It was a beautiful day at Broadway Park as 16 of us gathered for another Rotary meeting. President Anthony made a special effort to bring our U.S. flag, not knowing the home near the park would be flying the red, white and blue that day. After the Pledge, the recitation of The Four Way Test and an invocation offered by John MacFarlane, Club Secretary Kathy Austvold announced those that had 100% attendance this past Rotary year: Wally Cole, Dan Johnson and Keith Olson. Those attending at least 89% of the time included Kathy, Steve Andrews, Randy Kempfer, Anthony Nordan and this writer. We were reminded to sell peaches and owe thanks to Buzz Lundeen for doing a press release to promote this annual fundraising event.
Brian Tjaden led off our brags and fines, contributing a dollar because Dan Johnson was unable to make the meeting as they were shorthanded at the store; Keith Olson related a painful story of his most recent and last efforts to water ski, breaking a rib in the process but realizing the great benefits of the lift chairs he happens to sell; Steve Andrews was looking forward to being quarantined with his wife for our next two meetings as she was coming home from the Big Apple; Jake Hexum bragged that he and his spouse had celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary the prior Sunday; and Anthony Nordan was happy about his daughter turning three on July 8th, also noting he came to our meeting even though he was on vacation and notwithstanding there may have been some issue in that regard in his household.
Anthony then called upon our newest Rotarian, Jake Hexum, to give his classification talk.
Jake is a Fergus Falls native and has recently moved back to our community because his employer agreed to allow him to do his job long distance. Jake’s parents are Gary and Laura, his paternal grandparents Al and Ellen Hexum, and his maternal grandparents Joyce Skilstad and Bill Behrends. He grew up outside Elizabeth on land that included a little island. Jake and his friends (four of whom, including Jake, went on to become engineers) built a two-story shack, a rainwater collection system, installed a generator, etc., making the island a fun and lesson-filled getaway. Jake started college at NDSU in 2011 and during college worked part time and three summers for MNDOT, as well as some part time work at the Russell-Josefson household. While at college he was involved in campus ministries and Engineers Without Borders, marrying Fergus Falls native and high school sweetheart Ellyn after his sophomore year.
During his senior year, Jake became involved with the Water Environment Federation, a worldwide organization, and had a chance to go on a trip to New Orleans to attend an institute on wastewater. He met and talked to the President of the Federation, who also happened to be the President of Black & Veatch. Jake was invited by the president to attend the opening ceremony (the institute drew 14,000) and then was invited to the company’s big dinner for clients, forcing Jake to go out and buy a tie. It must have worked, as Jake was then offered employment at Black & Veatch. The company employs 13,000 worldwide and has its headquarters in Kansas City. They consult in the areas of water and wastewater, telecommunications, data centers, power and power generation (broken down between transmission lines, substations, coal and natural gas, nuclear and renewable – wind and solar). Jake started work in the Minneapolis office in the transmission line department, helping to design new lines and upgrade existing ones. He creates virtual three-dimensional models of all the designs he works on, with each line having to meet different criteria based on likely weather scenarios of where they are to be located; his areas are primarily Michigan and Wisconsin. Jake used as an example having to design a system that can withstand 40- mile wind gusts with one inch of ice coating the lines. After the modeling process the construction plans are then drafted, which in many instances will entail meeting the requirements of the FAA and/or the Army Corps of Engineers.
One of the projects he is now working on entails crossing a river where the lines will have to provide for a minimum of 175 feet of clearance above the water, factoring in a transmission line sags the most when it is hot out. They also must stay below 225 feet, so the poles being designed will be that height and have a 12-foot diameter base, with the foundation 13 feet wide and sunk into the ground 60 feet. Jake enjoys the detail of the work, having to know and apply applicable codes and standards, and working in a team environment, getting the chance to do some teaching as well. He also has found enjoyment in designing some new tools useful to his profession. The transmission industry provides a very stable workload and the demand is only expected to increase. Technically, Jake is licensed as a structural engineer.
