graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Masters in Business Administration.  He served in ever increasing positions of responsibility with two Fortune 500 companies – Merck and FMC corporation.  He founded an agricultural machinery manufacturing company which was listed in the Inc Magazine Group of the 100 fastest growing privately held companies in 1980.  He later headed a computer data base information service for California agribusiness formed as a joint venture by three California newspapers in Bakersfield.  For 13 years he was director of a small business development center in Bakersfield providing advice and counsel to small businesses in Kern, Inyo and Mono counties.  Currently he is the principal in a management  consulting firm, JLM Associates, specializing in small to medium-sized businesses.

 

 

Pres Joe started our meeting at 12:18 at Temblor.  Kat Clowse gave the Rotary invocation, Bill Lever led the flag salute and we welcomed Jazz Workshop musicians Steve Eisner and Mark Meyers who played a medley of patriotic songs.  Pres Joe informed us that former preseident Taft dedicated the Lincoln Memorial on May 30, 1922 and  not only served as President but also Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Being 330 pounds Taft once got stuck in the White House bathtub.

 

 

Guests were Stan Moe  Honor Flight guest of Charlie Moe, Patrick Bickfield a Bakersfield CPA guest of Jorge Barrientos, Emil Hewage guest of Kelly Youngstrom, Emil Bhakta and Ray Madam guests of Girish Patel, Matt Lampe guest of Nik Boone, Daniel Evrard guest of Jim Damian and Madeline Abernathy daughter of Cathy.

 

Don Bynum said things had been tough at Temblor so they have fallen back on the old reliable: whiskey and are now authorized to serve booze and Pres Joe presented our long time piano player Ed Tomlison with a Paul Harris fellowship to recognize his service.

 

Our speaker this Thursday was Lili March with Honor Flight Kern County and Portrait of a Warrior.

 

In honor of her father, her lifetime influence, inspiration, and a World War II veteran, Lili founded the Bakersfield hub of Honor Flight wherein she was able to ensure that local WWII veterans were able to see the memorial in Washington, D.C. built in their honor. 

 

Impassioned with a new challenge in 2016, Lili began working on Portrait of a Warrior. This incredible gallery will feature 41 portraits of post-9/11 Kern County service members who were killed in action or as a result of injuries suffered on the battlefield. 

 

Lily stated Honor flights began 12 years ago and will have their 50^th flight this Fall.  It costs $130,000 to charter a flight from Bakersfield to DC with the costs being paid by guardians (at $1,200 each) or donations. Presently there are two flights annually and are focused on Korean, Vietnam, and Afghanistan vets. The last flight included Native Americans who served as well. Our club contributed $3,000 in March to this service.

 

Lastly, Aaron Falk of Kern Community Foundation updated us on Big Kern contributions with this year having a record $1,520,000.  This compares with $840,000 donated two years ago.  Aaron attributed this increase to partnership and business matches and asked us to join in next years drive.