The Rotary Club of Carmel presented Portee Leadership Connection Scholarships to winning students at a special luncheon meeting on June 2 at the Woodland Country Club in Carmel.
Danny Portee, creator of the scholarship, inspired students, family members and Rotarians with his words of wisdom, as a changing of the guard took place with the new heads of Leadership Connection stepping up.
The first annual Portee Leadership Connection Scholarships and laptops were presented to students Emma Metzger, Carmel High School; Kiah Jackson, Carmel High School; Jaquelin Escobedo, Christel House Watanabe Manual High School; and Maverick Surber, Christel House Watanabe Manual High School. Florgisel Garcia, Providence Cristo Rey High School, was unable to attend due to a family emergency but was presented her award at her home on a later date.
“Florgisel Garcia could not attend the Rotary Club of Carmel meeting and awards presentation due to a family emergency,” Dr. Rick Markoff, Immediate Past Chairman of Leadership Connection. “Gary Sexton, Tim Flint, and I put together a plan to make sure Florgisel would not be left out – she would be able to see how much Danny Portee and the Rotary Club of Carmel appreciated her academic and community achievements. Tim and I delivered on that plan, and he and I feel blessed that we had that opportunity.”
It was stressed to each of the recipients just how much their achievements impacted the scholarship committee and how much they continue to affect those around them.
Professional Management Enterprises Owner and President Danny Portee (left) and CFO/Controller Clarissa Nowlin. (Photo provided)
Twenty-year Army veteran and Founder/President of Professional Management Enterprises, Danny Portee, set an exciting tone for the day as he inspired all in attendance with his speech. As the Owner and President of Professional Management Enterprises, Portee provides daily corporate leadership for his nationally recognized staffing company. He and his CFO/Controller Clarissa Nowlin were instrumental in the creation, selection, and coordination of the Portee Leadership Connection Scholarships.
Selection of the five recipients was made by a review committee at Professional Management Enterprises; scholarships were awarded with equal emphasis on merit and need.
Those able to attend the meeting were also able to experience the excitement of watching the Rotary Club of Carmel embracing a changing of the guard with a newer, youthful look. Tim Flint and Louise Jackson are now in full charge of Leadership Connection, and Carolyn Shaw, Drew LeRette, Hannah Bates, Monica Frauhiger, and Stephon Tuitt served as Table Hosts for the scholarship recipients.
(From left) 2023 Leadership Connection Chairman Tim Flint and Vice Chairman Louise Jackson with former Chairman, Dr. Rick Markoff. (Photo provided)
Recipients were accompanied by guests who have been inspirational in their life – such as a parent, grandparent, teacher, coach, religious leader or counselor.
“This program will play a major role in enhancing Leadership Connection by enabling business, community and non-profit executives to have an impact on the next generation of leaders within our community and region,” Dr. Markoff said.