Speaker Host: John Gessert Program: Gov. Pete Ricketts
Governor Pete Ricketts State of Nebraska
Governor Pete Ricketts was sworn in as Nebraska’s 40th Governor on January 8, 2015 and reelected to a second term in November 2018.
Over the past seven years, Governor Ricketts has worked with the Legislature to deliver $3 billion in direct property tax relief, dramatically reduce the rate of state spending growth, develop Nebraska's workforce, improve operations, cut red tape, and expand international markets for Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers. Thanks in part to the Governor’s leadership, Nebraska won the Governor’s Cup for the most economic development projects per capita three years in a row from 2016 to 2018.
Born in Nebraska City and raised in Omaha, Ricketts is the son of an entrepreneur and a school teacher. Governor Ricketts and his wife, First Lady Susanne Shore, have been married for 24 years and live in Omaha. They have three children: Roscoe, Margot, and Eleanor.
Ricketts graduated from Westside High School before attending the University of Chicago where he earned his bachelor’s degree in biology and an MBA in marketing and finance. After graduate school, Ricketts returned to Omaha and worked for Union Pacific before eventually becoming the President and COO of his family's business, Ameritrade.
Prior to his election as governor, he worked to support Nebraska entrepreneurs and startup companies. Ricketts is the founder of Drakon, LLC that supports local entrepreneurs and startup companies. He is also a past board member of TD Ameritrade’s Board of Directors and the Chicago Cubs baseball team.
Governor Ricketts has taken on leadership roles in local and state associations and organizations. Currently, he serves on the board of directors of Jobs for America's Graduates, as a director of the Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation, as a member of the Board of Advisors of Opportunity Education Foundation, on the board of the Mid-American Council of the Boy Scouts, as a member of the Archbishop’s Committee for Development, as a member of the Knights of Columbus, and as a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre. Governor Ricketts and his family attend St. Margaret Mary’s church.
Last week at Rotary was President John Gessert's inaugural meeting. President John was installed by Past District Governor Art Knox. Andrew Loudon inducted the new Rotary 14 officers and directors: President-Elect Jess Rustad, Secretary Chris Whitney, Treasurer Ben Martens, Sgt at Arms Todd Francisco. Directors are Immediate Past President Christina Usher, Molly Burns, Bob Everitt, Priscilla Henkelmann, Christie Weston, Ryan Dobesh, Morrie Enders, Anna Hernoud, and Leslie Huerta. Immediate Past District Governor Carol Horner thanked the past administration led by Immediate Past President (IPP) Christina Usher for a successful Rotary year. President John presented IPP Christina and outgoing officers and directors each with a customized plaque of appreciation.
President John Gessert wowed fellow Rotarians with his rendition of the original lyrics Come Together Right Now, Rotary! The music was borrowed from the Beatles' hit song Come Together. President John brought his Rotary band for the live performance as he detailed his presidential year's goals and priorities, to wit: Club Membership 275, The Rotary Foundation Annual Fund donations of $23,000.00, Polio Plus $9,000.00, Service Projects 15.
PDG Art Knox installed John Gessert as the new Rotary 14 President
Andrew Loudon installed new Rotary Officers and Directors left to right: Sgt At Arms Todd Francisco, IPP Christina Usher, Director Ryan Dobesh, Director Anna Hernoud, Director Leslie Huerta, President-Elect Jess Rustad, and Secretary Chris Whitney
IPDG Carol Horner thanked the past Rotary 14 administration led by IPP Christina Usher. L to R: Then President-Elect John Gessert, Sgt at Arms Trip Snyder, Treasurer Brad Bryan, Director Jess Rustand, IPP Christina Usher, Director Ken Koop, and Director Eric Drumheller
President John Gessert presented his presidential year's goals and priorities
Here's the unedited live capture video of President John Gessert's rendition of Come Together Right Now, Rotary! The performance earned President John Gessert and his Rotary band a standing ovation from fellow Rotarians.
Following through with President John Gessert's bold membership goal of 275 by July 1, 2023, and putting into equation attrition by yearend, Membership Chair Mark Feit wasted no time and got to work immediately by proposing 305 members by June 30, 2023. Mark will present his proposed membership recruitment strategies at our July 12, 2022 meeting. Please tune in to Mark's proposal as each Rotarian will have the opportunity to help reach our goal.
Rotarians are People of Action and here's a great opportunity to serve! Volunteer at our 2nd Habitat Build Day at 4826 Greenwood. As of now, the work to be completed will be painting. Get there by 8:30 am; you'll be finished by 3:00 pm. Light breakfast and lunch to be provided. For questions, please contact IPP Christina Usher at CLU@mattsonricketts.com.
Jennifer Jones, Rotary International’s first female president, is the perfect leader to spread the word about the good Rotary does in the world, and inspire its members to keep going. At a training seminar for Rotary club presidents-elect at a Dallas-area hotel in February, sergeants-at-arms wearing yellow vests and Stetsons lead participants, grouped by Rotary district, into a small room for a photo op with 2022-23 Rotary International President Jennifer Jones. As the groups enter, the club leaders mob Jones — the room a flurry of handshakes, fist bumps, hugs, and the occasional squeal. For each photo, the Stetson-clad Rotarians (nicknamed "Rangers") give instructions on who should stand where, then Jones, who is seated front-row center, stands up, turns around, and warms up the crowd. "Is this the best district?" she asks one. She challenges a district to dance, busting a groove on the tan and gray patterned hotel carpet. Another, she teases, is the best looking. And then there's the "party" district, whose members give a raucous cheer. Read more, click here.
Club 14 Rotarians just acknowledged and celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Club 14 Foundation. So, too, we acknowledge and celebrate the 246th birthday of our country. Whether we commemorate as Rotarians or citizens, or a combination, we appreciate that our Club, our country, and each of us is rich beyond measure because we choose to do good things, great things, on behalf of others. Read the words of Condoleezza Rice.
"The essence of America - that which really unites us - is not ethnicity, or nationality, or religion. It is an idea - and what an idea it is: that you can come from humble circumstances and do great things. That is doesn't matter where you came from. It matters where you are going."
I think that's us!!
Sandi Fabry Rotary 14 Club Foundation President
Club Information
Connect with Rotary 14
Rotary 14 is the place to be.
Tuesdays at 12:00 PM
Talon Room
230 N 12th Street, Suite 1
Lincoln, NE 68508 United States of America
The Rotary Club of Lincoln is meeting in a hybrid format. Join us at the Talon Room or on Zoom using the following information:
To join the meeting virtually, use this link: https://bit.ly/358ioxK
Meeting ID: 402 413 8597
Password: 661910
Following through with President John Gessert's bold membership goal of 275 by July 1, 2023, and putting into equation attrition by yearend, Membership Chair Mark Feit wasted no time and got to work immediately by proposing 305 members by June 30, 2023. Mark will present his proposed membership recruitment strategies at our July 12, 2022 meeting. Please tune in to Mark's proposal as each Rotarian will have the opportunity to help reach our goal.
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