Speakers
Dr. Gretchen McIntosh
Jul 17, 2026
Children of Valor
Avery Clark
Jul 31, 2026
Marketing Coach - The Wyler Collection
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Upcoming Events
  • Board Meeting
    Dublin Chamber of Commerce
    Aug. 05, 2026
    5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
  • Board Meeting
    Dublin Chamber of Commerce
    Sep. 02, 2026
    5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
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Dublin AM Executives

President
Peter Georgiton
Past President
Gene Oliver
 
President Elect
Dan Schwegman
Vice President
Dan Schwegman
Treasurer
Rich Weber
 
Secretary
Claudia Trusty
 
 
Download Rotary Forms
Welcome to Dublin AM Rotary
 
 
 
 
 
Our club is 100 members strong, working together to offer community service in Dublin, Ohio, and throughout the world!
 
Dublin AM meets at 7:30 AM every Friday morning at The Country Club at Muirfield Village. Visitors are welcome to join us to meet business and community leaders, hear presentations from some of the areas most interesting speakers and learn more about Rotary International.
 
NOTE:  Our club is also meeting via Zoom. To learn about visiting us during a meeting or to get the Zoom link, contact our Membership Chair.
 
Dublin AM Rotary members have supported community projects here at home and throughout the world for 35 years. We are happy to share our Dublin AM Rotary Impact Report with you. 
 
 
Home Page Stories
FRIDAY, JULY 10 MEETING - PAT BAKER ON FTD Frontotemporal dementia

Patricia Baker will be speaking to our club about FTD.  Pat is a close friend of Dave McKee (our former member who has FTD) and Sandra Puskarik, Dave's wife, and she will be speaking to our club about Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), also known as frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). 

FTD is an umbrella term for a group of brain diseases that mainly affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. These areas of the brain are associated with personality, behavior and language.

In frontotemporal dementia, parts of these lobes shrink, known as atrophy. Symptoms of frontotemporal dementia depend on which part of the brain is affected. Some people with frontotemporal dementia have changes in their personalities. They may act in ways that seem socially inappropriate and may be impulsive or show less response to other people's feelings. Others lose the ability to use or understand language.

Frontotemporal dementia can be misdiagnosed as a mental health condition or as Alzheimer's disease. But FTD tends to occur at a younger age than does Alzheimer's disease. It often begins between the ages of 40 and 65, although it can occur later in life as well. FTD is the cause of dementia about 10% to 20% of the time.

JULY 17 MEETING - Gretchen McIntosh, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer, Children of Valor

Our speaker on Friday, JulGretchen McIntosh, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer on Influential Womeny 17 is Gretchen McIntosh, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, Children of Valor

Gretchen McIntosh, Ph.D., is the Chief Executive Officer of Children of Valor, a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting the children of the nation’s elite military personnel. In her role, she oversees daily operations, drives programmatic and financial success, and implements sustainable practices to ensure long-term organizational impact. Her leadership focuses on creating pathways for children to overcome academic challenges while navigating the unique demands of military family life.

Over her eight-year tenure, Dr. McIntosh has expanded the organization from its origins as SEALKIDS, serving the Naval Special Warfare community, to Children of Valor, which now serves children across all Special Operations Forces. She has developed strategic partnerships with funders, stakeholders, and community leaders, and her expertise in nonprofit management and organizational policy has been critical to the organization’s growth and ongoing programmatic excellence.

As the daughter of a Vietnam veteran, Dr. McIntosh has a personal connection to military family life and is a passionate advocate for children growing up in extraordinary circumstances. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys walking her dog, spending time at the beach, reading, and quilting. These personal pursuits reflect her commitment to balance, mindfulness, and creativity while she continues to champion the needs and opportunities of military children.

 

Friday, June 19 - MEETING BEING HELD AT DUBLIN FOOD PANTRY
 
Meeting Details:
  • Arrival: 7:30 a.m.
  • Meeting Start: 7:45 a.m.
  • Presentation: Begins at 8:00 a.m.
  • Speaker: Joe Clark, Director of Government and Public Affairs for Columbia Gas of Ohio
  • Topic: Energy Update | A Look at Your Electric & Natural Gas Bills
  • Duration: 30 minutes (including ~5 minutes for Q&A)
  • Meeting Concludes: 8:30 a.m.
Don't forget to bring toiletries for the Dublin Food Pantry!
 
