Speakers

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.

Dr. Smith is Chief of Staff at Hampton Roads Transit, where he supports the CEO in managing and directing agency work in collaboration with executive team members. Brian is a fourteenth generation native of Hampton Roads and a US Army veteran, receiving numerous medals and awards while serving as a Stinger Missile Team Chief with the First Infantry Division. He serves on the MPA National Advisory Board for Regent University. He is a LEAD Hampton Roads 2016 graduate and holds a seminary degree in addition to a PhD in organizational leadership. In 1999, he was a Delta International Scholar and studied abroad in Belgium. His doctoral research focused on leadership in collaborative regional networks. He has a master’s degree in public policy from Regent University and an advanced certificate in public administration from Old Dominion University, with an emphasis on public budgeting and finance. He is married to Monica, a public school music teacher, and is the proud father of two children who’ve both attended Norfolk Christian Schools since pre-K. Eli will be a freshman in high school next year, and Regan, along with most of Brian’s disposable income, will be headed to Virginia Commonwealth University starting this Fall.