Speakers

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. 

Please Note: This meeting will be held on the Stage at Chrysler Hall. From the Scope parking garage take the elevator to the Main Floor.  

Thomas M. Chamberlain, PharmD, is Founder and CEO of EdLogics, an education-based consumer engagement company that provides innovative health education and learning management solutions to employers, health plans, healthcare providers, and government entities.

With more than 30 years of experience designing innovative educational programs and population health initiatives for the healthcare industry, Dr. Chamberlain brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to the design and development of highly effective consumer engagement and health literacy improvement solutions.

Bring your quests to hear about this newest in health technology. It is an exciting local innovation, an leading edge health application, and coming out of our community. 

PLEASE NOTE: This Rotary Meeting will be held at the Town Point Club in the World Trade Building, 101 West Main Street, Norfolk VA.

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.

Robert S. Bowen was promoted by the Norfolk Airport Authority’s Board of Commissioners to the position of Executive Director effective March 1, 2016.

The Norfolk Airport Authority is a political sub-division of the Commonwealth of Virginia, an independent agency of the City of Norfolk, and is the owner, landlord and operator of the Norfolk International Airport.

Robert has worked for the Airport Authority for 32 years, previously serving as Deputy Executive Director from 2009 – 2016 and as Director of Operations from 1988 – 2009. Prior to joining the Airport Authority, Robert was employed at Piedmont Aviation’s Norfolk International Airport general aviation facility from 1977 - 1987 in a succession of positions starting as an aircraft line serviceman and ending as assistant manager. Robert has been a member of the American Association of Airport Executives since 1988 and Airports Council International – North America since 2003, has been an Accredited Airport Executive since 1995, and has been a member of the Virginia Airport Operators Council since 2010 where he has served as a Board Member since 2011, Secretary from 2013 – 2015, Vice President from 2015 – 2017, and President from 2017 – 2019.

Robert earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Old Dominion University in 1975 and a diploma from Northumberland County (VA) High School in 1970.

Robert resides in Virginia Beach with his wife Beth, sons Randell (U.S. Air Force) and Reynald (U.S. Army), and daughter Lois Ellen (6 years old).