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Topic:
 
Energy Update | A Look at Your Electric & Natural Gas Bills
 
Join us for a clear, practical overview of what’s driving changes in your electric and natural gas bills across Ohio. We’ll break down how your energy bill is structured, the key factors impacting rising costs—like growing demand, grid investment, and data centers—and what policymakers are doing to protect consumers. This session is designed to be straightforward, informative, and relevant for every household and business.
 
 
Bio:
 
Joe Clark serves as Director of Government and Public Affairs for Columbia Gas of Ohio, where he leads the company’s state government relations, local public affairs, economic development, large customer engagement, and community initiatives. He joined NiSource in 2015 as part of the legal team, representing utility interests before state regulatory commissions in Ohio and Kentucky, and later advanced to Director of Regulatory Policy before assuming his current role in 2025.
 
Prior to joining Columbia Gas, Joe worked both in private practice and in-house for competitive energy suppliers, with a focus on utility regulation and large industrial electric matters, and began his career in the Ohio legislature. A native of Junction City, Ohio, he holds a bachelor’s degree in international affairs from Muskingum University and a J.D. from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, and he is actively involved in the community, serving on several nonprofit and industry boards.
 
Friday, June 12, David Jones, USA Africa School Photo Coop Venture
We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming meeting this Friday, June 12, at The Country Club at Muirfield (8715 Muirfield Dr., Dublin).
 
Meeting Details:
  • Arrival: 7:30 a.m.
  • Meeting Start: 7:45 a.m.
  • Presentation: Begins at 8:00 a.m.
  • Speaker:  David Jones
  • Topic: USA-Africa School Photo Co-Op Venture
  • Duration: 30 minutes (including ~5 minutes for Q&A)
  • Meeting Concludes: 8:30 a.m.
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Topic:
 
A latest project to help a school with 900 orphans in Uganda. 
 
 
Bio:
 
David is a graduate of Ohio State University and worked in software development for 45 years before retiring in 2019.  To start retirement, David initiated a global grant process to provide water and toilets in a village in Uganda.  It took 5 years and around $130,000 to complete 4 large solar powered water wells providing water for around 2,000 people, and new toilets at a school for 700 elementary children. While the project was progressing, he moved through the roles to become President of TriVillage Rotary Club and is currently the Foundation chair for his club. David is also active in Toastmasters, achieving his Distinguished Toastmaster award in 2019, and is currently President of Franklin Toastmaster Club 524 which has been around for 79 years.

Besides Rotary and Toastmasters, David does public speaking against drunk driving, sharing the loss of his wife in 2008 to a DUI driver.  He has talked to over 24,000 drivers with DUI’s over the last 17 years.

David is here today to share information about his latest project to help a school with 900 orphans in Uganda. 
 
Friday 3-27-26 - Speaker Eric Phillips - re Economic Development 
We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming meeting this Friday, Mar 27th, at The Country Club at Muirfield (8715 Muirfield Dr., Dublin).
 
Meeting Details:
  • Arrival: 7:30 a.m.
  • Meeting Start: 7:45 a.m.
  • Presentation: Begins at 8:00 a.m.
  • Speaker: Eric S. Phillips, Executive Director
  • Topic: Economic Development Update – Marysville, Union County, and the US 33 Corridor
  • Duration: 30 minutes (including ~5 minutes for Q&A)
  • Meeting Concludes: 8:30 a.m.
 
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Topic:
 
Economic Development Update – Marysville, Union County, and the US 33 Corridor

Bio: 
 
Economic Development Director, Union County – Marysville
Chief Executive Officer, Union County Chamber of Commerce
 
Eric Phillips has served as the Union County-Marysville Economic Development Director since February 2001. In this role, he also serves as the Executive Director of the Community Improvement Corporation and the Marysville-Union County Port Authority.
 
His primary roles are to retain and attract business growth and development and to build consensus between and among businesses, government and the community.  
 
Mr. Phillips currently serves on the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC), Mid-Ohio Development Exchange (MODE) Board of Directors, Ohio Council of Port Authorities (OCPA) Board of Directors serving as Secretary, NW 33 Innovation Corridor Council of Governments (COG) Board of Directors serving as Secretary, and Community Capital Development Corporation Board of Directors.
 
