Next Meeting
MARCH 14, 2023
JON RIMANELLI
Aerospace Entrepreneur brings all-new transportation System to Detroit
Jon Rimanelli is an electronics and aerospace entrepreneur with over three decades of experience designing and building complex electronics and robotics in prototype and production quantities. He is an instrument rated seaplane pilot with over 1,000 hours of flight time in a variety of aircraft. His passion for sharing flight led him to establish Airspace Experience Technologies (ASX), electric aircraft that are failure tolerant, clean, quiet and connected. He will bring his dynamic story to the Men’s Club of Grosse Pointe luncheon on March 14 at the War Memorial.
Jon has assembled a team of international leaders from aerospace, defense and automotive industries, and he is actively converging automotive mass production techniques with the safety and reliability of commercial air transportation. Prior to starting his aviation career, Jon founded Nextronix, a contract electronics design and manufacturing company serving consumer, industrial, automotive, aerospace and defense industries.
Jon spent over 20 years prototyping and mass-producing high reliability components for various automotive aerospace and communications companies in North America, Europe and Asia. Jon’s team at Nextronix developed and tested the first Intelligent Transportation System (C-ITS) Antenna in partnership with Motorola. This technology now represents core Intellectual Property for digital airborne traffic management systems being employed by ASX.
He is also the founder of Detroit Air Racing, which partnered with Red Bull Austria, and facilitated the 2008 Detroit Red Bull Air Race World Series. The races were said to be the most successful drawing over 750,000 spectators, resulting in over $100 million in economic impact between Detroit and Windsor Ontario.
It was during the application process where Jon was inspired to return aircraft manufacturing to the City of Detroit.
In 2011, Jon founded Detroit Aircraft Corp, and ultimately teamed with Lockheed Martin in 2013 to manufacture and distribute the small electric VTOL aircraft for Military, civil and commercial customers worldwide. Detroit Aircraft has represented several Public Safety Agencies to integrate Unmanned Aircraft Systems in the National Airspace System.
In 2017, Jon founded Airspace Experience Technologies (ASX) to commercialize large scale eVTOL aircraft, ultimately earning a term sheet with Uber Technologies. ASX worked with Uber Technologies to conceptually design e-VTOL to move 4-5 passengers, up to 65 miles at cruise speeds of 150 Mph for the price of an UberX Ride. After 6 iterations, Jon and his team were thrilled to begin flight testing the Sigma-6 Aircraft in Summer 2022, an all-new transportation system designed and built in Detroit.
Previous Speakers
CINDY WILLCOCK
Executive Director, Main Street Grosse Pointe
FEBRUARY 28, 2023
Businesses and property owners are facing daunting challenges as the country seeks to return to business as usual in the wake of the pandemic, a short, sharp recession, and a bout of inflation. Shoppers and businesses will be important sources of our community’s bounce-back. Join the Men’s Club of Grosse Pointe for a conversation with Cindy Willcock, the first Executive Director of Main Street Grosse Pointe, for a discussion about this promising new program.
Willcock joined the Main Street program in late 2020. Prior to coming to Grosse Pointe, she was the Deputy Director for the Ferndale Downtown Development Authority, which features an exciting downtown scene. In her 10+ years with Ferndale, she was considered a Jill-of-all-trades so-to-speak, with a knack for figuring out complex problems and getting results. Her specialty is connecting people and organizations and bringing them together to serve the community.
GREG HADEL
Vice President, Education and Talent, for the Detroit Regional Chamber
TO DISCUSS FINDING AND KEEPING TALENTED WORKERS
FEBRUARY 14, 2023
Finding and keeping talented workers is one of the biggest challenges facing employers in the Detroit region. Greg Handel will share insights into the dimensions of the issue and what area employers are doing about it.
Greg is the Vice President, Education and Talent, for the Detroit Regional Chamber. In this role he is responsible for the Chamber’s efforts to ensure that employers have access to the talent needed to thrive in the 21st century global environment.
Handel oversees Detroit Drives, a regional initiative designed to increase the percentage the adults throughout the region with a quality postsecondary degree and reduce the racial equity gap in degree attainment. He is also responsible for the Detroit Promise, which offers a tuition-free pathway for every Detroit high school graduate who resides in the city. In addition, he plays leadership roles in education policy development and advocacy as well as talent retention and attraction initiatives.
Greg serves on the Boards of the Michigan College Access Network and Detroit College Access Network, Trillium Public Schools Academy, Global Detroit and numerous other committee, advisory boards, and partnerships dedicated to improving educational outcomes across the region and the state.
Handel earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics at University of Detroit Mercy. He is also a graduate of the US Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organizational Management and the Center for Creative Leadership.
ED DEEB
COMMUNITY LEADER and AUTHOR
JANUARY 24, 2023
Ed, a Men’s Club member, graduated from Michigan State University in 1960 with a journalism degree. While at State he wrote for the State News and played the clarinet in both the concert and marching bands. He was part of a popular student dance band—The Arabian Knights. (If you were on campus, you’ll likely remember the Knights’ wildly popular performances of the then-hit song Shish Kebab.) Ed continued to remain active as an alumnus. He was a founding member and first President of the Communication Arts Alumni Association and chairman of the first Alumni Board. A conference room in the Comm Arts building bears his name.
