Rotarians do more than just Rotary. A lot more. Brian Elton is a prime example. He is a new member of the Rotary Club of Farragut, being inducted in February 2019. He’s also part of a nationwide program known as “All Pro Dads.”
Former NFL coach Tony Dungy, now an analyst on NBC’s “Football Night in America,” is the national face for the non-profit organization that provides the curriculum and structure for a monthly father/child breakfast at the school.
Elton explains: “While dads have breakfast with their child, I briefly discuss a character trait such as respect, responsibility or initiative and we watch a video that gives an example of that trait. Each dad tells the group why he is proud of his son or daughter.”
Brian, who is director of information technology at Ridgeview Behavioral Health Services in Oak Ridge, began this monthly program at Farragut Primary School and when his son Brady moved from Farragut Primary to Farragut Intermediate School, the program moved as well. Today Brian is in his second year of leading the program there. They meet for 30 minutes before the school day begins.
When Brian moved to Farragut Middle, he needed someone to take over the program at Farragut Primary. He turned to his friend and insurance agent Derek Wright, who owns Graham & Cook Insurance of Farragut. Each quarter Farragut Rotary honors a Business Person of the Quarter and two weeks ago the club honored Derek, who was nominated by Brian.
“When I moved to Farragut six years ago, I chose them as my insurance company simply because they were the local Safeco agent. Since that time, the owner, Tommy Cook, has retired and Derek took over the business,” Brian said. “I have gotten to know Derek as my agent and he has always gone the extra mile to manage my policies. Derek is doing a great job and I know he upholds the Rotary principles in the Four Way Test every day.”
Brian says he had been wanting to do something else in the community other than Rotary and when Wendy Stiles, Farragut Primary PTA president, asked him to lead this program, he said yes. “I knew it would be something great for youngsters and their dads. I read once that family traditions, something you repeat over and over, are what you and your kids remember and hold close to you for the rest of your life. Most of the dads and kids that attend are regulars and have truly made it a tradition – having breakfast together before school while learning important foundational character traits.”
When asked about his hobbies, Brian lists eight in this order: Family, All Pro Dad, street rods, RV camping, boating, fishing, snow skiing and running.
News and Notes: Farragut Rotary’s 19th Annual Wine Tasting & Hors d’ouvres will be 6-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, at Concord Marina. The theme is “Dining on the Dock.” The new event logo here was created by Farragut Rotarian Denise Bash. Tickets are $75 each and the money raised will go to support the organizations and programs the club supports. Realtor Teri Jo Fox is the coordinator for this event. You can purchase tickets through Eventbrite here.
Vicki Esponge
Two weeks ago, the club installed Vicki Esponge as a new member. That brings our membership to 103 members. Vicki is director of sales with The Nine Group for The Hampton By Hilton Inn at Cedar Bluff. She has been in the hospitality/event meeting planning industry for 36 years.
If you’re interested in exploring membership in Farragut Rotary, drop me an email at tking535@gmail.com We meet at 12:15 p.m. each Wednesday at Fox Den Country Club. You also can call me at 865-659-3562.
Tom King has served at newspapers in Georgia, Tennessee, Texas and California. He started writing for KnoxTNToday in 2017.