The Rockwall Rotary Club recently
welcomed Jeff Shell as president and
installed new officers. During the July
meeting, Shell shared his “Rotary story” –
a journey which began with the
befriending of a local pediatrician.
After moving to Rockwall in 2006 and
learning that his wife was pregnant, Jeff
left his job as a civil litigation attorney
in Dallas to join the Rockwall County
District Attorney’s office. He became good
friends with Rockwall pediatrician Dr.
Kurt Pflieger after his first child was born.
It was Pflieger who initially introduced
Jeff to the idea of joining Rotary, and
in 2008, Jeff began his Rotary story by
officially becoming a member of the club,
where the main objective is service –
in the community, in the workplace,
and throughout the world.
During that year, Jeff helped coordinate
rest stops for the Rockwall Rotary’s
Hot Rocks Bike Ride. He was later
recognized as an Outstanding Contributor
to the annual fundraiser, which provides
college scholarships for local students.
He served as club service chair in 2009
and 2010. In 2011, he served as chairman
for the 25th
Anniversary of Hot Rocks;
unfortunately, it rained on the day of
the ride, cutting down on the number of
participants, and Jeff felt he had let his
fellow Rotarians down. Despite this, he was
asked to be vocational chair of Hot Rocks
the following year, which he accepted.
Jeff served in his second year as vocational
chair in 2013, and continued to serve the
club as board member and vice president in
2014, and then as president-elect in 2015.
“Many of you have served this club in
various capacities and roles since I’ve been
a part of this club,” Jeff said, addressing
his fellow Rotarians. “And for those past
presidents who are here today, who have
asked me to serve in some form or fashion,
I want to tell you thank you, because
without asking me to become involved,
my Rotary story might still be unwritten.”
Jeff introduced Rotary’s new directors
and officers: President Elect Tim Hartley;
Vice President David Loftis; Immediate
Past President Brian Williams; Secretary
Ginny Ryan; Treasurer Brad Epstein;
Sergeant at Arms Dave Butler; Directors
at Large Barbara Allan, Larry Parks, Tom
Ryan; Vocational Service, David Sweet;
International Service, Bill Cecil; Club
Service, David Rains; Community Service,
Stephen Straughan; Youth Services, John
Curtis; RI Foundation, Greg Blair.
Immediate Past President Brian Williams
also recognized Jay Bedford – who manages
the Rockwall Rotary Club’s building at 408
S Goliad St. – as Rotarian of the Year.
30th Annual Hot Rocks Aug. 13
Registration continues for Rotary’s 30th
anniversary Hot Rocks Bike Ride, which
rolls out 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 13 from
Wilkerson-Sanders Stadium. Cyclists of
all ages and abilities – from recreational
riders and beginning racers to aggressive
competitors - are welcome for family fun and
friendly competition. Last year more than
1,325 cyclists participated, helping to fund
more than $30,000 in college scholarships
for Rockwall ISD graduating seniors.
Fully stocked rest stops, support from
local law enforcement, roving bicycle
mechanics, new routes and improvements
have been incorporated to ensure this year’s
event is the best experience yet. There is
even a new Family Ride option. For race
maps, registration and other details, visit
hotrocksbikeride.com and follow
Hot Rocks on Facebook.
By Austin Wells and Dawn Redig,
Blue Ribbon News.
Rotary readies for 30th
Anniversary Hot Rocks
New president, officers installed
GOOD CAUSE
23
Back to School Edition 2016
BlueRibbonNews.com
AUGUST 13
7:30AM START
For registration & general info go to
HotRocksBikeRide.com
100K route & 12, 20, 42 mile routes
Plus a 5k Family Fun Ride
Lunch provided by Applebee’s and Luby’s • Proceeds go to college scholarships