After graduating from State, Ed served two years in the US Air Force (1960-1962).
Early in his career, Deeb was offered the position of President of the newly formed Association of Grocery Dealers in Michigan. He accepted and began a statewide promotion of the food and beverage industry, increasing the association to more than 5,000 members from 65.
When Ed was asked to help at Eastern Market, he formed and headed up the Eastern Market Merchants Association. He initiated major promotional programs inviting shoppers to come back to the historic site. The market immediately began to restore itself and grew.
His greatest achievement may be the founding and directing of Metro Detroit Youth Day. The state’s largest youth event draws 34,000 kids, ages 8-15, to Belle Isle every July to enjoy sports clinics run by college and professional players, a talent show, a chance to commune with critters in a petting zoo, the promotion of higher education, and lunch. A street on Belle Isle has been named after him.
In 2022 Ed authored The Go to Guy, The Life and Times of a Detroit-Area Mover, Shaker, and Peacemaker”. One of Ed’s favorite sayings is, Don’t go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path, and leave a trail. The book may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting iUniverse, 1663 Liberty Drive, Bloomington, IN 470403; http://www.iuniverse.com; 844-349-9409.
SPACE
SPACE
TODD BETTISON
ASSISTANT MAYOR OF DETROIT
JANUARY 10, 2023
As Deputy Mayor, Todd A. Bettison oversees many aspects of City government and serves as a bridge to community leaders and activists across the political spectrum.
Bettison will discuss major developments on the east side, his role as deputy mayor, key challenges facing the community, and ways that Detroit and other East side communities can collaborate.
The son of a Detroit schoolteacher, Todd comes to the position of Deputy Mayor following a distinguished 27-year career with the Detroit Police Department and was second in command to Chief James White. In that role, he oversaw all aspects of the department’s community relations, as well as administrative functions of DPD.
Bettison rose through the ranks quickly at DPD, starting in 1994 as a patrol officer. Within five years, he was promoted to sergeant and to lieutenant one year later, each time scoring the highest of any candidate in the department on the promotional exam. Bettison continued his rise and was promoted to Inspector, Captain, Commander and eventually Deputy Chief in 2017. Todd holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Wayne State University in Criminal Justice and a Graduate Business Certificate from the Mike Ilitch School of Business. He is also a graduate of Eastern Michigan University’s School of Police Staff and Command and Oakland University’s Six Sigma/Lean Management Certification-Green Belt Program.
As Deputy Mayor, Bettison will fill in for Mayor Duggan if the mayor is incapacitated or otherwise unable to fulfill his duties. Given his extensive law enforcement background, Bettison will oversee all enforcement-related activities from police to blight enforcement and more.
KEN DANIELS
Television voice of the Detroit Red Wings and co-founder and trustee, the Jamie Daniels Foundation
NOVEMBER 22, 2022
At its next meeting on November 22, the Men’s Club of Grosse Pointe will meet with one of the premier play-by-play broadcasters in Detroit sports history. Ken Daniels will share insights on the past, present and future of Detroit Red Wings hockey – one of the most storied franchises in the NHL. He will also address the critical issue of substance abuse among adolescents and young adults in our region. Daniels has first-hand experience with that topic; he lost his son Jamie.
On September 6, 1997, Ken Daniels achieved his lifetime goal becoming the TV Play-by-Play voice of a National Hockey League team, hired by the Detroit Red Wings to be their lead hockey announcer.
Ken has been rewarded for his efforts on many occasions. In 2002, he was named by readers of the Detroit Free Press as the best Play-by-Play announcer. In 2006, he won his first Michigan Emmy award for excellence in television play-by-play. In 2003 and 2010, Ken was named Michigan Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. Also in 2010, Ken received the Detroit Sports Media’s ‘Ty Tyson Award’ for excellence in Sports Broadcasting. In the spring of 2013, Ken was named “Top Sportscaster in Michigan” in a Detroit Free Press poll.
In 2022 Ken Daniels and his broadcast partner Mickey Redmond started their 26th season as partners in the booth calling Red Wings games after last year being voted the best local broadcast crew in the NHL. In addition, Ken won his second local Emmy in the category of ‘Play-By-Play Sports Announcing’.
Ken’s son Jamie had often joked that dad needed a “summer job.” Unfortunately, he gave him one. Ken is co-founder of the Jamie Daniels Foundation dedicated to ending the shame and stigma that surrounds drug addiction and providing support for teens, young adults and their families struggling with substance abuse disorder. Daniels will be joined at the meeting by Chris Perry, executive director of the foundation.
