Events

Matt York

Founder & Executive Director of illuminAid

Matt graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in Communications (TV and Film) and English in 1978.  In 1986, he founded Videomaker Inc., a leading publisher on video production.  Videomaker’s mission is to empower individuals to make videos through its monthly magazine, website and hands-on workshops and conferences.

Branching out of Videomaker Inc. in 2008, Matt founded illuminAid because of his genuine passion to make a difference in the developing world by bringing change through video.  Since then, Matt has been able to harness over two decades of expertise in the video consumer electronics industry to grow illuminAid from an idea to a thriving nonprofit organization.

Through the development of his own patent for a consumer electronics device as well as his travels to research and development labs in Japan, he is experienced in the details of electronics equipment development. Matt's inside knowledge about consumer electronics gear, his tracking of up and coming technologies and his seasoned relationships with many top decision makers from major consumer electronics manufacturing firms contribute to his ability to fulfill the mission of illuminAid.  His professional contacts will vouch for his honesty and integrity as he is a well-respected colleague in both the publishing and consumer electronics industry.

Joel Zimbelman

Joel Zimbelman is a retired professor of comparative religion from Cal State Chico. When he is not attending Rotary meetings, he spends his time in international travel and volunteer work in Guatemala, Tanzania, and various Asian and European countries. He is married to Linda, a retired nurse practitioner, and has two daughters and two grandchildren. 

Rosie Alaniz

Rosie was born and raised in Chico, CA. She spent her childhood and young adult life either riding her bike or running around Chico. She continued to ride her bike during her time at UC Davis and eventually the wide or protected bike lanes, large buffer zones in the road, and separate bike/pedestrian paths in Davis became second nature. When she moved back to Chico, she realized that the routes and paths in Davis were not typical but were crucial to keeping people safe. She currently works as a Public Health Education Specialist for Butte County Public Health’s Injury Prevention program and is passionate about pedestrian, bike, and car seat safety. She hopes that through advocacy and education, this community can build areas where the community can feel safe to move around in.

Anita to fill speaker spot.

Anthony Ferro,  Invitation by Dorian Dodds

The 2021 ABCA National Coach of the Year returns for his nineteenth season as the head coach of the Butte College Roadrunners. In his first 18 years at the helm, his teams have compiled a record of 410-275-1. Under Coach Ferro’s eighteen years of leadership, the Roadrunner’s have accumulated fifteen 20+ win seasons and have played in the postseason eight out of the last ten years, most recently finishing the 2021 season 23-3, winning the GVC championship and ending the year ranked #2 in the state of California. Coach Ferro also spent the 2021 summer as the field manager of the prestigious Alaska Goldpanners collegiate team where he guided them to a 32-15 record.

A native of Woodland, California, Anthony received his Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education in 1997 from Cal State University, Chico, and a Master’s degree in teaching pedagogy in the year 2000. Anthony and his wife, Sarah, have two daughters: sixteen-year-old, Grace, and twelve-year- old, Audrey. The Ferro family resides in Chico, California.

Details TBA!

Suzanne Bragdon is a retired city manager, aspiring screenwriter, and proud Rotarian. For her, being a Rotarian is about the stories.

Consider impoverished students who turn the Rotary gift of a mentor, transportation, food, computer, and tuition/books to a two-year community college into a career in banking, the military or, after a few more years, graduation from U.C. Davis. Trajectories changed and futures never imagined.

Or when 22 Rotarians, family and friends serve 300 patients over four days on the opening day of a Rotary-funded Medical Clinic in Haiti; a clinic that’s still serving villagers after six years. Or a trip to Guatemala to experience the power of a multi-Rotary District effort to empower Mayan woman to break the cycle of poverty and domestic abuse.

After being a Rotarian since 2003, Suzanne has served in multiple positions including club president, assistant district governor and membership ambassador. Like others, she has grown from the Rotary experience in ways she never imagined.

Connor Vaccaro - Head Winemaker & Distiller

After graduating with honors in Enology & Viticulture and a minor in Chemistry from Oregon State University, Connor was hired on as the assistant winemaker for Bertagna Son Kissed Vineyards in Chico, CA.   He was quickly promoted to Head Winemaker, and soon Head Distiller when Bertagna launched Almendra Winery & Distillery.  He has been with the company ever since, heading their production of all things alcohol.  

Dedication of the play stucture at Rotary Centennial Park to Ann Willmann 

Postponed program: Almendra, Colton Bertagna speaker 

Rotarians serve as crossing guards Downtown for Treat Street.  This year Dane Bracewell will be heading up this wonderful tradition of Rotarians helping children and families cross downtown streets as they Tricker Treat.  Dane’s dad Bob, has served in the position for many years and now supports Dane at this function.  Many Rotarian dress up in various costumes to add to the fun.  Just another great thing Chico Noon Rotary does for our town.

