Weekly Speakers
Rotary Club of Morganton Speaker Series
Rotary Club of Morganton meets every Wednesday from 12pm - 1pm at the Community House to enjoy lunch and a speaker presentation.
Upcoming Speakers
September 25, 2024 District Governor Connie Molland, Rotary District 7670
October 2, 2024 Jackson Shuette, Capital Group American Funds
October 9, 2024 Robin Perdieu, Seiren
October 16, 2024 James Lyday, Farmstead Studios
October 23, 2024 World Polio Day
Past Speakers
September 2024
Libby Norvell, Luekemia & Lymphoma Society, Light Up the Night September 4, 2024
Nikki Matalin, Foothills Gear Garage September 11, 2024
Erica Simmons and Tyler Barnhardt, Rotary Club of Morganton - How I Got to Where I’m At… September 18, 2024
August 2024
Bob Skillen, VX Aerospace August 7, 2024
Kara Cloninger, YMCA Catawba Valley August 14, 2024
Jennifer Pacheco and Scott Brooks, Rotary Club of Morganton - How I Got to Where I’m At… August 21, 2024
David Jones, Continental Automotive Systems August 28, 2024
July 2024
No Meeting, Happy July 4!! July 3, 2024
Phyllis Kombol, Glen Alpine Food Pantry July 10, 2024
Tom Bartholomy, Steve Dellasala & Greg Cairnes, Rotary Club of Morganton - How I Got to Where I’m At… July 17, 2024
Anna Griffin, 2024 RYLA Participant July 24, 2024
Rotary After Hours, President Kim’s House July 31, 2024
June 2024
J.J. Musgrove, Community Foundation of Burke County June 5, 2024
Josh Blackburn, North Carolina School of Science & Math Summer Programs June 12, 2024
Kenton Gupton, Eagle Scout Project June 19, 2024
Kim Van Sickler & Greg Cairnes, New President Installation June 26, 2024
May 2024
Chris Garner, TPS Photography & Horizon Realty May 1, 2024
David Greathouse, NC Forest Service BRIDGE Program May 8, 2024
Bryan Fish, City of Morganton Parks & Recreation May 15, 2024
Sharon Jablonski, Morganton Arts Commission May 22, 2024
Rotary After Hours, Burke Arts Council May 29, 2024
April 2024
Donna Chrobak, American Red Cross April 3, 2024
Pastor Paul Carlson, Emergency Shelter Network Update April 10, 2024
Makenzie Hamrick, Morganton Main Street Manager April 17, 2024
Jan Stephanides, UNC Health Blue Ridge Medical Driving Evaluation Program April 24, 2024
March 2024
Shannon Morrow, Beautiful Day Dogs March 6, 2024
Kim Logan, Jennifer Stevens & Cameron Fisher, GEAR UP! Program March 13, 2024
Club Past President George Milner, Ukraine Wheelchair Distribution Project March 20, 2024
Rotarian Ben Henderson (Boone Sunrise), An Appalachian Summer Festival March 27, 2024
February 2024
Claude Sitton & Jim Warlick, History Museum of Burke County February 7, 2024
Nancy Wood, The Enola Group February 14, 2024
Shane Prisby, Foothills Conservance February 21, 2024
Tracey Wood, Burke County 4-H February 28, 2024
January 2024
Ted Carothers, Rotary Club of Valdese January 3, 2024
Alan Wood, Burke Development, Inc. January 10, 2024
Tonia Stephenson, Burke County Chamber of Commerce January 17, 2024
Mayor Ronnie Thompson, State of the City Address January 24, 2024
Rotary After Hours at Burke Arts Council January 31, 2024
December 2023
Brian Epley, Burke County Manager December 6, 2023
Allen VanNoppen, Bill Poteat & Marty Queen, The Paper December 13, 2023
Children’s Christmas Party December 20, 2023
