BANKER'S AHOY - April 24th at WVRC
We started off with the Pledge, led by DENNIS CORNWELL. LENNY FRIEDMAN
and GREGG ELIIOTT took us through God Bless America - and, really, we do
need a somewhat higher key, please. (Makes me think every member isn't
reading every immortal word contained in this periodical, since it has
been mentioned before…)
RAY ZICKFELD came forward with the Invocation, admitting right off that
he was going to give a couple of passages he liked, rather than the more
traditional recitation.
He began with "Start out by losing" which got our attention, and showed
how the final result was what really counted. Among his admonitions was
to remember that the world is run by the criticized, not by the critics.
He ended up with the more familiar six most important phrases we should
remember to use. #6, I admit I made a mistake, and ending with the
single word NOT to use, (#1) being I. Good reminders, RAY.
SANDY SANDERSON came up with two visiting Rotarians, Vicki Rodriguez
from Tualatin, Oregon - who is, surprise, in Banking, and former member,
now at Beverly Hills, Bert Kreisberg, with the classification of Life
Insurance. There were several additional guests. SALLY BRANT brought her
brother-in-law, David Brant, who is in cattle ranching in Montana.
MICHAEL GINTZ was accompanied by his associate at the bank, Maggie Dare.
Christie and Cassandra were accompanied by their mother, LILLIAN KLIEWER
- they were on Spring Break. Phu Tran is a graduating senior at UCLA,
and is the current President of Rotaract. She spoke of their focus on
helping the homeless, and announced they have elected officers for next
fall. The new President is Christine Soto, who outlined some of their
plans for next year. Her newly coined motto is "Big School, Big
Difference". She is a go-getter, with the present intention of being the
first woman President of Rotary International! Should be an interesting
Rotaract year coming up…
President Elect PETER MORE spoke about the recent PETS conference he
attended. PETS stands for President Elect Training Seminar, and it goes
for three busy days. PETER was very impressed by both the organization
and content of the Seminar, and felt it was most worthwhile. The theme
for the coming year, as announced by President-Elect
Jonathan Majiyagbe of Nigeria is "Lend A Hand". Those attending were
honored by having THREE past RI Presidents present, all of whom
contributed to the information and knowledge which was shared. This
reminds YOE of my preparation to be WVRC President in the long-ago years
of 1967-68. As far as training, there weren't none, and the only
officers not mentioned and catered to at the RI Convention that year in
Nice were incoming Presidents. At least that long ago, International
Conventions were mainly for the benefit of present and past District
Governors, or so it seemed to me. But I digress…(That means I'm
wandering off the subject again, as usual).
There were some significant Rotary anniversaries announced - and all,
WAF, which means, as I'm sure you knew, Without A Fine…JOHN QUILICO, now
an Honorary Member, joined WVRC exactly FORTY years ago! His sponsor was
our newest Honorary Member, PP BOB LUSK. And harking back to January, PP
HOWARD SISKEL came aboard TWENTY FIVE years ago - and I'm pleased to
have been his sponsor. This past March, MARK BLOCK completed TEN YEARS,
and his sponsor was PDG BILL GOODWYN. Come this June, Prexy TED will be
announcing the years of "perfect" attendance for many of us 'more
senior' types - don't miss it!
Attention, all incoming officers and committee chairs for 2003-04:
Saturday, May 17th, will be a mandatory training event. It will be at
the LAX Radisson, starting at 0715, and ending at 1 p.m. Please RSVP to
PETER MORE.
RUDY ALVAREZ spoke briefly about the upcoming District Conference at
Pechanga from May 1st through the 4th. Those attending include Prexy
TED, both PP HOMER and PP MIKE NEWMAN, KEN LEVER, PETER MORE, DON
NELSON, PP RON LYSTER, PP DAVE WHITEHEAD. PP JOHN SINGLETON, PP JIM
DOWNIE, and Erin Ratazi, our Ambassadorial Scholar. (And since I wasn't
sure how many spouses were accompanying, I didn't try to list them, for
which I apologize). There will be a hospitality room on Friday evening,
although by so stating I do not wish to imply that this event should be
your main reason for attending…Anyway, it will be an excellent
opportunity for Rotary fellowship and learning what other clubs in the
District are doing.
