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Jan 29 Speaker: Brian Ryks,
MAC Executive Director / CEO
Topic: Exceptional Airport Experiences
for a Thriving Minnesota
Stories
Jan 29 Speaker: Brian Ryks, MAC Ex Dir/CEO
Brian D. Ryks, A.A.E., was named executive director and CEO of the Metropolitan Airports Commission in May 2016. He is responsible for the administration and management of one of the nation’s largest airport systems, including Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and six general aviation airports.
 
MSP is the 18th busiest airport in the United States, and the MAC’s system of airports supported more than 714,000 aircraft operations in 2024. From 2016 through 2024, Ryks has overseen more than $3 billion in MAC airport improvement projects, including a multiyear expansion and modernization of MSP’s Terminal 1, a new 5,000-space parking and ground transportation facility, and new runways at Crystal and Lake Elmo airports to enhance safety and support the growth in general aviation flight activity.
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Jan 31 Pickleball Social
Join your fellow Rotarians and their pickleball guests for new to pickleball instructions (aka how NOT to get hurt) and a friendly game or two of pickleball. Equipment provided. Registration required HERE.
 
WHEN: Saturday, Jan 31, 2026
WHERE: Lifetime Fitness Southdale
TIME: 3:00 TO 5:00 Pickleball
SOCIAL HOUR: 5:00 TO 7:00
COST: $20 per perosn
 
PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED!  SIGN UP TODAY!
Feb 2 Rotary Happy Hour
Rotary Happy Hours are the first Monday of the month. Join us at "The Mezz" on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. This gathering is a casual, vocational and business network opportunity centered on featuring an Edina Noon or Edina Morningside Rotary member's career story. Guests are welcome. "The Mezz" at Lunds & Byerlys is located at 7171 France Ave, Edina. Personal food and beverage choices are available to order and purchase. Speaker is TBD and registration is not required.
Feb 3 Bridging Dresser Build-Volunteering Event
Bridging empowers people to thrive in their homes by providing quality furniture and household goods for those pursuing housing stability, Tuesday, Feb. 3. When and where? Register HERE

Date: Tuesday, February 3rd
Time: 3PM-6PM
Volunteers: 10-25
 
 
Location: Bridging- Bloomington 201 W. 87th St. Bloomington, MN 55420
**Family & Friends welcome!  Must be 14 years old to participate.
 
What will we be doing?
  • Assembling 10 dressers in teams
  • We will take a brief tour of the facility, hear more about the organization and how they serve their clients
What to bring:
  • You should dress comfortably and in clothing that can get dusty.
  • Comfortable, close-toed shoes (required).
  • Donations: Bring a bag, box, or a carload (optional)! Look here for items we accept.
Additional information about Bridging is available on our https://www.bridging.org/. Thank you for supporting this mission with your incredible gift of time and talents! Please let Nikki Ahlgren know if you have any questions or requests for accommodation.
Feb 10 - Women in Rotary - Galentine's Day
Celebrate friendship, connection, and a little fun at our Galentine’s Gathering for Women in Rotary! 💖
 
Join us for a relaxed evening at the home of our Club President, Lisa Walker, filled with great conversation, laughter, and camaraderie as we celebrate the incredible women of our club. Enjoy light bites, drinks, and meaningful connection in a warm, welcoming setting. Registration is helpful in planning food and beverage service. Registration, address and direction can be found HERE.
 
Feb 11 -- Multi-Club/District Breakfast w/27-28 President
May 27 to 31, 2028 Rotary International will hold the 2028 Rotary International Convention in Minneapolis/St. Paul. THIS. IS. A. BIG. INTERNATIONAL. DEAL! Thousands of Rotarians from every corner of the world will attend. On February 11, 2026 there is an opportunity to meet the 2027-28 Rotary International President, Larry Lunsford, and Federal Reserve Regional Outreach Director, Erick Garcia Luna. For detailed information and to register for this City Of Lakes Rotary sponsored event click HERE. Registration closes Wed., February 4 and space is limited.
Feb 23 - Rotary Awareness Day - MN State Capitol
 Celebrate our Rotary "birtrhday" at the State Capitol. Our founding 121 years ago is known officially as "World Understanding & Peace Day." Click HERE and visit our Rotary District 5950 website for event details. 
Proposed for Membership - James "Jim" Olcott
The Rotary Club of Edina’s Membership Committee recently approved the following applicant. Written objections to the applications below must be submitted before Midnight, Tuesday, January 27, 2026, to Rotary Club of Edina, PO Box 24481, Edina, MN 55424 or emailed to administrator@EdinaRotary.org. 
 
James "Jim" Olcott
Classification: Entertainment
Sponsor: Paul Peterson
 
Jim has been a professional trumpet player/performer since 1959 and founded Twin Cities Trumpet Ensemble (www.tctrumpets.org). He has served as a music professor at Ft Hayes State University; University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Miami University. He is the owner of Triplo Press who specialize in publishing music for trumpet ensemble.
Proposed for Membership - Kam Aggarwal
The Rotary Club of Edina’s Membership Committee recently approved the following applicant. Written objections to the applications below must be submitted before Midnight, Tuesday, January 27, 2026, to Rotary Club of Edina, PO Box 24481, Edina, MN 55424 or emailed to administrator@EdinaRotary.org. 
 
