"Everyone Deserves a Place to Call Home!"
2023-12-01 07:15 - 08:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | The Salvation Army Eastside Corps, 911 164th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA, 98008, United States
Traci Tenhulzen – President of Board / Executive Producer
Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish County / Tenhulzen Residential
This morning Traci will discuss the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish counties (MBAKS). Founded in 1909 and headquartered in Bellevue Washington, the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) is the nation’s oldest and largest local homebuilders’ association. Like our founders, our members continue to take a leading role in all facets of homebuilding and support the planning for a growing region. From new technology to advances in sustainability, from collaborative public policy efforts to investing in our communities, our commitment to a thriving, inclusive and well-planned region never wavers. We are the professional homebuilders, architects, remodelers, tradespeople (carpenters, framers, roofers, plumbers, electricians), planners and engineers, suppliers, manufacturers, and sales and marketing professionals in your community who believe everyone deserves a place to call home.
About the Speaker
In December 2022, the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties installed Traci Tenhulzen of Tenhulzen Residential as its 2023 President of the Board of Directors during their annual Holiday Gala. Tenhulzen has been involved in the association since 1998, and has been actively engaged with the Remodelers Council, the Professional “I am thrilled and honored to be serving as President of the Board of Directors,” said Tenhulzen. “After 25 years of being a member, I continue to be inspired by people around me who selflessly give their time to help continue the success of the association.” With a degree in Exercise Physiology and Business focused on Ergonomics from Washington State University and a Master’s in Human Resources from Southern New Hampshire University, Tenhulzen began her career in Corporate Wellness. Tenhulzen then transitioned into the homebuilding industry when she started her own safety and consulting company, Safety Resource Management and Consulting. She sold her company and joined Tenhulzen Residential seven years later and now serves as the Executive Producer where she oversees the business operations, which includes Human Resources, Sales, and Safety Management. Women in Building Council, and the Spike program. She has held many leadership roles on the Board of Directors including Member at Large, 1st Vice President and her current position as President.
Tenhulzen has been an active member of the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club and enjoys watching her son Matthew play football. In their spare time the Tenhulzen family enjoys hiking, skiing, cooking and going on long walks with their black lab Isabelle.

"Costco: Stability and Change"
2023-12-08 07:15 - 08:30
Pat Callans – Executive Vice President, Administration
Costco
Pat will update us on Costco’s business, some leadership changes, as well as the company’s new Issaquah office building, on the north side of I-90 in Issaquah.
About the Speaker
Pat grew up in Joliet, Illinois, and is a proud alumnus of the University of Notre Dame and Northwestern University School of Law. After graduating from law school and passing the Illinois bar exam, Pat worked as a lawyer at Winston & Strawn in Chicago.
In 1989, following his fiancée (now wife), Cathy, who worked for Boeing, Pat moved to Seattle, passed the Washington bar exam, and joined the law firm Foster Pepper & Shefelman. He worked on several cases in which the law firm represented Costco, and after the Costco-Price Club merger, Pat became more involved in handling the expanding company’s litigation.
In March 1994, Pat joined Costco in the position of corporate counsel. Responsible for much of the company’s litigation, his role as one of the company’s in-house lawyers continued to expand. Pat became assistant general counsel and an officer of the company in January 2000. In September 2000, Pat left the legal department and joined Costco’s membership/marketing department as VP of executive services.
In March 2007, Pat took over responsibility for operations and buying for Costco Home and Costco Business Centers, as well as the Auburn businesses and the corporate purchasing department. In September 2012, Pat moved to Costco’s human resources department, and in September 2013, he was promoted to SVP of human resources and risk management. In January 2019, Pat was promoted to EVP of administration. He currently is responsible for various departments, including human resources, membership and marketing, construction and purchasing, risk management, flight, community relations, privacy operations, warehouse ops and auditing, and security and Home Office facilities.
In addition to his degrees from Notre Dame and Northwestern, Pat received his executive MBA from Seattle University in 2008. Outside of work, he is active in the lives of his three kids, Jonathan, Matthew and Molly, and enjoys outdoor activities. He has served on the boards of several local nonprofit organizations and is currently chair of the board of trustees of Seattle University, while also serving on the board of directors of the Independent Colleges of Washington.

"SANTA and SONG"
2023-12-15 07:15 - 08:30
Santa Claus (introduced by Kit Bowerman) – The King of Giving!
North Pole Enterprises
Santa will join Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club this morning to see if we’ve been naughty or nice. Santa will share about what it means to be a professional Santa. After Santa leaves, we will all join in the singing of holiday songs!
Family and guests are definitely welcome.
About the Speaker
Our speaker today needs no introduction as we have loved him from a very early age!