RICHARD WHITE
Fallen and Wounded Soldiers Fund for the joint Vietnam Veterans In Need assistance programs
NOVEMBER 8, 2022
Vietnam Veteran Richard White to Speak November 8th Meeting at War Memorial. Richard White has been honored for his tireless efforts in establishing more than a half dozen scholarship and assistance programs for students in Detroit and across the state. White received the recognition at a Salute to Warriors event put on by Guardian Angel, the Fallen and Wounded Soldiers Fund, DCD Dunaskiss, and state Sen. Mat Dunaskiss.
“I am humbled by and grateful for the recognition, but I’m even prouder of how Chapter 9 has supported students and helped them pursue higher education and careers,” White said. “We want to make a difference.” A former board member of Detroit Chapter #9 of the Vietnam Veterans of America, White helped create scholarships for Detroit Public Schools students, JROTC members, students pursuing building trades, students who are descendants of Vietnam Veterans, and cadets of the Michigan Wing – Civil Air Patrol. The chapter has awarded more than $62,000 in scholarships
to 43 students since 2019.
White currently serves as the chapter’s liaison to the Fallen and Wounded Soldiers Fund for the joint Vietnam Veterans In Need assistance program, which he helped establish. He currently serves as a Trustee for the Chapter’s Trust Fund.
“Our annual Salute Our Warriors event was a special night where we honored three veterans who served their country with honor while raising over $100,000 for the Fallen and Wounded Soldiers Fund,” explained Ziad Kassab, who hosted the event. “Equally important as the dollars raised for the mission was how we were able to re-ignite the patriotic spirit of so many of our guests and let all the veterans in attendance know how much we appreciate them.”
“Captain Richard White is no different. Serving in Vietnam was one of the toughest wars to come home from as those men and women did not get the same welcome home as other soldiers,” he added. “It was especially important to have him there so he and all Vietnam vets could be recognized for their service to our country.”
White graduated from the Artillery Officer Candidate School at the age of 20. After a brief tour at Ft. Campbell, he joined the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam in 1968 spending eight months as the Artillery Forward Observer attached to various infantry companies. He was awarded the Air Medal, Bronze Star Medal with V device and 1st Oak leaf cluster and the Silver Star.
At the Men’s Club of Grosse Pointe meeting on November 8, White will describe how the Chapter serves not only the veterans in its area and beyond, but also how the Chapter plays a key role in addressing the needs of the broader community covered by Chapter 9. Michigan has more than 200,000 Vietnam-era veterans, according to the National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics and the U.S. Census, making it the largest veterans group in Michigan.
White Lives in Grosse Pointe Farms and is a management consultant. About the VVA Chapter The chapter supports and honors veterans by helping them access resources, advocating for veteran-centered policies and legislation, being a partner in the Metro Detroit Veterans Coalition that hosts the annual Veterans Day Parade, and working to better our community through scholarships, donations, and other philanthropic efforts.
MARK O’BRIEN
President, O’Brien Ford — The Impact of electric cars on dealerships.
OCTOBER 25, 2022
Mark O’Brien is a third-generation Ford dealer and had been a 45-year resident of the Grosse Pointes until his recent move to St. Clair Shores. Club members will know his business by the familiar slogan, “Stay on the right track to Nine Mile and Mack…..”
For the past 30 years, Mark has served as general manager and chairman of Roy O’Brien, Inc., one of the Ford Motor Company’s most successful and long-running dealers, with a current 4.4 out of 5.0 score in DealerRater.
Mark currently resides in Saint Clair Shores with his wife, Gail. They have four adult children and a grandson. He and Gail enjoy world travel, fine dining, building, boating, and of course, grand-parenting. He holds a degree in Business Administration from Michigan State University, which he earned in 1981.
As Mark reported on the O’Brien website, its founder, Roy Edwin O’BO’Brien, Sr., opened the Ford dealership on March 14, 1946, with a $50,000 investment, ten employees, and NO NEW CARS FOR SALE! (World War II was ending, and all automotive production was shifted to war munitions and equipment).
Today, our 110 employees are engaged in bringing our customers the finest in automotive sales and services, and our average monthly payroll exceeds $600,000! Grandpa O’Brien would be very surprised to see how much we’ve grown!
His son, our past chairman, Roy E. O’Brien, Jr., ushered in an era of mass communication, increased customer satisfaction, and sales levels to place Roy O’Brien Ford in the Top One Hundred Ford retailers in the entire country!
As we look towards our future, our president and general manager, Roy Patrick O’Brien, envisions the new, state-of-the-art dealership. With a keen eye towards detail and our mission of “treating customers BETTER than they expect to be treated,” Roy continues the legacy that our grandfather and father created at the now famous corner of “9 Mile & Mack!”
Mark’s talk will focus on the electric vehicles coming down the road and how that might change the Dealership.
JOSEPH STRIPLIN
Violinist and Conductor of the Grosse Pointe Symphony
October 11, 2022
Joseph Striplin began his musical studies in the Detroit Public Schools and is a graduate of Cass Technical High School where he played violin and viola in the symphony orchestra. He continued his studies at Wayne State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in music education. During this time he studied violin with the late Detroit Symphony Orchestra violinist, Jack Boesen.
