Howard Stewart is President/CEO of AGM Container Controls (AGM), a Tucson manufacturing company with 115 employees. AGM manufactures environmental control hardware for missiles and other sensitive equipment. AGM also manufactures world’s premier vertical wheelchair lift, which provides access to elevation changes in public facilities and residences for individuals with disabilities.

 

Howard serves as the 2019 Co-Chair of the Heart and Stroke Ball, American Heart Association – Tucson Chapter. He continues to serve as the Tocqueville Society Chair (2015-2018) for the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona (UWTSA), and as a board member (2015-2018). Howard also serves as a board member for the Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce (2012-2020). Lastly, Howard serves as a member of the President’s Council for San Miguel High School (2017-2018).

 

In 2014/2015, Howard served as UWTSA’s Campaign Chair for Southern Arizona. In 2015/2016, he served as UWTSA’s Board Chair. AGM has run 21 consecutive UWSTA fund raising campaigns at the Gold award level. Since 1970, AGM has raised close to $2 million for the Greater Tucson community through UWTSA alone.

 

In 2017, Howard proposed an important new Tucson initiative, which has since been named “FlyTucsonFirst”. The initiative’s purpose is to get Tucsonans to understand the vital economic impact that will occur if we fly in and out of our own Tucson International Airport. In 2018, he helped launch this important initiative at the Governor’s State of the State event, with the full support of the Tucson Metro Chamber.

 

In 2018, Howard was named CEO of the Year by Tucson Local Media. In 2009, AGM was recognized as "America's Small Business of the Year" by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In 2002, Howard was recognized as Tucson's Small Business Leader of the Year.

President CHUCK opened our meeting followed by KATHLEEN WICKS who gave the inspiration on the themes of grace and nature. President CHUCK followed with a moment of silence for the passing of RICH FLYNN’s Dad and TONY PEDROSA’s Mother-in-Law who both passed last week.

 

CHRISTOPHER SHIREMAN led us in the Pledge and Song accompanied as always by GARY HIRSCH: “You’re a Grand Ole Flag”  BOB HOPKINS introduced our guests and visiting Rotarians, and we had a veritable slew of Birthday Rotarians:

 

 

Sergeant at Arms DALE BERG conducted the raffle, and we had the following announcements:

 

President CHUCK reviewed our Holiday schedule and reminded everyone to sign the Car Show banner.

NANCY PURDIN still has slots for Salvation Army Bell Ringing on 12/15 (sign up – it’s fun!)

FONDA INSLEY reminded us of the Holiday Mixer on 12/20 at the Playground.

ROBERT O’BRIEN noted that there is still time to buy tickets to the Arizona Bowl to benefit local charities and our Car Show.

 

JIM MURPHY awarded a Blue Badge to his daughter MICHELE MURPHY. MICHELE is the Development Director for the College of the Humanities at the U of A, has been involved with this Club since her Dad joined, and most importantly is proud to be her father’s daughter.

 

BOB LOGAN introduced our newest President Elect Nominee JEN HOFFMAN. JEN is a fourth generation Arizonan who grew up on a ranch, plays the violin, won Silver in some kind of Martini Olympics, and received a pink Luger 22 from her fiancée for Valentine’s Day. JEN is honored to be a member of this Rotary Club and noted that with BOB LOGAN as a mentor, what could possibly go wrong?

 

KEN TUCKER introduced our speaker Robert Samuelsen - Chief Financial Officer of the Regional Partnering Center. The RPC won the contract to develop state of the art transport vehicles known as the “Sabino Canyon Crawler”. These electric vehicles will provide cleaner, quieter transportation in the lower part of the Sabino Canyon trail, enhanced by narration delivered through individual ear buds and triggered through geo-located “fences”. The content is being developed to address the rich environmental and cultural legacy represented by the desert waters of the canyon. Look for the program to begin in mid-March 2019. Mr. Samuelsen signed a book for our lending library: “Never Follow a Dinosaur”.

 

President CHUCK closed the meeting with a quote from John Muir: “In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

In lieu of a direct payment for their sponsorship, the Arizona Bowl taking place on 12/29/18, has agreed to give the Car Show the revenue generated from the ticket sales that are purchased from our Club, our Family and Friends.  The tickets are in Rows 38 to 42 in Sections 23 and 24.  The tickets in Section 23 are $50.00 and the tickets in Section 24 are $25.00.  Please go to novaarizonabowl.com/game-2018/tickets when ordering and you must enter the Code for the Car Show which is RCOT18. If you have any questions please contact Robert O’Brien at 520-904-9177.

 

Thanks for your support!

Enjoy fun in the sun, fellowship, great speakers and breakout sessions at the 2019 Destination District Conference while cruising down to Ensenada, Mexico on the ship “Inspiration.” We sail from beautiful Long Beach, CA to Ensenada, B.C., Mexico, departing Friday, October 25^th at 6:30 pm and returning Monday at 7:00 am  October 28^th, 2019. (It’s a week after the car show!).  Experience the internationality of Rotary while working side by side with fellow Rotarians and Rotaractors on a project in District 4100 while docked in Ensenada. Wine-tasting tours, shopping and exchanging new ideas with local Rotarians can also be experienced.

Ocean breezes, great food (24 hours a day), evening strolls on the deck with a gorgeous Baja moon overhead, renewing old friendships and making new acquaintances, what could be better? The deposit is $50.00 -$100 depending on size of cabin. Ocean view cabins are $454-$484 and inside cabins are $404-$409. This reasonable price for the entire trip is all-inclusive. (alcoholic beverages not included). Sorry folks! I tried.

 

See you on board the Inspiration! Reserve your stateroom today by emailing fellow Rotarian Mike Sloan: mike@cruiseconnections.com or call him at 800-248-7447 or 336-659-9772. He’s very helpful and planned the District Conference Cruise for us in 2008 which Rotarians still talk about. You can also contact me for additional information: ellie@thetempconnection.com