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On Monday we welcomed Cien O Asoera, AAMS, who presented information about the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), an independent agency of the United States federal government, created in the aftermath of the Wall Street crash of 1929. Its primary purpose is to enforce laws against market manipulation.

About Cien: As a financial advisor with Edward Jones, my primary goal is to understand what’s important to you and to help develop personal strategies geared toward your unique long-term goals. My practice has been built over the last 20 years by focusing on the needs of my clients. Whether it be paying for their children’s education, reducing their tax burden or planning for a fulfilling retirement, we work tirelessly to help make it happen for them. I became a financial advisor with Edward Jones in 2002. My branch office administrator, Jana Matthias, joined me in 2005. As a team, we pride ourselves on providing our clients the most ideal client experience. We are blessed to be able to serve the Elkhart community. I received my bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University in 1994 and my Master of Business Administration from Indiana University South Bend in 2000. My wife, Kimberly, and I live in Elkhart where we both were born and raised. We have three children, two of which still call Elkhart their home. In addition to working with clients, I am very active volunteering my time in various leadership capacities within Edward Jones. I have served as a mentor, a visiting veteran for training classes, recruiting leader and currently, I am responsible for inclusion for the state of Indiana. It is extremely important to me to give back to the community that has given me so much. That’s why I serve on the board of trustees for the Community Foundation of Elkhart County. In addition to serving on the board, I also serve on the executive committee. As an immigrant to this country, my father taught me that with thought and planning you can achieve whatever you put your mind to. My passion is helping others organize and set goals in order to live the life they want.

Elkhart Rotary Club March 10, 2025

On Monday we welcomed Tom Kavanagh, Northern Indiana Workforce Board President & CEO, who shared about Workforce Development Boards and how they impact us both locally and on a larger scale. Workforce Development Board (WDB) is a group of community leaders appointed by local elected officials and charged with planning and oversight responsibilities for workforce programs and services in their area. The majority of each Board is represented by members of the local business community. They can be nonprofits, government departments (county, city), or housed in higher education. In Indiana, there are 12 WDBs. 11 are functionally nonprofits. 1 is overseen by Vincennes University.

About Tom Kavanagh
Tom has more than 25 years of experience in the workforce industry, previously served as COO for Job Works, Inc., a Fort Wayne, Indiana based organization that specializes in the operation of workforce services programs, training programs, and consulting services focused on workforce system design strategic planning, and fiscal services. Described as a performance, process, and results driven individual who maintains a commitment to quality, continuous improvement, and integrity, Kavanagh has extensive experience in leadership and collaboration with workforce development systems while focusing on board governance and the development of strategies to meet business and employer needs. He has worked with numerous Workforce Development Boards through strategic planning, local and regional WIOA plan development, system design and redesign efforts. Kavanagh has facilitated and presented at several local, state, and national conferences. He also previously directed a team as it worked to perform operations involving nine different government funded programs including the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), WIA Adult and Dislocated Worker, Ex-Offender Re-entry, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Kavanagh holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Hillsdale College and is a long-time member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Workforce Development Council. He resides in Elkhart, Indiana with his wife, Melissa, and their three children Ethan, Andrew, and Elizabeth. In his spare time, when he isn’t with family and friends, Kavanagh volunteers with the Concord Dollars for Scholars Board. For the last six years he has served as the President of the Concord Development Basketball League.

Elkhart Rotary Club March 3, 2025

On Monday we welcome special guest Tim Tahara, introduced by his good friend Scott Puckett. Tim shared about his family's visit to California in 2023 to visit several important sites in his family's history - including Manzanar War Relocation Center in California, now a National Historic Site administered by the US National Park Service. Tim shared background on his family, specifically his father Tom, who was from Olympia, WA when the relocations occurred, sending thousands of Japanese and Japanese-American citizens to relocation/internment centers around the west and a few in the east.

Tim shared memories of his father, who was by trade a 'chicken sexer' for poultry production facilities. Tim shared that his dad could determine the sex of over 1600 chicks an hour - An incredible speed by any measure!