Merry Christmas!! No meeting December 27, 2023
November 2023
Annette Bryant & Eric Jenkins, Friends of Lake James State Park November 1, 2023
Jeronimo Martin, TOSS Art Studio November 8, 2023
Kevin Baxter, North Carolina School of Science & Math November 15, 2023
Happy Thanksgiving No Meeting November 22, 2023
2022 Distinguished Person of the Year Luncheon November 29, 2023
October 2023
Karen Caruso, Valdese ABC Store October 4, 2023
Ronnie Thompson, Polio Plus October 11, 2023
Children’s Hope Alliance October 18, 2023
Meg Poteet, Blue Ridge Community Action October 25, 2023
September 2023
Brandi Hillman, Hillman Beer September 6, 2023
Barry Gold, Rotary Club of Tryon, Alzheimer’s Study September 13, 2023
Sean Gibson, District 7670 Governor 2023-2024 September 20, 2023
Chasity Rice, C2Life September 27, 2023
August 2023
Christian & Erica Ramazzini, Little Guautemala August 2, 2023
Tammy Mosteller, PDG and District 7670 CART Chair August 9, 2023
Lala Kozischek, YMCA Corporate Wellness August 16, 2023
Sarah Crisp, Work in Burke August 23, 2023
Rotary After Hours, Burke Arts Council August 30, 2023
July 2023
NO ROTARY MEETING July 5, 2023
Tamika Garrison, Carolina Caring July 12, 2023
Jacquie Grady, Burke County Schools- Ohana Grant July 19, 2023
Amber Haliburton, Sunshine Courage Quilts July 26, 2023
June 2023
Jacob Cioffoletti, American Adventure Service Corps June 7, 2023
Ben Henderson, Appalachian Summer Festival June 14, 2023
Beth Wood, State Auditor June 21, 2023
Mikayla Bryant, Catawba Science Center- Ohana Grant June 28, 2023
May 2023
Linda Suda, Children’s Opera May 3, 2023
Patrick Longano, Rotary District 7670 Membership Chair, DacDb May 10, 2023
Sheriff Banks Hinceman, Burke County Sheriff’s Office May 17, 2023
Doug Setzer, RYLA Participants 2023 May 24, 2023
Rotary After Hours Event, Burke Arts Council May 31, 2023
April 2023
Kristy Sweeney, American Red Cross April 5, 2023
Rick Furse, Western Piedmont Community College April 12, 2023
Lou Arasi, Rotarian “Get to know me” April 19, 2023
UNC Health Foundation & YMCA, Ohana grant recipients April 26, 2023
March 2023
Rotary After Hours - Hillman Beer Mar 29, 2023
Laura Anderson - Amorem, Burke Service Area Mar 22, 2023
Mayor Ronnie Thompson - State of the City Mar 15, 2023
Pastor Paul Carlson - Calvary Luther Church Mar 8, 2023
President Kathy Smith - Rotary Trivia Mar 1, 2023
February 2023
Dr. Mike Swan - Burke County Public Schools Feb 22, 2023
Tracy Reibel - Blue Ridge Healthcare Foundation Feb 15, 2023
Col. Tom Taylor Feb 8, 2023
Allen Van Noppen - The Paper Feb 1, 2023
January 2023
Kurt Reid - How to Publish a Book Jan 25, 2023
Erica Simmons YMCA Jan 18, 2023
Dr. Joel Welch - Western Piedmont Community College Jan 11, 2023
2022
The Industrial Commons - Aaron Dawson Nov 30, 2022
J Iverson Riddle Development Center - Alicia Lorenzo Wilson, Jennifer Griffin, Wendy Reynolds Nov 16, 2022
Western Piedmont Community College Foundation - Lisa Miller Nov 9, 2022
District 7670 Governor Visit - Tammy Mosteller Nov 2, 2022
Freedom High School Chamber Singers Oct 26, 2022
New Dimensions: A Public Charter School - Dr. David Burleson Oct 19, 2022
Catawba Valley Leadership Foundation - Victoria Schronce Oct 12, 2022