Formerly, Mr. Phillips served as President of the MORPC Commission, President of the MODE Board of Directors, Secretary of the One Columbus Board of Directors, and President of the National Rural Economic Developer’s Association.    Mr. Phillips has played a key role in the development and implementation of the 33 Smart Mobility Corridor within the Beta District. This project has realized over $100M in public and private smart mobility infrastructure investments making this section of the 33 corridor one of the most advanced proving grounds for connected and autonomous vehicles. Additionally, Mr. Phillips has led the development of the 33 Innovation Park in Marysville leading to over $50M of investment in the business park and the formation of the Automotive & Mobility Innovation Center (AMIC). Home to 20 Japanese companies, Mr. Phillips has been instrumental in the development of the Marysville-Yorii sister/friendship city relationship, the student exchange program, and promoting foreign direct investment.    
 
Mr. Phillips earned his undergraduate degree from Muskingum University, and a Master’s in City and Regional Planning and a Master’s of Art in Public Policy and Management from The Ohio State University. 
 
Friday 3-13-26 Our Member,  Brian Mayer re our Ecosystem
Our Member Brian Mayer speaking Friday 3/13 
 
Topic:
What If the Cure looked Like a Masterpiece
We are quietly losing our ecosystem – one backyard, roadside, trail, riverbank, and park at a time.
 
Topic Details:
 
Central Ohio’s green spaces are being quietly strangled by invasive plants – and our birds, butterflies, and wildlife are disappearing with them at an alarming rate. The solution isn’t waiting decades for nature to recover on its own.
Using the Miyawaki Method, a community of volunteers – grandparents, parents, kids, and neighbors – We can remove the invasives and plant a native forest so rich and dense it looks a century old in just 10-20 years.
This is living art. This is legacy. And it starts with us.

 
Bio: 
Brian Mayer is a Business Banker with First Commonwealth Bank and an active community leader. A Leadership Dublin 2023 graduate, he serves as a Dublin Chamber ambassador and contributes to the Associate Board of the Franklin County Soil & Water Conservation District. He’s also involved with the OBBA, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and is a proud Rotarian leading the club’s Environmental Committee.
 
Brian organized a major community festival that united professionals, volunteers, local organizations — and even goats — to clear invasive species from public parks, later coordinating the planting of 1,000 native trees on Earth Day. He and his wife, Brittany, also helped install a native garden at Deer Run Elementary’s outdoor classroom.
 
Outside of community work, Brian is a YouTube creator, dedicated husband and father, and enthusiastic lifelong learner. His current mission is to demonstrate how for‑profit businesses can build community and improve the environment, including accelerating the growth of 100‑year‑old mini forests in just 10–20 years.
 
 
We look forward to seeing you and your friends there for this presentation!
3-6-26 Crypto – Past, Present, & Future
Topic Details:
 
We’ll explore the evolution of money, the rise of Bitcoin and blockchain technology, and why digital assets are emerging as a foundational layer of the next financial system. From the origins of sound money to modern decentralized networks, this presentation breaks down how crypto works, why adoption is accelerating, how institutions and regulators are engaging, and what it all means for investors and everyday users. The goal is to provide a clear, grounded framework for understanding crypto’s role in a rapidly changing global economy.

Bio: 
Christopher Cutter is the Director of Investor Relations at Block Bridge Capital. He brings a deep background in high-growth technology startups, disruptive business modeling, strategic monetization, and data-driven market analysis. Alongside the Block Bridge team, Christopher has been at the forefront of emerging blockchain technology and digital asset market research and trading since 2012, with a relentless focus on understanding and navigating the shift into this new financial age.
 
For photos from this meeting, please go to our Flickr website:  Dublin AM Rotary’s albums | Flickr
 
For the video of this meeting, please go to our YouTube Channel:  Dublin AM Rotary - YouTube
2-27-26 Abraham Green, Futurity - Discussing AI

The meeting focused on a presentation by Abraham Green, Senior Account Director at Futurity, who discussed artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications. Green explained the differences between AI and algorithms, highlighted the importance of data quality, and emphasized that AI cannot replace human creativity and wisdom. He also covered the recent growth of AI, citing statistics on market size and user adoption. The presentation addressed concerns about AI regulation and responsible use within organizations. Green provided insights on how businesses can leverage AI to improve productivity and suggested steps for organizations to use AI responsibly. The conversation ended with a brief discussion of upcoming events and a quote of the day.