[From Manzanar's website] "Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941, led the United States into World War II and radically changed the lives of 120,000 men, women, and children of Japanese ancestry living in the United States. The attack intensified racial prejudices and led to fear of potential sabotage and espionage by Japanese Americans among some in the government, military, news media, and public. In February, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 authorizing the Secretary of War to establish Military Areas and to remove from those areas anyone who might threaten the war effort. Without due process, the government gave everyone of Japanese ancestry living on the West Coast only days to decide what to do with their houses, farms, businesses, and other possessions. Most families sold their belongings at a significant loss. Some rented their properties to neighbors. Others left possessions with friends or religious groups. Some abandoned their property. They did not know where they were going or for how long. Each family was assigned an identification number and loaded into cars, buses, trucks, and trains, taking only what they could carry. Japanese Americans were transported under military guard to 17 temporary assembly centers located at racetracks, fairgrounds, and similar facilities in Washington, Oregon, California, and Arizona. Then they were moved to one of 10 hastily built relocation centers. By November, 1942, the relocation was complete."

Tim shared some of the impacts on his family and the importance of the family visit to these sites to help understand the past. Tim also shared info about Tule Lake's facility, one of the more controversial internment facilities during the time. For more information about Tule Lake National Monument click here.

The club is grateful for Tim's willingness to share parts of his family history.

2025 Elkhart Rotary Club Grant Applications Available

The Elkhart Rotary Club's 2025 Community Organization NonProfit Grant Request Information and Application is available online!

As part of its mission of “Service above Self”, the Elkhart Rotary Club provides an opportunity for financial support for programs benefiting the Elkhart County community. Requests for donations/grants will be accepted by email until the end of day Saturday, April 5, 2025. Grants normally range from $500-$1000. However, the Donations Committee will consider applications of exceptional merit requesting larger amounts. Funding and distribution of approved grants will occur Monday, June 16, 2025 at our regularly scheduled club meeting. Download the application here and follow the instructions to apply.

Elkhart Rotary Club February 24, 2025

On Monday we welcomed Jason Lippert, President & CEO, Lippert. Having held various titles within the company, Jason is a third-generation leader and assumed the role of CEO in 2003. Throughout his career, he has skillfully diversified Lippert’s brand portfolio while also playing a pivotal role in shaping the company's structure and fostering a positive corporate culture. Emphasizing team play with trust and community improvement remain central to his approach.

Our Mission: Making lives better by developing meaningful relationships with our customers, our co-workers and our communities

About Our Company: Lippert™ is a leading, global manufacturer and supplier of highly engineered products and customized solutions, dedicated to shaping, growing and bettering the RV, marine, automotive, commercial vehicle and building products industries.

From over 140 manufacturing and distribution facilities in 14 countries located throughout North America, Africa and Europe, Lippert supplies a broad array of highly engineered components for the leading manufacturers of recreational vehicles, automobiles, watercraft and prefab homes. We also operate in adjacent markets, including hospitality, transportation, construction and agriculture. With over 13,000 team members worldwide (including over 6000 in Elkhart County) and a diverse portfolio of best-in-class brands, Lippert adopts a team-based business philosophy and has proven that, by putting people first, the possibilities for growth and development are truly endless.

Jason focused his discussion on two primary aspects of Lippert's success: Leadership Development and Culture.

About Our Culture: At Lippert, we measure success by our impact on the human beings inside and outside our four walls. Our awesome privilege and responsibility is to serve the people we encounter each day, whether they be colleagues, customers, or members of the communities.

Driven by a Culture of Caring: Our focus is on serving people by developing their personal and professional growth. Guided by our Core Values and Leader Qualities, we actively empower our team members through individual goal setting, listening sessions, engagement surveys, operational improvement programs, health and wellbeing initiatives, community impact events, and so much more – all to continuously shape our Business as a Force for Good.

Developing Meaningful Relationships: We believe that Business can be a Force for Good in our world if leaders take hold of their responsibility to create cultures that care for people and allow them to grow into the best versions of themselves. As we ignite the heads, hearts, and hands of our team members, we can inspire the purpose and passion that lead to high performance - in business and in life!

Announcements:

As part of its mission of “Service above Self”, the Elkhart Rotary Club provides an opportunity for financial support for programs benefiting the Elkhart County community. Requests for donations/grants will be accepted by email until the end of day Saturday, April 5, 2025. Grants normally range from $500-$1000. However, the Donations Committee will consider applications of exceptional merit requesting larger amounts. Funding and distribution of approved grants will occur Monday, June 16, 2025 at our regularly scheduled club meeting. DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION HERE
Howard Edwards announced that he's working on a Rotary Club outing to a SOUTH BEND CUBS GAME in Early June - - A Sunday afternoon, either June 1 or 8 - - stay tuned!