After WSU Striplin launched his professional career as a music teacher for three years in the Detroit Public Schools. Before returning to Detroit in 1972 as a violinist with the DSO,,he was with the Metropolitan Opera National Company Orchestra, the Indianapolis Symphony, and the St. Louis Symphony
Maestro Striplin’s formal conducting studies began under the guidance of Valter Poole and continued with instruction from Gustav Meier of the University of Michigan. He has been guest conducted the Lyric Chamber Ensemble and the Wayne State University Summer String Orchestra. In 1994, Striplin was honored to conduct the Savannah (Ga.) Symphony during its ninth annual Black Heritage Week, where he was also involved in lectures and discussions. Subsequently, he was invited back as a guest conductor during the Savannah Symphony’s 1997 season. In 1996, he concluded ten years as Associate Conductor of the Detroit Symphony Civic Orchestra, the DSO’s pre-professional training orchestra. Striplin retired from the DSO in 2021. In addition to continuing to direct and conduct the Grosse Pointe Symphony, Striplin concentrates on conducting and performing chamber music with his accomplished pianist wife, Dana. Joe and Dana reside in Ann Arbor.
The idea of forming an orchestra in Grosse Pointe was born early in 1953, the first rehearsal was held at Pierce Junior High School in January 1954, the first concert was given on March 7th, 1954, at Parcells Junior High School. The Orchestra has had four conductors – Wayne Dunlap, Henri Nosco, and Felix Resnick, who took over as in 1959 and served for fifty years. Beginning with the 54th season, Mr. Striplin assumed the position of conductor and musical director.
The next concert will be Sunday October 17th at Our Lady Star of the Sea in GPW at 7PM. The program will consist of JS Bach Passacaglia & Fugue in C minor, Mozart Concerto #5, (Violin soloist Jing Zhang) and Still Symphony #4. Senior tickets will be available at the door for $15. Seating is open.
CHRISTIE COGGIN
Immediate past Vice-President of Development,
Grosse Pointe Foundation for Public Education
September 27, 2022
Christie recently retired from the GPFPE Board- but has agreed to give The TRAILS SEED Grant presentation to the Men’s Club that she presented at GPFPE’s Spring Benefit. The Benefit raised funds in support of SEED. SEED stands for Social Emotional Encouragement and Development and facilitates programs targeting the emotional and mental health of students and teachers. As GPFPE Vice President and Grant Committee Co-Chair, Christie was responsible for the coordination of the grant program.
The GPFPE is a nonprofit organization that provides private funding for academic and enrichment programs for the Grosse Pointe Public School System. It partners with the community to ensure students have access to in person and virtual education that meets the standards of the district. GPFPE provides teachers, students, and parents the ability to apply for grants that assist students with programs in arts and music, foreign language, reading comprehension, STEM, math and science, programs for special needs students, and other program enhancement opportunities. Since the inception of the GPFPE in 2006, almost four million dollars has been awarded to support school enhancement programs.
Christie graduated from South and earned an undergraduate degree in elementary education from Boston College. Christie and her late husband, Pat, raised four children, Samantha, Allissa, Tyler, and Casey.
Christie also runs The Patrick and Christie Scoggin Foundation which funds educational scholarships as well as many other charitable needs in our community and beyond.
DR. DAVID DULIO
Professor, Political Science Department and Director of Center for Civic Engagement Oakland University
September 13, 2022
Professor Dulio’s topic will be Campaign 2022. He teaches courses on campaigns and elections, Congress, political parties, interest groups, and other areas of American politics. Dulio has published thirteen books, with two of his most recent being Under the Iron Dome: Congress from the Inside and Cases in Congressional Campaigns: Split Decision. He has written dozens of articles and book chapters on subjects ranging from the role of professional consultants in U.S. elections to campaign finance. Dulio is also a former American Political Science Congressional Fellow on Capitol Hill where he worked in the U.S. House of Representatives Republican Conference for former US Rep. J.C. Watts, Jr. (R-OK).
Dr. Dulio joined Oakland University in 2002 and became Chair in 2010, a position he held until just recently. He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan, and both an MA and a PhD from American University.
The Oakland University Center for Civic Engagement takes important issues of public concern and public policy out of the classroom and actively engages many different stakeholders — including students, faculty, policy makers and community members — in non-partisan, deliberative and productive dialogue. Indeed, democracy is better served through respectful discussions about important issues.
MICHELE HODGES
President and CEO of Belle Isle Conservancy
August 23, 2022
Belle Isle Park is a 982-acre island park located in Detroit with historic, environmental, and cultural resources that have been beloved for generations. The park is home to the Belle Isle Aquarium, Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, Dossin Great Lakes Museum, Belle Isle Nature Center, the James Scott Memorial Fountain, the Oudoulf Garden and more!
The mission of the Belle Isle Conservancy is to protect, preserve, restore, and enhance the natural environment, historic structures, and unique character of Belle Isle as a public park for the enjoyment of all.
