Events

Past President William C. (Bill) Billings from the Rotary Club of Franklin, VA, is a professional photographer, business owner, much-sought-after speaker, and world traveler.  His club's Rotarian of the Year in 2014, Bill has a bachelor of science degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology, and has been a Rotarian for over 42 years.  In addition to artistically documenting his travels, Bill enjoys kayaking, kayak building, bicycling, hiking, woodworking, and teaching.  His travels have taken him the bottom of the Grand Canyon to rural Ethiopia, where he helped build a cable suspension bridge across the Blue Nile River Gorge.  Bill is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, a member of the Paul Harris and the Bequest Society, a Sustaining Member, Major Donor, and Benefactor of the Rotary Foundation.

From his start as a young private in the Connecticut National Guard, Private Michael S. McGurk received an appointment to the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point.  He graduated in 1985 as a 2nd Lieutenant with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science.

Colonel McGurk served in a variety of assignments during his distinguished career, including leadership roles in the 25th Infantry Division (in Hawaii) and 5th Infantry Division (at Fort Polk, Louisiana), and in other Army units as a Rifle Platoon Leader, Staff Officer, and Company Commander.

He graduated with honors from the Operations Research and Systems Analysis course at Fort Lee, Virginia and earned a Masters degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Louisville.

Unique for today's Army, Colonel McGurk served twice in France, first as a Tactics Instructor to the French Military Academy of St. Cyr, and Later as an attaché in Paris.

In 2004, he deployed to Baghdad, Iraq as part of the Multi-National Force-Iraq.

Colonel McGurk's awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Parachutist Badge, the Pathfinder Badge, and the Ranger Tab.  He was also awarded French and British Jump Wings, the French Mountain Commando designation, and the French National Order of Merit.

He is a member of the Board of Directors, West Point Society of Hampton Roads; he also volunteers with the West Point Ring Recovery Program.

Following retirement from active duty in 2011, Michael transitioned to the civil service.  A senior civilian (GS-15) at Fort Eustis, VA, he is Director of Research at the U.S. Army's Center for Initial Military Training, U.S. Army Training & Doctrine Command.  His duties include service-wide oversight of the U.S. Army Combat Fitness Test.

Michael and his wife Angie reside in Hampton, VA.  They enjoy worldwide travel, fine wine, and meeting new friends.  (Michael adds, "BEAT NAVY!")

Jennifer Warren, J.D., co-founder of The Hague School, currently serves as the school's Associate Head.  She has been instrumental in defining the school’s brand and vision, creating community partnerships and outreach opportunities, and speaking to area organizations and schools in seeking student enrollment.  As an experienced legal professional, mediator, and corporate trainer, she is cognizant of the importance of relationships and is eager to build them at The Hague School with students, families, and the community. She added electives in Women’s Studies to the school's curriculum to reflect her passion for building confidence and self-esteem in young women while empowering them to express themselves at the table.  Ms. Warren also serves as the school’s International Baccalaureate Program Coordinator, guiding the school through the candidacy process to offer the Diploma Programme for the 11th and 12th grades.

Next meeting will be Tuesday, 09 July, when we will induct the 2019-2020 Board of Directors.

Next meeting will be Tuesday, 09 July, when we will induct the 2019-2020 Board of Directors.

Past President of the Rotary Club of Hampton Roads, David S. Rosenthal currently serves as Assistant District Governor for our Region 14.  He is a Rotary Foundation Sustaining Member and Benefactor, and a Paul Harris Fellow.  David also is a graduate of the Rotary Leadership Institute.  He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Science (Biology and Geology) from the University of Akron, OH and a Master of Arts degree in Oceanography and Limnology from Western Connecticut State University.  A Certified Lake Manager (CLM), David has been employed by the City of Norfolk for nearly 30 years.  As Reservoir Manager, he oversees the City's eight drinking water reservoirs and watersheds, including 200 miles of shoreline; water quality testing/analyses; shoreline protection and permitting; and recreation manager.  His duties also include aquatic plant management and restoration and public relations with waterfront property owners, anglers, and boaters.  He serves as official liaison with local, state and federal officials as well as non-profits engaged in lake and watershed management.  David and wife Lisa live in Virginia Beach.

Buddy Gadams has lived in Norfolk Virginia since 1993.  In the last 10 years Buddy has closed over 600 million in real estate deals, which has made him Norfolk’s largest private real estate owner. With a focus on State Historic Tax Credits, New Market tax credits and Opportunity Zone Properties, his projects have  included condos, apartments, office, industrial, marinas and retail.  Buddy’s specialties are in Capital Markets with Debt and Equity. Buddy was a founder of the Virginia Chapter of Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and he is also a member of the YPO Family Office organization. YPO is a global organization with over 20,000 members who are business owners. In 2018, he was appointed by the Governor to the James Madison University Board of Visitors. 

Dr. James T. Roberts Roberts started his career in 1969 as a social studies teacher at Portsmouth’s I.C. Norcom High School. He later worked as an assistant principal at Manor High School, and in various central office positions for Portsmouth.  He came to Chesapeake in 1995 as budget director; he became an assistant superintendent in 2004, and in 2010 was named superintendent, serving until his retirement last year.  Dr. Roberts was named the top superintendent for the Hampton Roads region in 2014.  Chesapeake has consistently posted the top graduation rates in South Hampton Roads in recent years, and its scores on Standards of Learning exams top the state average.  Under Dr. Roberts, Chesapeake Public Schools boasted one of the highest on-time graduation rates (92.7 percent) and one of the lowest drop-out rates (4.1 percent) in the Commonwealth.  The Chesapeake School Board Board cited Roberts’ financial knowledge as a key aspect of his leadership. Chesapeake avoided laying off staff members when funding was slashed during a recession early in his tenure.

Adam Turner, Artistic Director of the Virginia Opera, says: "Whether you are a veteran opera-goer or contemplating your first “night at the opera,” I wholeheartedly encourage you to embrace the experience of heading to the theater to enjoy the talent and spectacle that is opera. You will be treated to the best voices in the world, the fabulous musicianship of two stellar symphony orchestras – the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and Richmond Symphony Orchestra – as well as being thoroughly transported by the theatrical thrill of our productions’ lavish sets and vibrant costumes."  Past Rotarian Lisa Sands will tell us all about the upcoming season.