Soundings (1/10/17)

Posted by G. Stowe Talbot on Jan 10, 2017
 
Flag Salute & Invocation by Scotty
 
Visiting Rotarians: None
 
Guests: Ed Harry (WCC), Eric Chambers, Brian Bressler
 
Announcements 
 
Dannon related more from the history of the club 1995-96;  
 
Fellowship events planned:  Hockey on Saturday, February 4th, 7:35pm - pre-game dinner? (see Tim Krell).
 
Third Thursday BBRC Networking Lunch (January 19th)
 
BBRC board meeting This Thursday Jan 12th at Dannon’s office.
 
New member induction for Sean Stimec:  Sean is a Sehome grad, went to WSU majoring in construction management, now works as a senior project manager with Exxel Pacific.  And he is active athlete and community volunteer. A close family friend of Josh Barrett - his sponsor.  Anna Williams did the honors.  Welcome Sean!
 
Business Bucket by Mark Turner with a shameless business plug: He is offering studio portrait photography during the months of January and February.
 
Bucks in the Bay
  • Dannon family reunion in Louisiana and road trip over holidays, very challenging week there with multiple sicknesses. 
  • John Purdie glad to be home; 
  • Pete Rittmueller up working in the mountains outside in the cold, but also got some work in Hawaii! 
  • Rod Bring, missed meetings, a birthday, visits by kids, a pub crawl in Bellingham, and trip to Cabo, it’s great to live and work in Bellingham! 
  • Andy Clay recent birthday, happy bucks because son in LA came up with girlfriend and her BIG family for a visit; 
  • Aaron Lemperes missed meetings, with a plug for an upcoming fundraiser for Engedi Refuge Ministries;
  • Harte Bressler with 44rd wedding anniversary, wife 65th birthday, weekend at Harrison Hot Springs; 
  • Lance Calloway two weeks off during the holidays, went snowshoeing, and a birthday;
  • Terry Brown with a birthday, went skiing at Big White!
Sergeant at Arms by Eddie
Fines for various misdemeanors.
 
Program
 
Today’s guest speaker was Harte Bressler's son, Brian Dressler.  Brian is the Powertrain Test Manager at PACCAR’s Technical Center in Skagit County.  Brian grew up in Bellingham, and now has been working at PACCAR for 17 years.  PACCAR is a global technology leader in the design, manufacture of premium trucks under the Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF brands. PACCAR now also designs and manufactures its own diesel engines, as well as provides financial services, information technology, and spare parts.
 
PACCAR was founded 112 years ago by the Pigott family, and is still headquartered in Bellevue.  Today PACCAR is the 4th largest truck manufacturer in the world, and its annualized stock returns are the best in the world.
 
The PACCAR technical center is a design and test facility (with a specially designed track) in Skagit Valley.
 
Lots of research and technology is going in to the design of PACCAR trucks, to make them safer, more durable, and ever more energy efficient.  Trucks 30 years ago were averaging 2 or 3 mpg, now some PACCAR trucks achieve 11mpg. Onboard diagnostics are helping make BIG improvements in emissions, much cleaner than before.  Diesel continues to be the fuel of choice for long-haul trucks, because it is so energy-dense.
 
Respectfully submitted, 
Stowe Talbot