No meeting today due to the holidays!
2023-12-22 07:15 - 08:30
Enjoy Christmas – and the holidays
with your family!
Next meeting is Friday January 5, 2024 in person!
About the Speaker
Next speaker is Steven Pugh, Clinical Psychologist, on how we can utilize our growing understanding of how our brains affect relationships and how relationships affect our brains. Title: “Home improvement Projects for 2024: Practical tools for greater success at home”

Happy New Year!
2023-12-29 07:15 - 08:30
No Meeting today. – Happy holidays.
Next meeting is Friday January 5, 2024.The program title for BBRC’s January 5 meeting is “Home improvement Projects for 2024: Practical tools for greater success at home”.
About the Speaker
Dr. Steven Pugh, Clinical Psychologist, will discuss how we can utilize the growing understanding of how our brains affect relationships and how relationships affect our brains.

"Home improvement Projects for 2024: Practical tools for greater success at home"
2024-01-05 07:15 - 08:30
Steven Pugh Ph.D. – Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Himself
We will be exploring how we can utilize our growing understanding of how our brains affect relationships and how relationships affect our brains.
About the Speaker
Steven Pugh is a Clinical Psychologist who has focused on couples therapy and marital health for the past 20 years in Woodinville.

"An Update on Seattle’s New Waterfront and the Seattle Aquarium’s Ocean Pavilion"
2024-01-12 07:15 - 08:30
Bob Donegan – President and CEO
Ivar’s
How did we get from the old Alaskan Way Viaduct to the new waterfront? A brief history of the viaduct, process to select an alternative, and what happens between now and the opening of the Aquarium’s Ocean Pavilion in the summer of 2024, as well as the Waterfront Park, opening a year from now. park a year from now!
About the Speaker
In his day job, Bob helps manage Ivar’s, but he has been active in all matters waterfront for almost 40 years. He helped the Port of Seattle develop its first strategy plan for the Marine Division in the 1980’s, was on the Community Advisory Panel for Colman Dock in 2006, was one of the 24 stakeholders appointed by the governor, county executive and mayor to select a replacement for the Viaduct, was a part of the group that developed the Tunnel + Transit solution,
and sat on the design committees for the seawall and waterfront park. Bob has volunteered at the Aquarium since 2006, and presently sits on the Central Waterfront Oversight Committee which manages the park. He also walks the project 5-6 days a week.

"Making a Difference in a Divided World" via Zoom
2024-01-19 07:15 - 08:30
Gregory Leeson – Author
HimselfOn May 1, 2022, Gregory launched the first of four journeys covering 26,403 miles to 53 cities in 39 states and eight provinces to interview “ordinary” people about their lives and to learn about their vision for the future. Some historians believe that we are experiencing societal division, the magnitude of which was last seen in the 1840s and 1850s. If this is true, what can the individual do? His solution was to learn who people are and to share their stories so others may appreciate just how much we all have in common in a book titled Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives. This morning he will discuss his journey! Please note this is a Zoom only meeting.
About the Speaker
Gregory Leeson, B.A., PMP, originally hailing from Halifax, Nova Scotia, has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Western Ontario. Following a brief stint in investment banking in Toronto, he relocated to the United States, where he ventured into bond futures trading at The Chicago Board of Trade. Several years later, having self-taught himself various software engineering languages, he designed systems for prominent companies, including Sears Roebuck, Quaker Oats, and Abbott Laboratories. His professional journey culminated in his retirement as a senior R&D project manager at Pfizer in 2021.
A dual American and Canadian citizen, Gregory currently resides in Illinois. He is the father of an adopted daughter who recently graduated with a Bachelor’s in International Business, having studied at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, and the University of Paris in France.

"Launching the Seattle Kraken and Climate Pledge Arena"
2024-01-26 07:15 - 08:30
Todd Humphrey – SVP, Digital Innovation & Fan Experience
Seattle KrakenSeattle Kraken SVP of Digital Innovation and Fan Experience Todd Humphrey joins Bellevue Breakfast Rotary this morning to discuss the power of the Kraken as well as Climate Pledge Arena. Todd previously visited us prior to the Seattle Kraken’s debut in the NHL to discuss the project he was heavily involved with, the design and construction of Climate Pledge Arena. Today he will update us on the team’s progress competing in the NHL in their third season as well as discuss the facility in which they play, Climate Pledge Arena.
About the Speaker
Todd Humphrey originally joined the Seattle Kraken in the role of SVP, Digital and Fan Experience in February 2019. Prior to the Kraken, Todd was CEO of LiquidPlanner a dynamic project management for modern business in 2017.
In 2014, Todd co-founded League, a Toronto-based new digital alternative to traditional health insurance that connects employers and employees to a comprehensive network of health services and benefits, giving them unparalleled choice, convenience and value. From 2010-14, Todd was the EVP, Business Development at Kobo Books, responsible for all worldwide business development activities for Kobo, including OEM’s, retailers and wireless providers. Before this, he was the Director of Business Development for Amazon Payments.
And before all of his entrepreneurship and technical experiences, Todd skated with a stick and a puck for a living! By joining his two passions of hockey and technology, Todd feels his present role with the Kraken is a fantastic fit for his interests and skills.
Todd is a graduate of University of Western Ontario in 1991 and considers his specialties to be technology, innovation, internet, entrepreneurship, business development, corporate development, M&A, marketing and social media.

