Friday, March 2, 2007 - Joe Antal Reports on Lennox Hearth Products

Joe Antal With  Lennox Hearth Products Update

      Today, Union City Rotarians welcome fellow Rotarian Joe Antal, who’ll
provide us with an update on life inside the Lennox-Hearth Products, Inc. factory, one of Union City’s economic mainstays.
     Lennox Hearth Products offers a diverse family of fireplace brands for every style and budget, including the new Radium, vent-free catalytic gas fireplace.
     Joe has spent his entire career in manufacturing and has held many positions in materials management, strategic and capital planning, and plant management.  Since the late 1980’s, Joe has been a strong supporter of Toyota’s “Lean Manufacturing” production methodology.
     Born and raised in Philly, Joe received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Drexel University. He moved to the South and earned his MBA from Alabama while attending night school.  Tennessee is the eighth state Joe has lived in.  Joe has been a Rotarian for the past eight years.  Welcome Joe!

Retiring UTM Chancellor Nick Dunagan to Visit

     Next Week, Union City Rotarians will hear from retiring UTM Chancellor Dr. Nick Dunagan, who will discuss the Tennessee Scholars Program, the Education Pipeline, and other educational opportunities available to Obion Countians.
     Dr. Dunagan began his work at UT-Martin in 1973 as director of development. His most recent job assignments included executive vice chancellor, vice chancellor for student affairs, and vice chancellor for development and administration.
   Dr. Dunagan has served as interim chancellor three times and currently serves as executive director of WestStar, the university’s regional leadership program for West Tennessee. 
     A native of Caruthersville, MO, Dunagain is married to the former Cathy Porter of Humboldt. They have four grown children and four grandchildren.  Nick’s plans are to retire this summer.
     Make sure you attend next week!

Farm Day 2007 a Great Success
 
     Last week, Rotarians heard from
Dr. Jim Byford, Professor Dean of the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences at UT-Martin and Obion County Extension Leader, Tim Smith, both of whom were guest speakers during Rotary’s annual Farm Day Event, that drew hundreds of farmers and ag-businessmen to Rotary.
     Agent Smith, who introduced Dr. Byford, thanked Rotarians for recognizing the importance of farming to Obion County.
     Smith said, “It’s the most important industry in Obion County. You take agriculture out of Obion County and this place would become a ghost town overnight.”
     Farming accounted for twenty percent of the total property taxes paid in Obion County last year.
     Dr. Byford discussed future and past trends in agriculture.
     “In the 1960’s and 70’s, our mission in agriculture was the feed and cloth the world,” Byford noted. “Today, our customers are our competitors.”
     Dr. Byford presented a video show detailing how the number of farms and the size of those farms are declining—putting more and more pressure on ag research and development as the world’s population continues to grow.
     Dr. Byford went into a detailed discourse on biofuels and how ethanol, biodiesel and blends will compete in the marketplace for their rightful place, including the ethanol plant in Obion.
     Again, thanks to all the farmers in Obion County who help feed the world and keep our local economy going.

Coming Attractions

3/16    Ron Green with update on Boys & Girls Club plus visit by B&G Club Choir
3/23    Pat Fligor--Retail Recruitment in Obion County
3/30     Gary Roach—UTM Rodeo
4/6       Jo Ann Spears and Ron Cooper on Coming Airport Improvements
4/13     Virginia Betts—TN Commissioner of Mental Health
4/19     (Thursday)—DSA Banquet featuring Jim Ellis
4/20     No Meeting Today
4/27     Rotary Relays and visit from Paul Tinkle of Thunderbolt Broadcasting
5/4        Rotary Scholarship Program

Happy Birthdays

3/3       Robert Cameron
3/5       Art Ross
3/7       Hadley Malone

Happy Anniversary

3/5      Johnny and Kathy Bacon

DSA Speaker Jim Ellis

Jim Ellis’ story is a testimony to the power of dreams and their ability to inspire and transform human life. His story is the subject of the forthcoming film, Pride, scheduled for release in March. 
   Over the past 36 years, Ellis has been introducing competitive swimming to inner city youth and their families. It was in 1973 that Ellis helped convert an abandoned recreational pool hall in a Philadelphia slum into one of the nation’s top swimming leagues.
   Remember Jim Ellis will speak at our DSA Banquet on Thursday, April 19th.

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