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Klaus Becker – Honorary German Consul Celebrating the Influence of German Art, Culture and Political Thought
Rotarian Mike Hawley introduced Klaus Becker as the Honorary German Consul in Charlotte, but he also provided a background on all the activity surrounding this speech that relates to German influence in this region. Mike spoke about the Global Summit, a visit to Charlotte last week by the German Ambassador to the United States, a recent German Opera Ball sponsored by BMW and the NC Zeitgeist Foundation at Quail Hollow and the substantial German business contributions to our community. Hawley described Klaus Becker as a man born
in Marburg, Germany and raised in Dortmund by a family with “steel” in it’s DNA. Becker’s father worked in the steel industry and so did Klaus. He said that Becker was well-read, well-traveled, and fluent in at least 5 languages. Becker came to the U.S. in 1979 and just last year became a U.S. citizen. For three years, Klaus worked for a third party, before deciding to take the entrepreneurial path that he has followed ever since. He pitched his tent in Charlotte (never with NC) and over the course of many years, he founded several companies involved in the international steel trade. His latest endeavor, Nirosteel LLC (specialty steel and alloy products), celebrated its 5th anniversary in 2014. Klaus was appointed as Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany to Western North Carolina in January, 2014. He has a passion for contemporary art, as evidenced by his "Art in the Office" (at his NIROSTEEL, LLC location in Charlotte) and his Chairmanship of the newly formed NC Zeitgeist Foundation. Becker’s presentation was broken into four parts. First, he wanted us to know about Germany. He described Germany as smack dab in the middle of Europe, about the size of NC, SC and Virginia in land mass, surrounded by nine countries, with a population of about 81 million inhabitants ranking 18th in size in the world. Second, Becker spoke about the German heritage in the Charlotte area and the Carolinas. He said that besides the Scotch Irish who settled this region, many of the balance were German. He commented that the Germans began arriving to the U.S. in 1607, but that a wave of people came between 1750 and 1800 by way of Pennsylvania. Believing that Pennsylvania was too populated, the Germans traveled the 435 miles down the “Great Wagon Road” from Lancaster, through Virginia and across the Shenandoah River, following the Piedmont to Charlotte and to South Carolina. He commented about Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg who married the British King who was a little “cuckoo” but nonetheless had 17 children. Those German settlers worked in agriculture, growing cotton, and then introduced textile machinery to this region. Third, Becker spoke about the economic presence of Germans in this area. He remarked that there are 3500 German companies in the U.S.; there are 500 in NC and SC; there are 200 in the 16-county Charlotte region. Notable companies include, Siemens, Pfaff Molds, ZF, Bosch, and many others. German manufacturers include Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, but also little firms with more than 50 employees up to 7000 workers
REPORTER March 10, 2015
(the so-called “Mittelstadt” companies). Why do these companies like Charlotte? First, the airport provides easy access to Germany. Second, so many customers and suppliers are here, Third, the German culture is active here. Fourth, there is a good, hard-working base of employees here. And fifth, the Germans can fit into this community without overtly “standing out.” Becker’s fourth topic was focused on his job as Honorary German Consul. He is most anxious to represent German art, history, culture and influence to this area. He said, “I want to be a credible, serious, thoughtful, and trustworthy representative of Germany to American people.” He is working to improve personal interaction through the NC Zeitgeist Foundation, bringing great speakers, artists, authors and politicians to this area. Klaus Becker certainly adds richness to our community and left us with a much better understanding of the cultural and economic impact that German immigrants have had on our region. Written by: John Galles Head Table: Helmut Deussen, Laura Thojmas, Tony Zeiss, Mike Hawley, Ronnie Pruett, Stephanie Hinrichs; Invocation: Tim Newman; Visitors & Guests: Luke Maybry; Song: Ed Pickett; AV: Nikki Keith & Jessica Dupree; Photos: Bert Voswinkel
