Derek Bombeck joined Visit Lincoln in 2013 as the Director of Sports. In his role, Derek’s focus is to promote Lincoln as a premier sports tourism destination. Derek is one of the founding members and President of Sports Nebraska, a state coalition that aims to attract and promote a strong sports culture of regional, national, and international competitions within Nebraska’s cities, heightening the economy and quality of life. Derek has been integral in bringing events to Lincoln such as USARS (United States of America Roller Sports) National Championships, NORCECA Women’s Olympic Volleyball Trials, USA Wrestling World Team Trials, World Youth Bowling Championships, State Games of America, and USA BMX Nationals. Derek began his career as Director of Events for the Nebraska Athletic Department, spending ten years coordinating all home Husker events, Big XII and Big 10 conference championships as well as numerous NCAA regional and national championships. Derek graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 2005 earning two bachelor’s degrees in Sports Management and Communication. Derek earned his master’s degree in leadership education from the University of Nebraska in 2010. Derek received his designation as a Certified Sport Event Executive (CSEE) and is currently on the Board of Directors of the Sports Events and Tourism Association.
Recently, Past President Mike Wortman introduced Rotarian Mike Manga. Mike Manga is joining the Rotary Club of Lincoln #14 on transfer from Rotary Club of Harare Dawn, Zimbabwe. He has been a Rotarian for 17 years. He served as Projects Committee Chairperson and was Club President 2010 to 2011, during which period he championed projects at Banket High School in a rural farming community which included installation of solar lighting, provision of water tanks and plumbing for ablution facilities, equipment and reagents for Science Laboratories, computers and educational textbooks. Harare Dawn is still actively involved in projects at this same school.
Mike has extensive experience in supply chain management and business leadership gained in mining and Packaged Goods (FMCG) industries. He has worked for Lonrho Zimbabwe Mining Division as Procurement Projects Coordinator; Buying Manager with Unilever South Africa and Group Logistics Manager for Unilever Zimbabwe; Group Procurement Executive at TA Holdings Limited Foods Division( Zimbabwe) and served for 16 years as Chief Executive Officer of foods and stock feed processing entity - Blue Ribbon Industries Limited Zimbabwe.
Welcome to your new Rotary home, Mike!
Mike Manga with President Jess Kinser, his wife Trish holding their grandchild, daughter Thandie, and sponsor Mike Wortman
Recently, Chris Hove introduced Constantine Syniy, President of All Pro Heating & Air Conditioning. Originally hailing from Ukraine, Constantine made his way to America over two decades ago, and ever since, he has proudly called Lincoln, NE, his beloved home.
Over a decade ago, Constantine founded the highly regarded All Pro Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc., which has become a reputable force in the industry. The company specializes in providing top-notch residential HVAC services and replacements. A firm believer in the importance of regular maintenance, Constantine and his team emphasize how this simple practice can significantly extend the life of your HVAC system, ensuring comfort and efficiency for years to come.
Not content with only excelling in the heating and air industry, Constantine's enterprising spirit led him to open a Drive-through Christmas Lights Show three years ago. Proudly sponsored by All Pro Heating and Air Conditioning, this dazzling display was created in response to the notion that "there is nothing to do in Nebraska during the winter." Thanks to Constantine's creative vision, families and friends now have a fantastic winter wonderland to experience and enjoy.
In 2022, Constantine helped 10 of his family members escape war-torn Ukraine. He was featured in KLKNTV. To read the full story, click here.
Beyond his professional achievements, Constantine is a devoted family man, with four children and four beloved grandkids. In his leisure time, you'll find him pursuing his passion for adventure. From scuba diving to water sports, dirt biking, and hunting, Constantine thrives on exploring the world and embracing new experiences.