Financial Freedom Simplified - Kurt Reid Oct 5, 2022
PACE@Home - A.J. Kerley Sep 28, 2022
Blue Ridge Health Care Foundation - Traci Riebel Sep 21, 2022
Rotary's Own - Haven Worley Sep 14, 2022
2020
Foreign Exchange Student - Metheline Blampain Apr 29, 2020
What is Yoga - Rob Gage Apr 22, 2020
Mike Fields - Peace Scholar from Vietnam: Dalton Walters/David Burleson Apr 15, 2020
Rotary Rumbles Mar 25, 2020
National Labs - High Energy Particle - Rod Gerig Mar 18, 2020
NCSSM Update - Kevin Baxter Mar 4, 2020
College St Redesign - Phillip Lookadoo Feb 19, 2020
The Nest -- Isaac Hoff Feb 12, 2020
Continuum of services for those with substance use disorder - Lisa Moore Feb 5, 2020
Sara Chester and Molly Hemstreet, Industrial Commons Project Jan 29, 2020
Burke Arts Council on a New Building Jan 22, 2020
2019
Todd Bennick, Owner of Bennick Grading Oct 9, 2019
7670 District Governor, Tiffany Ervin, New Member Induction, Bridget Brannigan Oct 2, 2019
Bryan Steen, County Manager - State of the County Sep 25, 2019
NCSSM Chancellor Todd Roberts Sep 18, 2019
Jamming on James: Date TBD Jun 5, 2019
Habitat House Work Day: Date TBD Apr 3, 2019
Foreign Exchange Student Mar 27, 2019
Max Flex: E-Commerce in a Weekend Mar 27, 2019
Chocolate Factory Mar 20, 2019
Nancy Taylor: BYOP Mar 13, 2019
Morganton Limb Walkers: Zero to a Hundred in No Time Flat Mar 6, 2019
Dr. Zook Feb 20, 2019
Burke Youth Philanthropic Organization Feb 20, 2019
Brad Lail: BCPS (Doug Setzer) Feb 13, 2019
State of the City: Ronnie Thompson Feb 6, 2019
Dr. Zook: Orthopedic and Spinal Surgeon Jan 30, 2019
Rotary Rumbles and Board Election! Jan 23, 2019
Board Meeting and Morganton Limb Walkers: Zero to a Hundred in No Time Flat! Jan 16, 2019
Alan Wood: Housing Shortage and Consequences Jan 9, 2019
CLOSED: NEW YEARS Jan 2, 2019
2018
CLOSED CHRISTMAS Dec 26, 2018
Year-End Rotary Rumble and Board Voting Dec 19, 2018
Club Vote: Director Positions Dec 12, 2018
Christmas Party: Youth Program Dec 12, 2018
Rotary Rumble Dec 5, 2018
Christmas Party for Needy Youth Dec 5, 2018
Max Flex: TBA Nov 28, 2018
Henri Bockhoefer: Exchange Student Nov 28, 2018
CLOSED THANKSGIVING Nov 28, 2018
Will Sharp: Marge Carson-Running a CA Company from NC Nov 14, 2018
Bob Waters: Valdese Weavers Nov 7, 2018
Dalton Walters: Cyber Insurance Oct 31, 2018
Seth Eckard: Downtown Valdese Fall and Winter Activities Oct 24, 2018
Sara Chester: Work In Burke Oct 24, 2018
Abby Gentry: Downtown Morganton Events Fall/Winter Oct 17, 2018
Gary Norman: Hidden Hill Oct 10, 2018
Larry Putnam: BCPS Oct 3, 2018
Kevin Baxter: NCSSM Update Sep 26, 2018
David Burleson Sep 19, 2018
Rotary Rumble/Hurricane Florence Sep 12, 2018
Rotary Rumble Sep 5, 2018
Thermal Valley Hang Gliding Sep 5, 2018
Isaac Owolabi: Rotary District Governor Aug 22, 2018
Tonia Stephenson: Burke County Chamber President Aug 15, 2018
Ann Hamlin: Director of Training and Scientific Support, DisposeRX Aug 15, 2018
Jim Henderson, Suzanne Trollan, Eric Nichols: Lights for Learning Project Aug 8, 2018
Edward Speer - Brown Mountain Lights Aug 1, 2018
Averi Ritchie (WPCOG) and Camille Sterling (WPRTA): Fixed Bus Route Jul 25, 2018
Jackie McKool: Safe Harbor Rescue Mission Jul 18, 2018
Todd Boera: Fonta Flora Jul 11, 2018
