Martin honored as Harris Fellow

Martin Padillo, the club’s Rotary Exchange student from Spain for the past year, was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship by Betty Young on behalf of the Roswell Rotary Club. In addition, Martin was given a handmade quilt signed by club members and a U.S. jersey from the current FIFA World Cup championship. The presentations were made on June 11.

Air Races CEO to speak

Fred Telling, chairman and CEO of the National Championship Air Races, will speak at the June 18 Rotary Club meeting.

He has been the CEO of the Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) since February 2018 and has served on the board since October 2017.

The National Championship Air Races in Roswell are produced each September by RARA, a 501(c)(3) corporation. This year’s races will run Sept. 16-20.

Fred has also been the president of the T-6 Racing Association since 2007.

He is type-rated in Citation jets and the DC-3, fixed-wing (Commercial) and rotorcraft (Private) rated, and has a collection of North American Aviation aircraft — “Lady B,” a P-51D, “Almost Perfect,” a stock T-6G, and “Baby Boomer,” a T-6 racer.

Bill Williams to address Rotary

Chaves County Manager Bill Williams will speak at the June 11 Roswell Rotary Club meeting.

He began working for Chaves County in January 2015 as director of facilities. In June 2016, he was promoted to public services director, and in December 2020, he was appointed county manager. 

Before joining the county, Williams worked in agriculture and as a building contractor, later working for the federal government until 2014.

He graduated from New Mexico State University with a degree in agricultural mechanization. 

City manager to address club

City Manager Hess Yntema will speak to the Roswell Rotary Club on June 4.

Yntema, a former Roswell Rotary Club member, served more than three years as city attorney before being appointed city manager early this year.

He graduated from Harvard University with a bachelor’s degree in earth and planetary sciences before earning his law degree at the University of Michigan Law School.

Thompson to speak to club

Thompson

Bobbi Thompson, a Board member of the group that produces the National Championship Air Races in Roswell, will speak at the May 28 Rotary Club meeting.

She also serves as the airport director and assistant city manager of Roswell.

Bobbi’s aviation career spans more than 40 years. She is a 4,500-hour pilot, rated in single- and multi-engine fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, and has more than 35 years of experience producing air shows.

Additionally, she has managed eight airports, is an FBO owner and manager, air racer, and aviation consultant for more than 1,400 airports/FBOs.

She currently serves as the Reno Air Racing Association’s vice president of strategic planning.

The National Championship Air Races are produced every September by the Reno Air Racing Association (RARA), a 501(c)(3). The event was founded in Northern Nevada, where it became an institution and the pinnacle of air racing before moving to Roswell in 2025.

This year’s Air Races will run Sept. 16-20 in Roswell.

Four-Way Test essay winners

Members of the New Mexico Military Institute Intermediate Preparatory Academy’s initial graduating class won the first three places in the Roswell Rotary Club’s 4-Way Test essay contest.

Recipients are (from left): Dew Deemum, third place; Miriam Yehl, second place; Amy Everitt, eighth-grade academic advisor; and Tristan Tew, first place.

Each student read his/her essay to Rotarians at the club’s May 21 meeting.

Club President Nicole Wieser presented a check to each student.

Statuary garden update on agenda

Rotarian Steve Smith will give a brief update on the “Lest We Forget Historical Statuary Garden” at the May 21 Rotary Club meeting.

Also on the meeting agenda will be honoring the Four-Way Test winners from New Mexico Military Institute.