Events

Eric Nilsson is the Inspire School of Arts & Science Board Chairman.  Eric was the founding principal/superintendent for Inspire High School and currently serves on the Inspire Board.  His contributions were instrumental in developing the leadership structure that has successfully guided Inspire.

Eric Nilsson is a retired educator and community activist.  He taught at Butte College, Gridley High School, and Chico High School.  He was an Assistant Principal at Pleasant Valley High School and then became the founding principal/superintendent of Inspire School of Arts and Sciences.  He is currently serving on the Inspire Board and just joined as a board member for the Butte Environmental Council.  Eric has been married to Julia Anderson-Nilsson for 35 years plus.  They have three children, Georgia, Taylor, and Lilly, and are grateful that they all live, work, and study in Chico.

Matt Jackson will lead the celebration of our honored educators from around the county.

Levi Russell will present Katie Lawson to speak about her exchange opportunity. She will be heading to Belgium soon!

Golden Beaver Distillery - 

Kris Koenig has had a varied and adventuresome life.  After graduating from Gilroy High he joined the Coast Guard. Where he was trained in navigation and visual signaling.  He attended the US Navy Dive school in Pearl Harbor and earned the rating of scuba diver. He was then licensed as a Master of Near Coastal Water (100 ton limit) and a PADI Master SCUBA instructor.  He then worked as a dive instructor and boat captain, later working for Skin Diver Magazine.

In 2003, Koenig was hired by his future partner Anita Ingrao to work as a consultant on the PBS telecourse Astronomy: Observations and Theories (20 x :30). His role grew to become one of the project producers and writer.^[4]

Kris then produced numerous films under his company Koenig Films, Inc. Winning two Los Angeles Area Emmy’s.

Premiering of his documentaries, Kris was stranded in Scotland and met Scotch expert Charlie McClean and start a journey for Kris which landing him as the founder and distillery at Distiller for Golden Beaver Distillery here in Chico.

Michele Shover, Property management, is a retired professor of political science at Chico State and the writer of articles and books on the Chico area's nineteenth century. Her most recent book, which will be published in August, is a biography of A. H. Chapman. The book, Chico's Chapmans, is in its finishing stages of printing and will be available on Amazon and in Chico stores this August.  Today's talk, "Chico v. Oroville", focuses on Chico business  leaders' intense attempts to secede from Butte County. It  draws on her research from period sources, which revealed Chapman's role.
 

Rotaract is taking over the meeting today, complete with their own speaker.

We will be delighted to enjoy their day.

Kasey Reynolds is a local, downtown business owner with decades of involvement within the Butte County community where her, her husband Mike, and their family call home. Being fourth generation of the family business, Shubert’s Ice Cream & Candy, naturally lead to Kasey attending only local schooling and acquiring her unique life skills as well as values of hard work from the beloved Chico community.

Kasey is currently serving as Chico’s vice-mayor though she has been actively involved in and served on several boards, clubs, and service organizations. Holding these opportunities in hand Kasey has scooped her way through many years of helping families create memories they cherish on the iconic Shubert’s benches. 

Mark Francis will host the demotion.

And from Wikipedia:

A demotion is a compulsory reduction in an employee's rank or job title within the organizational hierarchy of a company, public service department, or other body.^[1] A demotion may also lead to the loss of other privileges associated with a more senior rank and/or a reduction in salary or benefits.

Oh no, a loss in pay??

DARK for 4th of JULY

Anita Barker will fill us all in on her term.

Amber Abney-Bass

Executive Director

Raised in the North State, Amber joined the Jesus Center in 2014 as Development Director, prior to her January 2022 appointment as the Executive Director, she also served as the Assistant Director and Chief Operations Director.

Amber brings 20 years of real estate experience in sales, finance & escrow, plus a background in the food service industry as both a previous small business owner/operator and corporate quality auditor. This unique set of skills has served Amber well in her position as Executive Director of the Jesus Center.

Having experienced her own family members battle with addiction, mental illness and trauma as a child, Amber’s passion is to design supportive services that support individuals and families in similar circumstances. Recognizing that the restoration of lives begins when others believe in their ability to escape both situational and generational homelessness and thrive independently.