Belle Isle Conservancy works in close partnership with the State of Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources, the City of Detroit, and island partners to bring additional resources to Belle Isle. In February of 2014, the DNR began managing Belle Isle as a state park under a 30-year lease. The City of Detroit retained ownership of the park.
The DNR is the responsible agent for day-to-day operations, maintaining infrastructure, removing debris, and making park improvements for all to enjoy. The Conservancy serves as an advocate for the park, brings volunteer resources to the park, operates the Belle Isle Aquarium, and actively raises funds for needed projects and improvements on the island.
Michele Hodges has served as the founding president and CEO of the Belle Isle Conservancy since 2012, during which time the organization has grown from nascency to full maturity. She serves as a gubernatorial and mayoral appointee to the Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee. Her work has earned recognition from Crain’s Detroit Business 40 Under 40 and Most Notable Women in Non-Profits.
Park residents will recognize her as their mayor, elected in 2019 with her term ending in 2023.
Michele earned a Bachelor of Science in Urban Planning from Michigan State University, and numerous professional designations, including the Institute for Organizational Management, Economic Developers Institute, and the Institute for Public Administration. She is a Michigan Political Leadership Program fellow, and has a history of board and community service, including with the PTO (Defer, Pierce and South), the Grosse Pointe Park Foundation, Jefferson East Inc., the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and many more. She also serves as a lector at St. Ambrose.
She and Matt have been married since 1990 and have two daughters, Sylvia (Grosse Pointe South class of 2019), and Josephine (Grosse Pointe South class of 2022). They’ve been happily planted in Grosse Pointe Park since 2001, and the Woods just prior.
MICHAEL E. UNSWORTH
Writer And Lecturer Of Military History
August 9, 2022
Michael Unsworth will speak on the Japanese FU-GO balloon attack on North America. Thousands of high-altitude hydrogen balloons armed with incendiary and high-explosive bombs, designed to follow the westerly winds of the upper atmosphere and drift to the west coast of North America, were deployed, He has written several articles and given numerous presentations on the Japanese balloon attack.
Unsworth is a co-author of the annotated bibliography Future War Novels (1984) and the editor of Military Periodicals. He has written numerous articles, concentrating on military history.
Michael received his undergraduate degree as well as a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from Indiana University. He followed at Notre Dame with a Master of Science in Administration – Non-profit/Public/Organizational Management.
In 1984, after stints with the libraries of Notre Dame and Colorado State University, he joined the Michigan State University Libraries. Unger retired in 2016. He initially served as History and Canadian Studies librarian. From 1999 to 2008, he was of Assistant Director of the MSU Canadian Studies Center.
Unsworth is an avid bicyclist and advocate of bicycling.
BRIGADIER GENERAL
ROLF E. MAMMEN
July 26, 2022
BRIGADIER GENERAL ROLF E. MAMMEN became the Commander, 127th Wing, Selfridge Air National Guard Base in May of 2019. The 127th Wing is home to 1,700 Citizen-Airmen operating both the A-10 and KC135 aircraft, as well as the host to more than 70 tenant organizations from all branches of the military and numerous Department of Homeland Security organizations. More than 5,000 Active, Guard, Reserve, and civilian personnel call Selfridge home.
A native of Grosse Pointe Woods, General Mammen earned his commission and Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics through Michigan State University’s Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1986. After graduating from the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) program at Sheppard Air Force Base in 1988, he served as an Instructor Pilot in the T-38 aircraft at the ENJJPT schoolhouse teaching advanced pilot training to students and instructors representing twelve participating NATO nations. Joining the Michigan Air National Guard in 1994, General Mammen completed C-130 Pilot Initial Qualification course as a distinguished graduate and has flown numerous operational missions domestically, in the Pacific, European, and South American theaters. In addition, he deployed to Southwest Asia in 2004-2005 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom as the 738th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron’s Operations Officer- – managing the daily C-130 flying operation into Iraq and Afghanistan.