Chico Enterprise-Record Editor Mike Wolcott

Mike Wolcott is a fifth-generation native of Tehama County, growing up on a sheep farm homesteaded by his great-great grandfather in the 1870s. He likes to say "The first time I saw my dad castrate a lamb the old-fashioned way, I knew I wanted to be a sportswriter." He had his first byline at age 16 in 1976 and worked as a sports writer and news reporter in newspapers at Corning, Red Bluff and Eureka until 1990, when he moved to the Bay Area. Over the next 23 years he worked as an editor and columnist at newspapers such as the Contra Costa Times and Oakland Tribune, finally achieving a childhood goal by working at the San Francisco Chronicle, where he worked mainly in the sports department for eight years. He moved "home" to the north state in 2013 and decided to invite his old acquaintance David Little to lunch, which ultimately led to his role at the Enterprise-Record. He lives in rural Glenn County with his wife Sherrie, an administrative aide at Chico State. They have two dogs, lots of outdoor cats, and no sheep.

Alli Williams is a senior at Pleasant Valley High School. She is currently ASB President & has participated in student government all four years of high school. She is captain of her Varsity golf team which she has been a part of since freshman year as well. Alli is involved in the community through the National Charity League. She also owns her own business where she sells jewelry online & through local stores. Alli is hoping to attend a 4-year university after high school studying AG-business.

Executive Director of the Museum of Northern California Art (monca). 

I was born in Michigan, have lived in St. Louis and San Francisco where I was an art educator for 36 years. In Ann Arbor, MI, I was also director of the State Street Art Fair for seven years and worked as an education director at Laumeier Sculpture Park in St. Louis. Before moving to Chico in 2006, I taught art and was the Diversity Mentor at Piedmont High School in the Bay Area. I am currently President of the Inspire School of the Arts and Sciences school board. 

Married to Richard Macias . . . no children just thousands over 36 years of teaching!

Anita Barker is in her 21st year as the Executive Director of Athletics for Chico State’s 13 intercollegiate athletics programs and has been a member of Chico Noon Rotary since 2005.

 Despite losing the entire 2020–21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Barker succeeded in keeping the athletic department intact and reinforcing the department-wide concept of “Wildcat Family,” resulting in another successful year in 2021–22. Twelve of Chico State’s 13 NCAA-sanctioned sports programs reached postseason play, culminating with Chico State winning the CCAA Hiegert Commissioner’s Cup—awarded to the conference institution with the best overall athletics performance in a given academic year—for the sixth time in the last 10 years.

Barker’s efforts have resulted in several well-deserved individual honors, including National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Division II West Region Athletic Director of the Year awards in 2009 and again in 2019.

Anita has worked in the Chico State athletic department since 1990, when she was hired as an assistant athletic trainer. She began working in athletic administration in 1995, when she was appointed the assistant athletic director and senior woman administrator. In 1997, she was promoted to associate athletic director.

Anita graduated from Ohio Northern University in 1985 and received her master’s degree from the University of Arizona in Tucson in 1987. She has worked at all three divisions in the NCAA.

Anita and her husband Scott, the Wildcats’ head athletic trainer, have two children, Luke and McKena—both former Chico State athletes

Andrew (Andy) Forristel graduated from California State University, Chico in 1991 with degrees in Management Information Systems and Finance.  He began working at Bi-Tech Software, a local company founded by Gary and Judy Sitton, as a Software Consultant.  As the company grew, Andy’s role and positions evolved to where he become Vice President of Client Services.

Feeling the draw to law enforcement, in 1996 Andy joined the Chico Police Department as a Reserve Police Officer, working uniformed patrol and other assignments, when not at his “day job.”

In 2003, Andy left Bi-Tech Software and reported to Quantico, VA to attend the FBI Academy.  Upon completion of New Agent Training, Andy was assigned to the Los Angeles Field Office, where he worked as a Special Agent investigating bank robberies and gangs.  In 2007, Andy transferred to the Sacramento Division, Chico Resident Agency (RA), where he worked cases spanning all programs and violations which the FBI has jurisdiction.  During his career Andy has served on the Attorney General’s Protection Detail, been a firearms instructor, SWAT medic, pilot, behavioral analysis unit coordinator, an employee assistance peer, and continues to serve on the FBI’s national Child Abduction Rapid Deployment Team.