AI Capabilities and Adoption Trends

Abraham Green, Senior Account Director at Futurity, delivered a presentation on artificial intelligence (AI), highlighting its capabilities and limitations. He compared the adoption of AI to historical technological shifts, such as canals and railways, emphasizing the need to adapt to new technologies. Abraham explained that AI can predict trends, automate repetitive tasks, personalize customer experiences, and improve speed and accuracy, but it cannot replace human creativity or make strategic decisions independently. He also clarified the distinction between AI and algorithms, noting that AI continues to learn and improve with more data input. Abraham concluded by discussing recent advancements in AI, particularly attributing the recent surge in interest to OpenAI.

 

 

For photos from this meeting, please go to our Flickr website:  Dublin AM Rotary’s albums | Flickr
 
For the video of this meeting, please go to our YouTube Channel:  Dublin AM Rotary - YouTube

 

2-20-26  Carmen Savarino - Wendy’s Wonderful Kids

The meeting focused on welcoming Carmen Savarino from the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, who shared insights about the organization's mission to increase adoptions of children in foster care. Carmen explained that the foundation, inspired by Dave Thomas's adoption story, works to find permanent homes for children over 9 years old, particularly those in sibling groups or with disabilities. She highlighted the effectiveness of their child-focused recruitment model and the foundation's efforts to expand their Wendy's Wonderful Kids program across the United States and Canada. The meeting also included updates on local events, such as the St. Patrick's Day parade and a dental trip to the Dominican Republic, as well as announcements about scholarship opportunities and membership initiatives.

 

2-13-26 In Service Work for Nationwide Children's Hospital
 

The Dublin AM Rotary Club meeting focused on welcoming two new members, Jennifer and Joe, and discussing various club activities and initiatives. The club announced plans to participate in the St. Patrick's Day parade and shared updates on fundraising efforts, including a successful polar bear golf outing that raised $12,000. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to an in-service project where members created cards for Nationwide Children's Hospital's heart patients, with detailed instructions provided by Lauren, a past president of the Women's Board. The meeting also included a presentation by Lauren about the hospital's history, facilities, and ongoing initiatives, highlighting its growth and impact on the community.

Children's Hospital Card Project

The meeting focused on an in-service project where members will create cards for Nationwide Children's Hospital to distribute to heart patients. Lauren, a past president of the Women's Board, explained the project details and hospital background. The group learned about the hospital's expansion plans, research initiatives, and community programs. Members were encouraged to participate in creating positive messages for the cards, with specific guidelines on content. The conversation ended with information about upcoming speakers and a quote from Paul Harris.

 
Photos are available to view/download from our Flickr website
 
2-6-26 Jim Rogers, District 6690 Polio Eradication
Jim Rogers, a community leader and entrepreneur, discussed Rotary International's polio eradication efforts. Jim highlighted his involvement with Rotary, including his leadership in District 6690's polio initiatives and his commitment to service through various roles and organizations. He also mentioned his personal and professional achievements, including his education and military service.
 
For photos from this meeting, please go to our Flickr website:  Dublin AM Rotary’s albums | Flickr
 
For the video of this meeting, please go to our YouTube Channel:  Dublin AM Rotary - YouTube

 

1-23-26 Merijn van der Heijden , Executive Director, Dublin Arts Council
About Our Speaker: Merijn van der Heijden , Executive Director, Dublin Arts Council
 
Topic:  Arts and culture bring people together, strengthen civic life, and enrich community well-being, while shaping Dublin’s identity and future. This talk will explore how initiatives across the city spark connection, collaboration, and creativity, and how everyone can play a part in building a vibrant, thriving community.

Bio:   Merijn van der Heijden is an experienced arts administrator and curator with over 20 years in visual arts leadership, curatorial practice, and higher education. She currently serves as Executive Director of Dublin Arts Council, where she leads strategic initiatives to advance community engagement and support for the arts.

Previously, Merijn directed Urban Arts Space and Hopkins Hall Gallery at The Ohio State University (2017–2024), overseeing a period of growth, and strengthened community partnerships. Her earlier roles at OSU included Deputy Director of Exhibitions and Curatorial Practice and Assistant Dean and Director of the Arts and Sciences Honors Program.

She holds a BFA from the Akademie voor Beeldende Vorming in the Netherlands and an MFA from Ohio State. Merijn remains actively involved in Ohio’s arts ecosystem through service on the Columbus Arts Commission, the Columbus Public Art Plan Steering Committee, and as a frequent juror and panelist for exhibitions and festivals nationwide.

For photos from this meeting, please go to our Flickr website:  Dublin AM Rotary’s albums | Flickr
 
For the video of this meeting, please go to our YouTube Channel:  Dublin AM Rotary - YouTube