In his civilian capacity, the General is a pilot with a major airline logging more than 10,000 flying hours in the B737, B757, B767 and the B777. The General also serves on the Board of Directors of the Grosse Pointe War Memorial and the Grosse Pointe Foundation.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 3000
Aircraft flown: AT -38B, C 26A/B, C -130 E, T37, T38EDUCATION
1986 Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
1993 Squadron Officer School (SOS), by correspondence
2000 Air Command and Staff College (ACSC), by correspondence
2005 Air War College (AWC), by correspondence
2015 Advanced Joint Professional Military Education (AJPME)
2018 Harvard University, Leadership in Homeland Security
2019 Master of Science in Administration, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan
2020 Enterprise Leadership Seminar (ELS), University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
2021 Regional Seminar – Africa, Alan L. Freed Associates Inc., Alexandria, VA
2021 Senior Leader Orientation Course (SLOC), Joint Base Andrews, Md.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal
Meritorious Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
AF Longevity Service with silver cluster and three oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with ‘M’ device and silver hourglass
Air Force Training Ribbon
Michigan War on Terrorism Service Ribbon with ‘M’ device
Michigan Broadsword Service Medal with silver star
Michigan Oconus Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Dec. 4, 1986
First Lieutenant Dec. 4, 1988
Captain Dec. 4, 1990
Major Oct. 1, 1998
Lieutenant Colonel Oct. 24, 2002
Colonel June 17, 2013
Colonel June 17, 2013
Brigadier General May 4, 2019
FR. RICH BARTOSZEK
Director of Spiritual Care,
Beaumont Hospital Grosse Pointe
Spirituality and faith are an important part of health and recovery. Chaplains are professionally trained to provide spiritual and emotional care to patients and families who are dealing with a stressful situation. All religious traditions are valued, and support and comfort offered aligned with the patient’s personal faith experience.In his role as a Chaplain Fr Rich offers
- Grief support and guidance
- Facilitating end-of life decision making
- Crisis intervention
- Assistance in communication with caregivers
- Conflict resolution among patients and family members
- Emotional and spiritual support to health care staff
Fr. Rich was born in Manistee and attended St. John’s Provincial Seminary, and St. Mary’s College in Orchard Lake. Fr. Bartoszek was ordained March 11, 1989, at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit.
His first assignment was as associate pastor of St. Jude Parish, Detroit. He served as director of pastoral care at the Oakwood – Heritage Center in Taylor while also helping with weekend Masses at Our Lady of the Woods Parish in Woodhaven. He then became pastor of Our Lady of the Woods while also serving as the Vicar of the former Downriver Vicariate and the archdiocesan Presbyteral Council before returning to hospital ministry as Chaplain of Bon Secour Hospital and continues at Beaumont. It was his ministry to those living with HIV and AIDS in the early ninety’s, which lead him, through the support of his bishop, into healthcare ministry.
He is active in the National Association of Catholic Chaplains having held positions of leadership. He currently serves as a Non-Resident Pastor at St. Joan of Arc and as Chaplain for a number of local organizations.
Fr Rich initiated the No One Dies Alone program. In addition, his Chapel Fund supports the stocking of the Patient’s Clothes Closet (often patients need clothing to wear on discharge), supporting the Hospice and Cancer Suites as well as funding further education for nurses. Contributions can be made to The Grosse Pointe Chapel Fund in care of Father Rich, Beaumont Hospital Grosse Pointe, 468 Cadieux Rd, Grosse Pointe, Michigan.
An excellent speaker and writer, Fr. Rich enjoys a reputation as an impactful homilist. Members of the Mens Club report his “sermons” are concise, on point and memorable!
RJ KING
Editor, Author and former Detroit News business reporter
June 28, 2022
RJ King is editor of DBusiness Magazine, DBusiness Daily News, Tech and Mobility News, Detroit 500, and Michigan Makers, all of which cover companies in metro Detroit and Michigan that are expanding locally, nationally, and internationally. DBusiness magazine has been honored with more than 45 Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals in the Editorial Excellence Awards from the Alliance of Area Business Publishers, including being named the top regional business magazine in the country.
He has authored four books – “Detroit: Engine of America,” a gold medal recipient of the Midwest Book Awards, “8 Track: The First Mobile App,” “Passport to the Corner Office: The Starter’s Guide to Corporate Life,” and “Mystical.”
Prior to launching DBusiness in 2006, RJ was a business writer for The Detroit News for 16 years. He wrote more than 4,000 articles covering economic development, automotive, aerospace, health care, technology, transportation, and other business sectors.
RJ is a board member of the board of Directors of Brother Rice Business Alliance, Beyond Basics, Detroit Aircraft Corp., Detroit Spacecraft Corp., ASX, and the Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he serves on the Board of Trustees for The Parade Co. and Detroit Sessions. He is a member of the Detroit Athletic Club (formerly on board of directors), on the board of the DAC Executives Club and the DAC Car Club as well as a member of the DAC Marketing and Communications Committee.
Named a Knight of Woodward, he is a member of the Boston-Edison Historic District and the University of Michigan Alumni Association. In 2014, Mr. King was inducted into the International Heritage Foundation’s Heritage Hall of Fame.
CATHY HASSE
Highland Games Chair, St Andrews Society of Detroit
JUNE 14, 2022
Cathy Hasse, a native Detroiter and lifelong resident of Michigan is a retired educator having taught in Michigan public schools for 36 years.
Cathy has been active in history groups for the past forty years. She was a founding member of the Friends of Historic Fort Wayne. Cathy served as the president of the Abraham Lincoln Civil War Round Table of Michigan and served on the Midwest Civil War Round Table Conference Planning Committee for over twenty years. She was the newsletter editor of the Greenfield Village paper for over ten years and served as a docent at the Village.
Cathy is involved with Children’s Hospital of Michigan in major fund-raising events and served on the Board of the Michigan Philharmonic for over six years. She is an active member of the St. Andrew’s Society of Detroit, including serving on the Highland Games Committee for twenty years, and several years as the Games Chair.