"Building a Mission driven business"
2024-02-02 07:15 - 08:30
Jaci McCormack – CEO
Rise AboveJaci will discuss Rise Above and her efforts in building this mission driven business. The mission needs to match your budget, businesses’ strategic plan needs to build around your mission, and the importance of partnerships with like-minded organizations and people.
About the Speaker
Jaci McCormack grew up on the Nez Perce Reservation outside of Lewiston, Idaho. She fell in love with basketball early on and earned a scholarship to play for Illinois State University, where she was named the 2005 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament MVP. After her college career, Jaci was inspired to return home and give back to her community. She served as the Deputy Executive Director for the Nez Perce Tribe, as well as the Youth Prevention Director, building deep relationships with tribal and community partners.
In 2015, Jaci founded Rise Above, a non-profit organization that gives Native youth the skills and resilience to overcome their circumstances and write their own futures. As the CEO of Rise Above, Jaci leads the organization in its mission to empower youth through a variety of programs including sports, education, financial literacy, prevention skills and mentorship, using prevention strategies that will spark change in people’s lives.
Jaci has attracted an incredible group of engaged and like-minded partners and donors across the country who believe in Rise Above’s mission to empower Native youth, including PNW tribes, investors, prevention advocates, sports legends, hall-of-famers, and Hollywood stars.
Jaci has helped grow the Rise Above business from serving 300 kids to over 3,000 per year growing exponentially each year. Amid building her business, Jaci was approached by an independent Hollywood Film Producer to write and produce a feature film of her life story. Jaci’s story will be featured in a full-length motion picture with 3-time NBA Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens and award-winning actor Danny Glover serving as Executive Directors to the film.
In the past two years, Jaci has been invited to speak to numerous youth organizations, girl’s empowerment events, the U.S. Attorney’s Office Western District of Washington and the youngest organization to speak at the U.S. White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health.

"Affordable Housing on the Eastside"
2024-02-09 07:15 - 08:30
David Bowling – Chief Executive Officer
Eastside Community Development FundDavid Bowling will join us today to discuss affordable housing and homelessness on the Eastside.
About the Speaker
David is the head of Eastside Community Development Fund and former President of Congregations for the Homeless (now Porchlight). He is the foremost expert on the subject of homelessness on the Eastside and provides a very compelling talk on this subject. He will also answer whatever questions Rotarians have about this issue.

“Washington State’s Judicial Conduct Commission - Judicial Accountability and Independence”
2024-02-16 07:15 - 08:30
J. Reiko Callner – Executive Director
Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct
Executive Director J. Reiko Callner will describe the function of our state’s Judicial Conduct Commission: “internal affairs” for our state judiciary This constitutional, independent agency is charged with both maintaining ethics in the judicial branch and safeguarding judicial independence. Ms. Callner will share examples of judges who have been sanctioned, and why, and answer questions.
About the Speaker
Ms. Callner has served as the Executive Director of the Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct since 2005. She previously served the agency as its senior investigator, beginning in 1997. Ms. Callner is an emeritus board member of the national Association of Judicial Disciplinary Counsel, and is past Chair of the Washington State Human Rights Commission. Ms. Callner worked as a prosecutor for ten years and has represented Child Protective Services. She has taught for the American Judicature Society, the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, the Administrative Office of the Courts, the National Center for State Courts, and has made presentations to a wide variety of public agencies and private organizations. She has assisted the US State Department and non-governmental organizations in improving judicial ethics and independence in over 35 foreign countries.
Ms. Callner has an undergraduate degree from Oberlin College and a J.D. from the University of Washington. She was a law clerk for retired Washington State Supreme Court Justice Robert Utter and is a licensed Zumba instructor.

"Navigating the Automotive Industry in 2024"
2024-03-01 07:15 - 08:30
Manuel “Manny” Martucci – Internet Sales professional
Michael’s Toyota of Bellevue
Manny will share a brief history to date of the automotive industry and provide insights, tips and future products/services geared toward providing an exceptional customer experience. His discussion will include a brief overview of new developments on the horizon for Michael’s Toyota of Bellevue and Subaru for the Eastgate Community.
About the Speaker
Manuel “Manny” Martucci has spent the last 7 years in the auto industry performing roles in Sales and Finance. Prior to joining Michaels Toyota of Bellevue, Manny was an educator for 9 years in Washington State and abroad, worked 9 years in the International Oil and Gas Industry and worked in the Telecom Business Solutions Sector for a major corporation.
Manny believes the key to his success is in the relationship experience provided to both colleagues and customers in our diverse community. He has a strong drive that begins with “each one, teach one” believes in striving to share knowledge and inspire those we have contact with every day.
Manny received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from the University of Puget Sound. He enjoys cycling, volunteer work in schools, and spending time with family.
Thank you Ann Norman for scheduling this program!

