Luke introduced today’s speaker, Kevin Iott, of Meridian Mechatronics/Plane-Wave Instruments of Deerfield who shared with us some very exciting information about possible expansion of his business here in Adrian. Luke has known Kevin for about two months, he said, since they were both in a commercial together and will share the same property when Kevin’s business locates on the former Adrian Training School site.
Kevin said that his interest in astronomy began at a very early age and that he decided to make the equipment he needed because it was too expensive to buy himself! From there his interest evolved to owning his own company in Deerfield with offices now in California. The company manufactures telescopes from 12 inches in diameter to 40 inches and are used by “high-end” amateurs, he said, as well as professionals in the field of government, aerospace, and the military.
Kevin said that the company has been in existence for 11 years now. It is the partnership between Meridian Mechatronics that Kevin started in Deerfield and Plane-Wave founded by people in California. The company is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Plane-Wave and Kevin is now a partner in this company. The company is planning to consolidate their California offices (Plane-Wave Instruments) with the manufacturing operation (Mechatronics) here in Adrian. They are currently in talks with city officials to acquire the 55-acre training school property north of town where the Adrian Center for the Arts has been located.
Kevin presented a number of slides showing the products they manufacture. One of the examples was a one meter telescope (the mirror is 40 inches in diameter). Mirrors are made, he said, of a solid piece of fused quartz which, in this case is valued at $40,000 for just the blank piece of material before it even get fabricated and machined! There are only four other companies in the US that can machine material this large and at two and a half times the cost of the material to machine it. So, Kevin and his staff took about one year to develop their own process at much less cost. His company can now make this size mirrors in about four weeks in their plant in Deerfield! The company also makes the mounts and motors for the telescopes.
The company has 27 employees currently and consist of software engineers, electrical engineers, and mechanical engineers which is what Kevin said he was. The company is growing very rapidly, he said. His products are in every continent except Antarctica, he said! Kevin said he actually has installed his telescopes in India, Poland and Germany just to name a few. One of his telescopes, Kevin said, was unveiled in a spaceship at the Virgin Galactic hangar in New Mexico where he met Sir Richard Branson!
Kevin concluded by saying that he was encouraged that his company would be close in proximity to the Tech Center in Adrian and that might mean advancing the careers of prospective students who might want to get into this field. He was also excited about the prospects for Adrian and Jackson Colleges and SHU who might have an opportunity to host scientific conferences in the future that would attract experts in the field to Adrian to speak and make formal presentations.
Child Advocacy Center Open House – Sue Lewis informed members that The Lenawee County Child Advocacy Center, a program of Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee & Hillsdale Counties, has scheduled its Grand Opening for Friday, January 26th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at 122 S. Broad Street, Adrian, Michigan. The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will take place at 4:30 p.m. Hope you can all attend!
Lenawee Humane Society - Patty made a request of all members and asked them to go to the Humane Society’s Facebook page and you can click on the link to Amazon.com and purchase supplies for the organization that they desperately need to assist them in caring with stray dogs they have taken in recently.
Dues are Due – Rhonda said that all dues are due by the end of January. Checks do not need to be e-mailed but simply dropped off to her at a meeting or to Secretary Allen.
Neighbors of Hope – Kathy Williams asked members to keep this group in their prayers next week as the Tecumseh City Council continues to decide what they will allow the organization to do with the Herrick Manor which they want to convert to a women’s’ & children transition housing.
DATES TO REMEMBER - JANUARY – Vocational Service Month
January 25 – Vocational Lunches – This year’s locations will be: Gleaners, D & P Communication and the Sam Beauford Workshop. Please add your name to the sign-up sheet that will be passed around again at next week’s meeting. If you pre-pay you meals at meetings, we will need your money at next week’s meeting. Those who do pre-pay will not have to do anything. If you want to go but not eat, simply indicate that on the sign-up sheet.
January 26 - The Great Pasty Project – A number of members have signed up to help members from the Morning Club prepare pasties at the First United Methodist Church on January 26th. There will be 2 shifts: 8am-10am and 10am to 12 noon. A sign-up sheet was passed around and will be again next week.
January 27 – Morning Club’s Annual Celebrity Wait – President Nate reminded members that it would be nice to have a couple of tables for members of our club that evening. If you would be interested in attending please contact Nate or Chuck Chase. Money needs to be collected and turned in by Friday the 19th.
February 9 – Annual Walk for Warmth – Patty provided details of this event and passed around flyers. It will begin at 1:30pm with registration. Patty reminded members to post the flyers she passed out last week. Pledges and donations are welcome. Patty said that those who will be walking will be done within a half hours’ time. All of the money raised, Patty said, stays in Lenawee County as it will go the Community Action Agency!
February 22 – The Art of Mingling – More info coming.
February 22 – Meet the Governor-Elect – This event will be hosted by the Southgate Rotary Club at noon and your opportunity meet next year’s DG, Paul Sincock. Please let President Nate know if you would be interested in attending.
Upcoming Club Program Presentations
Jan 18 - Joseph Myers Windsor Ontario Club President - works at Kellogg Eye Institute Jan 25 - Vocational Service Day (NO REGULAR MEETING AT THE COUNTRY CLUB) Feb 1 - Michael Neal-professor from Adrian College Feb 9 - Anne Sherman, Hospice of Lenawee Feb 16 - Chuck and Nate follow up on strategic plan Feb 22 - Melissa Growden from Siena Heights University - Meet & Greet
GUESTS: Jr Rotarians Lauren King and Katie Whaley; Patti Ellerholz – former member of the club and one of first women to join our club along with her guest – local realtor, Chuck Davis; Chris Miller, guest of Prez Nate’s.
Brent Mercer fined these folks: Slater, Elchert, Potthast, Ellerholz, Barnett, Chase, Pender, Bendes, Olsaver, Dick (2), Mark M., Douglass, John B. (2), Gage, Burg, Maxe (2), DuMars, and Smith.
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Luke introduced today’s speaker, Kevin Iott, of Meridian Mechatronics/Plane-Wave Instruments of Deerfield who shared with us some very exciting information about possible expansion of his business here in Adrian. Luke has known Kevin for about two months, he said, since they were both in a commercial together and will share the same property when Kevin’s business locates on the former Adrian Training School site.