Amber is married to her husband Mark an Army Veteran and Police Sgt. With Chico Police Department for 24 years.  Together, they have five sons, Justin an Active Duty Staff Sgt ARMY 10^th Special Forces Group; Cody an ARMY veteran current Engineering student at Colorado State University; Garret Fire Specialist with CalFire; Caleb an Active Duty Army soldier currently serving in South Korea, daughter Aleah, and son Kaeson.

Amber Abney-Bass

Executive Director

2255 Fair Street

Chico, CA 95928

530.680.0760 cell

530.345.2640 ext. 2003 work

www.jesuscenter.org    amber@jesuscenter.org

Amber Abney-Bass

Executive Director

Raised in the North State, Amber joined the Jesus Center in 2014 as Development Director, prior to her January 2022 appointment as the Executive Director, she also served as the Assistant Director and Chief Operations Director.

Amber brings 20 years of real estate experience in sales, finance & escrow, plus a background in the food service industry as both a previous small business owner/operator and corporate quality auditor. This unique set of skills has served Amber well in her position as Executive Director of the Jesus Center.

Having experienced her own family members battle with addiction, mental illness and trauma as a child, Amber’s passion is to design supportive services that support individuals and families in similar circumstances. Recognizing that the restoration of lives begins when others believe in their ability to escape both situational and generational homelessness and thrive independently.

Amber is married to her husband Mark an Army Veteran and Police Sgt. With Chico Police Department for 24 years.  Together, they have five sons, Justin an Active Duty Staff Sgt ARMY 10^th Special Forces Group; Cody an ARMY veteran current Engineering student at Colorado State University; Garret Fire Specialist with CalFire; Caleb an Active Duty Army soldier currently serving in South Korea, daughter Aleah, and son Kaeson.

Amber Abney-Bass

Executive Director

2255 Fair Street

Chico, CA 95928

530.680.0760 cell

530.345.2640 ext. 2003 work

www.jesuscenter.org    amber@jesuscenter.org

Anita Barker is in her 21st year as the Executive Director of Athletics for Chico State’s 13 intercollegiate athletics programs and has been a member of Chico Noon Rotary since 2005.

 Despite losing the entire 2020–21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Barker succeeded in keeping the athletic department intact and reinforcing the department-wide concept of “Wildcat Family,” resulting in another successful year in 2021–22. Twelve of Chico State’s 13 NCAA-sanctioned sports programs reached postseason play, culminating with Chico State winning the CCAA Hiegert Commissioner’s Cup—awarded to the conference institution with the best overall athletics performance in a given academic year—for the sixth time in the last 10 years.

Barker’s efforts have resulted in several well-deserved individual honors, including National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Division II West Region Athletic Director of the Year awards in 2009 and again in 2019.

Anita has worked in the Chico State athletic department since 1990, when she was hired as an assistant athletic trainer. She began working in athletic administration in 1995, when she was appointed the assistant athletic director and senior woman administrator. In 1997, she was promoted to associate athletic director.

Anita graduated from Ohio Northern University in 1985 and received her master’s degree from the University of Arizona in Tucson in 1987. She has worked at all three divisions in the NCAA.

Anita and her husband Scott, the Wildcats’ head athletic trainer, have two children, Luke and McKena—both former Chico State athletes

Join Chico Rotaract on August 4th as we welcome guest speaker Bill Brouhard, the lead developer of Valley's Edge.

Valley's Edge is an intentionally designed mixed use plan for housing, commercial, parks, trails, and open space proposed for a site off the Skyway in Chico.  Developer Bill Brouhard has worked for 14 years on a propsal that is designed to help the city grow in a way that reflects the values of the people who love living here.  It's the first proposed development of its kind in Chico.

Bill Brouhard is the lead developer of Valley's Edge.  After graduating from Chico State, Bill started and built his career here in Chico.  As an active and effective advocate for the real estate industry for over 35 years promoting quality planning, responsible land use policies, job growth, and progressive economic development programs and initiatives in Chico and Butte County.

