Rotareminder for the Rotary Club of Kent

May 20, 2025

President Elect Amanda Senn called the meeting to order and welcomed Bill Nome back after his recent absence from club activities. We sang “America, the Beautiful,” played by David Dix. After reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, Mark Pennell offered the invocation. Our second song was “Puff, the Magic Dragon” led by songleader Dom.

There were no visiting Rotarians at today’s meeting. Grace Schick, a recent KSU graduate, was the guest of Dennis Campbell and Ann Moneypenny. Grace recently interned for KACC and is now off to Romania on an archeological project. Barb Mihalic, Director of Human Resources at Schneller, LLC was also their guest.

John Flynn standing in for Sherry Joy asked Rotarians to show up at 8:30 AM on Saturday the 24^th to help with Gazebo cleanup

Roberta O’Keefe asked for signups to offer the invocation at upcoming meetings.

Dominique Bollenbacher, City of Kent community engagement director, noted that asphalt repaving on the west side of the city will cause several street closures. She also noted that Safety Town registration is open and that old tires can be recycled at the Overholt Road facility this weekend.

Amanda Senn announced that one of her goals as President next year will be to revamp the website. She asked tech-savvy members to join a committee to help transfer club information to a new platform.

We voted on the proposed slate of officers for next year: President, Amanda Senn; President Elect, Stacey Richardson; Treasurer, Matt Carter; Secretary, David McKeen; Program Chair, Jen Lennox.

There were many Happy Buck contributors today, including Tom Hatch, Justin Gates, Ann Moneypenny, Paul Organ, Pete Kenworthy, Howard Boyle, Kathy Myers, Roberta O’Keefe, Jen Lennox, Dennis Campbell, Bill Nome, John Flynn, and Amanda Senn.

Dennis Campbell introduced Samantha Stephens, Vice President for Sales and Marketing at Schneller, the Kent-based manufacturer of aerospace interior products. She also volunteers for Axess Family Services and recently oversaw the merger of Family and Community Services with AxessPoint Community Health Centers.

At Schneller, Samantha oversees a global team that services the world’s airlines by supplying them with materials for airplane interiors specifically designed to enhance the branding of each airline. Schneller was founded in 1964 after the FAA upgraded regulations around fire safety in airplanes. Innovative product development at Schneller to meet the challenges of these regulations has resulted in this Kent-based company becoming the largest supplier of laminates in the world.

The company employs about 150 people with manufacturing centered here in Kent and offices in Singapore, Dubai, and Germany. Their main produces are interior laminates (essentially wallpaper), thermoplastics for seating, and non-textile flooring for cabins, lavatories, and galleys. A new product is backlighting on panels for branding and planned lighting that can enhance to appeal of food. Concern for sustainability is a market trend and Schneller is working to create lighter materials that are easier to recycle. They are currently creating new interiors for Delta’s fleet. Schneller enjoys a unique place in its market with few competitors.

Ms. Stephens highlighted the connections between Schneller and Rotary. Ron Burbick and Don Strange, both former Kent Rotarians, were instrumental in the success of Schneller. She has also participated in Rotary Exchange programs to France and Brazil.

David Myers provided the response thanking Samantha for the program.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Thomas Hatch