Author: Indy Rotary

  • April 2: Abdul Hakim-Shabazz, Editor & Publisher, IndyPolitics.org

    Abdul Hakim-Shabazz has been covering and writing about state and local government in Indiana since 2004. Overall, he has more than 20 years of experience in writing and talking about the issues that affect real people. He goes beyond the headlines and tells you not only what’s happening, but why it’s happening.

    He writes for the Indianapolis Star, WIBC.com, NUVO Newsweekly, and TheStatehouseFile.Com. He’s also a frequent panelist and contributor to RTV 6’s Indianapolis This Week and Inside Indiana Business.

    Abdul is also the editor and publisher of IndyPolitics.Org, which has been recognized by the Washington Post two years in a row as one of the best political blogs in the nation.

    Abdul earned his degree in broadcasting and journalism at Northern Illinois University. He has a Master’s Degree in Public Affairs from the University of Illinois and a law degree from St. Louis University. He serves as “Of Counsel” at the Indianapolis law firm of Lewis & Wilkins and serves on the faculty at Ivy Tech Community College and University of Indianapolis.

    All are welcome at Rotary programs. The lunch buffet opens at Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. See you there!

  • March 26: Leonard Hoops, President & CEO, Visit Indy

    Leonard Hoops has served as president & CEO of Visit Indy since 2011. He leads a team of 62 industry professionals charged with growing Central Indiana’s economy by driving the region’s $5.2 billion convention, tourism and event industry.

    During Hoops’ tenure, Visit Indy has generated a 90-to-1 return on investment from its public funding, and Indianapolis has been named the #1 convention city in America by USA Today and a top visitor destination by The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler, and Travel + Leisure.

    Prior to Visit Indy, Hoops was executive vice president and chief customer officer of San Francisco Travel, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau, senior vice president of marketing for the San Jose Convention & Visitors Bureau, and a corporate communications manager for a Fortune 120 company.

    Hoops has been named an “Indiana Living Legend” by the Indiana Historical Society, one of the “25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry” by Successful Meetings magazine, and one of the “Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality & Travel Sales & Marketing” by HSMAI. He has also received the Sloan-Kettering Award in Business from Delta Upsilon Fraternity and the Kurt Vonnegut Humor Award.

    Hoops currently serves on the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Board of Directors and Destinations International Foundation’s Board of Trustees. In Indy, Hoops serves on the Capital Improvement Board of Marion County as well as the Boards of the Indy Chamber, Downtown Indy, and the Indiana Sports Corp.

    Hoops earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from San Jose State University and an MBA from Santa Clara University. He and his wife, Dorene (an Indianapolis Public Schools commissioner), have a son and a daughter

    All are welcome at Rotary programs. The lunch buffet opens at Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. See you there!

  • April 5:31 Club

    April 5:31 Club

    Join Rotary friends and guests at The Ale Emporium  for fun, frivolity, conversation, beverages (over 200 domestic and imported beers) and food (home of Honest Pizza and famous Hermanaki Wings).

    • April 3rd, from 5:31 pm till 7:00 pm, or whenever you can be there.
    • 8617 Allisonville Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46250
    • No agenda, just the regular, monthly social get-together.
    • Free parking.
    • Regular 5:31-ers will be joined by members of the World Community Service Committee this month.
    • This is a sanctioned event for all March Mania Team Captains and members.
  • March 19: Bryan Hannon, Director of Indiana Government Relations, American Cancer Society

    March 19: Bryan Hannon, Director of Indiana Government Relations, American Cancer Society

    Bryan Hannon is the Director of Indiana Government Relations for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). Working with public officials at the local, state and federal level, Hannon directs policy campaigns to make cancer prevention, detection and research a priority in Indiana. He also serves as the Chair of Tobacco Free Indiana and Raise it for Health, a statewide campaign to raise Indiana’s cigarette tax.

    Previously Hannon led ACS CAN’s grassroots advocacy efforts in Indiana where he helped volunteer advocates connect with their elected officials on various policy priorities including tobacco control, access to care and research funding priorities like the 21st Century Cures Act.