Join Chico Rotaract on August 4th as we welcome guest speaker Bill Brouhard, the lead developer of Valley's Edge.

Valley's Edge is an intentionally designed mixed use plan for housing, commercial, parks, trails, and open space proposed for a site off the Skyway in Chico.  Developer Bill Brouhard has worked for 14 years on a propsal that is designed to help the city grow in a way that reflects the values of the people who love living here.  It's the first proposed development of its kind in Chico.

Bill Brouhard is the lead developer of Valley's Edge.  After graduating from Chico State, Bill started and built his career here in Chico.  As an active and effective advocate for the real estate industry for over 35 years promoting quality planning, responsible land use policies, job growth, and progressive economic development programs and initiatives in Chico and Butte County.

Tyler Newton
Head Women's Basketball Coach

Coach Newton enters his fifth season as head coach here at Butte College.  Previous to coaching here at Butte, Tyler spent 2 years as the head coach of the Varsity girls at Pleasant Valley HS where he let the program to a combined 48-9 record including two undefeated league and section titles.  Previous to PVHS Tyler served as the head assistant coach at Shasta College for 2 years for the men’s program.

Tyler brings a wealth of knowledge to the program.  He has played at all levels from high school, to junior college where he has been inducted into the Shasta College hall of fame, then to the Division One level at the University of the Pacific, where he helped lead the Tigers to a #14 ranking in the country his senior year.  He then culminated his time as a player with a 7-year professional career with stops in 5 countries around the world. 

As an individual skills coach for the last 10+ years Coach Newton has made numerous connections in the basketball community by helping players develop and earn scholarships.  Development and reaching goals is a passion for Tyler and his staff.  He and his staff are dedicated to helping all young athletes that have a goal to play at the next level do just that.

Coach Newton let the Roadrunners to a record of 23-7 last season which was the colleges best record in the last 10 years.  Boasting a top 10 ranking in the state and winning the school’s first league title in the last 10 years, coach Newton has taken the program to an elite level that can compete with any school

Dick Stein

Dick Stein was born and raised in New Your City and graduated from the University of South Carolina.

Spent his summers in college on the tobacco fields in Connecticut and after graduation worked in Boston, NYC, Florida and San Francisco. In 1974, entered the world of Radio at the # 1 Radio Station in America, KFRC with the infamous Dr. Don Rose. Moved to K101 Radio as Sales Manager and Station Manager and then in 1985 moved to Tucson, Arizona to run 2 Radio Stations. In 1993, moved to St. Louis to run 2 Stations and then In 1996, moved to Chico to run 4 Stations.

In 2007, left the world of Radio and continue with the ownership of HI Promotional Products. H J sells logo and branded items to local regional and national companies and deals with Hospitals, Banks, Casinos and Large and small companies.

In his time in Chico, he has been in Chico Rotary since 2000, has served as President of the Club in 2012-2013, taught part-time at Chico State for 17 years, was President of the Boys and Girls Club for 3 years, served on the Chico State President's Advisory Board, President of the Rotary Foundation, served for 17 years on the Enloe Foundation Board and is now on the Rotary Foundation Board and cochair of the Rotary scholarship committee.

Blah. Blah. lots of other stuff too. (Quote, Dick)

Matt York

Founder & Executive Director of illuminAid

Matt graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in Communications (TV and Film) and English in 1978.  In 1986, he founded Videomaker Inc., a leading publisher on video production.  Videomaker’s mission is to empower individuals to make videos through its monthly magazine, website and hands-on workshops and conferences.

Branching out of Videomaker Inc. in 2008, Matt founded illuminAid because of his genuine passion to make a difference in the developing world by bringing change through video.  Since then, Matt has been able to harness over two decades of expertise in the video consumer electronics industry to grow illuminAid from an idea to a thriving nonprofit organization.

