Events

Stephen Clark is the Deputy Director of Airport Commercial Development for the Sacramento County Department of Airports with over 17 years in aviation, including 13 in senior leadership roles. He started as a ramp agent and progressed to supervisory roles at several major U.S. airlines. As Director of Marketing and Technology for an aviation support provider, he helped grow the company into the largest privately owned entity in its category. He then served as Director of Business Development at Gerald R. Ford International Airport before coming to Sacramento to lead the airport’s first ever commercial development team. In this role, Stephen oversees real estate, business development, concessions, air service development, and marketing activities. A Certified Member of the American Association of Airport Executives, he holds a degree in aviation science from Utah Valley University.

Mike Wiltermood grew up in nearby Lincoln, Calif., and began his career in 1986, when he graduated from Brigham Young University with a master’s degree in health care administration. He has over 35 years of professional experience and came to Chico as Enloe Medical Center’s Chief Operating Officer in 2007. He was named President and CEO in 2009. In this capacity, he serves as an ex-officio member of the Enloe Foundation Board of Directors and the Enloe Medical Center Board of Trustees.

Mike is a member of Chico’s Noon Rotary Club, a fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives and has served on several trade association boards. He is currently on the California Hospital Association’s Board of Directors.

Mike’s wife, Kelly, has a master’s degree in art education and taught K-12 in Washington state before moving with the family back to California. Mike and Kelly have four grown children and four grandchildren.

About Chief Billy Aldridge

Chief Billy Aldridge was born and raised in Monroe, NC where he graduated high school before joining the US Air Force and served for nearly eight years. He attended the Yuba College Police Academy in 2001 and began his law enforcement career with the Butte County Sheriff’s Office in September 2001.

Chief Aldridge has been married to Rosemary for 25 years and they have two boys Matthew (21) and Caden (16). 

In February 2005, Aldridge joined the Chico Police Department. He has worked as a Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Crime Scene Investigator, Mobile Field Force Team Member, Use of Force Instructor, and Street Crimes Detective. Aldridge was promoted to Sergeant in December 2009, Lieutenant in April 2015, Captain in March 2020, and Chief of Police in December 2022.

Chief Aldridge holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice management and a master’s degree in organizational management with a specialty in human resource management. He holds Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced certifications as well as Supervisory and Management level certifications.

Aldridge is a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute (SBSLI), Executive Leadership Institute at Drucker School of Management, and the POST Executive Development Course. Chief Aldridge currently serves as the Board Chair for the Butte Interagency Narcotics Task Force (BINTF).  Chief Aldridge is a proud member of the Governing Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club of the North Valley.  He is also an active member within the Chico Rotary Club.

https://rotary5160.org

See Dan's statement on the District 5160 web page

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) owns and operates Lake Oroville and its associated facilities, for the purpose of flood control, water storage and delivery, power generation, recreation and fish and wildlife enhancement, and water quality management for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

This presentation will focus on DWR’s environmental and recreation activities at the Oroville Facilities including the Feather River Fish Hatchery, the Feather River Fish Monitoring Station, the Feather River Floating Classroom Program, Feather River salmon spawning gravel improvements, along with DWR’s bald eagle management program and upcoming environmental habitat improvement projects. DWR also implements a Fuel Load Management Program to reduce the risk of wildfire in the Oroville area.

Eric See is an Environmental Program Manager and has worked at DWR’s Oroville Field Division, located near Oroville Dam, for over 31 years. He leads a team of environmental scientists and civil engineers to implement these programs in coordination with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the California Department of Parks and Recreation, CalFire, and several other government agencies.

Eric and his wife, Christiane Wear, live in Chico where they raised their 2 daughters. Madison is a Chico State graduate who was recently married, and Merced is currently enrolled at Colorado State University, Boulder. When Eric isn’t working, he enjoys flyfishing, duck hunting, and spending time with his family at their cabin on the North Fork Feather River, above Lake Almanor.