    Prior to joining ACS CAN Hannon worked in the Indiana state legislature and served in various capacities for political campaigns and non-profit organizations in Indiana.

    All are welcome at Rotary programs. The lunch buffet opens at Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. See you there!

  • March 12: Marlin Jackson, Founder & CEO, Fight for Life Foundation

    Marlin Jackson is a graduate of the University of Michigan, an entrepreneur and a life-long-learner. He sees every experience and encounter as an opportunity for learning. As a former collegiate and professional athlete, Marlin Jackson was groomed and developed within a structured, organized, and challenging environment. This experience of learning, in the classroom and in the arena of collegiate and professional football, caused Mr. Jackson to develop a unique perspective and skill set that is embedded in structure, organization, time-management, leadership, creativity, and passion.

    Over the years, Mr. Jackson has proven himself to be a goal-oriented, disciplined, and driven person who is able to do whatever is needed to help himself and others succeed. He has displayed these qualities throughout his life as a captain on the University of Michigan football team, in the National Football League with the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles, as sports analyst and sports radio show co-host, and now, as Founder and President of Fight for Life Foundation, Inc.

    All are welcome at Rotary programs. The lunch buffet opens at Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. See you there!

  • William “Bill” Douthit

    William “Bill” Douthit

    Long time Rotarian and Past President of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis passes away…..

    OCTOBER 11, 1940 ~ FEBRUARY 21, 2019

    William “Bill” Douthit, 78, of Noblesville, passed away on Thursday, February 21, 2019. He was born to Loren and Irene (French) Douthit on October 11, 1940 in Indianapolis.

    A graduate of PS 84 Elementary School, Broad Ripple High School, and Hanover College, where he was a running back on the football team. He married Alice (Dashiell) on October 2, 1965. Bill was President and CEO of The George F. Cram Company, a family-owned business that made maps and world globes, where he worked for nearly 45 years. He was active at Noblesville First United Methodist Church, Indianapolis Rotary Club, Teacher’s Treasures, and Kids in Need. He was a dedicated and devoted husband, father, and grandfather, a music lover with a wonderful baritone voice, and an avid, yet somewhat challenged golfer. For the last 20 years, he also loved spending the colder months in Marco Island, Florida.

    Bill is survived by his wife, Alice Douthit; children, Jeffrey (Mindy) Douthit and Jennifer (Derek) Gerow; grandchildren, Will, Austin, Rylin, and Landon Douthit, and Nicholas and Audrey Gerow.

    He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, John “Jay” Douthit.

    Visitation will be from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Monday, February 25th at Randall & Roberts Funeral Center, 1685 Westfield Road in Noblesville. Services with be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, February 26th at Noblesville First United Methodist Church, 2051 Monument St. in Noblesville, officiated by Pastor Dick Judson. There will be an additional hour of visitation prior to the service. Burial will be immediately following services at Hamilton Memorial Park, 4180 Westfield Road in Noblesville.

    In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Teachers’ Treasurers, 1800 E. 10th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46201, www.teacherstreasures.org; or Noblesville First United Methodist Music Program, 2051 Monument Street, Noblesville, IN 46060, www.noblesvillefirst.com.

    DONATIONS MAY BE MADE TO:
    Teachers’ Treasures
    1800 E. 10th Street, Indianapolis IN 46201
    Web: http://www.teacherstreasures.org

    Noblesville First United Methodist Music Program
    2051 Monument Street, Noblesville IN 46060
    Web: http://www.noblesvillefirst.com

  • February 26: Hayleigh Colombo, Reporter, Indianapolis Business Journal

    February 26: Hayleigh Colombo, Reporter, Indianapolis Business Journal

    Hayleigh Colombo is a reporter for the Indianapolis Business Journal covering city affairs, including issues of poverty and inequality. She is also the treasurer of the Society of Professional Journalists’ Indiana chapter. Before IBJ, Colombo was a K-12 education reporter for non-profit news site Chalkbeat Indiana, where she primarily covered Indianapolis Public Schools. She also worked as a business and higher education reporter for the Lafayette Journal & Courier. She graduated from Butler University in 2012 with bachelor’s degrees in journalism and political science.

