President Lorna introduced Julian Baena who is the Vice President and Co-Founder of the Legacy Business Advisors Mid-Atlantic through which he offers strategic assistance to individuals and specializes in being a valuable resource for business owners. A retired Marine, Julian received a Master of Arts in Business Administration from St. Leo University; he is the current President of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Coastal Virginia.
Mr. Baena informed us that the Hispanic Chamber was founded in 2003 by four Hispanic businesswomen. The focus of the Chamber was to promote businesses founded by Hispanics and to provide resources to assist new Hispanic businesses. He estimated that, based on the last census, there were approximately 120K Hispanics in the Greater Hampton Roads area. The Chamber holds twenty-two networking events each other (split equally between peninsula and the southside) and it holds monthly classes in Spanish and English. There is a Latin Festival at the oceanfront which they actively support also. September is Hispanic Heritage Month and they generally schedule events to bring attention to the topic. Mr. Baena also noted that in the past they have partnered with the Tides to hold ballgames with an Hispanic flavor.
Then our second speaker, Mr. Johnny Garcia, came on Zoom. It seems that he runs a cybersecurity firm that locks out Zoom (because it’s famously not secure). So he spoke via cell phone, although we could see him in his office. (Not sure how secure that setup is??)
Dr. Garcia is Founder and CEO of SimIS Inc. and Health Care Simulations LLC. He has become an innovation leader in the modeling and simulation, test and evaluation, autonomous vehicle, software development, and cyber security industries.
Mr. Garcia pointed out that by 2040 Hispanics will be the largest minority in Virginia, based on current projects. He said that lots of Hispanic companies are suffering major losses right now. His own background is that of a serial entrepreneur; he is a second generation Mexican-American and has spent thirty years in Virginia. He owns a cannabis company which produces CBD for medicinal purposes.
On the origin of Cinco de Maio…Mr. Garcia emphasized that it is not to be confused with Mexican Independence Day (September 16th). On May 5, 1866, the Mexicans defeated the French in battle. This was an ill-considered invasion motivated by Napoleon III in hopes of creating a French Empire in Mexico. The holiday has evolved into a celebration of food and culture.
In this country seventeen percent of the population were of Hispanic descent as of the last census. Based on that percentage, Mr. Garcia asserts that there should be more Hispanic legislators, governors, CEO’s, and board members of major corporations. He hopes that Hispanic influence will increase in the near future and will improve our cultural richness accordingly.
Questions from Rotarians included one from Sally Hartman on how to prepare youth for the future. Mr. Garcia believes that elementary school is the best place to start; he is convinced that youth need to be skilled in math and the sciences even if they don’t all go to college. He noted that his company takes interns from many areas so they can be exposed to technical fields. Berhanu Mengitsu asked about the importance of speaking English; he noted that language can divide as well as unite. Mr. Garcia asserted that the international language of business is money; however, he also conceded that we need to communicate to make money. It was a stimulating and thought-provoking program which everyone appreciated.
The Meeting
President Lorna Cochrane muted everyone promptly at 12:31 pm. Past President Pam Tubbs led a spirited version of Celito Lindo in honor of Cinco de Maio. Following the Pledge of Allegiance and Four Way Test, Joe New offered the invocation petitioning the Creator for peace as well as thanking the extraordinary circumstances for an opportunity see friends via Zoom. He also asked for blessings on medical workers and on the work of Rotary.
Visitation/Introduction of Visitors
Joey Rothgery had no new reports of illness; she visited Bill Jonak and heard from his daughter that he is well. President Lorna reported on the death of Katherine Bashara; the Rotary Club of Norfolk has a physical office in the Bashara Law Offices courtesy of Katherine’s husband (who had previously passed away). We thank the Basharas for their generosity to this club for so many years.
The only guest via Zoom was Ashley Molinaro, a member of the club until last summer when she transferred to Washington D.C., where she joined a local club. Over fifty people were counted by Zoom software as having logged in.
Club Business
President Lorna noted that the following Rotarians have May birthdays: Rachel Bellis who is pictured receiving her Rotary birthday cupcake from Chick Robison, Laurie Harrison, Bill Moore, Jack Frost, Bill McInnis, Anthony Mia, Steve Jones, Gary Boswick. The following couples will celebrate anniversaries this month: George and Susan Nottingham, Chick and Kathy Robison, Linwood and Frances Beckner, Dean and Susan Rogis, Dianna and Michael Starkey, Gus and Janet Stuhlreyer, Ship and Gigi Miller, Tom and Martha Ambler, and (drum roll) Joe and Barbara New (50 years!!).
Then President Lorna introduced soon-to-be-President Jim Kitz who updated us on the donations to the Foodbank (over $7K) and that volunteer opportunities exist to help with the work there. Jim and his wife participated in a volunteer session and found it very professionally managed; but you must bring a mask.
Happy Bucks & Fines
Where is Steve Jones whose wife was pictured in the newspaper?
At this point President Lorna pivoted to our speakers so they would have ample time to inform us about the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Conclusion
President Lorna thanked Chick Robison and Brian McGuire for distributing cupcakes to the Rotarians with birthdays. Someone wondered why margaritas weren’t handed out? So Pam Tubbs shared her foolproof Margarita Recipe. President Lorna singled out Chip Bugg, one of our newest Rotarians. Next week we hope to have Dianna Starkey with a virtual program from the Virginia Arts Festival. Then President Lorna hit the wrong button and disappeared. Soon-to-be President Jim took over and concluded our meeting. See y’all next week!