Constantine Syniy with President Jess Kinser and his sponsor Chris Hove
Last week at Rotary was District Governor (DG) Kathryn Schubert's annual DG visit to our club. DG Kathryn shared Gordon McInally's theme of creating Hope in the World. Kathryn invited all Rotarians to attend the Rotary District Conference on October 13 and October 14 at the Omaha Marriott Regency, click/tap here.
Area Governor Clay Ehlers introducing DG Kathryn Schubert
DG Kathryn addressing Rotary 14 Rotarians
President Jess receiving the puzzle piece for the District Conference
R. Gordon R. McInally is president of Rotary International. He was educated at the Royal High School in Edinburgh and at the University of Dundee, where he earned his graduate degree in dental surgery. He operated his own dental practice in Edinburgh until 2016. Gordon was chair of the East of Scotland branch of the British Paedodontic Society and has held various academic positions. He has also served as a presbytery elder, chair of the Queensferry parish congregational board, and commissioner to the general assembly of the Church of Scotland. Read President McInally's biography.
Watch the video below of President McInally's address to the Rotary International Assembly:
At the intersection of liberty and language, one of Ukraine’s leading writers contemplates his literary identity By Andrey Kurkov
As Ukraine struggles against the current Russian invasion, it may seem strange to spend time remembering the collapse of the USSR in 1991. And yet I find it useful to reflect on that event. New, unexpected thoughts appear that provoke a shift in my attitudes, allowing me to reassess the past from the point of view of today’s tragedy.
In 1991, the USSR was physically disintegrating, crumbling like an old, abandoned building. Now Russian President Vladimir Putin’s dream of restoring the USSR is crumbling, and nostalgia for the Soviet past is dying.
I have always believed that the most important thing in life is to have a choice. This is the essence of freedom. Choice gives the opportunity to better understand yourself, the purpose of life, and your own role in it. In Soviet society, I could not choose a role that would suit both me and the Soviet system.
In my student years, I was an anti-Soviet Soviet person, as were many of my peers. I disliked many things about the USSR. I often argued with my communist father about the wrongness of the Soviet regime. And yet, I did not believe that this regime could be changed, that it could be made “correct.”
My father did not like to argue, although he always defended the Soviet system, in his calm, lazy manner. His positive attitude toward it grew from his belief that the Soviet system had allowed him to realize his dream. Since childhood, he had wanted to become a military pilot and he became one. He rose to the rank of captain, spending several years in Germany with the Soviet occupying forces after World War II. He returned to the USSR, and had it not been for the Cuban missile crisis and Nikita Khrushchev’s unilateral disarmament policy, he would have risen to the rank of colonel. Having faced the threat of a third world war, Khrushchev wanted to demonstrate that the USSR was a peace-loving state. This meant that my father, along with tens of thousands of other military men, was sent into the reserve army and a peaceful life. I am still grateful to Khrushchev for this beautiful peacekeeping gesture. Without it, I would not be a Ukrainian today.
The Rotary Club of Lincoln is meeting in a hybrid format. Join us at the Talon Room or on Zoom using the following information:
To join the meeting virtually, use this link: https://bit.ly/3YosV2W
Meeting ID: 849 7976 2224
Password: 661910
Derek Bombeck
Recently, Past President Mike Wortman introduced Rotarian Mike Manga. Mike Manga is joining the Rotary Club of Lincoln #14 on transfer from Rotary Club of Harare Dawn, Zimbabwe. He has been a Rotarian for 17 years. He served as Projects Committee Chairperson and was Club President 2010 to 2011, during which period he championed projects at Banket High School in a rural farming community which included installation of solar lighting, provision of water tanks and plumbing for ablution facilities, equipment and reagents for Science Laboratories, computers and educational textbooks. Harare Dawn is still actively involved in projects at this same school. 
Recently, Chris Hove introduced Constantine Syniy, President of All Pro Heating & Air Conditioning. Originally hailing from Ukraine, Constantine made his way to America over two decades ago, and ever since, he has proudly called Lincoln, NE, his beloved home.
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