    Hayleigh will speak about the work she’s done covering poverty and inequality in Indianapolis at IBJ through her series One City Worlds Apart, and the importance of widening the coverage at IBJ to include the voices of people who don’t have much power in the business community.

    All are welcome at Rotary programs. The lunch buffet opens at Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. See you there!

  • February 19: Milt Thompson, Attorney, Bleeke Dillon Crandal and President & CEO, Grand Slam

    February 19: Milt Thompson, Attorney, Bleeke Dillon Crandal and President & CEO, Grand Slam

    Join us for a spirited talk with Milt Thompson on how sports turned Indianapolis from a once sleepy “Naptown” into a vibrant and booming city it is today!

    Milt Thompson is an attorney with Bleeke Dillon Crandal and President & CEO of Grand Slam. He co-founded Play Ball Indiana and is a well-known contract advisor for the NFL & NBA Players Association. Thompson currently serves on the Tourism Tomorrow Board of Visit Indy, the Indianapolis Foundation Board, Crown Hill Heritage Foundation, Crown Hill Board of Managers and the Indianapolis Indians Baseball Club Board.

    Thompson was instrumental to the Pan American Games and served as general counsel. He is a former First Team All-American baseball player at Wittenberg University and a graduate of Indiana University School of Law.

    All are welcome at Rotary programs. The lunch buffet opens at Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. See you there!

  • February 12: Rafael Sanchez, Investigative Reporter/Anchor, WRTV6

    February 12: Rafael Sanchez, Investigative Reporter/Anchor, WRTV6

    Guest Day, Tuesday, February 12

    Rafael Sanchez is a Murrow & multiple Emmy award winning Investigative Reporter/Anchor at WRTV-6-ABC since 1998. He received his latest regional Emmy for Best Reporting in June.

    Every year, Rafael enjoys participating in about 40 charitable events that raise money and awareness for organizations around Central Indiana. In June in 2017, he completed his 2016-2017 responsibilities as Community Engagement Co-Chair for United Way of Central Indiana and assisted in raising millions of dollars to improve education, financial stability, health and basic needs benefiting thousands of families across our region.

    Rafael came to Indiana from the Bronx, New York to attend Franklin College of Indiana where he triple majored in Journalism, Political Science, and Spanish.

    His daily aspirations are rooted in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Junior who wrote “ Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?”

    All are welcome at Rotary programs. Invite a colleague, client or friend to join you for guest day. The lunch buffet opens at Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. See you there!

  • Leon Mordoh

    Long time member of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis…

    Leon Mordoh of Indianapolis, passed away on February 1, 2019 at the age of 82. Leon was born on July 30, 1936, the youngest of four sons of Lora and Mallah Mordoh. He was preceded in death by his brothers Geon and Sol Mordoh. Leon is survived by his brother Al and sister-in-law Sharlette Mordoh. He was a loving uncle to Laurie Rosenbloom (Stan), Linda Mordoh (Larry), Gil Mordoh, Cindy Davis (Jack), Esther Mauffray (Bill), Mel Mordoh (Ilana), Marlene Jacobs (Neil), Mark Mordoh and Leah Riter (Ken). He is also survived by many great nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

    Leon was the owner of HPS, retiring at the age of 80. He was a life member of Etz Chaim Sephardic Synagogue, a member of Rotary and Sertoma and was a worshipful master in the Masons. Leon was an avid golfer and past president of Broadmoor Country Club. He was extremely active in the Jewish community and enjoyed being chairman of Jewish Family Services. His generosity was known by many organizations and people.

    In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Etz Chaim Synagogue or Jewish Family Services.

    Funeral Services will be held on Monday, February 4, 2019 at 1:00 PM in the Laikin Auditorium of the Jewish Community Center, 6701 Hoover Road, Indianapolis, IN 46260, burial will follow in Etz Chaim Cemetery.

    Arrangements entrusted to Aaron-Ruben-Nelson Mortuary. Friends may leave a message for the family or a memory of Leon by visiting www.arnmortuary.com.