Recap from the Sept 20, 2021 Meeting.
Meeting Run by President: John Kuhl
Invocation: Sal LoBianco
Guests: Jimmy Kent, Carol Reynolds, Johnnie Jindrich, Kelsey Bracket, Gage Huston, Brenda Christensen, Erik Reader, Carol Webb
Happy News/Announcements: Rick Gosney- Welcomed 1st grandchild over the weekend. Diana Broderson- Successful and busy weekend. Thank you to all that make it happen. Naomi DeWinter- $20 excited about the home being delivered to Muscatine today. Charla Shafer- $20 for Homes for Iowa arriving today. Huge collaborative effort. Reminder of Dr. Jim Yong Kim to headline Community Foundation annual meeting Oct. 8th. Reserve your seats here: https://jimkim.rsvpify.com/ Megan Francis- Walk to End Alzheimer’s Friday night was a success and Muscatine surpassed their goal of $22K in fundraising. On behalf of Lindsey Phillips Over the Edge Friday was a great success for Big Brother Big Sisters and Special Olympics.
Club Business: Volunteer Project opportunity this Saturday, October 2nd starting at 8am to partner with the City of Muscatine to plant of line of trees for a nonprofit. Training will be provided and then the planting. Looking for 6-8 more volunteers. Please contact Frank Iliff at rtmuscatine@gmail.com or Megan Francis at mfrancis@muscatinevision2020.org to get involved. The board met last week and we have a Board vacancy for Foundation Chair please email John Kuhl at john.kuhl@kentww.com if you are interested in becoming a part of the board. Oct 20th a number of local Rotary Clubs, lead by Rock Island Rotary Club, will be collaborating for a World Rotary Day Event at the Botanical Center. Contact John Kuhl for event information.
Speaker Introduction:
Gage Kent-
Gage Kent is Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Kent Corporation (KC). Based in Muscatine, Iowa, the Company’s operating subsidiaries include Grain Processing Corporation (Corn Wet Milling); Kent Nutrition Group, Inc. (Animal Nutrition Products); Kent Pet Group, Inc. (Pet Products); Kent Precision Foods Group, Inc. (Seasonings and Dry Blended Foods0; and The Sqwincher Corporation (Hydration Products). In addition to Chairman and CEO of KC, and Co-Chairman of GPC, he currently serves as Chairman of Kent Nutrition Group, Inc. and Kent Pet Group of Muscatine, Iowa. He also serves as Chairman of Kent Precision Foods Group of St. Louis, Missouri. Gage is a native of Muscatine, Iowa, and is a graduate of Iowa State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. Locally, Gage was a founding member (and past Chairman) of the Muscatine Charities, Inc. Board of Directors; and a past member (and past Chairman) of the Board for the Muscatine Power and Water public utility. On the state level, Gage serves on the board of Trustees of Simpson College (Indianola, Iowa); he is a member and former Chair of the Board of Governors of the Iowa College Foundation; a member of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry; and a member of the Iowa Business Council. Gage is Chairman of the board of Governors of Iowa State University Foundation and has been a Rotary member since 1986.
Program: What US Best Managed Company Award means to KENT and Muscatine.
Kent Corporation has been selected as a two-time US Best Managed Company. Kent is one of 49 honorees and One of 20 to requalify. Honorees are selected by independent panel of judges based on Management criteria including: Strategy, Execution, Culture, Financials. Application Qualifications include: Company has to be private, based in the US and minimum revenue of $250 million. Application included 25 pages explaining how Kent does business. Winners featured in Wal Street Journal and noted Muscatine, IA based company. Kent community impact includes contributing over #1 million per day to the greater Muscatine area. From roots in livestock feed, Kent products now include food, beverage and ingredients, agriculture and pet care. Kent was designated an essential business during COVID-19 pandemic and implemented response plan to keep employees and products safe. Among essential product listings Kent also made hand sanitizer to meet safety needs. Kent Corporation Charitable Foundation has donated $3.3 million to Muscatine Area over the last 5 years. Employees serve as volunteers on boards, at events and as sport coaches throughout town. Thank you to groups like Rotary club of Muscatine for making Muscatine a great place to live.
Upcoming Meetings: October 4, 2021- Fire Prevention Week and Fire Safety; Fire Chief Jerry Ewers.
October 11,2021- Human Trafficking and Community Awareness; Thomas Barr, West Liberty Rotary Club
Use the Zoom link below to enjoy the fill recording of this week’s meeting:
Topic: Weekly Meeting
Start Time : Sep 27, 2021 11:05 AM
Meeting Recording:
Access Passcode: Rotary#1