Another PP, GEORGE DEA, would certainly be there, but he is scheduled
for back surgery today - and our thoughts are with you, GEORGE.
MICHAEL GINTZ introduced our Speaker, Bram Goldsmith. For over twenty
years he served as Chairman and CEO of City National Bank and City
National Corporation, leading the company's evolution into California's
premier private and business bank.
Under his leadership the company expanded beyond Los Angeles and
increased its assets more than five-fold. Mr. Goldsmith attended the
University of Illinois, and served in the Army Air Corps for over three
years, starting in 1942. Prior to joining City National, he was
President and CEO of Buckeye Realty and Management Corp, and Chairman of
Buckeye Construction Company. He served as a board member of the Los
Angeles branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco from 1981 to
1987. In addition, he has been very active in civic organizations,
serving as Chairman of the National Conference of Christians and Jews,
and numerous other community agencies.
This coming January will mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of
City National, which began by focusing on supporting entrepreneurs and
small business owners. They are sometimes known as "Bank to the Stars"
since they have many entertainment industry clients. Mr. Goldsmith was
first a client, and then in 1964 joined the Board. At that time the bank
had 25 offices and $650 million in assets. Today they have 54 offices
throughout California, an office in New York, and twelve billion dollars
in assets.
Some of the lessons he has learned include: Look for opportunities, and
don't be afraid to take some risks. His prior experience included some
time in the liquor industry plus owning a home improvement business in
Chicago, and this variety of careers helped him in evaluating risks and
seizing opportunities. He strongly advocates working for an organization
you believe in - it shows in your customer contacts. Your employees need
to know that what they are doing is important. At the same time, give
back to the community where you work and live. He specifically mentioned
Aiden's Place and our coming association with Angel's Flight as examples
of meaningful community service.
Our involvement with these organizations will help to change
individual's lives for the better.
Q&A - SALLY BRANT, What about the Southern California economy? Well,
it's certainly better than Northern California. Here we have more small
businesses than anyplace else in the world, and we expect improvement in
the economy starting in the fourth quarter. RAY ZICKFELD - What about
the state budget crisis? It's a disaster, and I don't know where it will
end up. You know why you need a one-armed economist - so he can't say,
"Well, on the one hand…" DONN CONNER - When will you be # One?
We are currently the # Two private bank in Southern California, and we
aspire to be the BEST. LILLIAN KLIEWER - With my two youngsters here,
what would you advise them about preparing for a career? Banking has
more variety of opportunities than any other industry. So a broad
general education, enabling you to do what you WANT to do, is best. Take
some Accounting and know your English. PP CHRIS GAYNOR - What about the
local housing market? Certainly property has appreciated faster than
salaries have increased. In residential, the strong demand continues,
while in commercial, it is down somewhat because of some spotty low
occupancy rates. LEE DUNAYER - Do you emphasize bigger accounts? We want
to be personal bankers, taking care of all your banking needs. In a
conversation with the then-President of BofA, he commented on their new
ads, and was reminded, "Yes, those are just actors". BOB THOM - Do you
handle mortgages? Yes, we do high end, especially. We are not FHA
lenders. JACK HARRIS - What about the loans France has given to Iraq?
Because they were so helpful to us, I would expect they will have them
for lunch. PP JIM COLLINS - What do you expect from Greenspan? He will
do nothing spectacular on May 6th. BILL EDWARDS - What is happening with
Workmen's Comp rates? Clients cannot raise their prices, so the increase
comes out of profits. Insurance rates are cyclical - a tough problem.
Thanks to MICHAEL GINTZ and Bram Goldsmith for an informative session.
And while I have your attention, please give me one of your business
cards next week - we need more blue meal tickets to be made up!
