President Chuck Snyder opened the meeting with a warm welcome on a cold rainy day.
Announcements:
Remember, Rotation Day is next week. Lori Leavitt has emailed assignments to everyone. If you have not received it email her at lori@lorimicheleleavitt.com.
Jim Vos, Chairman of the Bell Ringing Committee, needs your help on December 19th. He is short 10 people including the afternoon coffee person. Please contact him at jimv@ssnw.c
Tom Beaumont wants to remind members to get their pledges in by Thanksgiving. Wikipedia has a great definition for generosity..."The virtue of not being tied down by concerns about one's possessions". He is looking forward to hearing from more of you "generous souls" as we head towards our goal of $100,000.
Brad Burdick, Chairman of the Nominating Committee, announced the slate of officers for the 2016-2017 Elections December 7th as follows:
President: Del VandeKerk
President-Elect: Teri Treat
Program Chairman/Vice President: Sandy McIntire
Treasurer: John Holtzheimer
Board Members. (Vote for two)
Paula McCandlis
Arlie Norman
Lisa Saar
Nathan Twining
Guest of Rotarians:
Jan Marchbanks introduced Olivia Messenger, Theater Student of the Month from Sehome High School, and her parents Jeanne Joslin & Jon Joslin
Jim Vos introduced Tina Perona, Theater Student of the Month from Squalicum High School, and her parents Mary & Ralph Perona
Teri Treat introduced Steve Hettick and Steve Ershig with Ershig Inc.
Presentations:
Students of the Month: Theater
Bellingham High School Student, Julia La Fortune, was unable to attend
Sehome High School Student, Olivia Messenger, was hosted by Jan Marchbanks
Squalicum High School Student, Tina Perona, was hosted by Jim Vos
Program:
Ershigs, Inc. presented by Steve Hettick
Herb Ershig introduced Steve, who reviewed the firm's history that began in 1935 in Bellingham. Herb's father founded the business as a sheet metal shop. The company grew to become a major manufacturer of composite vessels, piping, and ducting for heavy industry under Herb's leadership, starting in the 1960's. The development of fiberglass-reinforced plastic products was ideal for very corrosive applications such as the pulp and paper industry, and the marine industry, which were instrumental to Ershig's rapid expansion. Ershigs, Inc. became leaders in manufacturing these large custom-made products for heavy industry. In the 1980's and 1990's they built plants in several locations in the U.S. to handle their growth (because the company designs, builds, and installs large-scale products, the manufacturing needed to be located near the end-users). The business was sold tp C.B.& I in 1993.
The new owners have continued to expand their products into other industries including petroleum, chemical, mining, sea water treatment and even wind turbine blades! They have five plants in the U.S. and Canada, and a plant in Chile that serves the mining industry. They have also continued to grow the custom stainless steel fabrication side of their business, from which the company began. We are fortunate to have Ershigs, Inc. based in Bellingham, with a significant number of good paying jobs, and a history of hiring local talent.
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