"Behavior & Attitude: helping clients with financial planning and investing"
2024-03-08 07:15 - 08:30
Sheldon Sweeney – Wealth Advisor
Snider Financial Group
Sheldon will discuss his approach to financial planning and investing as they apply to his two niche markets: retirement planning and special needs planning. When emotions and behavior cloud our financial path forward sometimes a financial advisor can clear the path and bring clarity to our goals. Sheldon will share how his life experiences are woven into his advice and planning conversations.
About the Speaker
Sheldon is extremely passionate about helping families and their children with special needs. He connects with them on a personal level because his youngest daughter has Down syndrome. He knows the extra demands that this puts on families as well as their need for high quality planning.
Sheldon understands the advocacy needed when providing for children with special needs. He has organized a network of professionals who serve these families and is regularly asked to speak at school districts and organizations such as the Washington State Fathers Network, and the Issaquah, Tahoma and Kent School Districts.
Sheldon has taken a unique path to arrive in the financial services industry. After graduating from California Maritime Academy in 1988 with a B.S. Degree in Nautical Industrial Technology, he worked in the industrial marketplace for many years. He and his young family moved from the Port of Los Angeles to the Port of Seattle, and the Port of Honolulu where Sheldon held a variety of logistic and maritime management positions with Matson Navigation.
Ultimately, his love for client service led him to a career in financial services as a Protection Specialist in 2008 with a major fraternal insurer; however, he found he couldn’t fully service his clients with their limited insurance options. Sheldon enjoys helping those who are planning for retirement as well as families who have children with special needs. Starting in 2012, Sheldon built his business at Pacific Capital Resource Group, Inc. in Bellevue, WA as a Financial Advisor. Sheldon then received an opportunity to move his business to Snider Financial Group as a Wealth Advisor in 2019.
Sheldon holds four designations; the Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC®) Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®) Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®) and the Accredited Behavioral Finance Professional (ABFP™ ) He is also Life and Disability licensed.
Snider Financial Group provides a robust client service team environment that perfectly suits Sheldon’s personality and focuses on his client’s needs for wealth management, insurance, and strategic financial planning.
Sheldon is motivated to serve others and volunteers at multiple organizations including: The Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club, ProVisors, and his network group of special needs resources.
Sheldon has been married to his wife Debbie for 36 years and they have five children and three grandchildren. They have lived in Maple Valley, WA for 27 years and have two dogs and two cats.
Sheldon enjoys all water sports and swims year-round in open water and in the pool. He hikes, plays disc golf and Ukulele and enjoys traveling.

"Boeing in Washington"
2024-03-15 07:15 - 08:30
Richard “Rich” White – Senior Government Relations Manager
Being
Rich White, Senior Manager, State & Local Government Operations will speak with members about the exciting work happening within Boeing’s facilities, along with growth opportunities in the aerospace industry and Boeing’s current hiring initiatives. In his presentation, Rich will share the latest market outlook and update members about Boeing’s ongoing partnerships and investments in the Puget Sound region.
About the Speaker
Rich White is a Senior Government Relations manager for The Boeing Company.
In this position, he is responsible for representing the company before elected and
appointed public officials and their staffs, industry and business association executives
and political community-based organizations in the Central Puget Sound region, Oregon
and Montana. He acts as the primary company focal for negotiating and influencing
government relations’ policy on external issues and he provides political strategy and
advice to company management. White also develops and implements legislative and
regulatory programs to ensure that the business interests of the company are reflected
to the best advantage.
Prior to joining The Boeing Company, White was the director of government
affairs for the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, where he oversaw the development and
implementation of the chamber’s policy positions. White also acted as the chamber’s
lobbyist both regionally and in Olympia, Wash.
White also has worked in Olympia for the state Senate Republican caucus and
as the Washington field director for the Dole/Kemp Presidential Campaign. He
previously worked for former U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton in both Washington D.C. and the
state of Washington.
White is a graduate of the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in
political science and a master’s degree in public administration from the Evans School
of Public Affairs. He was a 2005 Marshall Memorial Fellow and is a 2000 graduate of
Leadership Tomorrow. He earned his Eagle Scout in 1986.
White’s current activities and volunteer experiences include serving on the Board
of Directors for the Schack Art Center, Everett Public Schools Foundation, Tacoma
Chamber of Commerce, Oregon Business & Industry and nearly a dozen other groups,
chambers and agencies.