Club News Pender McElroy was pleased to introduce Courtney Ramey as the club’s newest member. Courtney is executive director for Jabian Consulting and can be reached at [email protected]. Welcome, Courtney; Bill Constangy’s article, “Problems with the Blue Pencil Rule” in employment and sale of business covenant not to compete litigation was published in the March 9, 2015 issue of North Carolina Lawyers Weekly; both Ralston Pound and Darrell Holland are on the mend and continue to improve; Helmut Deussen picked up his Level 7 Foundation pin. Posted for Membership (comments to Rotary Office by 3/17/15) Ben Pendry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte (Education, Public University) Sponsor: Matt Joyner Endorsed: Ron Kimble, Gray Langley Wil Bosbyshell, Jr., The Art Institute of Charlotte (Education, Private For Profit) Sponsor: Matt Joyner Endorsed: Gray Langley, Mark Turner Dale Halton, (Bottler, Soft Drinks) Sponsor: Tony Zeiss Endorsed: Jennifer Nichols, Sean Preston Upcoming Events - March 15 (rescheduled date) Tree Planting, 1PM-4PM, J. W. Grier Elementary (8330 Grier Road) - March 19 Make An Impact Foundation fundraising breakfast, 8AM, River Run Country Club, RSVP [email protected]. - April 24-26 Annual District Conference, Grandover Resort & Golf, Greensboro
The Centennial Committee presented the bold audacious goal of doing 100 projects to celebrate 100 years. WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU Recommend great projects Volunteer to lead or coordinate a project Volunteer to help lead or coordinate the effort. CONTACT: Please contact Sandy with ideas and wishes to volunteer Feel free to direct questions to John Tabor WHY ARE WE DOING THIS? To honor 100 years of service To make our Centennial meaningful WHAT TYPES OF PROJECTS ARE WE TALKING ABOUT Big and Small It can be 5 Rotarians landscaping a group home, It can be 12 Rotarians cleaning up a street, It can be 50 Rotarians giving blood, Let us know your ideas. Our base goal is to do 100 projects, Our bigger goal is to touch 100 organizations. PRIORITIES Volunteers, NO fundraising #1 Ongoing club projects #2 Non-Profit Members #3 Member Sponsored (ie a member is willing to lead the project) #4 Member Recommended TIMELINE: Start December 01, 2015 for one year We are considering a soft start July 01, 2015 BENEFITS: Celebrate 100 Years of Service Promote Rotary and Charlotte Rotary Promote Rotary’s Motto Great Outreach Great Public Relations
UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS (3/10/15 – 3/23/15) 03/10 David Veach, Luther Fincher 03/11 Tim Chappell 03/12 Bill Bartee 03/13 Dumont Clarke, Sam Ryburn 03/14 Fred Wagner 03/15 Tony Lathrop 03/16 Bill Loftin 03/18 Ty Hands, Ed Pickett 03/19 Karen Simon 03/22 Bob Denson 03/23 Randall Bozard, Jon Hannan UPCOMING ANNIVERSARIES (3/10/15 – 3/23/15) 03/11 Bonnie & Wes Jones 03/14 Sandi & Hank Donaghy 03/15 Cathy & Martin Grable 03/21 Kristin & Todd Arnold ATTENDANCE Visitors & Guests 16 Club Members 172 Total Attendance 188 Percentage 60.6% MEMBERSHIP 03/10/2015 317 07/01/2014 317 Net Increase: New Members: Patricia Zoder, Courtney Ramey Resignations: Matthew Brown, Liz Irwin, Melissa Wesley VISITORS ON 3/10/15 Rika Takuno, Bo Coggins, Chris Hailey, Andrea McGowan, Allan Campbell, Mike Germano, Steve Kinzler, Travis Vance, Tom Smith, Clyde Robinson, Martin Pressley, Wil Bosbyshell, Ben Pendry, Kevin Dale, Mike McLaurin, Zach Leitner UPCOMING LUNCHEONS (www.charlotterotary.org and click on the events tab) 03/17 – Jim Beatty, Sports 03/24 – Ted Abernathy, Economic Leadership 03/31 – Gene Cochrane, President, The Duke Endowment Photos from this week’s luncheon – thanks Bert!
Photos from our luncheons and other events can be found on Flickr Click here
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