Jason Black is the owner and President of MTECH, Inc., a Chico-based manufacturing company that designs and builds a line of fire and rescue equipment called QTAC. Originally a custom plastic fabrication shop, MTECH is now a product-based company that sells QTAC fire “skids” – mobile tank and pump systems – for side x sides and trucks, as well as complete fire and rescue trucks for agencies like Cal Fire and Butte County Search and Rescue.

Black has lived in Chico for 27 years, is married and has two children. His journey started as a motorcycle racer, test rider and magazine editor. After a short stint in the dot com industry in the late 1990s, Black decided to partner with his dad in what was at the time a one-man manufacturing company. His dad retired fully in 2019, and today MTECH employs 54 people and continues to grow. Outside of time with his family, Black enjoys motorcycle riding and mountain biking.

ABOUT THE PRESENTATION:

The presentation discusses MTECH’s beginnings as a small, one-man shop, and some of the hurdles and challenges that occurred along the way to it becoming a respected builder of fire and rescue equipment.

www.qtacfire.com

SUZANNE BRAGDON, BIO

Suzanne Bragdon is a retired city manager, aspiring screenwriter, and proud Rotarian. She has been a Rotarian since 2003 and has served in multiple positions, including club president, assistant district governor, and membership ambassador.

A member of the Fairfield-Suisun Club, 9kSuzanne is passionate about the stories of transformation and impact that Rotary creates, such as helping impoverished students achieve their dreams and supporting international service projects.

She served as the District Governor for Rotary District 5160 during 2022-2023 and continues to be actively involved in a variety of Rotary activities focusing on peace, homelessness and the Rotary Experience.   This past June, she was selected to serve as a *Rotary Positive Peace Activator for 2024-2025.

Suzanne's husband, Kirk, is an artist, and their daughter, Stephanie, works in the communications field with a focus on education. She and her boyfriend are avid travelers, and have plans underway for a second year-long experience living like locals through South America and Europe.

Brandon Keith - update on the first half

www.projectplaysoccer.org

Mike has a master`s degree in Physical Education with an emphasis on sports psychology from Chico State, 1990. Before that he was a 4-year soccer player as an undergraduate. He arrived in Brazil in 1994 as the Athletic Director for the American School of Campinas until 1998.  He created Body & Soul Adventures on the island of Ilha Grande, 3 hours off the coast from Rio de Janeiro. From 1990 till present Mike has been working on his non-profit organization Project Play Soccer. This organization has delivered over a half million dollars of soccer balls during this time giving over 100,000 kids a chance to play the Beautiful Game. The magic if this program is these kids are suffering from "extreme poverty" but their faces light up as soon as they see the "BALL".  It is because of this transition with the kids that the next project to implement is the SOCCER FARM in which I will talk about during my presentation at your Rotary Club meeting.

Chico Rotary Club led a multi-club series of projects in northern Tanzania, near Mt. Kilimanjaro, between 2008-2019.  With support from 19 other Rotary Clubs and Rotary International, $566,000 was raised from clubs and five Global Grants to support projects including clean water, computers in schools, improved health clinics, public restrooms, agricultural improvements, solar, and three safe foot bridges.  

   Most of these projects are described at our project website: www.RotaryForNorthernTanzania.org.  In addition to two shorter videos (linked at the project home page), a 23-minute documentary film, In Kilimanjaro’s Shadow, was created by a film-maker from Los Angeles who accompanied us on one of our trips.  This film can be viewed at Vimeo.com, search for: In Kilimanjaro’s shadow.  

     Twice, Rotarians from our Club and from other District 5160 clubs joined me to visit our projects and meet our Tanzanian Rotary colleagues.  Currently, Joel Zimbelman is leading a follow-up project in the same Tanazanian community, thanks to funding from our Club and a District Grant.  

      It occurs to me that many if not most of our club members are not aware of these projects, but might be interested.   Perhaps it would inspire Paul Harris giving and generate interest in other international projects.  

Happy Birthday Chico Noon Rotary!!