Kam Aggarwal
Classification: Business Development
Sponsor: Geetu Sharma
 
Kam is very active in the local community and helps small businesses and ambitious entrepreneurs get visible on heard on the web and on social media. She is an avid reader who love to spend time with her family and explore fun places in the area. https://kamaggarwal.com/
Proposed for Membership - Ben Pohlman
The Rotary Club of Edina’s Membership Committee recently approved the following applicant. Written objections to the applications below must be submitted before Midnight, Tuesday, February 3, 2026, to Rotary Club of Edina, PO Box 24481, Edina, MN 55424 or emailed to administrator@EdinaRotary.org. 
 
Ben Pohlman
Classification: Accounting
Sponsor: Shelly Loberg
 
Ben is Business Development Director at All In One Accounting who serves non-profits, professional services and manufacturing/construction companies. He's a previous member of the Lions Club and has participated in numerous mission trips while growing up. Ben is looking to reconnect with the spirit of service and expand his community engagement through Rotary. Ben and his wife, Ellie, live in Edina with their young son.
Proposed for Membership - John Harmon
The Rotary Club of Edina’s Membership Committee recently approved the following applicant. Written objections to the applications below must be submitted before Midnight, Tuesday, February 3, 2026, to Rotary Club of Edina, PO Box 24481, Edina, MN 55424 or emailed to administrator@EdinaRotary.org. 
 
John Harmon
Classification: Non-Profit Leadership
Sponsor: Ann Platt
 
John is the founder and executive director of Thrive Kenya who provides housing in four locations for orphaned, abandoned and abused children in Kenya, www.thrivekenya.org. He is active in his church and has served on various non-profit boards, committees and event volunteering. John and his wife, Joy Ann, live in Minnetonka.
Upcoming Events
Jan 29, 2026 -- Speaker: Brian Ryks, Metro Airports Commission
Jan 31, 2026 -- Pickleball Social @ Lifetime Southdale
Feb 2, 2026 -- Rotary Happy Hour @ "The Mezz"
Feb 3, 2026 -- VOLUNTEER - Bridging Build a Dresser
Feb 4, 2026 -- Registration Deadline-Meet the RI President
Feb 10, 2026-- Women in Rotary - Galentine's
Feb 11, 2026 -- Meet the RI 27-28 President Breakfast
Feb 19, 2026 -- Doing Good, Rotary Int'l ZOOM
Feb 23, 2026 -- Rotary Awareness @ MN Capitol
Meeting Recap - Jan 22 2026
January 22, 2026
Meeting Recap
Speaker: Ren Bin Lee Dixon, AI Policy Research Analyst
Artificial Intelligence, Understanding and
Demystifying the Machine
Ren Bin Lee Dixon, AI Policy Research Analyst
"Artificial Intelligence, Understanding and
Demystifying the Machine"
Ms. Lee Dixon gave a interesting and through presentation covering understanding,
the issues and the empowerment of today's world of artificial intelligence.
Picture are Ren Bin Lee Dixon with RCE member Sandy Schley,
Past Club President and Past District Governor. Sandy is a
member of the club's speaker committee and was responsible for
bring Ms. Lee Dixon to the club to speak. See Ann Platt or
Doug Johnson if you'd like to join this committee.
Read more...
Meeting Duties
Administration
Michalski, Rebecca
 
Front Desk & Guest Intro
Cook, Tom
 
Greeter & Invocation
Milburn, Todd
 
Intro Speaker & Thank You
Ahlgren, Nikki
 
Photographer
Campbell, Katy
 
Rotary Birthdays
Member Birthdays
Sue Parriott
February 4
 
Rebecca Michalski
February 7
 
Geetu Sharma
February 9
 
Amber Tyrrell
February 10
 
Jennifer Hendrickson
February 12
 
Bradley Hepp
February 15
 
Elizabeth Anderson
February 15
 
Sarah Aydinalp
February 15
 
Steven Veker
February 15
 
Susan Johnson
February 24
 
Lindsey Smaka
February 25
 
Mike Martiny
February 26
 
James Olcott
February 27
 
Mike Kallas
February 27
 
 
NEXT REGULAR MEETING MEETING - Thurs., Jan. 29, 2026
Speaker: Brian Ryks, MAC Executive Director / CEO
Doors Open at Noon, Program at 12:30
 
Lunch Options:  Salad with Coconut Shrimp or Bourbon Bacon Chicken
 
DEADLINE for newsletter story and event submission is Monday at 5 pm. RCE Administrator, Becci Michalski, works part time (T-W-Th) and will respond to your inquiries as quickly as possible. Contact her at rmichalski@EdinaRotary.org.