CLOSED JULY 4TH HOLIDAY Jul 4, 2018
Robert Smith: It's Not About the Birds and the Bees, Just Bees Jun 27, 2018
Steve Fisher: The Harlem Globetrotters - History and Experience Jun 20, 2018
Randall Davis: Modern Bounty Hunting Jun 13, 2018
Rotary Rumble Jun 6, 2018
Robert Smith: It's Not About The Birds and The Bees...Just Bees May 30, 2018
Use of Force May 23, 2018
Shaun Cline: Banking in Rural America (Is Morganton Different) May 16, 2018
Jonni Morrison: Being Fit and Having Fun At Phiefer May 9, 2018
Marty Sohovich: Travelogue Tanzania May 2, 2018
Dr. Isserman - Blue Ridge Cardilogy Apr 18, 2018
Doug Setzer Introduces Brad Lail from Patton High School, RYLA Student Apr 11, 2018
Rotary Rumble Apr 4, 2018
Jonathan Crumpler - Program Coordinator for Digital Affects and Simulation Programs Mar 28, 2018
LCI Blue Ridge Clinical Trials Presentation Mar 21, 2018
Chris Steeb - NC Guardian ad Litem Program Mar 14, 2018
Alison Azbell - Exec. Director, The Meeting Place Mar 7, 2018
Dr. Larry Putnam - Burke County Superintendent of SchoolsFeb 28, 2018
Sherri McGimsey - Laura's Law Feb 27, 2018
Alan Wood - Burke Development Inc. Feb 21, 2018
Ed Phillips - Tourism Update Feb 7, 2018
Chasity Poteat Rice - Burke United Way Jan 31, 2018
Ronnie Thompson - State of the City Jan 24, 2018
Gretchen Coftner, Kevin Fredrick - Waldensian Event Jan 10, 2018
2017
Rob Winkler - Greenway/Soccer Complex Update Nov 29, 2017
VX Aerospace Nov 15, 2017
Jesse Cole - Gastonia Grizzlies Nov 8, 2017
Morganton Natural Foods - Bev and Bob Feimster Nov 1, 2017
Trinity Alps: Gold mining in 19th century California - Rob Gage Oct 25, 2017
Texcoco Mexico Dental Project - Ronnie Thompson Oct 18, 2017
Fire Prevention Week Oct 11, 2017
Bryan Steen, Burke County Manager - Economic Developments Oct 4, 2017
Sheriff Whisnant - Opioid Crisis Sep 20, 2017
Kathryn McMahon - Tryon 2018 Sep 13, 2017
Kerry McFalls - Blue Ridge Healthcare Foundation Sep 6, 2017
Christy Irons - Family More Than Blood Aug 30, 2017
Bill Biddle - RCM District Gov. Aug 23, 2017
Pete Wallace - Visiting Antarctica Aug 16, 2017
Janet Hannah -Vocational Therapy Aug 9, 2017
Alan Wood, BDI - Jobs and Housing Aug 2, 2017
Continental Corp. Expansion - David Jones, Gen. Manager Jul 26, 2017
George Milner - RCM Vision Jul 19, 2017
Rutherford College - Mayor & Town Manager Jul 12, 2017
Hugh Morgan Jun 28, 2017
Phillip Lehn - Actor, Director, Writer for The Sessions film Jun 21, 2017
Ohana Update, June - Milner, Garcia / Glen Alpine Mayor Jun 14, 2017
Burke Augustine Literacy Project - Amy Coley Jun 7, 2017
Janet Hannah - NC Health and Human Services May 31, 2017
Todd Stroup - Western Pied. Council of Governments May 24, 2017
Ohana Update, June - Milner, Garcia / Coach Bryant - Freedom Football May 17, 2017
Kevin Baxter - NCSCM May 10, 2017
Marion - Mayor and Town Manager May 3, 2017
Andy Deekens - Perspective in Medicine Apr 26, 2017
Rob Winkler - Recreation in Morganton Apr 19, 2017
Jerry Davis - Chamber of Commerce Update Apr 12, 2017
Lenoir - Mayor & Town Manager Apr 5, 2017
Burke Circles Initiative, Anna Russ and Alma Yanez. Mar 29, 2017
Dr. Putnam - New School for Burke County Mar 22, 2017
Freedom High School Basketball Celebration Mar 15, 2017