                                          Sue Webber-Brown

                                           Executive Director

            Drug Endangered Children Training & Advocacy Center

            Butte Co. DA Investigator/Narcotics Detective (Retired)

Sue Webber-Brown retired as a District Attorney Investigator for the County of Butte after 26 years in law enforcement.  Sue’s first 7 years were spent in Welfare Fraud where she was often co-assigned to the Butte Interagency Narcotics Task Force (BINTF).  As a result, the drug unit developed an expertise in combining drug, welfare fraud and child maltreatment investigations into one case. In 1991 the DA transferred Sue to the drug task force where she spent 19 years as a Detective/Agent.  

Sue Webber-Brown was responsible for the investigation of major narcotic cases, welfare fraud and child endangerment.  Sue is accomplished in the practical aspects of interviewing and interrogation, having participated in more than 2300 investigations.  Sue has rescued over 3000 children from hazardous homes where drugs were used, sold, or manufactured. Sue is a recognized expert in the California and Arizona courts and has testified before Congress in the field of child endangerment due to drugs.

Sue is responsible for the development and successful "Drug Endangered Children" (D.E.C.) Program, the first of its kind in the United States.  Sue was appointed by the Governor's Office of Criminal Justice Planning (O.C.J.P.) to an Ad hoc Study Group on drug endangered children and co-wrote a training guide disseminated statewide.  Sue was a founding board member of the California D.E.C. Alliance, founding board member of the National D.E.C. Alliance and has published numerous articles.  Sue has provided D.E.C. training to over 50,000 in 44 other states, including the Office of National Drug Control Policy in Washington D.C., the Department of Justice Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, National Interagency Civil-Military Institute, the United States Attorney’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.  Sue and the D.E.C. Program have been featured in the LA Times, Sacramento Bee, Washington Post, numerous other newspapers, and publications, on the Montel William’s show and in the November 2002 issue of People magazine.

In 2000, Sue received the “California Victim Services and Restitution Award” from the Governor and the “Law Enforcement Leadership Award” from the California Attorney General. Sue was selected as the 2003 “Investigator of the Year” by the California District Attorney’s Investigators Association.  On May 25, 2004, Sue received the “Award of Distinction” from the California Peace Officers’ Association, 2005 was awarded “Narcotics Officer of the Year” from Region VIII of CNOA, and in 2007 received the “Open Arms Award” from the University of Kentucky. 

In December 2008 Sue met  with President George W. Bush at  the Capital  in D.C. where she was

honored for her work with the D.E.C. program and in December 2008 received Butte College’s

 “Outstanding Alumni of the Year”.   

In September 2013, Sue was presented with the “Distinguished Service Award” and inducted into the Oroville Union High School District Hall of Fame.  On November 22, 2014, during the opening ceremonies of the 50^th Annual CNOA training conference, Sue and DEC-TAC staff were each presented with awards for “Outstanding Contribution’s” to the state and nation for training on the topic of Drug Endangered Children.

For 15 years, Sue, as a private consultant, has been the Executive Director of the Drug Endangered Children Training and Advocacy Center which was initially established in 2009 under a state grant (California Emergency Management Agency) to train all multi-jurisdiction drug task forces (MJDTF) within the state. Currently DEC training, resources, and consultation is available upon request and provided throughout the state to all first responder agencies, and multidiscipline personnel.

Additionally, Sue is a DEC topic expert and consultant to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, High Intensity Drug Traffic Area’s, and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, to train law enforcement, child protective services, probation, parole, health professionals and prosecutors, on how to investigate and process evidence on welfare fraud, other crimes, and drug endangered children, while addressing the needs of these child victims of drug related crime.

Sue is a DEC topic expert and consultant to local, state and federal agencies. She trains law enforcement, child protective services, probation, parole, health professionals and prosecutors, on how to investigate drug crimes with children, while addressing the needs of these child victims.

Dino Corbin will speak about the historic Stansbury Home.