"Behind the Scenes with a Hollywood Actor" Zoom only!
2024-03-22 07:15 - 08:30
Darby Stanchfield – Actor
Herself
What goes into that performance you enjoy on TV? Darby will break down the prep, shooting, and post work that constitutes the job of a professional actor’s performance.
Darby will be introduced by Ann Norman.
About the Speaker
DARBY STANCHFIELD most recently starred as ‘Nina Locke’ in Netflix’s hit series ‘Locke & Key.’ Prior to ‘Locke & Key,’ Darby portrayed fan favorite ‘Abby Whelan’ for seven seasons on Shonda Rhimes’ and ABC’s series ‘Scandal.’ In between television seasons, Darby has completed a number of independent films, including ‘The Rendezvous,’ ‘Medicine Men,’ ‘Slumber,’ and ‘Carnage Park.’ Additionally, she appeared in Adrienne Shelley’s critically acclaimed “Waitress,” opposite Nathan Fillion and Keri Russell, and an adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray” co-starring opposite Josh Duhamel. Prior to ‘Scandal,’ Darby’s television credits include recurring roles on AMC’s EmmyÂ® Award-winning drama ‘Mad Men,’ opposite Nathan Fillion in ABC’s crime thriller ‘Castle,’ CBS’ ‘NCIS’ and ‘Jericho,’ and guest spots on ‘Burn Notice,’ ‘CSI: Miami,’ ‘How I Met Your Mother,’ ‘CSI: New York,’ ‘The Mentalist,’ ‘Private Practice,’ ‘Bones,’ ‘Nip/Tuck,’ ‘Without a Trace,’ and ‘Monk.’
Prior to her television and film career, she got her start in regional theatre, and has starred in over 100 national commercials. Darby has a BA from the University of Puget Sound in Communications, with a minor in Theater Arts, and an MFA from the American Conservatory Theatre in San Fransisco.

"Providing healthy food to people in need builds healthier communities"
2024-03-29 07:15 - 08:30
David Bobanick – Executive Director
Harvest Against Hunger
David Bobanick, Executive Director of Harvest Against Hunger (HAH), has nearly three decades of experience in non-profit executive management. Since David joined in 2001, the organization has significantly expanded its impact at the local, national and international levels, resulting in the delivery of nearly half a billion healthy servings of produce for those in need.
David has led the creation and development of the national Harvest VISTA program, as well as innovative and award-winning programs focusing on shortening the connections from Farm to Community. In addition, David and the HAH team continue to build and scale nationally recognized programs with partners like the Corporation for National and Community Service, AmeriCorps, USDA, WSDA, Washington State University, the University of Washington and other partners to enhance food systems in communities across the United States.
About the Speaker
David has a degree in communications from Penn State University and has studied at the Non-Profit Executive Leadership Institute at the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy and Governance, as well as the Non-Profit Management Institute at Stanford University. David was also recently named a “Food Waste Innovator” by ReFED, and currently serves as a board officer for four local, statewide, and regional non-profit organizations.

"All in for Autism 2024 Event – Recipients of Benefits"
2024-04-05 07:15 - 08:30
Sheldon Sweeney – Wealth Advisor / President Elect
Snider Financial Group / Bellevue Breakfast Rotary
Our program will consist of two parts, a special interview with Spenser Freedman (son of Mitch Freedman) and an update from Marni Kurtz, Executive Director of Athletes for Kids Youth Mentoring. Mitch Freedman and Spenser will share some life experiences of Spenser growing up with Autism. We will also hear from Marni and others associated with Athletes for Kids Youth Mentoring and the positive impact gained from partnering with BBRC. The latter will include a current youth mentor and possibly a board member.
About the Speaker
Sheldon will introduce the presenters at this meeting.

"The Healing Power of the Arts" via Zoom
2024-04-12 07:15 - 08:30
Holly Jacobson – CEO
Path with Art
Whether we know it or not, the arts —in all forms– have been proven to have healing powers. Research confirms, arts interventions in a supportive environment have shown to be a powerful tool for individual and community recover (American Journal of Public Health). Trauma-informed arts instruction and practice is associated with: a reduction in the need for pain medication; decreased length of hospital stays; reduced overall health care costs; decreased incidence of depression; increased memory and cognitive function; and, improved communication and behavioral skills (Americans for the Arts).
Path with Art’s Holly Jacobson will share some of the science as well as stories of how Path with Art, is using the arts to help systems-impacted individuals, families, and communities recover from mental and behavioral health related issues. She will talk about some of the recent and ongoing studies that provide the science that shows how arts and music interact with our brains to provide a healing effect.
About the Speaker
With a background in nonprofit management, strategic planning, and communications, Holly’s professional experience spans both for and nonprofit institutions. She has created strategic marketing and product solutions for Microsoft, The City of Seattle, The Seattle International Film Festival, and others. A passionate advocate for under-represented voices, Holly co-founded Voter Action, a national non-profit organization with the aim to secure accurate election systems for all communities. She has presented on the role of arts in health regionally, nationally, and internationally including the Western Museum’s Alliance, the Regional Conference on Domestic Violence, the Conference on International Arts and Homelessness in both Montreal, Canada, and Manchester, U.K. She currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Seattle Arts Commission.

