6-7-2012 meeting of the Rotary Club of Chickasha

The June 7, 2012 meeting of the Rotary Club of Chickasha opened with a prayer, pledge and song.

Guests included Robert O'Kelley, Kristin Powers and Aaron Elyachar.

Prayer concerns include Julius Harralson's wife and Bill and Janice Mcvey.

President Michael Oberlender reminded board members of the June 13 meeting.

He also encouraged Rotarian to sign up and indicate the number of guests for the June 28 installation luncheon at USAO. We will vote next Thursday, June 14 for Rotarian of the Year.

Rotarian of the Day was Jim (TV) Allen who introduced our guest speaker, Lisa Bahash, president and CEO, Ride Control, LLC.

Bahash talked about the company's resurgence, including its facility in Chickasha, since the company was purchased from Arvin-Meritor in 2009. 

The parent company, Gabriel, which produces after market shock absorbers and struts, has returned to profitability and she said the Chickasha plant has played a role in that success. 

"We are here and we are here to stay," she told Rotarians. With the community's help the company will have spent more than $4 million in improvements at the Chickasha plant.

Bahash said the plant here is the company's major hub for warehousing and distribution. The Chickasha facility also has ramped up to manufacture about 45% of the company's production of rods.

Since the company emerged from a period Bahash called "corporate time out" the Chickasha facility has seen employment levels grow to about 330 people. She said people are the company's greatest resources a the key to the company's continued growth and success.

"I can't thank the community enough for helping turn our business around," Bahash said. "We want a strong partnership here."

The meeting adjourned after recitation of the Rotary 4-Way Test.