YOE, Ernie Wolfe
start hereBANKER'S AHOY - April 24th at WVRC
We started off with the Pledge, led by DENNIS CORNWELL. LENNY FRIEDMAN
and GREGG ELIIOTT took us through God Bless America - and, really, we do
need a somewhat higher key, please. (Makes me think every member isn't
reading every immortal word contained in this periodical, since it has
been mentioned before…)
RAY ZICKFELD came forward with the Invocation, admitting right off that
he was going to give a couple of passages he liked, rather than the more
traditional recitation.
He began with "Start out by losing" which got our attention, and showed
how the final result was what really counted. Among his admonitions was
to remember that the world is run by the criticized, not by the critics.
He ended up with the more familiar six most important phrases we should
remember to use. #6, I admit I made a mistake, and ending with the
single word NOT to use, (#1) being I. Good reminders, RAY.
SANDY SANDERSON came up with two visiting Rotarians, Vicki Rodriguez
from Tualatin, Oregon - who is, surprise, in Banking, and former member,
now at Beverly Hills, Bert Kreisberg, with the classification of Life
Insurance. There were several additional guests. SALLY BRANT brought her
brother-in-law, David Brant, who is in cattle ranching in Montana.
MICHAEL GINTZ was accompanied by his associate at the bank, Maggie Dare.
Christie and Cassandra were accompanied by their mother, LILLIAN KLIEWER
- they were on Spring Break. Phu Tran is a graduating senior at UCLA,
and is the current President of Rotaract. She spoke of their focus on
helping the homeless, and announced they have elected officers for next
fall. The new President is Christine Soto, who outlined some of their
plans for next year. Her newly coined motto is "Big School, Big
Difference". She is a go-getter, with the present intention of being the
first woman President of Rotary International! Should be an interesting
Rotaract year coming up…
President Elect PETER MORE spoke about the recent PETS conference he
attended. PETS stands for President Elect Training Seminar, and it goes
for three busy days. PETER was very impressed by both the organization
and content of the Seminar, and felt it was most worthwhile. The theme
for the coming year, as announced by President-Elect
Jonathan Majiyagbe of Nigeria is "Lend A Hand". Those attending were
honored by having THREE past RI Presidents present, all of whom
contributed to the information and knowledge which was shared. This
reminds YOE of my preparation to be WVRC President in the long-ago years
of 1967-68. As far as training, there weren't none, and the only
officers not mentioned and catered to at the RI Convention that year in
Nice were incoming Presidents. At least that long ago, International
Conventions were mainly for the benefit of present and past District
Governors, or so it seemed to me. But I digress…(That means I'm
wandering off the subject again, as usual).
There were some significant Rotary anniversaries announced - and all,
WAF, which means, as I'm sure you knew, Without A Fine…JOHN QUILICO, now
an Honorary Member, joined WVRC exactly FORTY years ago! His sponsor was
our newest Honorary Member, PP BOB LUSK. And harking back to January, PP
HOWARD SISKEL came aboard TWENTY FIVE years ago - and I'm pleased to
have been his sponsor. This past March, MARK BLOCK completed TEN YEARS,
and his sponsor was PDG BILL GOODWYN. Come this June, Prexy TED will be
announcing the years of "perfect" attendance for many of us 'more
senior' types - don't miss it!
Attention, all incoming officers and committee chairs for 2003-04:
Saturday, May 17th, will be a mandatory training event. It will be at
the LAX Radisson, starting at 0715, and ending at 1 p.m. Please RSVP to
PETER MORE.
RUDY ALVAREZ spoke briefly about the upcoming District Conference at
Pechanga from May 1st through the 4th. Those attending include Prexy
TED, both PP HOMER and PP MIKE NEWMAN, KEN LEVER, PETER MORE, DON
NELSON, PP RON LYSTER, PP DAVE WHITEHEAD. PP JOHN SINGLETON, PP JIM
DOWNIE, and Erin Ratazi, our Ambassadorial Scholar. (And since I wasn't
sure how many spouses were accompanying, I didn't try to list them, for
which I apologize). There will be a hospitality room on Friday evening,
although by so stating I do not wish to imply that this event should be
your main reason for attending…Anyway, it will be an excellent
opportunity for Rotary fellowship and learning what other clubs in the
District are doing.
