January 24 meeting. Steve Moore and Matt Kulp from the GSMNP will share a program on upcoming conservation efforts that are near and dear to our hearts. This will set the stage for our volunteer efforts for the park over the next year. Please plan on attending to learn more and have your questions answered. Please note that we will meet at the Monte Vista Baptist Church as usual, but will meet on the third floor in Room 343 instead of the Fellowship Hall. The meeting will start at 7:00pm. You can get January Newsletter (Link)
President’s Corner
Mike Bryant (mjbryant1954@hotmail.com)
I am excited and honored to be serving as President of the Little River Chapter of TU in 2013. LRCTU is a great chapter with great folks. We live in an incredible part of the world with great natural resources and members who are willing to give their time and talents to preserve these beautiful resources for our kids, grandkids and generations to come.
A Short Bio
Given I have only lived in east Tennessee for the past 4-5 years, I thought sharing some personal information might be helpful. I’ve been married to my wife, Jan for nearly 37 years. She’s still my best friend. We were both born and raised in Cincinnati. Both of our kids are grown and leading active adult lives. Jan and I have been empty nesters for quite a while. Before retiring two years ago, I worked at Procter & Gamble for nearly 33 years. As an engineer and manager, I worked in a variety of assignments in Engineering, Manufacturing and R&D. I was blessed to have a great career at P&G. I was also blessed to be able to retire at a relatively young age. I view early retirement as a gift of time. At P&G, long hours and significant travel requirements limited my free time. Now I am attempting to give back, focusing on opportunities to help others and preserve our great natural resources. I am actively involved with Blount County Habitat for Humanity and Trout Unlimited.
While in living and working in Cincinnati, I was active in the local fly fishing club – Buckeye United Fly Fishers. I had the opportunity to lead the club as President for three years, chaired the club sponsored Greater Cincinnati Fly Fishing Show for ten years, and served as editor for a couple of years. It is a great and active club with great folks.
I’ve been flyfishing for about fifteen years. I have the opportunity to fish for trout, salmon, bass, bluegill, steelhead, tarpon, and bonefish. I’ve fished in the Midwest, South and out West. But there’s something about fishing for trout in the mountains. Trout sure do live in some beautiful places. In my earlier years, I did enjoy fly fishing for tarpon in the Keys for ten years, but the costs became prohibitive. Like the mountains, there is something special and beautiful about the crystal clear waters in the Keys.
Looking Forward
By now most of you know that the Board decided not to conduct Troutfest in 2013. The Board believed that Troutfest had become too large to manage, the volunteer base had become tired and that we needed to refocus our efforts back on the membership. We have a great Board this year that will be responsible for developing our focus areas and plans over the next several years. One area of focus that will not change will be the volunteering our resources for conservation in the GSMNP. What a blessing to have such a great natural resource in our backyard. What a great opportunity and responsibility to help preserve it.
We have a great group of folks who have stepped up to lead our Chapter. But we cannot do it alone. We will need your help. We will need your ideas and feedback. I welcome your communications, please feel free to email or call me. I want to serve you, the Chapter and the GSMNP to the best of my abilities.
Member Profile
In an effort to help us get to know each other better, we will occasionally include Member Profiles . This month, we’re profiling Joe McGroom. (Link) Joe is a bright, energetic guy. Joe is serving as our Chapter VP and Troutfest Strategic Planning. We’re grateful for Joe’s leadership.
I hope you will plan to come to the January meeting. I’m looking forward to meeting you!!