In 2018, Andy promoted to Supervisory Senior Resident Agent, managing and overseeing the FBI offices located in Redding, Chico, and South Lake Tahoe; an area of responsibility which encompasses 17 of California’s 58 counties.

Andy has been married to wife Terra, a therapist, since 1992.   Their son Riley is a graduate of Pleasant Valley High School and California Baptist University.  Riley is married and an officer in the United States Marine Corps, currently training to be a pilot.  Daughter Maci also graduated from Pleasant Valley High School and California Baptist University.  She currently lives in Dayton Beach, Florida where she works as a Jr. High school math teacher.

For the past 15 years, founder and CEO of SheBuilds, Stefanie Olson, has helped hundreds of clients reach their goal of home ownership. Her company prides themselves on providing stylish quality homes, 5 star communication and outstanding follow through. Stefanie has an eye for detail and extensive construction knowledge, she holds her General B contractors license as well as her real estates license and enrolled agents license and is an extremely involved mother of her three kids.  Her favorite part of the build process is breaking ground and seeing something go from nothing to a place where people create memories. Her mission along with building homes is to empower women to enter the construction industry or just feel comfortable changing their own light fixture. She Builds is a movement and something Stefanie hopes will outlive her.  Please check her out on Instagram at Shebuilds.homes to see all the team is doing. 

Rotary 2023 Birthday Party!!!

Come one, come all!  On January 24, 2023, we will be celebrating the unveiling of the new President Elect, Elect!  It will be held in the evening, so no noon meeting that day.

Bar opens at 5:30pm for spirits and gathering.  Spouses are welcome and encouraged to attend.  The dinner will be $17.00 for each person attending.

Little Birdie told me a lot of fun is in store, so please come and enjoy!  Rumor has it the 19^th Hole will be a blast!

Four!!!!!!

Bio for John Cowan

Guest Speaker for Tuesday, January 31, 2023

John Cowan retired after 36 years of teaching science. In Chico Unified School District, John taught at Bidwell Junior High School, Pleasant Valley High School, but the majority of his time at Fair View High School. John was Teacher of the Year at Anderson Valley High School in Boonville, California in 1986, a Rotarian Educator of the Year in 2011, and the CUSD/CUTA Secondary Teacher of the Year in 2021.

While a member of the Chico Area Flyfishers (CAF) for many years, John only stepped up to a more active role in CAF and fly fishing after retiring. His motivation for being more involved is not just to perfect his skills in fly fishing, but to contribute to the various community service, educational, and conservation projects that CAF is involved with.

John has a son, Eli, who is an engineering student at Cal Poly, SLO. He is also knows many Rotarians through the various social and community service projects with his girlfriend, Robin Bicocca.

Emily graduated from Chico State with her MSW in 2009. Shortly after, she joined the YFC team as a part time case manager at the 6th Street Center for Youth. She worked her way up to full-time, then Program Coordinator. In 2015 she started the HEART Program where she was program manager. Since 2018 Emily has been supervising HEART and the 6th Street Center. Emily is passionate about working with the unhoused and runaway youth population. She loves everything to do with Halloween and enjoys reading, hiking, kayaking, and hanging with her cat, Mama.

6^th Street, a program of Youth for Change, has been operating in downtown Chico since 2008. We are a daytime service center for homeless and runaway youth between the ages of 14 and 24 years old.  6^th Street provides crisis intervention, 18 beds of Transition and Master Lease housing, basic needs such as food, clothing, shower and laundry, and assistance accessing social services. 6^th Street also provides outpatient mental health services, including therapy and counseling services, brief family counseling, conflict mediation and family reunification. For more information, please visit our website www.6thstreetcenter.org

Daniel Mauldin is the Head Coach of the North State Composite High School Mountain Bike Team and a Financial Advisor with Ameriprise Financial. In 2010 he was asked if he would like to help coach a High School Mountain Bike Team and he said, “Heck No! Who would want to work with kids?” The following year he agreed to help and fell in love with the program, he has been coaching ever since. In 2016 he moved to Chico from the Bay Area. He met his soon to be lovely wife and her two boys, they were married in May of 2021. In 2019 he took over as Head Coach of the North State Composite MTB Team and co-leads the team with Kelly Haight as the Team Director. 

North State Composite is a high school and junior high school mountain biking team comprised of students from all over Butte County. They have had exponential growth of the team and this year have 120 young athletes and over 60 Licensed coaches across two managed teams. Their mission is to build strong Body, Mind, Character, and Community through the inclusive sport of interscholastic cycling. If you've ever been in Upper Park on a Tuesday or a Thursday night and saw a bunch of kids wearing black and blue jerseys, then you've meet some of their athletes.