Summary of the Iowa City Noon Rotary Meeting on November 12, 2015
New Member Induction –
M. Theresa Schaefer (Sponsor Usha Balakrishnan)
Joe Vens (Sponsor Verne Folkmann)
Paul Trombino III, Iowa DOT Director
Nancy Quellhorst introduced Paul Trombino III. Paul Trombino III was appointed director of the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) May 9, 2011, and confirmed by the Iowa State Senate June 28, 2011. Trombino holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is a licensed professional engineer in the states of Iowa and Wisconsin.
Nancy Quellhorst introduced Paul Trombino III. Paul Trombino III was appointed director of the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) May 9, 2011, and confirmed by the Iowa State Senate June 28, 2011. Trombino holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is a licensed professional engineer in the states of Iowa and Wisconsin.
Corporate culture has been a large part of his focus since taking over his role with the IDOT. He established a leadership program to help grow leaders within the organization. 500 employees from across the IDOT recently attended their 2nd Annual Leadership Conference. Trombino is willing to take risks knowing that not all risks will work but the 30% that do will be really great and keep Iowa moving in the right direction. He also knows the importance of bringing in fresh perspective. When he started with the department they had 5 interns. Over the last 3 years he has built their internship program into a strong and robust initiative and in 2015 they had 110 interns across their organization.
Technology is in the forefront since their work is constantly changing through a fusion of information in and around transportation and how they collect and share their data. Fully automated vehicles are closer to becoming a reality in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Corridor on Interstate 380. They are partnering with the University of Iowa to develop an environment that will be able to sustain this technology. Road Way Mapping is one of the ways that the state of Iowa is ahead of other states which will help in keeping our state ahead of the technology curve.
Freight movement is another critical piece of the puzzle and the largest issue for our state. Iowa’s multimodal transportation is unique, in part because of our state’s geographical location at the center of the nation. Iowa serves as a crossroads for our country’s surface transportation system as we move commodities across our state, nation and to approximately 50-60 countries as well. The IDOT is working closely with Debi Durham, director, of the Iowa Economic Development Authority to find a way to engage with businesses to help them save in their freight costs by re-designing their commodity movement.
MEETING
Singing: Doris Preucil was on the piano for the singing of America the Beautiful.
Rotary Moment: Barb Thomas on engaged Rotarian Linda Farkas. Linda is proof that Rotarians aren’t just talk. They get things done. In her six year tenure, Linda cites helping Chris Buresh gather and package medical supplies for Haiti as not only the most meaningful event for herself, but for others as well. But Linda’s involvement doesn’t stop there. She heads the chapter’s efforts for RYLA and worked on the 100th Celebration for the club. Though formally “retired”, this devoted Rotarian advises new members to get involved. “Our club has many committees and you can pick and choose what you’d like to work on. It’s the easiest way to do good and help the world both locally and globally.”
President Thais had the following announcements:
November 25 Meeting: Thanksgiving week the meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 25 at the Antique Car Museum in Coralville through a partnership with the Coralville/North Corridor Rotary Club. Tim Walch will present a program on the pictorial history of Coralville.
Centennial Programs: Centennial programs, tote bags, and coffee cups are available at the back bar after today's meeting.
Program Committee Meeting: November 16 at 7:45 a.m. at 122 South Linn (Bob Downer's office). Please consider attending the meeting to share ideas on future programs and to wish
Tom Cilek a "Happy Birthday."
For questions related to Club administration, please contact us at secretary@iowacitynoonrotary.org.
Guests and Visiting Rotarians
Jeff Kueter introduced Visiting Rotarians Chet Woodman (Chagrin Valley District 6630) and Jim Scott (Park City Sunrise) as well as guests M. Theresa Schaefer, Ann Brownsberger, Patricia Roberts (Usha Balakrishnan); Dale Roberts (Steve Wolken); Gordon Fischer (Brenda LaMarche); Kirby Schaefer (Aaron Schaefer); Trisha Smith (Joe Hughes); John Stamler (Jody Braverman).
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Program: Tom Cilek; Attendance: Nancy Droll; Greeters: November 19 - Tony Weiler and Sarah Richardson, December 3 - Nanci Kohl and Brianna Wills, December 10 – Brenda LaMarche and Maggie Butler.