"The Current State of the University of Washington and Collegiate Athletics"
2024-04-19 07:15 - 08:30
Damon Huard – Assistant Athletic Director, Special Initiatives
University of Washington Athletic Department
As everyone who follows college sports knows, the collegiate sports landscape is going though massive change. This has significantly impacted the Pac-12, which in a few months will no longer exist. This morning Damon Huard will discuss the state of Husky Athletics and its influence within the broader landscape of College Athletics.
About the Speaker
Damon Huard currently serves as the Assistant Athletic Director of Special Initiatives for the University of Washington Athletic Department.
In addition to his work for Husky Athletics, Huard is the co-owner of “Passing Time,” an award- winning boutique winery in Woodinville, Washington.
A 1995 graduate of the University of Washington Foster School of Business, Huard went on to play professional football in the NFL for twelve years as quarterback for the Miami Dolphins, the New England Patriots, and the Kansas City Chiefs.
During his football career, Mr. Huard received many honors while playing in the NFL! With the Patriots, Damon earned two Super Bowl rings from Super Bowl XXXVI and Super Bowl XXXVIII while with the Chiefs, he finished the 2006 season finish with a 98.0 rating as quarterback, ranking second in the NFL behind Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. As a three-year starter with the Huskies, Damon was the Huskies’ all-time passing leader with 5,692 passing yards upon graduation.
He and his wife Julie reside in Clyde Hill, Washington and have three young adults., two daughters and a son. They are empty nesters this past fall.

"BBRC Fund-Raising since 1985- Looking Back!"
2024-04-26 07:15 - 08:30
Bob Holert – Narrator
Bellevue Breakfast RotaryAt this point in time, Bellevue Breakfast Rotary is 18 months away from our 40th anniversary. Today we will go back in time to share how the fund-raising efforts have changed over the years and it will include strawberries, strawberry coolers, poinsettias, a little red Acura Integra, the Brothers Four, the Mamas and Papas and walk/runs! Stay tuned for a historic meeting!
About the Speaker
Bob Holert, BBRC Program Chair, will act as the Master of Ceremonies introducing subject matter experts with a deep knowledge of BBRC fund-raising over the decades!

"Still Doing what he Loves after 20 Years!" (Offsite location)
2024-05-03 07:15 - 08:30
Joe Fugere – Founder / Owner
Tutta Bella This morning Joe Fugere will speak on Tutta Bella’s journey from one Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzaria restaurant to seven as well as a food production company with a total of 400 employees. Everyone will have a chance to enjoy an Italian breakfast! Our meeting will be offsite at the Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria’s newly renovated location at Crossroads Shopping Center, 15600 NE 8th Street, Bellevue.
About the Speaker
Joe Fugere is the founder of Tutta Bella, the Pacific Northwest’s first certified authentic Neapolitan pizzeria. Joe opened his first restaurant in 2004 and currently has seven locations in and around Seattle. The seventh location has just reopened in Bellevue at 156th Ave. NE and NE 8th after being used a food production location since shortly after Covid started. The food production for “Grab and Go” items has moved to South Seattle. The success of Joe’s business can be attributed to a passionate focus on building a meaningful business respected by employees, customers and peers and he works tirelessly on creating shared value for these constituents.
In August 2010, Joe had the honor of being selected to represent small business owners in a meeting with President Obama. One month later he was invited to the White House for the signing of the 2010 Small Business Lending Act, at which time the President recognized Tutta Bella for its contribution to economic recovery. That same year, Tutta Bella beat out 33,000 of its peers nationally by being named “Independent Pizzeria of the Year” and received “Business of the Year” recognition by the Greater Seattle Business Association.
Tutta Bella restaurants have received recognition from every business chamber to which they belong. The company has been named “Best of” in multiple trade and culinary publications and the Harvard Business School recognized Tutta Bella as one of America’s 100 fastest growing “Inner City” businesses. The company aspires to nourish lives by sharing traditions, authentic food, and love.
Thank you, John Martinka for securing this speaker!

"Washington's Efforts to Create the Nation's First Commission of Boys and Men"
2024-05-10 07:15 - 08:30
Blair Daly and Valerie Tarico – Grassroots Advocates & Writers
Washington Initiative for Boys and Men (WIBM)
A growing bipartisan group of state legislators have been trying for three years to get a bill passed establishing a Washington Commission of Boys and Men. Blair Daly and Valerie Tarico, leaders in the grassroots movement backing this effort, will present the case for a government commission tasked with improving the well-being of Washington’s boys, male youth, and men. They’ll describe barriers to success so far and ideas for succeeding with this groundbreaking legislative effort going forward. Males in Washington are more likely to be homeless, to die by suicide, to overdose on drugs, to end up in youth detention and prisons, to fail to complete high school, to lack a parent of the same sex in their house when growing up, to lack access to their children when they are parents, to be seriously injured or killed while earning money, and they are underrepresented in some professions of public importance, like teaching, social work, and mental healthcare.
About the Speaker
Blair Daly is the founder of Washington Initiative for Boys and Men (WIBM), which does advocacy journalism and grassroots political organizing focused on boys and men’s issues. WIBM initiated the grassroots campaign urging the legislature to create a state commission focused on improving the well-being of Washington’s boys, male youth, and men. A total of 14 legislators sponsored the bill in 2024, which was the bill’s third year of falling short of getting a public hearing. Among the sponsors of the commission on boys and men bill, over half are women, and there are equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans. Blair grew up in Bellevue and played baseball and jazz drums at Newport High School. He holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Washington, and for his day job he works on transportation programs for the City of Kirkland.
Valerie Tarico has a PhD in counseling psychology. She headed the Children’s Behavior and Learning Clinic at Seattle Children’s in Bellevue before opening a private practice focused on children and families and then transitioning to focus on writing and advocacy. She is a co-founder of the Progress Alliance of Washington and has served on nonprofit boards with a focus on broad, durable prosperity and women’s health. It is through these roles that she has become increasingly concerned about the challenges facing young men and boys.