Jake has also become very involved with Engineers Without Borders, which has 13,000 volunteers throughout the world. He manages the volunteer network in this area and has been to both Honduras and Guatemala, working on a water project and a new school. He noted that Rotary and Engineers Without Borders have a strong relationship, giving as an example a project the City of Lakes Rotary in Minneapolis is doing with the organization in Honduras. As to other interests, Jake said he plays base in a band, enjoys hunting and fishing, camping, and disc golf. He was asked about joining the Carlisle band since he also plays trombone, but that may be something he will have to consider in the future.
Brian Tjaden led off our brags and fines, contributing a dollar because Dan Johnson was unable to make the meeting as they were shorthanded at the store; Keith Olson related a painful story of his most recent and last efforts to water ski, breaking a rib in the process but realizing the great benefits of the lift chairs he happens to sell; Steve Andrews was looking forward to being quarantined with his wife for our next two meetings as she was coming home from the Big Apple; Jake Hexum bragged that he and his spouse had celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary the prior Sunday; and Anthony Nordan was happy about his daughter turning three on July 8th, also noting he came to our meeting even though he was on vacation and notwithstanding there may have been some issue in that regard in his household.
Anthony then called upon our newest Rotarian, Jake Hexum, to give his classification talk.
Jake is a Fergus Falls native and has recently moved back to our community because his employer agreed to allow him to do his job long distance. Jake’s parents are Gary and Laura, his paternal grandparents Al and Ellen Hexum, and his maternal grandparents Joyce Skilstad and Bill Behrends. He grew up outside Elizabeth on land that included a little island. Jake and his friends (four of whom, including Jake, went on to become engineers) built a two-story shack, a rainwater collection system, installed a generator, etc., making the island a fun and lesson-filled getaway. Jake started college at NDSU in 2011 and during college worked part time and three summers for MNDOT, as well as some part time work at the Russell-Josefson household. While at college he was involved in campus ministries and Engineers Without Borders, marrying Fergus Falls native and high school sweetheart Ellyn after his sophomore year.
During his senior year, Jake became involved with the Water Environment Federation, a worldwide organization, and had a chance to go on a trip to New Orleans to attend an institute on wastewater. He met and talked to the President of the Federation, who also happened to be the President of Black & Veatch. Jake was invited by the president to attend the opening ceremony (the institute drew 14,000) and then was invited to the company’s big dinner for clients, forcing Jake to go out and buy a tie. It must have worked, as Jake was then offered employment at Black & Veatch. The company employs 13,000 worldwide and has its headquarters in Kansas City. They consult in the areas of water and wastewater, telecommunications, data centers, power and power generation (broken down between transmission lines, substations, coal and natural gas, nuclear and renewable – wind and solar). Jake started work in the Minneapolis office in the transmission line department, helping to design new lines and upgrade existing ones. He creates virtual three-dimensional models of all the designs he works on, with each line having to meet different criteria based on likely weather scenarios of where they are to be located; his areas are primarily Michigan and Wisconsin. Jake used as an example having to design a system that can withstand 40- mile wind gusts with one inch of ice coating the lines. After the modeling process the construction plans are then drafted, which in many instances will entail meeting the requirements of the FAA and/or the Army Corps of Engineers.
One of the projects he is now working on entails crossing a river where the lines will have to provide for a minimum of 175 feet of clearance above the water, factoring in a transmission line sags the most when it is hot out. They also must stay below 225 feet, so the poles being designed will be that height and have a 12-foot diameter base, with the foundation 13 feet wide and sunk into the ground 60 feet. Jake enjoys the detail of the work, having to know and apply applicable codes and standards, and working in a team environment, getting the chance to do some teaching as well. He also has found enjoyment in designing some new tools useful to his profession. The transmission industry provides a very stable workload and the demand is only expected to increase. Technically, Jake is licensed as a structural engineer.
Jake has also become very involved with Engineers Without Borders, which has 13,000 volunteers throughout the world. He manages the volunteer network in this area and has been to both Honduras and Guatemala, working on a water project and a new school. He noted that Rotary and Engineers Without Borders have a strong relationship, giving as an example a project the City of Lakes Rotary in Minneapolis is doing with the organization in Honduras. As to other interests, Jake said he plays base in a band, enjoys hunting and fishing, camping, and disc golf. He was asked about joining the Carlisle band since he also plays trombone, but that may be something he will have to consider in the future.