The Annual Highland Games sponsored by the St. Andrew’s Society of Detroit are the oldest, continuous Games in North America. On August 6, 2022, the Games will celebrate their 173rd year. Originally held at a park in downtown Detroit, the Games have been held in many locations. For over fifty years the games were held on Bob-Lo Island. They have been held at Kensington Park, Ford Field in Dearborn, the University of Detroit campus, Historic Fort Wayne, the Eleanor and Edsel Ford House. The Games have called historic Greenmead Village in Livonia home for the last twenty years. The Games have become a way for those of Scottish lineage to share their love of Scotland, its music, traditions, and culture with others, as well to pass traditions to future generations.
The three main areas of the Games are the Highland Dancing Competition, the Heavy Athletic Competition, and the Bag Pipe Band Competition. There are many other areas of interest and events, too long to list in this space.
Great Scottish and Celtic music can be heard and enjoyed all day in the entertainment tent. A Whisky Tasting is held twice during the afternoon for guests to enjoy the main export of Scotland – a good Single Malt Scotch. On the Friday night before the Games a Celiidh (pronounced Kay-Lee) is held. Bands perform in the tent delighting guests as they enjoy adult beverages and celebrate friendships.
The St. Andrew’s Society of Detroit is the oldest benevolent organization in the State of Michigan. Continuing in the tradition of helping others, all money raised at the Highland Games is donated to charities in the Detroit area and Scotland. The raffle profits from the Games are earmarked for scholarship funds, including a special scholarship for the continuation of Scottish Arts, such as highland dancing or bag piping.
The Games are put on entirely by volunteer members of the St. Andrews Society.
RUFUS MCGAUGH
Traveler, Author and retired Brownell Teacher
May 10, 2022
The scheduled speaker for today cancelled yesterday due to an out of state death in the family.
Fortunately, sought-after speaker Rufus McGaugh was willing to squeeze us in this morning between speaking yesterday at Macomb Community College and Thursday at the SCS Friends of the Library Annual Meeting. He last spoke to the SMC four years ago (March 2018) on his lifelong quest to see the world. Today will be Part II of the topic.
The last time Rufus was with us he had completed his goal of visiting every country in the world and had published Longitude & Latitude with Attitude: One Man’s Quest to See the Entire world. Since then, he has published two more books: 1) Joyriding with a Terrorist in Yemen: and Other Travel Tales and 2) Drowning in all Seven Continents.
Rufus was born in Detroit. He grew up wanting to be a marine, a spy, and a teacher. Rufus enlisted in the Marines and fought in Viet Nam (1970-1971). He was wounded in 1970 and earned the purple heart.
After graduating from Wayne State University, he taught in Grosse Pointe Middle Schools from 1974 to 2010.
Mc Gaugh describes his two favorite trips as to Russia in 1966 to pick up and adopt their oldest son, and in 2006 to 11 Mile and Van Dyke to pick up their foster son, whom they later adopted. He and his wife live in Grosse Pointe.
His favorite activities are backpacking, mountain trekking, mountain climbing, and travel.
NAN WASHBURN
Conductor, Michigan Philharmonic Orchestra
April 26, 2022
Winner of the American Prize in Orchestral Conducting, professional division, The American Prize Ernst Bacon Memorial Award for the Performance of American Music, professional division, and 19 ASCAP awards for Adventurous Programming from the League American Orchestras, Nan is one of the most innovative and dynamic conductors working in the US today. Critics have hailed her work as having “perspicacity, nerve, and all-around savvy” for her fresh approach to concert programming.
Nan earned her Bachelor of Music from the University of California at Santa Barbara and her Master’s degree in performance from the New England Conservatory of Music. A professional flutist for many years, Washburn began her studies in conducting in 1984 with Denis de Coteau at CSU Hayward, continued with Harold Farberman at the Conductors Institute and at the Aspen Festival with Paul Vermel. Nan has also participated in several masterclasses with world class directors.
Washburn first came to national attention as a co-founder, the Artistic Director, and Associate Conductor of the San Francisco Women’s Philharmonic from 1980 to 1990.
For five years Nan was the Artistic Director and Conductor of the West Hollywood Orchestra. She also held the posts as Music Director of Orchestra at Sonoma, the Camellia Symphony in Sacramento as well as Principal Conductor of the Channell Islands Symphony, the Acalanes Chamber Orchestra, and San Francisco State University Orchestra. She made her opera conducting debut with the full production of Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel with the El Dorado Opera Company (LA). Washburn has conducted numerous orchestras throughout the United States.
The Michigan Philharmonic is in its 76th year with Nan in her 23rd season as Music Director. Under her leadership, the orchestra has experienced unprecedented growth in artistic excellence and in the scope and diversity of its programs throughout Southeast Michigan. National recognition for the orchestra during Washburn’s tenure includes 6 ASCAP awards, several prestigious grants from the Knight Foundations and second place honors from the American Prize, professional orchestra division.