"Malaria Partners International - Scaling for Success” Today's program is Zoom only!
2024-05-17 07:15 - 08:30
Jenny Andrews – Executive Director
Malaria Partners International (MPI)Jenny Andrews will discuss Rotary’s increased focus on the scalability of Global Grants and how a few Global Grants in Zambia grew to the first Programs of Scale grant going to the $6 million Program of Scale and now to the $30 million Rotary Healthy Communities Challenge.
Malaria Partners International Malaria Partners International is a Rotarian founded and led organization focusing on advocacy within the Rotary community and on projects and large-scale programs in the regions where malaria is most prevalent. Malaria Partners International works in close alignment with national malaria control programs in endemic countries and has established chapter organizations in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Uganda and ten West African countries. MPI’s mission is to ignite an international Rotarian campaign for the global eradication of malaria. Our vision is that malaria is eliminated worldwide.
About the Speaker
A Rotarian since 1991, Jenny Andrews is the Executive Director of Malaria Partners International and has been working in the field of global health since 2007. She became interested in global health during her first trip to Ethiopia to vaccinate children against polio and has been involved with over a dozen Rotary service projects around the world. Prior to Malaria Partners International, Jenny worked at PATH, a global health firm focused on using innovations in technology to improve health around the world. In 1997, Jenny co-founded a business called Verus which focused on technology in the US healthcare industry and was named one of Deloitte’s “Fast 500” in 2000 and Puget Sound Business Journal’s “Fastest Growing Companies” for three years running. Jenny graduated from Miami University with a degree in biology and University of Oregon with a master’s in business administration.

"May Contain Tree Nuts": A Master Arborists Perspective on Arboriculture, in General.
2024-05-24 07:15 - 08:30
John Huddleston – Board Certified Master Arborist
SavATree
John Huddleston, Resident Rotarian and Board Certified Master Arborist will explain the science of Arboriculture, as he practices it. He will provide tips for what tree owners can do themselves to promote a healthy landscape, and what they should leave to professionals like his team at SavATree.
About the Speaker
John Huddleston is a recent transplant to the Pacific Northwest from the mile high mountain community of Idyllwild, above Palm Springs. He has been a tree enthusiast since a young child, climbing to the tops of cedars to sway in the wind with the birds and squirrels. As a self-identified Lorax, he began his career slowing the spread of pine bark beetles in the San Bernardino National Forest and became a Certified Arborist in 2006. During the financial crisis in ’08, John relocated to Marin County, CA to take on the virulent spread of Sudden Oak Death. It was here that he was mentored by the two very first Certified Arborists, Mike Green and Dave Anderson, as well as noteworthy PhD, Tom Smiley, who literally wrote the books on Arboriculture. John became a Board Certified Master Arborist in 2015, and a Registered Consulting Arborist in 2017, joining the ranks of less than 100 professionals in North America to hold both of these high credentials simultaneously.
John married the love of his life, his lovely wife April who is also a Certified Arborist, in 2018. Together, they were highly engaged in the community of Idyllwild, and chose to join Idyllwild Rotary Club in 2022. They have two amazing children, Odin, aged 4, and Lili, aged 1. Although they will always hold Idyllwild dear in their hearts, a constant threat of wildfire and a longing for a greener world inspired them to move the clan to Washington in January 2024. John is now a trusted tree advisor and residential sales Arborist for SavATree – Puget Sound.

"Playful Connection"
2024-05-31 07:15 - 08:30
Bobby Hughes – Director
Aardvark Design Labs www.aardvarkdesignlabs.com
What is the role of connection and play in design and innovation? How do we foster meaningful connections that go beyond surface-level?

Join us as we host, Bobby Hughes, director of Aardvark Design Labs, who will introduce his work in human-centered design and help you find ways to connect more deeply with your friends, colleagues, and fellow Rotarians.

About the Speaker
Bobby Hughes is an award-winning designer, facilitator, and director of Aardvark Design Labs. He uses playful facilitation to help people learn and apply human-centered design, grow their ability to collaborate effectively, and create ground-breaking products and services that people love.

