Clint Hickman, scion of the Hickman Family Farms and former Chairman of the Maricopa Board of Supervisors was our guest last week. Mr. Hickman spoke about the personal and professional challenges he faced in the wake of the 2020 election, noting that one person who threatened him, from Iowa, was recently released from prison. Mr. Hickman also spoke about deciding to remove himself from public life and focus on his family and business. He mentioned the challenges faced by Hickman Family Farms including the 2022 bird flu infections and the related destruction of nearly 8 million chickens. The business was recently sold to JBS of Brazil, ending a 6 generation legacy in Arizona. Mr. Hickman's excellent sense of humor and timing were evidenced by the warm reception he received, but the laugh of the day belonged to Verlyne Meck. When Mr. Hickman said “I don't want to bore you", Mrs Meck, a long time friend of the Hickman family quipped,”then you better sit down". The best comment of the day, although there was no chance of Mr Hickman boring us last week. You don't want to miss Rotary and these magical moments. Thank you to Mr. Hickman for sharing his story with us. We are thankful for his leadership at the County and the generosity of the Hickman family to our community.
Always the highlight of any meeting, our Sergeant-at-Arms, Ed Williams,visits with Alan and Marissa during Happy Bucks
Grab your Rotary friends and head to the ballpark for an unforgettable day of baseball, camaraderie, and pure fun!
Enjoy VIP access to the 1st Base Party Deck, where you’ll take in the game from prime seating with a festive, social atmosphere for D5495 Rotarians.
Your ticket includes: Game admission in the exclusive 1st Base Party Deck A delicious ballpark lunch Soft drinks throughout the game A lively Rotary-only experience filled with laughs, photos, and memories
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just there for the hot dogs and high-fives, this is the perfect blend of fellowship and fun. Wear your Rotary swag, bring your cheering voice, and let’s turn the stadium into a sea of Service Above Self! It’s not just a game—it’s a grand slam day with Rotary.
Rotary District 5495 Conference May 2026 - Registration is Now Open
May 1 & 2 2026 - Sheraton Mesa Hotel at Wrigleyville West, 860 Riverview Way, Mesa Arizona
Great Scott! Join Rotarians from across District 5495 (all of Arizona north of the Gila River, plus Laughlin, NV), as we go “Back to the Future” for a weekend of service, inspiration, celebration and an unforgettable “Enchantment Under the Sea” prom. Join Dave Faragher, Mike & Trish, Holly & Mike and other Rotarians from our club as we enjoy celebrating with our fellow Rotarians. To register click on this link. District Conference Registration. There are hotel blocks at the Sheraton (closes April 10), as well as the nearby Courtyard by Marriott (closes March 2). You can find links to the hotel pages on the Conference registration site.
If you prefer you can attend for one day or two days and stay locally or head home at night. (Driving distance from Verrado is 42 miles).
Sandy Fabritz is the Director of Water Policy at Freeport‑McMoRan, a role she has held since 2014, with more than three decades of experience in Arizona water resources and policy. She previously served with the Arizona Department of Water Resources, including as Director from 2011 to 2014 and Assistant Director for Water Management from 2003 to 2011, and earlier as a Water Resources Specialist and Manager. Sandy holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Resources from Arizona State University.
Phoenix based Freeport-McMoRan is a Fortune 200 company and one of the largest mining companies in the world. It traces its roots back to 1834. It currently has 5 major operations in Arizona, mining copper and molybdenum.https://www.fcx.com/
