RCF elects new leaders for ’21-22
Rotary Club of Farragut members have chosen their new leaders who will take office in July.
The Rev. David Bluford, the 2020 president-elect, will take the helm as the club’s new president for the coming RCF year.
During a Jan. 6 virtual club meeting, Bluford expressed his appreciation to members who stepped up to accept leadership roles for the new year “as we look forward to picking things up on the first of July.
“Hopefully by then, if not before, we will have the ability to throw our Zoom to the side and — at least for those who want to — (meet in person),” he added. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to get back to in person before long and things will unfold for us.”
For members who are new to the leadership roles, Bluford said he looks forward to working with them.
He will replace Edward Jones, 2020-21 president.
“I’d like to offer my congratulations and appreciation to those who were elected,” Jones said at the Jan. 6 meeting. “Thank you, again, for stepping forward for your service and keeping this great club moving forward.”
Along with that, Jones said the board, earlier that morning, approved a $20 tuition fee for any RCF member, but especially members of the leadership team, to attend the Rotary Leadership Institute.
“I think it’s an excellent opportunity,” he said. “It will be virtual.”
Bluford is the longtime chaplain at Parkwest Medical Center and a retired TSSAA high school football official.
“He has been in the club for 20 years and served in various capacities for the club, including on its board of directors and as our chaplain,” said Tom King, RCF publicity chairman.
Megan Belcher was elected as 2021-22 president-elect, and Val Privett will be the next vice president — and on the ladder for the 2023-24 presidency, King said.
Belcher, a four-year Farragut Rotarian, is relationship manager for United Community Bank in Lenoir City, and is a member of the RCF Board.
Privett, who also has been a Rotarian for four years, is president and owner of Beacon Insurance Advisers, which for 20 years was the Privett Insurance Group.
“She has served the club as co-chair of its Service Projects Committee,” King added.
Their terms constitute a Rotary year, which begin July 1 and run through June 30, 2022.
Other new members elected to RCF’s board include: treasurer Steve Krempasky, executive director of Shop Farragut/Farragut Business Alliance; Sgt. at Arms Leona Skiles with Realty Executives Associates; and service projects co-chair Scott Bertini, account manager with Patterson Pope Inc.
Board members elected also include fundraising co-chair Denise Defenderfer, training mentor and contact center at Talbot’s; youth service co-chairs Brandon Ross, property manager/affiliate broker at Woody Creek Realty, and Denise Bash of The Lockwood Group.
“Clubs must have their new officers for the following Rotary year in place by the end of the calendar year, so training sessions for these positions can be conducted throughout District 6780’s 65 clubs in East Tennessee,” King said.
