Greensboro Airport Rotary Club

Mystery Member #1

This new member was born in Blacksburg, VA but quickly corrected that issue and grew up in Gastonia, NC. He attended Western Carolina University, and 18 years ago married his college sweetheart, Ellen. They have 2 daughters (Whitney and Julie), 2 dogs, 2 turtles, a cockatiel, and a dwarf hamster (a dwarf hamster??).

After several years in the textile industry, this new member switched to the commercial finance business with GE, and now is part of GE Real Estate which provides commercial mortgages to owners, investors, and developers of all types of commercial properties.
His hobbies include basketball, mountain biking, and anything his children are involved in (basketball, volleyball, horseback riding, gymnastics, etc.). He also loves to travel.

When asked about his initial thoughts of the Greensboro Airport Rotary Club, this new member replied, “My early impression is that the club has many people that I look forward to developing a more personal relationship with, and that it will present many opportunities for me to help serve our community. I joined Rotary to expand my relationships in the local community and hope to gain a few friends along the way. I’m excited about the journey ahead, and look forward to working together in the future.”

This new member was sponsored by Ray Combs.

Mystery member #2

Believe it or not, as a child this new member of the Greensboro Airport Rotary Club nearly made it big in Hollywood! Unfortunately he and his family moved after his local audition, so when the studio came calling, he was nowhere to be found! They did find him later, but by then the role had been cast in his absence. He did get a smaller part in the movie, but that proved to be both the beginning and the end of his professional acting career. What was the movie, you ask? Alan and Naomi – nope, I’ve never heard of it, either!
This new member was born and raised (mostly) in Greensboro, and attended Elon University. While his parents live very close, his brother got almost as far away from him as possible; he lives in San Francisco, CA. He’s a mortgage consultant with Cunningham & Co., and enjoys fly-fishing, soccer, camping, hunting, and occasionally reading.

Sponsored by John Murray, this new member thinks the Greensboro Airport Rotary Club “is a good club that is very much interested in helping the community and each other no matter what.”

When asked why he is in Rotary, he responded, “I already was working on several projects in the community, but I did not feel a sense of community within these groups. After the projects were completed, I wondered if we would still communicate. Working on these projects just felt like working on any other project; it was just like work. However, with Rotary, I think I can gain that sense and feel like I am part of something greater than myself.

What should everyone know about this new member? “I am extremely extroverted and enjoy meeting and getting to know everyone. Most people don’t know that I would really enjoy learning how to ‘break dance’.” Break dance! I’ll bet Scott Clements can teach you – ask him for a lesson towards the end of our next 100-hole golf marathon!

Mystery member #3

Not a local boy, but a Southerner nonetheless! This new member of the Greensboro Airport Rotary Club comes to us very recently from Houston, TX, where he was born and raised – and first became a Rotarian. He’s been married to Erica, the love of his life, for the past nine years. They have three children (Emma & Hanna – 3 year old twins, and Jonathan – 2 years old), and Baby #4 due in May! CONGRATULATIONS!

A graduate of Abilene Christian University, this gentleman has been in the ministry for the past 7 years, and now serves as the preaching minister at the Friendly Avenue Church of Christ. In his spare time he enjoys being outside, playing with his children, and writing.
Cory Newton sponsored this new member, who says his early impressions of the Greensboro Airport Rotary Club are as follows:
“The Greensboro Airport rotary Club is a family of people committed to each other, its community and the values of Rotary International….this is a very active and committed group of people.”

When asked, “Why are you in Rotary, and what do you hope to gain from Rotary?” this new member replied, “I am part of Rotary because of an internal draw to be a part of something bigger than myself (who knew I could be a part of eradicating Polio from the face of the earth?), I believe in vocational service [sounds like a future committee chair to me!!], and I need some friends who do not go to my church.”
Furthermore, this new member says, “I heard there are some good golfers here [not nearly as many as who THINK they’re good!]…I hope to gain at least 5 strokes on my golf game by watching some of you play.”

Now I’m definitely NOT one of the good golfers of the club, but even I know that you don’t want to GAIN strokes!
“I hope to be changed, challenged and cherished by my Rotary experience. Changed by serving others; challenged by an awareness of the great needs of others around me; cherished because I need a place to belong (As the saying goes; with fun comes fellowship and then friendship!).”

The next question - “What is something that no one would ever guess about you?”
“From the age of 10-22, I had the same hair style…a short flat-top (for those of you who know what I’m talking about, think a skinny Brian Bosworth without the tail)! Ahh….long live the mullet!

Send in your ballots!!!

~Cory Newton