Bobby has over 15 years of experience in design and innovation, including having led design efforts at Kaiser Permanente and IDEO, lectured and coached innovation at Stanford’s d.school, and worked with clients including Nike, Google, and The Gates Foundation. Bobby has a BS in physics from the University of Washington and an MS in Engineering/Product Design from Stanford University.

"Update on DECA for 2024"
2024-06-07 07:15 - 08:30
Lori Hairston – Executive Director
DECA Washington
Lori Hairston is the Executive Director for Washington DECA. This morning Lori will bring us up to date on DECA’s impact on Washington High School students as well as have some students that had success at the National Convention join her to share their presentations.
About the Speaker
Lori Hairston is the Executive Director for Washington DECA. Lori is a strategic leader, with twenty-nine years of experience in education. Her professional experiences include 16 years in Retail Management with Lamont’s, 10 years on the board of the Washington Association of Marketing Educators, and 12 years on the Washington DECA Board of Directors, including 9 as Board Chair. Lori holds an MBA in Management and Strategy.

"The Importance of Israel to American Jews"
2024-06-14 07:15 - 08:30
Daniel Weiner – Senior Rabbi
Temple De Hirsch SinaiSenior Rabbi Daniel Weiner of Temple De Hirsch Sinai in Seattle and Bellevue will share an overview of why Israel is so vital to American Jews. In addition, he is willing to answer questions about the current conflict.
About the Speaker
Senior Rabbi Daniel Weiner believes passionately in building Judaism for the 21st century and in healing the world through social justice. Temple De Hirsch Sinai has grown to more than 5000 members and 1,600 families in two campuses in Seattle and Bellevue since he took charge in 2001.He has served congregations in Baltimore, Maryland and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. His innovations in worship include producing “rabcasts” on video, streaming services on the internet, and leading a rock band in popular Rock Shabbat services. He tweets @rocknrabbidanny.Weiner and his team won the Union of Reform Judaism’s Fain Award for their campaign on gun responsibility. Rabbi Weiner’s efforts with other clergy contributed to the founding of the Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility, which drafted and helped pass a number of key initiatives, placing Washington State at the forefront of efforts to reduce gun violence.He is part of the first cohort of Rukin Fellows for 18 Doors (formerly Interfaith Family.com), an organization dedicated to embracing and supporting couples and families from multi-heritage backgrounds.He has served on numerous boards, including various committees of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, chaired local rabbinic boards, and served on multiple national boards of Jewish organizations. In 2023, Rabbi Weiner was elected to the Board of Governors of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.Rabbi Weiner cherishes teaching as one of his most critical rabbinic roles. He has taught at various colleges and universities, with a special emphasis on his role at Seattle University as instructor, member of various advisory committees, and a catalyser in the creation of the Center for Religious Wisdom and World Affairs.His rabbinate places a special emphasis on interfaith and ecumenical efforts, working closely with the Episcopal and Catholic Dioceses, and creating bonds of partnership and faith with local African American churches.His columns have appeared in The Seattle Times, The Forward, and Haaretz. Weiner wrote “Good God: Faith for the Rest of Us” about the dangerous polarization between fanatical faith and soulless secularism.Weiner is married to Cindy Tepper Weiner of Baltimore. They are the proud parents of Julia and Benjamin. He frequently enjoys the glorious climes of the Pacific Northwest while walking their black lab, Sadie.

"Washington State Finances and Long-Term Policy" via Zoom
2024-06-21 07:15 - 08:30
Mike Pellicciotti – Treasurer
Washington StateMike Pellicciotti, Washington State’s Treasurer will discuss his work improving the financial outlook for state and local governments, as well as working families and retirees in Washington. Please note this is a Zoom meeting only!
About the Speaker
Mike Pellicciotti (Pelleh-chee-otti) was elected the 24th Treasurer of Washington in 2020. As Washington’s chief financial officer, Mike is dedicated to increasing government transparency, protecting Washington’s financial health, and leading policies that best serve our state’s working families and retirees.Before being elected State Treasurer, Mike was an assistant attorney general and served North Pierce and South King Counties in the Washington House of Representatives. There he led efforts to increase penalties for corporate crime and get “dark money” out of politics.As State Treasurer, Mike is leading good government reforms and policy proposals to reduce financial barriers for all Washingtonians. Last year he was selected as a Rodel Fellow, the bipartisan recognition of America’s 24 most promising elected leaders.He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and received his Master’s in Rural Development as a United States Fulbright Scholar. His law degree is from Gonzaga University. Mike is a lifelong fan of Gonzaga Basketball.

No Meeting Today
2024-06-28 07:15 - 08:30
Our Rotating the Wheel event will be Saturday, June 29 at
Newport Shores Yacht ClubThis is a party to thank BBRC President Ruben Ladlad (2023-24) for his service to BBRC from July 1, 2023 thru June 30, 2024. In addition, we will be welcoming incoming BBRC President Sheldon Sweeney (2024-25) who will serve from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025! Please plan to join us!
About the Speaker
Our next regular Bellevue Breakfast Rotary meeting will be Friday, July 12, 2024.
