Fresh off his return from the Rotary International Convention in Atlanta, President Cliff will discuss highlights from the convention.  Throughout the discussion, President Cliff will demonstrate how RI’s goals intertwine with our own club’s strategic plan and Cliff’s goals for the upcoming year.  Immediately following the convention, Cliff and his family traveled to Scotland for the wedding of his oldest son – we may also hear a little of their Scottish adventures!

 

 

Cliff Bowman retired from the United States Air Force on 31 December 2009 and is currently employed by BGI-LLC as the Lead A-10 Pilot Instructor and Subject Matter Expert at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.  He is responsible for all BGI operations in regard to A-10 formal training to include classroom instruction on tactics and procedures, simulator instruction, and courseware development.  His last Air Force assignment was as the commander of the 357th Fighter Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base from May 2008 to December 2009 for which he was responsible for 42 Airmen employing 22 A-10 aircraft conducting A-10 flying training operations.

  

Lt Col (Ret) Bowman’s operational assignments included duty as an OA-10 Forward Air Controller and Battalion Air Liaison Officer, A/OA-10 instructor pilot and evaluator, and a Combat Search and Rescue pilot.  Lt Col (Ret) Bowman’s staff duties included tours at PACAF’s exercise COPE THUNDER and U.S. Joint Forces Command.  While at COPE THUNDER, he developed COPE THUNDER’s first-ever close air support exercise.  At Joint Forces Command, Lt Col (Ret) Bowman directed Europe and Middle East policy for J-5, Strategy and Policy Directorate.  Lt Col (Ret) Bowman served as Director of Operations for the 354^th Fighter Squadron at Davis-Monthan AFB from May 2006 to May 2008.  During this duty, Lt Col (Ret) Bowman led the 354 FS Bulldogs deployment to Afghanistan, conducting combat operations for seven months in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

 

Lt Col (Ret) Bowman’s military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, which he received from fellow Rotarian Col (Ret) Kent Laughbaum, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters, and the Aerial Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters.

 

Lt Col (Ret) Bowman is a Command Pilot with more than 3100 total flying hours in three aircraft.  A combat experienced aviator, he flew over 100 combat missions during Operation Enduring Freedom and multiple combat support missions during Operation Southern Watch. 

 

Cliff graduated from the University of Arizona in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics.  He received his Master of Science in Business and Organizational Management from the University of LaVerne in 1995.  While in the Air Force, Cliff graduated from several professional military courses to include Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, Joint and Combined Warfighting School, and Air War College.

 

Cliff is married to his college sweetheart, the former Kathleen Harris who is a Tucson native and daughter of Mike and Charlotte Harris.  Kathleen is a fifth grade teacher at Manzanita Elementary School and was recently recognized as the Catalina Foothills School District Teacher of the Year.  Kathleen and Cliff have four children.  Michael is a graduate of the University of Arizona and is currently working on his Master’s Degree at the University of Edinburgh.  Ryan graduated from NAU and is a special education teacher at Rio Vista Elementary School.  Ryan is pursuing dual certification as an elementary and special education teacher.  Nick is a graduate of the University of Arizona and will begin medical school at Midwestern University in Glendale this fall.  Daughter Rachel is a junior at the University of Arizona working toward her degree in elementary education.  Just recently, Michael married his college sweetheart, the former Chloe Berghausen, on June 27^th for which the Bowman, Harris, and Berghausen clans made a great excursion to Scotland to celebrate the occasion. 

 

Cliff’s service associations include serving on the Reading Seed Board of Directors, the Literacy Connects Board of Directors, and the St Thomas More Newman Center Corporate Board.

Oh my, tell me it’s not so – this is PRESIDENT ELLIE’S last official meeting!  Ms. President, we are going to miss you bigly!