Through the development of his own patent for a consumer electronics device as well as his travels to research and development labs in Japan, he is experienced in the details of electronics equipment development. Matt's inside knowledge about consumer electronics gear, his tracking of up and coming technologies and his seasoned relationships with many top decision makers from major consumer electronics manufacturing firms contribute to his ability to fulfill the mission of illuminAid.  His professional contacts will vouch for his honesty and integrity as he is a well-respected colleague in both the publishing and consumer electronics industry.

Joel Zimbelman

Joel Zimbelman is a retired professor of comparative religion from Cal State Chico. When he is not attending Rotary meetings, he spends his time in international travel and volunteer work in Guatemala, Tanzania, and various Asian and European countries. He is married to Linda, a retired nurse practitioner, and has two daughters and two grandchildren. 

Rosie Alaniz

Rosie was born and raised in Chico, CA. She spent her childhood and young adult life either riding her bike or running around Chico. She continued to ride her bike during her time at UC Davis and eventually the wide or protected bike lanes, large buffer zones in the road, and separate bike/pedestrian paths in Davis became second nature. When she moved back to Chico, she realized that the routes and paths in Davis were not typical but were crucial to keeping people safe. She currently works as a Public Health Education Specialist for Butte County Public Health’s Injury Prevention program and is passionate about pedestrian, bike, and car seat safety. She hopes that through advocacy and education, this community can build areas where the community can feel safe to move around in.

Anita to fill speaker spot.

Anthony Ferro,  Invitation by Dorian Dodds

The 2021 ABCA National Coach of the Year returns for his nineteenth season as the head coach of the Butte College Roadrunners. In his first 18 years at the helm, his teams have compiled a record of 410-275-1. Under Coach Ferro’s eighteen years of leadership, the Roadrunner’s have accumulated fifteen 20+ win seasons and have played in the postseason eight out of the last ten years, most recently finishing the 2021 season 23-3, winning the GVC championship and ending the year ranked #2 in the state of California. Coach Ferro also spent the 2021 summer as the field manager of the prestigious Alaska Goldpanners collegiate team where he guided them to a 32-15 record.

A native of Woodland, California, Anthony received his Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education in 1997 from Cal State University, Chico, and a Master’s degree in teaching pedagogy in the year 2000. Anthony and his wife, Sarah, have two daughters: sixteen-year-old, Grace, and twelve-year- old, Audrey. The Ferro family resides in Chico, California.

Details TBA!

Suzanne Bragdon is a retired city manager, aspiring screenwriter, and proud Rotarian. For her, being a Rotarian is about the stories.

Consider impoverished students who turn the Rotary gift of a mentor, transportation, food, computer, and tuition/books to a two-year community college into a career in banking, the military or, after a few more years, graduation from U.C. Davis. Trajectories changed and futures never imagined.

Or when 22 Rotarians, family and friends serve 300 patients over four days on the opening day of a Rotary-funded Medical Clinic in Haiti; a clinic that’s still serving villagers after six years. Or a trip to Guatemala to experience the power of a multi-Rotary District effort to empower Mayan woman to break the cycle of poverty and domestic abuse.

After being a Rotarian since 2003, Suzanne has served in multiple positions including club president, assistant district governor and membership ambassador. Like others, she has grown from the Rotary experience in ways she never imagined.

Connor Vaccaro - Head Winemaker & Distiller

After graduating with honors in Enology & Viticulture and a minor in Chemistry from Oregon State University, Connor was hired on as the assistant winemaker for Bertagna Son Kissed Vineyards in Chico, CA.   He was quickly promoted to Head Winemaker, and soon Head Distiller when Bertagna launched Almendra Winery & Distillery.  He has been with the company ever since, heading their production of all things alcohol.  

Dedication of the play stucture at Rotary Centennial Park to Ann Willmann 

Postponed program: Almendra, Colton Bertagna speaker 

Rotarians serve as crossing guards Downtown for Treat Street.  This year Dane Bracewell will be heading up this wonderful tradition of Rotarians helping children and families cross downtown streets as they Tricker Treat.  Dane’s dad Bob, has served in the position for many years and now supports Dane at this function.  Many Rotarian dress up in various costumes to add to the fun.  Just another great thing Chico Noon Rotary does for our town.