The Remarkable Rotary Runway to an Interesting Life

 

Please join us in Maldaners Upstairs  at 5:30 p.m. for an inspirational presentation by our guest speaker Hal Smith, Executive Director for Development at the SIU Medical School Foundation. He will share his remarkable story and his experience as a member of a Rotary International Group Study Exchange trip to England in 1975 that set the stage for much of his life. Visitors are welcome to join us and may enjoy a fine buffet dinner for $12.00.

Born in in Springfield, Illinois, Hal as remained a Springfield citizen for nearly his entire life.  He graduated from Sangamon State with a BA-Business in 1972 and a Master’s in Public Administration in 1976.  Hal spent 8 years on the U.S. Senate staff for Senator Charles H. Percy and 30 years in the private sector with 3 global gaming and entertainment companies before retiring in 2015.  He was called out of retirement 3 years ago, first to assist with fund raising for Lincoln College, and then to run the Springfield office for newly elected Congressman Darin LaHood.  A few months ago he was asked to become Executive Director for Development at the SIU Foundation at the School of Medicine.

Hal has traveled 6 continents for his work but continues to love his hometown where he and his wife, Meg, also a native, raised their 2 children, who are both married and now live in St. Louis and Los Angeles.