 

The meeting began on some sad notes.  BRETT STEIN’S Mom, Sandra Stein, passed on.  DICK HANNAH’S wife, Rita, has been placed in hospice, and KATIE DUSENBERRY’S (our first female President)  husband, Bruce, passed on.  We had a Moment of Silence for all three families.

 

Our Inspiration was given by JAY ZUCKER (Mr. Tucson Baseball).  JAY said that there should be a “Bank of Karma” in the world that pays $$$s for all good deeds.  I’ll vote for the concept!

 

GARY HIRSCH (Leaders Edge) played and CHRIS MOONEY (Chris Mooney Photography) performed and sang the Pledge and Song.  P.S. CHRIS is a graduate of Marshall Elementary School.  He also re-named “God Bless America” to “God Bless Arizona”.

 

ERNIE MINCHELLA introduced our two guests – a new low for the year.  Do you think 115 degrees keeps people away from sunny Arizona?  The two Happy Birthday Boys were MONTE CLAUSEN, 76 years of age with 16 grandchildren.  And ERNIE MINCHELLA, 77 who just closed a $1.2 million real estate sale – way to go ERNIE!

 

STACIA DECKER (Alvernon Optical) introduced our newest member, JANET BARBRICK.  JANET is a printer whose husband Augie was an RCOT member.  Augie was a wonderful member – welcome JANET.  JANET also plays a lot of golf.  Maybe our women members can join her women’s group to play some golf together!

 

FONDA INSLEY has been a fabulous “Sergeant At Arms”.  She is ending her reign in this position at our last meeting for the Rotary year.  She held a raffle and fined MONTE CLAUSEN.  Great job and thank you FONDA for your service to the club.

 

Under Announcements:

 

PRESIDENT ELLIE announced the Club’s Presidential Citation Award.  Great job RCOT!!

 

PRESIDENT ELLIE announced that former member, Cheryl House, gave us (the Club) an award from the “Philanthropic Committee” of Arizona.  We are 2017 Philanthropic Organization winners!  Yeah!!

 

PRESIDENT ELLIE announced the office is closed on July 3^rd and 4^th and we are DARK on July 5^th, no lunch meeting due to our COA/Pass the Gavel party on July 8^th at La Mariposa.  Sign up on the website.  New PRESIDENT CLIFF will be back to celebrate at the party.

 

FONDA INSLEY announced the monthly social mixer tomorrow evening at Cushing Street Bar – AKA – DON ROLLINGS’ family bar – be there and have a glass of cheer!

 

MIKE ORCUTT, our resident funeral director, wants your blood for our first blood drive of the year on August 9^th.  Giving blood reduces your iron count; and gives you a free physical for pulse, blood pressure, iron count, and blood type.  This is a healthy exercise for your body and you help many people who need blood – so give up a pint!

 

ALLYN BULZOMI gave a Happy Jackson to MIKE ORCUTT for his handling of his Mom’s funeral.  Thank you MIKE for your fine service and he also recognized IRENE DECKER for all the wonderful flowers.

 

Finally our program was introduced by SCOTT VAUGHAN.  Mindy Blake, Outreach Coordinator for the “Pima County Association of Governments” spoke about the “RTA”, The Regional Transportation Authority.  First off, the Pima County Association consists of all the Community Governments in Pima County.  The group deals with: water, air quality, solid waste, and transportation.

 

The RTA has 770 projects to complete.  It began in 2006 and will end in 2026 – 20 years.  The board consists of nine members in nine jurisdictions.  There was a 10 year performance audit completed in 2016.  The good news is that the RTA has been a huge success and is performing under budget in most of the projects.

 

We all received a beautiful 8X11 booklet.  The half-cent sales tax costs every Pima County family about $18 per month.

 

The final ELLIE PRESIDENT meeting was closed with a toast to her Board of Directors, Committee Chairs, Members, and Staff – Dorinna and Kari.  Enjoy your time off ELLIE...