Another PP, GEORGE DEA, would certainly be there, but he is scheduled
for back surgery today - and our thoughts are with you, GEORGE.
MICHAEL GINTZ introduced our Speaker, Bram Goldsmith. For over twenty
years he served as Chairman and CEO of City National Bank and City
National Corporation, leading the company's evolution into California's
premier private and business bank.
Under his leadership the company expanded beyond Los Angeles and
increased its assets more than five-fold. Mr. Goldsmith attended the
University of Illinois, and served in the Army Air Corps for over three
years, starting in 1942. Prior to joining City National, he was
President and CEO of Buckeye Realty and Management Corp, and Chairman of
Buckeye Construction Company. He served as a board member of the Los
Angeles branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco from 1981 to
1987. In addition, he has been very active in civic organizations,
serving as Chairman of the National Conference of Christians and Jews,
and numerous other community agencies.
This coming January will mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of
City National, which began by focusing on supporting entrepreneurs and
small business owners. They are sometimes known as "Bank to the Stars"
since they have many entertainment industry clients. Mr. Goldsmith was
first a client, and then in 1964 joined the Board. At that time the bank
had 25 offices and $650 million in assets. Today they have 54 offices
throughout California, an office in New York, and twelve billion dollars
in assets.
Some of the lessons he has learned include: Look for opportunities, and
don't be afraid to take some risks. His prior experience included some
time in the liquor industry plus owning a home improvement business in
Chicago, and this variety of careers helped him in evaluating risks and
seizing opportunities. He strongly advocates working for an organization
you believe in - it shows in your customer contacts. Your employees need
to know that what they are doing is important. At the same time, give
back to the community where you work and live. He specifically mentioned
Aiden's Place and our coming association with Angel's Flight as examples
of meaningful community service.
Our involvement with these organizations will help to change
individual's lives for the better.
Q&A - SALLY BRANT, What about the Southern California economy? Well,
it's certainly better than Northern California. Here we have more small
businesses than anyplace else in the world, and we expect improvement in
the economy starting in the fourth quarter. RAY ZICKFELD - What about
the state budget crisis? It's a disaster, and I don't know where it will
end up. You know why you need a one-armed economist - so he can't say,
"Well, on the one hand…" DONN CONNER - When will you be # One?
We are currently the # Two private bank in Southern California, and we
aspire to be the BEST. LILLIAN KLIEWER - With my two youngsters here,
what would you advise them about preparing for a career? Banking has
more variety of opportunities than any other industry. So a broad
general education, enabling you to do what you WANT to do, is best. Take
some Accounting and know your English. PP CHRIS GAYNOR - What about the
local housing market? Certainly property has appreciated faster than
salaries have increased. In residential, the strong demand continues,
while in commercial, it is down somewhat because of some spotty low
occupancy rates. LEE DUNAYER - Do you emphasize bigger accounts? We want
to be personal bankers, taking care of all your banking needs. In a
conversation with the then-President of BofA, he commented on their new
ads, and was reminded, "Yes, those are just actors". BOB THOM - Do you
handle mortgages? Yes, we do high end, especially. We are not FHA
lenders. JACK HARRIS - What about the loans France has given to Iraq?
Because they were so helpful to us, I would expect they will have them
for lunch. PP JIM COLLINS - What do you expect from Greenspan? He will
do nothing spectacular on May 6th. BILL EDWARDS - What is happening with
Workmen's Comp rates? Clients cannot raise their prices, so the increase
comes out of profits. Insurance rates are cyclical - a tough problem.
Thanks to MICHAEL GINTZ and Bram Goldsmith for an informative session.
And while I have your attention, please give me one of your business
cards next week - we need more blue meal tickets to be made up!
YOE, Ernie Wolfe |
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