President Nancy's Message
Thank you, Justin Farmer – Plus, Congratulations to RRC Public Image and Vocational Education Committees. A big thank you to Justin Farmer for his engaging talk at Roswell Rotary on tariffs, your 401(k), and key insights into smart investing. His practical advice and global perspective gave us all something to think about as we plan for the future. Congratulations to Kathy Igou / Public Image for earning the Rotary International Platinum Public Image Certificate for Roswell Rotary—a well-deserved recognition for helping elevate our club’s visibility and impact! And kudos to Ken Briggs and Darrell Bartlett, and their Vocational Education team for the successful ribbon cutting at The Drake House, celebrating the completion of the beautiful new playhouse built by Roswell High School students. What an amazing collaboration to support families in need! Roswell Rotary continues to serve, lead, and inspire—together. Don’t Miss This Week’s Meeting – State of Roswell Tourism and Business + Farewell to DG Gordon! Join us this Thursday for an exciting and informative meeting featuring Steve Stroud and Andy Williams, who will share the State of Roswell Tourism and Business —what’s happening now and what’s ahead for our vibrant city. You won’t want to miss their local insights and updates! We’ll also welcome District Governor Gordon Owens for his final visit to our club as DG. Let’s show our appreciation for his leadership and support over the past year. Can’t wait to see everyone there—this is a meeting you don’t want to miss! Nancy Alterman Roswell Rotary President 2024-25 Service above Self 770-262-6300
Roswell Inc.
Speakers Thursday: Steve Stroud and Andy Williams Roswell Tourism and Business
So excited to have Steve Stroud and Andy Williams as our speakers this week! If you are interested in Roswell Tourism and Business (and aren't we all?), this is a no-miss meeting! Steve Stroud is the Executive Director of Roswell Inc, a 501c6 nonprofit that promotes economic development through a public-private partnership with the City of Roswell. Since the organization's inception in 2012, Stroud has held this position, and under his leadership, Roswell Inc has developed networking, educational and support programs for small businesses, and worked one-on-one with business owners, entrepreneurs and state project managers to retain, expand and recruit businesses to Roswell. Additionally, in 2021, Roswell Inc became an accredited economic development organization (AEDO) through the International Economic Development Council. Over the last 5 year’s Roswell Inc has worked on more than 550 recruitment, retention and expansion projects, creating or retaining more than 6,200 jobs. Notable projects include GM Innovation Center, GreyOrange, Southern Post mixed-use development, Enterprise Super Center, Brixmor Property Group, PGA Superstore, Delta Dental, McKesson, SpringHill Suites and Home2 Suites. Stroud and his team continue to position Roswell as one of the premier cities in the region for innovative, community-minded businesses and entrepreneurs. Prior to Roswell Inc, Stroud owned and operated his own small business in Roswell, Stroud’s Printing & Design, for 30 years. An active member of the community, Stroud has been involved with civic and nonprofit organizations throughout North Fulton for more than 20 years, currently serving on the board of the North Fulton Community Improvement District , Greater North Fulton Chamber, North Fulton Community Charities, Computer Museum of America and Synovus (Atlanta region). Stroud attended Georgia State University, with a focus in political science. A Roswell native, he remains residing in the city with his wife and daughters. Community Involvement ● North Fulton Community Improvement District, 2022 – Present ● Greater North Fulton Chamber, Board Member, 1990 – Present; Chairman in 1995 ● North Fulton Community Charities, Board Member, 2016 – Present ● Computer Museum of America, Board Member, 2017 – Present ● Synovus – Atlanta Region, Board Member, 1995 – Present ● United Way of North Fulton, Board Member, 2015 – 2020 ● Roswell Rotary, Board Member, 1986-Current; President from 1993–1994 ● City of Roswell Recreation and Parks Commission, 2011-2016 ● Roswell Convention and Visitors Bureau, Board Member 1992-2011; Chairman from 1998-2011 ● Roswell Historical Society, Board Member 1986-1990 ● Brandon Hall School, Board Member 2003-2010; Chairman in 2008 ● North Fulton Child Development Association, Board Member 1986-1998; Chairman in 1995 ● STAR House, Board Member 2005-2012 ● Roswell Olympic Committee, 1996 Professional Development ● IEDC Entrepreneurial & Small Business Development Strategies, 2024 ● IEDC Basic Economic Development Course, Georgia Tech, 2014 ● GDEcD Georgia Academy for Economic Development, Class of 2012 ● Georgia Chamber of Commerce Leadership Georgia, Class of 1998 ● ARC Regional Leadership Institute, Class of 1995 ● GNFCC Leadership North Fulton, Class of 1989
Andy Williams CMP, TMP, CHIA, serves as the President/CEO of the Roswell Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Roswell). At the CVB, his team is charged with leading the efforts of tourism promotion through marketing, sales, film activities and visitor services relevant to the destination’s hotels, restaurants, venues, special events and attractions. Andy’s career spans over 18 years in the travel industry, including positions with the Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau, Dunwoody Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Atlanta-based destination management company Destination South Meetings & Events. His responsibilities covered marketing, business development and event production. Andy is a past president of the Georgia Chapter of Meeting Professionals International, a past president of the Georgia Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus and is a board member of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce. He is a Certified Meeting Professional through the Events Industry Council, a Travel Marketing Professional through the Southeast Tourism Society, and he holds a Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics through CoStar. A graduate of Young Harris College and Georgia Southern University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in tourism & commercial recreation, Andy and his wife Ryan have lived in Roswell since June 2019 and have a six-year-old daughter, Addie, and an eight-year-old son, Morgan.
