disorders at The University of Southern Mississippi. As Development Coordinator, he is responsible for all fundraising, donor cultivation and development, coordination and management of all fundraising campaigns, community outreach and public relations.
In addition, Wes currently serves as co-chair of the Steering Committee of the Hattiesburg ADP’s Leadership Pinebelt Program, is a Past President (2014-2015) and current P.R. & Communications Chair of the Rotary Club of Hattiesburg, and writes a monthly opinion column for The Pine Belt News titled “Finding Focus.”
Co-founder of Brains and Brawn (a site dedicated to the lost art of reading, self-reflection and seeking to become a better person physically, spiritually and intellectually), an accomplished graduate of the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Arts in History along with minors in Classics and Chemistry. While in undergrad, his accolades ranged from Phi Beta Kappa inductee, the Larry D. Givens Award for Excellence in History recipient, the Marcus Elvis Taylor Medal recipient, graduate of the Sally McDonnell Honors College and a published thesis titled, “In Six Days”. Along with success in the classroom, Cal has traveled extensively, is a competitive runner and has a daily desire for self-betterment. Wilkerson spent a year in Malawi teaching high school science and long-distance running. Currently, he is in his second year of medical school and on top of a rigorous academic schedule, he is also weight training and running.
Steven Utroska presided over today’s meeting. Mark Killingsworth provided the invocation and Joe Meador led the club in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mark Killingsworth was our greeter today.
Steven reminded members that we need Meals on Wheels volunteers for the month of January. He also asked members to sign up for the Salvation Army Bell Ringing coming up this Saturday. Four new board members are needed for the elections which will occur in January. Their terms of office will be July 2020 through June 2021.
Shane Germany asked for member's assistance in finding guest speakers for January through April of 2020. If you’re not capable of booking speakers for an entire month but have speaker recommendations, please provide those to Shane.
L-R: Steven Utroska, Jennifer Martin, and Wes Brooks, Lachel Story, and Steven Utroska
Steven Utroska presided over today’s meeting. Freddy Walters provided the invocation and Joey Johnson led the club in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mark Killingsworth was our greeter today.
Steven reminded members that the bingo tickets are now live on the website. You can purchase an individual, a couple or a table ticket. Plans are to have physical tickets available soon.
Steven asked members to participate in our Meals on Wheel Community Service project by signing up to deliver meals on Thursday. He also asked for a show of hands of people interested in participating in the Salvation Army’s bell-ringing project this year. Our club is assigned December 21 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. We’ll work in two-hour shifts in front of Corner Market in Midtown.
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.
L-R: Steven Utroska, Dr. Italo Subbarao, and Allen Anderson. Our many thanks to Dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine at William Carey University, Dr. Italo Subarao, for providing our program on Tuesday.
Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting in the absence of Steve Utroska. Mark provided today’s invocation and Bill MacLauchlan led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Sean Priebe and Mark Killingsworth served as our greeters today.
Brandon Hodges sat in for Mike McPhail and introduced our visitor. Anna Rush is a guest of Katie Anthony. Katie then introduced today’s guest speaker, Dr. Rodney Bennett, chief executive officer and principal educational officer of the University of Southern Mississippi. Dr. Bennett has a 30-year history of working in higher education.
Many thanks to our guest, Grace Kent, from Creative Bread for providing our program on Tuesday. L-R: Allen Anderson, Grace Kent, and Mark Killingsworth.
Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting in the absence of Steve Utroska. Gene Owens provided today’s invocation and Joe Meador led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mark Killingsworth served as our greeter today.
Mike McPhail announced that we did not have any greeters signed up for today, but as usual Mark Killingsworth stepped up to be our greeter. He asked that more people volunteer.
Alan Anderson introduced today’s guest speakers, Grace Kent Johnson. Grace is Co-founder and Senior Director of Creative Bread. Creative Bread works with communities, developers and businesses looking for a holistic approach to unity and healthy growth.
She believes helping people and places find their purpose is powerful. She broke down the strategies they practice.
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