Rotary minder for February 13, 2024
Posted by Mary Beth Harper
GUESTS:
Mitch Planey: Bissler & Sons manager
Jody Gildersleeve: Director of Development and Chief Operating Officer of district Boy Scout office
Kaleena Gharky: Aurora Rotarian, Habitat for Humanity
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
President Asad Khan: Kent Rotary has been awarded a $125,000 grant by the Ohio House of Representatives under the Strategic Community Investment Fund for our project, Kent Safety Town. Asad recognized Rotarian Todd Packer for his initiative in spearheading this grant and announced that Todd will lead the project forward. Dave Myers, Bill Myers and Tom Larkin have been very involved in the process.
Todd Kamenash: Please take the online youth protective training. Only 12 of our members have done this to date. It only takes a few minutes, but the district expects that ALL members will participate.
Amy Mucha: Rotarians Read Project is planned for Wednesday, March 6 from 9 to 11 a.m. Amy is gathering volunteers to read to children at all Kent elementary schools—grades Kindergarten through third grade. BYOB (Bring Your Own Book). Amy will email reminders to those who volunteered.
Dominque Bollenbacher: Watch for Facebook updates on the City’s Climate Action Plan meeting on February 27 at the Kent Free Library and a meeting to discuss the ways children can walk or bike to school at Roosevelt High School on February 28.
Doug Fuller: Tap Talks at North Water Street Brewery on Tuesday, February 20, at 7 p.m. features Pete Mohan, who will discuss Coral Reef Conservation.
Stacey Richardson: The auction committee is excited to announce the SAVE THE DATE for the Annual Rotary Auction: Tuesday, April 23, at Bell Tower Brewing Company. More information to come soon.
Will Underwood: The annual 4-Way Speech Contest is Tuesday, March 5. See Will if you want to volunteer as a judge. He needs three judges and an alternate.
Happy Bucks: Lots to celebrate.
Birthdays: Of the February birthday folks, who were present:
Pam Petrus always wanted to be a horse trainer and had her own horse for 30+ years.
Steve Belli played percussion in high school and wanted to be a professional drummer.
Paul Organ fulfilled his dream of being a pastor early in his career.
SPEAKER:
Introduced by Program Chair Amanda Senn, President of Allen Aircraft Products, Inc. Neil Mann, Jr. opened the program giving a brief overview of the company’s 75-year history. He introduced his son, Neil “Trey” Mann III, Corporate Vice President, as well as Josh Skinner, Head of Business Development. Daughter Debbie Drago, Vice President of Operations, was unable to attend.
Allen Aircraft was started by Neil Mann’s father in his hometown of Ravenna, OH after his graduation from the University of Michigan and service in the in Navy during WWII as a test engineer. Since its humble beginnings, the company has expanded to four facilities in Ravenna and has 135 employees.
According to Skinner, who outlined the company’s operations, Allen Aircraft has 100 different OEM customers including all major aerospace companies and exports parts to 35 different countries. Operations include manufacturing aircraft valves and sensors, as well as metal finishing and contract testing. “We design approximately 98 percent of the products we produce,” Skinner explained. The test lab, which opened in 2019, involves an intricate and time-consuming process. “We take pride in our quality,” he says. Recruitment of engineers and machinists continues to be a challenge for the company.
Responder was David Dix assisted by remarks from Kathy Myers. Both complimented Neil Mann, Jr. and his family for their corporate citizenry and generous support of community projects and organizations.