April 21, 2010 Bulletin

The Bulletin -- April 21, 2010 (#1036)

LORI ANN LAROCCO, SENIOR TALENT PRODUCER FOR CNBC AND AUTHOR OF HER RECENTLY PUBLISHED BOOK, “THRIVING IN THE NEW ECONOMY,” WITH ROTARIAN PETER ENSEL.

JOHN PRIM COMPLETES THE INDUCTION CEREMONY FOR NEW “BLUE BADGE” MEMBERS SHOWN ABOVE WITH THEIR SPONSORS. FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: PETER GROSSKOPF AND SPONSOR JOHN SEIDEN, COURTNEY CHANDLER AND SPONSOR BRIAN HAMMOND, ELLEN BOUCHARD SPONSORING DAVID KIMMEL.

Colin Read (C), advisor to the Rotaract Club, poses for a picture with the Rotaract officers who received their pins today (4/21/10).

Program: Lori Ann LaRocco, Senior Talent Producer at CNBC

When the economy tanked in 2007, Lori Ann LaRocco was as surprised as anyone could be to receive the 3 a.m. phone calls from the country’s big business leaders for advice and a calming viewpoint about how they should move forward. LaRocco reminded the Rotary club that she is a journalist, not an economist, and is more accustomed to doing the calling and asking the questions.

Her recently published book, “Thriving in the New Economy,” was inspired by the chaos, confusion and ultimately the creative and successful business strategies that evolved from the crisis.

Compiled within the pages and shared today with the club were some common sense tips from some of the most wealthy, prominent business people in the country. She discussed how they stayed afloat when it seemed like the entire country was bailing water—or more appropriately, bailing out.
Billionaire investor Wilbur Ross has turned many failing companies into success stories. At 83 years old, Ross’s first response to the economic crisis was to assess opportunities in financial services. When she heard this, LaRocco asked Ross, “Why? Financial Services is the burning building. Why would you run toward it?” He explained to LaRocco that widespread fear created the perfect environment from which he could “cherry pick” the companies he wanted to acquire.

Steve Forbes equated the recent recession with the period following 911 when the advertising industry greatly suffered. The first thing he asked himself was how he was going to grow “organically.” His employees laughed at the time, but he started pouring money into the dot com side of his business. Two years later, Forbes.com exceeded revenues from 13 of his magazines. LaRocco said it drives home the point that the most influential leaders go with their guts. “They follow their intuition and instincts and more often than not they come out on top.”

Other financial gurus, such as Abby Joseph Cohen, put it simply: “You don’t get caught up in a crisis.” Looking at the here and now only makes things worse. The real leaders are looking three, five, 10, or 20 years down the road.
Of course, LaRocco said there was no way to know the magnitude of the economic crisis. But she also said it wasn’t the whole of big business that shattered the house of cards. It was the greed and stupidity of a select few. It was not capitalism itself.

At the end of the day and regardless of what is happening with the economy, strong business leaders are busy planning for all contingencies. They keep their eye on the ball, look for opportunities and continue to find a way to see the glass as half full.

Visiting Rotarians: Mark Punnette (Rotaract Club)

Guests: Faith Osborne Long (Anne Cutaiar), Joanne Nelson and Kerry Chapin (Anne Hansen)

New Member Dave Kimmel grew up in Flint, Mich. He had a rough and tumble upbringing, being a minority at school and a brother to five siblings. He learned quickly how to think fast under pressure and stick together with his brothers and sisters. The tough lessons he learned growing up prepared him well for the Marine Corp. He lived in Japan during his first tour and stayed on for an extra few years when he met his wife of 26 years. Cindy is from Plattsburgh and was a civilian desk clerk in Okinawa at the time. They have three children. While he was in the military, Dave’s industrious nature led him to start his own floor cleaning business. He served in the National Guard for 15 years and continued to work for himself. His new business, Kimmel Services, handles security, fire alarms and technology integration. Dave has enjoyed living the American Dream and feels like his involvement with Rotary will give him an opportunity to give back.

This Week:

Adopt a Highway clean up will be held Thursday, April 29. Meet in the parking lot of the Ninety Nine Restaurant (at Best Western Inn at Smithfield Boulevard) and all of the cleaning items will be provided.
President Bonnie, Cathy Forget and Colin Read recently attended the District Club Assembly in Cornwall with 200 other Rotarians from the District.
Pres. Bonnie will become Assistant District Governor for the Plattsburgh, Plattsburgh Sunrise, Champlain/Rouses Point, Chateaugay and Malone Clubs on July 1. After a year, she will become the chair of the District’s World Community Service Committee. Go Bonnie!
First Thursday will be held May 6 at Olive Ridley’s
Monday, May 17 is a Board Meeting at CCC Dining Hall (enter left doors—not the right).
Van sign up for the RI convention is going around. If you are going and would like to carpool, please sign up.

Fines: Steve Frederick (fine-free), Bob Smith (Fine-free) and Anne Hansen ($5), Ellen Bouchard (Fine-free), Colin Read ($3).

Committee Moments:

Rotaract—Colin Read: Colin was pleased to announce the ceremony that will take place tonight ( April 21). The officers of the Rotaract Club and any members will receive pins for their involvement.

Bonnie’s Bucks:

Bob Smith’s daughter Lindsey is leaving Perkins as a speech pathologist, and has accepted a position within the Cambridge school system. They are proud and excited for her.
John McGaulley: a tale of two brothers. Brenden is graduating from High School and going to George Mason University on a $100,000 scholarship. His younger brother is being confirmed soon—his confirmation name is still in the works.
Peter Ensel is happy that Jack Helfgott has a new beard. Now, Bill Rowe won’t confuse the two of them.
Steve Frederick has a dollar for Erik Eaglefeather for allowing his 10 year old daughter to job shadow him last week.
Bob Parks and Anne Cutaiar were judges for the Young Careerists. Kerry Haley competed and was the runner up. Congratulations.
Carol Blakeslee-Collin announced the Clinton County Historical Association is celebrating the opening of the Brush Studio portraits on Saturday, April 24, 7-10 p.m.
Peter Cadieux is hosting the 11th annual Teen of the Year award on Wednesday, May 5. Nominations are due by April 23.
Ewa Jankowska volunteered for the Half Marathon as a volunteer and had a wonderful experience. She discovered that she loves to direct traffic!
Kerry Haley announced that CVPH is partnering with Safe Kids of the Adirondacks for a bike and helmet safety event Saturday, April 24—between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the SUNY Field House. Free to all.

50/50: There are 42 cards left, and drew the of hearts.

Another Candle Burning For: Linda Brienza (5/1)