Websites at:
A small group from the Michigan Philharmonic Orchestra perform at the Ford House Tunes from the Terrace Series. They will return on August 11, 2022, with the number of musicians determined by the Ford House budget.
A small group from the Michigan Philharmonic Orchestra perform at the Ford House Tunes from the Terrace Series. They will return on August 11, 2022, with the number of musicians determined by the Ford House budget.
MASON FERRY
STUART GRIGG
GP Historical Society
April 12, 2022
Mason Ferry and Stuart Grigg from the Grosse Pointe Historical Society will present The Future of Grosse Pointe Past.
The Society has been collecting stories and artifacts about the Pointes since 1945. In the 1990s, the group acquired and restored the oldest surviving structure in the area, the c. 1823 Provencal-Weir House. Originally a ribbon farmhouse on Lake St. Clair, it was moved several times and now sits at 376 Kercheval. Tucked behind the house museum is another historic treasure – a log cabin c. 1836. Originally located in Macomb County, the cabin was moved to Christ Episcopal Church in the 1930s, where it served for many years as the home of a donkey featured in nativity plays. When the livestock departed, the cabin was disassembled and rebuilt in the current location.
An Administration and Collection Resources Building Building under construction at 275 Kercheval, across from the Provencal-Weir house, is scheduled for completion by June. The new 5000 sq. ft. building includes space for permanent storage of the extensive collection of information about Grosse Pointe buildings and homes, including 5000+ original blueprints. A dedicated digital lab will feature the custom hardware and software used to preserve and share information and stories on the internet. There will be space for changing exhibitions and displays, public activities and programs, workspace for volunteers and researchers, and a collection of special-focus books about our community.
From the first peoples hunting and gathering on the shore of Lake St. Clair through today’s residents and the future Pointers in schools today, there is a clear theme: a great place for a community to grow and thrive with resources and amenities to make a good life. Grosse Pointe is fortunate to have an organization dedicated to the community’s unique and important history. The Society’s website is www.gphistorical.org.
JEFF LAETHEM
MARY SUE LANIGAN
Michigan Parkinson Foundation
March 22, 2022
Parkinson’s disease affects approximately 1.5 million people in the United States. Although Parkinson’s disease most commonly affects people over age 60, it can occur as early as age 20.
When Jeff Lathem’s father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, he left school to be totally immersed in the family’s car dealership business.
In addition to being Chairman of the Michigan Parkinson Foundation, Laethem is actively involved with the St. John Hospital Guild, is an officer of the Children’s Charity at Adios and a Director of the Grosse Pointe Youth Nautical Education Foundation. An avid boater, enthusiastic singer, and struggling golfer, Jeff, his wife Alysia, and their three children live in GP Shores.
Mary Sue Lanigan is the Chief Executive Officer of the Michigan Parkinson Foundation, an organization that provides direct patient services and education to people living with Parkinson’s disease and their families. The Foundation is headquartered in Bingham Farms, serving the entire state of Michigan. Mary Sue has been with the foundation for six years.
Prior to that, Mary Sue was the Development Director for the Arthritis Foundation, Great Lakes Region for fifteen years. Additionally, she is a patient educator at the Cleveland Clinic and community education director at the Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland. Mary Sue has 31 years of experience in program development for chronic disease management in both the non-profit and the private sector.
She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health Education from Kent State University. The website of the Michigan Parkinson Foundation is www.parkinsonmi.org
CHARLES BURKE
President and CEO, The War Memorial
March 8, 2022
A special thank you goes out to Charles for filling in for Chris Pratt who became ill the day before scheduled to speak. When reached at home that night Charles responded, “I will be happy to help you out at the last minute. The relationship of the Men’s Club with the War Memorial is a special one.”
Burke reviewed the impressive improvements to the WM. With the announcement that the War Memorial will be opening November 3 with the first major event being a celebration of Veterans Day, the Club interrupted with spontaneous applause. The Club again interrupted the presentation with applause when Charles announced, “We want you back.”
A Virginia native, Charles received his Bachelor of Music from West Virginia University,’ his Master of Arts from George Mason University and did Doctoral Work in Orchestral Conducting at the University of Michigan. He began his career teaching for five years in Fairfax. He then spent 15 years as the Senior Director of Education & Artistic Director and Conductor of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Youth Ensembles. During 2013 he served as guest instructor in orchestra directing.
Burke joined the Grosse Pointe War Memorial Association in March of 2014 and is the President and CEO. The War Memorial is a venerable institution with a reenergized determination to emerge as a regional driver of arts, learning, patriotism, hospitality, and connectivity. Located on the grounds of the historic Alger Estate, it offers programs to honor veterans, engagement experiences for adults and children, community events and celebrations, and premier hospitality services. With new programming and innovative leadership, combined with a substantial grant from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, the Association has embarked on a long–range planning process, PLAN 2025, to revitalize its stance as a unique, dynamic and forward-thinking hub for southeast Michigan.
The WM website is located at www.warmemorial.org
Men's Club of Grosse Pointe 
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