NOTES FROM MARCH 3, 2015

Posted by Adam Sienkowski 
 
Motivation, Leadership and Teamwork: Lessons and Reflections from a Life Observing World Leaders
Speaker: Richard Lett
Richard was a personal protection officer with the Metropolitan Police in London, more commonly known as Scotland Yard, for 30 years. Richard coordinated the protection operations at major state and international events, including the weddings of Prince Charles and Camilla in 2005 and Prince William and Katherine in 2011. In 2012, Lett commanded the VIP protection operation in Central London for the London Olympic and Paralympic Games.
 
Richard retired from the Metropolitan Police after the 2012 London Olympics, and now spends his time between the UK and Minneapolis. Queen Elizabeth II made Richard a Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO) in 2013 for his service to the Royal Family and the Olympic Games.In 2013, he won the Racing Division Singled-Handed Trans-Atlantic Yacht Race known as the OSTAR. Richard is an ambassador for Pathways to Children, a Minneeapolis non-profit that helps empower children in extreme poverty. Richard was certainly one of our most entertaining speakers. Pictures of he with Queen Elizabeth, stories of running the Harry and William protection team, examples of how leadership, preparation and teamwork are essential in practical ways. Richard and his wife Margaret live in the Twin City area.
 
Announcements
 March 12 Swallowship
 March 17 Board Meeting
 March 20 STRIVE meeting
 
Spotlight on Jay Simpson
Jay is not a stomach tumor!
Parents lived in Central Iowa and moved to Austin, Minnesota.  They were married 17 years when Jay’s Mom was sick in the mornings. The doctor who filled in for their vacationing doctor advised his Mother that she had a stomach tumor. She was in fact pregnant. The proof is Jay and he is adamant that he is no stomach tumor. Jay’s Dad worked for Hormel for 39 years. Jay attended St. Olaf and then Drake University for his law degree. He wanted to be either a corporate counsel or tax advisor. Because of his “then” boyish face and his fear no one would trust him with their money because of his young appearance he worked in corporate counsel over 15 years for a number of corporations. Twenty-five years ago he married Kathy Miller. Jay and Kathy have a daughter 23 years old attending Iowa State and getting a degree in biological medical illustration. Jay and Kathy also have a son who is a junior at Carlson School currently traveling through Europe. Jay loves the work he does. He refers to it as leasing and licensing. He handles start ups all the way through to their maturity. Jay and Kathy are Eden Prairie residents and love our city.
 
Happy Fines
 Roger Jorgensen – Happy with the great turnout and awesome Progressive Dinner
 Gary Chanen – Received a Cortisone shot in his replaced knee yesterday and is very happy. 
 Pei Ling – Reported on the Feed My Starving Children success. 
 Bev Aho – Announced the April 25th Eden Prairie Foundation at the Barn
 Dennis Kim – Is very thankful for our easily accessible drinking water after recently returning from a 10 day trip to Uganda working on water projects 
 Ken Marshall – Is more thankful than happy after returning from a three week trip to Costa Rica 
 Bob Starr – Has returned from two months in Florida to join us in the cold temperatures.
 
Visitors
Prospective Members and Guests (Sponsor Name) (# of visit if mentioned)
Mike Rommel - Prospective Member 
Terry Johnson (Guest of Jeanne Zetah) Learning RX 
Brent Pond (Guest of Kevin Kraemer) Volleyball Dad (2nd Visit)