Christopher Shireman was born in Massachusetts and grew up in Iowa.  He spent most of his career in Kansas City, but was a Rotarian in Peoria, Illinois, and moved here to Tucson from Raleigh, North Carolina. It was a rather convoluted journey, but he made it!

 

Mr. Shireman is the Chief Executive Officer for Western Neurosurgery Ltd. of Tucson, Arizona.  Western Neurosurgery is the premier neurosurgical and neurology group in southern Arizona.  Over 37 years old, the group offers a full breadth of subspecialists in neurosurgery and neurology.  Western Neurosurgery worked with St. Joseph’s Hospital to create the Carondelet Neurological Institute in 2009 – a state of the art neurological center replicated at Johns Hopkins and Massachusetts General hospitals.

 

With over 35 years in healthcare, he has managed an array of medical practices - cardiology, orthopaedics, surgery, rehabilitation medicine and primary care – both private physician practices and hospital integrated entities.  This experience, gives Mr. Shireman a unique perspective on both private practices and hospital integrated practices and the ensuing issues inherit in working with physicians and hospitals.  His background gives him a strong knowledge of practice operation and physician relations and management.  He holds the certifications of Certified Medical Practice Executive and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.  He is also a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives and is certified as an Administrator for Surgery Centers under Board of Ambulatory Surgery Certification.  Mr. Shireman has been published in MGMA Connexion and in ADVANCE for Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists.  He has spoken nationally for the Medical Group Management Association Annual Conference and at BONES, the American Association of Orthopaedic Executives.  Mr. Shireman is a Past-President of the Triangle Medical Manager Association in Raleigh.

 

Mr. Shireman earned his undergraduate degrees at Cornell College in Iowa and Washburn University in Kansas and received his Master in Business Administration from Baker University in Kansas.  Having practice Tae Kwon Do for over 37 years, he also holds the rank of 6^th Degree Master Instructor.  He is also a Fencing Referee certified by the USFA Fencing Officials Commission.  (Both useful in working with physicians.)

 

Christopher is married to Deanna, who is packing up the house in North Carolina for their move to Tucson.  They have one daughter, who starts her senior year at ASU in August – no, not that ASU -- this is Appalachian State University, which is part of the University of North Carolina system.

 

And for all you who are involved in the El Tour Ride to End Polio, listen up: Christopher has biked more in the last nine months than he has in the last ten years. Why? He doesn’t have to stop for the winter weather!  Say hello and welcome Christopher Shireman...

Board Meeting Highlights:

 

Financial report showed net income of $14,200.82 as of 5/31.  Aging looks good with only one member who hasn’t paid quarterly dues. Total outstanding on Aging report is $800.

 

Revised budget was passed to include 41 meetings and the addition of sales tax.

 

All current Honorary members will receive a letter to extend Honorary membership this coming Rotary year as approved by the Board.  New Honorary member invitations that were approved included: Pima County Sheriff, Mark Napier and Tucson Police Chief, Chris Magnus. (Tucson Fire Chief Jim Critchley was included on this list at a later date and approved).

 

Annual Fund report showed a final total of $30,542, exceeding the goal of $20,500.

 

Current members who have fulfilled their term and leaving are:  PP, Phil Gutt and Directors, Bruce Tunze, Hoot Gibson and Allyn Bulzomi. New Directors coming on are Peter Beahan, Dave White and Tom McQuillan. Chuck Sawyer will join the board as our President-Elect.

 

The award of Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year that was received by our Club for National Philanthropy Day was announced. Former member, Cheryl House, who nominated our Club for this category is making the official announcement to the general membership at a future Club meeting. This award will be presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals at its annual National Philanthropy Day luncheon. The luncheon is scheduled for November 17, 2017.

 

Pat Davitt is rolling out a Social Media program for our Club and will start by coordinating a steering committee. Goals, strategies, tactics, timelines, implementation plan and target audience lists have been included in the draft form.

 

A STAR meeting is tentatively planned for Thursday evening, July 27th.