Comedy for a Cause is THIS WEEK!
Get ready to laugh for a cause, our 3rd Annual Comedy for a Cause is THIS WEEK!!!!!!
Join us for our 3rd Annual Comedy for a Cause — where we turn laughter into support for those who need it most. This year, we’re proud to partner with Giving Grace, a local Atlanta organization dedicated to helping families with everything from child care assistance and rent support to securing housing for those experiencing homelessness. Every need is unique, and Giving Grace is there to meet people where they are. Now it’s our turn to give back! Come out for a Thirsty Thursday full of laughs, community, and purpose — and help make a difference, one punchline at a time! When: June 12th, 2025 Time: 6-9pm Location: Roswell Junction 340 S Atlanta St. Roswell, GA 30075 Goodbye District Governor Gordon Owens
After this meeting, Gordon will be Past DG Gordon Owens along with Past DG Cheryl Greenway and Past DG Bob Hagan. What a wonderful year he has had as District Governor 6900 and what a difference he has made for so many! Please join us at Thursday's meeting to honor his last visit to our club as DG. Gordon, you made Roswell Rotary very proud! New Member Spotlight
Welcome New Member David Houck
Background: I grew up in New Jersey and moved to the Detroit area for work, where I met my wife, Tina. (She is a former Rotary member, so some of you may know her.) Since then, we have lived in Roswell for the past ten years. For those who are wondering, the weather is much nicer in Atlanta than it was in Detroit. We live in East Roswell-Horseshoe Bend. Interests: We don’t have kids, but we do have one cat named Lady who is enough of a handful for us. We are both pretty heavily involved at our church in a number of different activities, and I am hoping to get even more involved in the community at Rotary. Career/Purpose I spent 25 years in tech with both Cisco and Google and am now running a financial services practice for Thrivent. It was a big career change, but I was not finding tech as fulfilling as I once did, and wanted to be able to help people answer those big questions in their lives about retirement and taking care of their families. We are a holistic financial services company focused on financial planning, investment management, and protection solutions (life, income, long-term care, and annuities). We work to put together personalized solutions to help our clients focus less on money and more on the things they care about. We also do a lot of work with churches and non-profits to help them better achieve their missions and support the communities in which we live. Why I joined Roswell Rotary: I am looking forward to connecting and getting to know everyone at Rotary and seeing what we can do together in Roswell! I have already spend time working on the Blood Drives. And am working with Public Image Committee. I am eager to plug in where I am needed! Thursday June 19 5pm
Alive in Roswell
Alive in Roswell is a free monthly festival held every third Thursday from April through October in Roswell, Georgia. In 2025, the schedule is: April 17, May 15, June 19, July 17, August 21, September 18, and October 16. The festival runs from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Come join us in front of the Hagan Center for burgers, dogs, and Roswell Rotary fellowship! It's a Roswell Rotary tradition and a great way to get to know other members. Huskies Helping Huskies
Back to School Backpack Drive Let’s kick Lee’s year off with the 2nd annual Back-to-School Backpack Stuffing for Huskies Helping Huskies, the 501(c)3 dedicated to helping those in need at Crabapple Middle School. Since its launch in 2015, the Roswell Rotary Club and its members have provided essential support including funding, services, media outreach, and valuable connections. . Middle School students do a lot of work with paper, posters, binders and pencils. These items are more expensive than ever before and the families are having to choose between food, gas or school supplies. Therefore, we are able to help the households by supplying the initial school supply list for the 40 students living on the margins and attending Crabapple. Thank you in advance by going to our Amazon wishlist or the Walmart wishlist to supply the items needed. Then, after the meeting on Thursday, July 24th, those in attendance will be asked to stay and stuff the backpacks. So fun and so impactful. RRC member, Becky Nelson, started the 501(c)3 when Shop With A Cop no longer could afford to include middle school students to shop with a police officer for their holiday gifts in 2015. There were many Crabapple Students who dependent on this for their gifts. January 2016 the leadership held a meeting and made Huskies Helping Huskies a year round resource for any family or staff member involved with Crabapple Middle School. RRC in the Media
Where to find news about Roswell Rotary Club
Last Week at Rotary
|
