Fellow Rotarians, it is my privilege and  Pleasure to welcome into our Club two new members., Michael Scar, sponsored by Suzanne Scar and mentored by Bill Prather; and Bryant Huber, sponsored by Carl Gross and mentored by Judy Gabriel.  

Michael was born in Los Angeles and grew up in Granada Hills. After graduation from Kennedy High School he started at U.C. Santa Cruz, then taking  a two year stint as a ski bum in Lake Tahoe. After his return to school, Michael earned  a B.S. in Business with an emphasis in Marketing from Cal State Hayward.

As a recent grad,  Michael went into business with his father in Chicago. Later, he moved the business back to Los Angeles.  He has two children: Danny, in law school at the University of Washington and  Madison, a teacher in Los Angeles working on her Master’s degree.

Michael’s diverse experience in the Consumer Products, Defense and Radar Systems, Electrical Components and then the Wedding Gifts and Accessories prepared him for Central Coast Imaging Solutions, the company he and Suzanne founded in 2001.  They married in 2005 and have been happy ever since. Their business is a Canon dealership selling and servicing copiers, high speed scanners, large format printers, faxes and paperless office solutions.  

Michael is an experienced Rotarian having been a member of the Carpinteria, Ventura East and Ventura downtown Clubs, where he learned Clubrunnner and served on the Board.  Michael found as he was more active with our Club than he was in Ventura, he may as well join.  Here at Rotary Club of Ojai, Michael is Secretary-elect.

When he isn’t at work or Rotary, Michael enjoys photography, travel,  family time, watching movies, and their dogs.  Yes, Michael is a dog lover with pride in his great abilities in training dogs. 

At the shelter, he and Suzanne were smitten with Misha, a 6 month old Black Lab. Michael knows Labs, yet he was totally unprepared for the huge test of wills he and Misha would face.  This high energy dog expected to call the shots.  For one, she was an escape artist. 

·         Early on, she chewed through the rear door quarter panel of the car on a quick trip to the store.  It was almost impossible to keep her in the yard. One day they came home, to a message to pick up their dog.  Misha had spent the day at the neighbor’s 4 blocks away.  She wanted to play.

·         Another time Suzanne was backing out of the driveway, looked up and saw Misha on the garage roof wagging her tail. After coaxing her down they did some serious work on the fences.

·         And shoes – Misha taught Michael don’t leave them out. He hasn’t told me how many shoes she chewed, but Michael notices that Suzanne always seems to have a nice new pair.  Of course, after training Michael, Misha was accepted as a loving and cherished member of the family. 

Bryant Huber was born and raised in Charlevoix, Michigan.  He began his career in banking while attending North Central Michigan College, later moving on to Charlevoix State Community Bank.  While there, Bryant learned about Rotary and other service clubs from his co-workers. Rotary appealed for our mission of service above self, the avenues of service and fostering of youth development.  

            Bryant is 32 years old, and married to Carin. They are blessed with a delightful 3-year-old daughter.   Some of you recall the Young Americans program – that is where they met, traveling internationally in  non-profit service.  For the last five years, they’ve lived in Northern Michigan.  Bryant reports that it was truly difficult to leave, but Ojai has always felt like home.  Not to mention, the winters helped in the decision-making process. 

            Now at Ojai Community Bank as a Commercial Loan Analyst, Bryant is inspired by community banking and its role in the community.  As he establishes his family here, Bryant looks forward to volunteering and working on larger service projects. As a Rotarian, Bryant is interested in the Roatan medical initiative, which he has long admired via his father-in-law Carl Gross. Bryant looks forward to working with our webmaster to enhance and administer Clubrunner. Career and vocational efforts are also on his radar.  Bryant plays jazz guitar and sings in his church choir. He will tell you that he’s joining Rotary to better the world, and to give back in honor of the many who have been so generous with him.  

Bryant shared his love story with me.  It was Christmas Eve 2009, and he was preparing to propose to Carin. After securing permission from future father-in-law Carl to ask for her hand in marriage, Bryant suggested to Carin a drive up the 33, to find snow. This Michigan native missed the sight of snow on Christmas Eve, hence the snow hunt. Being fairly sure they would find snow, Bryant told himself,

 I now give you your Red Badges to wear while you work with your mentors, and your Rotary packets with your dues invoices. Please give a warm Rotary welcome to our two newest members Michael Scar and Bryant Huber.  Welcome Michael and Bryant!!