Jack Gage - Moving Billions: Quantum Mathematics in the Finance World Mar 8, 2017
Valdese - Mayor & Town Manager Mar 1, 2017
Dr. Durabi, the New Oncologist at BR Feb 15, 2017
Ronnie Thompson - State of the City Feb 8, 2017
George Milner Jan 25, 2017
Kathy Baily - CHS Update and Strategic Plan Jan 18, 2017
George Milner & Alex Garcia - Family Obstacle Course Jan 4, 2017
2016
Alex Garcia - Ailve Cubed Dec 7, 2016
Sara Black - Burke Youth Organized Philanthropists Nov 30, 2016
Taylor Sharp - Casting for Hope Nov 16, 2016
Mandy Nix - Food & Diet Nov 9, 2016
Golnush Sharafsaleh, MD, MS. - BRHC new Geriatrician Nov 2, 2016
Jon Huffman, System Director of Rehabilitation Services at CHS BR Oct 12, 2016
David Rust - NC Long Leaf Pine Oct 5, 2016
Vivian Streeter, Director of Broughton Hospital Sep 28, 2016
District Governor Gary Dills Sep 21, 2016
Randy Williams - ServPro Profile Sep 14, 2016
Kevin Bischof - NCSP - Riverfest Sep 7, 2016
Alan Wood - Burke Development Inc Updates Aug 31, 2016
Brown Mtn Bottle Works - Cory and Collin Suttle Aug 24, 2016
Steve Bennett - Burke County App Aug 17, 2016
Joe Marks - Burke Recovery / Rally for Recovery Aug 10, 2016
Big Dawg - Elizabeth Cooper/Randy Hart Aug 3, 2016
Barry Stock - Commercial Real Estate in Burke Jul 27, 2016
Todd Drum - New JIR Dev Center Director Jul 20, 2016
Hugh Morgan - Budget, Board Induction, Vision Jul 13, 2016
Ron George - President transition Jun 29, 2016
WPCC - Dr Helmick: College Update Jun 8, 2016
Dr Audrey Garvin - NCSD School Update May 25, 2016
Mary Charlotte Stafford - Slavery and the American Revolution May 11, 2016
Jason Pope May 4, 2016
Burke County Health Department - State of Health Apr 27, 2016
Tiffany Ervin - Membership Chair of Rotary Apr 20, 2016
George Milner - A Dynamic and Insightful Presentation Apr 13, 2016
Scott Carpenter - Emerging Fonta Flora Trail and County Park Apr 6, 2016
Trent Turner & Marty Sohovich - Edward Jones Updates and Investment Perspectives Mar 30, 2016
Jeff Cale and Robin Perdue - Viscotec Profile Mar 23, 2016
Kristy Graf - Options Updates Mar 16, 2016
Dr. Jim Smoth - CoMMA Director Mar 9, 2016
Meridth Powell - Natural Networking Mar 2, 2016
Sally Sandy - Bond Election Feb 24, 2016
Mayor Ronnie Thompson - State of the City Feb 10, 2016
Shawn Hodges - Summer Reading Program Feb 3, 2016
Lamar Smitherman, Publisher of News Herald Jan 27, 2016
Jason Pope - Small Business Transactions Jan 13, 2016
Randall Davis -- Julie Paul - foreign exchange student from Paris Jan 6, 2016
2015
Mark Miller - Financial forecast Dec 16, 2015
Holiday Festivities Downtown - Sharon Jablonski Dec 2, 2015
Summer Reading Program - Shawn Hodges Nov 4, 2015
Rotary Club News - Ron George Oct 14, 2015
Opportunity Threads - Molly Hemstreet Oct 7, 2015
Chasity Poteat - BCUW Sep 30, 2015
Packaging of America Corp. - Rich DeAugustinis Sep 23, 2015
Community Foundation of Burke County - Nancy Taylor Sep 16, 2015
Burke County Library - Bill Wilson Sep 9, 2015
EJ Victor - John Jokinen Sep 2, 2015
Rotary District Gov. - Billi Black Aug 26, 2015
Deron Murrow - Sawdust to Amazon Prime Aug 19, 2015
Ridgeline Trolly & Tours - Ed Phillps Aug 12, 2015
Oshkosh Recap Aug 5, 2015
2014
Allen VanNoppen - Drones -- They're Here! Apr 9, 2014