Priya Tuvell, Co-Manager at Chico Velo

Priya found a love for biking during her time at UC Davis as an undergraduate student where that was her primary method of transportation. Though living on a farm after college didn’t lend itself to bicycling, Priya is excited for her move back to town and being able to get biking again. Priya’s background is in regenerative agriculture and environmental sustainability, and she has budding interests in improving public infrastructure to better support active transport as well as creating and supporting active communities. As a Lecturer at Chico State, education is important to her, and she’s looking forward to doing community education and outreach as well. She’s excited to bring her experience with grants and non-profit work to Chico Velo!

Presentation Description

Chico Velo is a bicycling non-profit located in Chico, CA and established in 1986. Our mission is to promote bicycling for transportation, recreation and health through public education, advocacy, and community stewardship. I will be presenting the many programs, projects, events, and initiatives that our organization provides to the community.

Butte County Sheriff Search and Rescue will present an update of team activities to the Rotary since we last presented in Feb 2024.  This update will include callout numbers for the past year, a rundown of three or four of our most significant calls, and a brief Operation Rescue Ready (our new building project) update. 

I will be speaking.  I am our team Public Relations Officer.  I have been with Butte County Search and Rescue (BCSAR) for four years, and my focus area is Swift Water Rescue.  My regular job is working in Human Resources for Chico State Enterprises and I am a retired Master Sergeant, USAF, 1996-2016.  My military occupational specialty was as an Explosive Safety Specialist and I deployed ISO global operations in 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2009, and served as a special advisor to the Commander of US Air Forces Europe and Africa from 2011-2016.  I enjoy serving the citizens of Butte County through BCSAR.

Ms. Virginia L. Guleff
Virginia Guleff was appointed the Superintendent/President of Butte-Glenn Community College District effective July 1, 2022. She was previously the vice president for instruction and accreditation liaison officer for Butte College, where she oversaw all instructional programs including the economic and workforce development arm of the college as well as all accreditation activities, for six years. Virginia began in the California Community College System in 1986 as a tutor at De Anza College. She has served as a classified employee at De Anza College; a part-time faculty member, a full-time tenured faculty member, an ESL coordinator, and as chair of English, communication and world language in the San Diego Community College District; dean of CTE, transfer and basic skills as well as vice president of education and student services at Mendocino College; and vice president of instruction at Solano College. President Guleff’s leadership at Butte College is focused on securing DEIA2 practices into the foundation of the college and creating a student-ready institution that serves the area’s intersectional communities. She is also dedicated to reinvigorating participatory governance at the college. After updating the mission statement, the college developed a new strategic plan and staff are working to achieve the collectively established goals.

Dr. Jolene Church is a leadership expert and keynote speaker who empowers individuals and organizations to lead with heart and purpose. She challenges audiences to uncover their unique strengths, define their values, and live their mission. Drawing on her own experiences of overcoming adversity and embracing authenticity, Dr. Church delivers inspiring and practical insights that help people unlock their full potential and create a lasting impact.

Megan Kurtz will be giving us a tour of the new science building at CSUC. CSUC President Steve Perez will also say a few words.

Joel Zimbelman worked in religious studies, international studies, and administration at Chico State for thirty-three years and is now retired.  He’s been a member of Chico Rotary since 2016.  He has been a member of our International Committee for eight years, and has worked with our Tanzanian partners on five trips.  He lives in Chico with his wife Linda.

Jennifer Moore is retired from banking management and has an extensive Rotary resume including a great deal of international service work abroad.  She has been a member of Chico Rotary since 2017 and was a member of the Bakersfield Twilight Rotary from 2012 to 2016.  She is the International Service Division Chair, and most recently led the Women’s Empowerment Project in Juanacatlan and Tuxtla Gutierrez Mexico.

Mike Donnelly is a commercial real estate broker associate and loves working with business and economic and community development.  He has been a member of Chico Rotary since 2016 and chairs the International Projects Committee.  He and his wife have traveled much of the world, including visits to Tanzania and Mexico to work on Rotary projects.

Come check out what the future Rotarians are up to!