PETE FIERLE
CHIEF OF STAFF & VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
Pete Fierle (pronounced FEAR-LEE) joined the Pro Football Hall of Fame in April 1988. A current member of the company’s executive team, he was promoted to Chief of Staff & Vice President of Communications in January 2016. He had served as the Vice President of Communications & Special Assistant to the President since June 2014.
Fierle oversees the Hall of Fame’s public relations and communications efforts that include sharing the message of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s important mission to 'Honor the Heroes of the Game, Preserve its History, Promote its Values & Celebrate Excellence EVERYWHERE'. His responsibilities also include providing content for the Hall of Fame’s website ProFootballHOF.com and editorial materials such as the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Yearbook magazine and other publications. Under his direction, the reach of publicity for the Pro Football Hall of Fame has grown significantly.
In addition to overseeing external communications, he coordinates internal communication and major company projects as directed by the Office of the President. Prior to his current capacity, he was the Hall of Fame’s Manager – Digital Media/Communications. In that role, his responsibilities included overseeing all aspects of the Hall’s dynamic website including programming, promotion, and development for the
site, in addition to serving as the editor and writer. He also was responsible for the day-to-day management of the Hall of Fame’s Ralph Wilson Jr. Pro Football Research and Preservation Center, the world’s largest archive on pro football. In 2014, Fierle was bestowed the Ralph Hay Award by the Pro Football Researchers Association in recognition of his “lifetime achievement in pro football research and historiography.”
Before he joined the Hall of Fame, Fierle worked temporarily in the programming department at ESPN in Bristol, Connecticut. He also served internships at WIVB-TV in Buffalo, New York and in the public relations department of the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, New York. From 1981-1990, he worked as a statistician and spotter for NBC's telecasts of Buffalo Bills games. Fierle is a current member of the Canton Strategy Group, a committee of business leaders shaping the vision for a growing city. He also serves on the Board for Leadership Stark County that offers various programs to fulfill its mission of developing a corps of motivated leaders. Fierle is a former longtime member and officer of the Board of Directors for the International Sports Heritage Association (ISHA).
A native of Buffalo, New York, Fierle has a B.A. degree in Speech Communication from Ithaca College. He and his wife Debbie, a school case manager for special services, are the proud parents of daughter Hannah and son Jake.
At our weekly meeting on February 3, 2017, Past President Dan Matthews (sponsor) introduced our newest member, Raquel Raderchak, to the Rotary Club of Canton. Dan had the following to say when introducing Raquel:
"The "Finest Rotary Club in the World" is always seeking new members who understand and embrace our mission to provide "service above self", both locally and around the world. Today we welcome another such individual.
A native Cantonian, and graduate of McKinley High School, Raquel Raderchak earned her Bachelor's Degree from Kent State University and has been a banking professional for 15 years. Raquel has managed various offices for several banks and she has a track record of growing branches in difficult market areas. Raquel currently leads a team of Westfield retail bankers in Jackson Township. She has a special talent for listening, understanding, caring and then assisting her clients with compassion and trust.
Raquel lives in Plain Township with husband Eric and their three children. She is an active member of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Girl Scouts of America and has served as President of the Jackson-Belden Young Professionals, in addition to serving two years as that group's Community Events Coordinator.
Raquel finds that volunteering with organizations like Rotary to improve our local community is both enjoyable and personally rewarding. Getting to know other professionals and volunteering alongside them is an opportunity that she values highly.
In addition to perfroming her new member "blue badge" duties as a greeter, an invocator and a "New Member Project" volunteer, Raquel has also signed up to serve on our Oktoberfest Committee."
The FOURTH raffle drawing is THIS FRIDAY – February 17, 2017 – and will take place shortly after noon at the Rotary Club meeting.
If you have outstanding tickets, please make sure that you bring them in with payment to be eligible for this week’s drawing. Remember – even if you win this week, your ticket will be placed back into the 'basket' and you will have the chance to win more prizes!!
Week 1 prizes awarded to the following:
A man’s watch and a woman’s watch ($50 value); - FRED WHITTIER
A gift bag from Canton Brewing Company ($50 value); - JIM MOLNAR
A $50 gift certificate to Mr. Mike’s Catering; - SHARON SIRPILLA
A Young Truck Sales Cooler with 18 craft beers ($65 value) - MARK ESBER
Week 2:
- 3 bottles of wine from L.A. Dick ($65 value); - Rita Burchett
- 2 Canton Symphony Orchestra tickets ($70 value); - Larry Dick
- 1 quart of ice cream per month for a year from Taggarts ($78 value) - Christina Barbato
Last week’s prizes were awarded to the following:
Week 3:
- 1 pound of meat per month for a year from Kennedy’s ($84 value); Bill Smith
- $50 Scott Talbot Salonspa gift card and $50 worth of products; - Ryan Fulmer
- 2 $50 gift certificates to Kozmo’s Grille (1 courtesy of Kozmo's Grille, 1 courtesy of Lynn Hamilton); - Erica Bennett
- 4 tickets to the Pro Football HOF and a 2016 yearbook ($120 value) - Mark Rojek
This week's tickets will be drawn for the following prizes:
Week 4:
- McKinley Gift Bag from Canton City Schools ($100 value);
- Center Ice birthday skating party for 10;
- 6 month YMCA regional family membership
Week 5:
- a 4-pack of Cavs tickets plus a parking pass and a Cavs t-shirt (approx. $400 value);
The Rotary office received a letter dated February 2, 2017, from Angela Palomba, Executive Director of The First Tee of Canton. Angela writes:
"Thank you for your recent contribution in the amount of $500.00 to The First Tee of Canton. Your gift makes it possible for us to achieve our mission of impacting the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.
The First Tee of Canton goes beyond youth golf. We are a youth development organization that teaches character education, healthy habits and life skills through learning the game of golf. In 2016, we impacted more young people than ever before by influencing over 8,500 children through our certifying programs at our facility and outreach partnerships with 22 elementary schools, 9 YMCA locations and relationships with various youth organizations in Stark County.
Your generosity enables us to accomplish our goal of providing and maintaining an accessible and affordable golf facility and life skills program in our community. We sincerely thank you for your active support and helping us continue to impact, inspire and influence the youth in our community.
On behalf of The First Tee of Canton, thank you for your investment in our young people. Together, we will shape them into tomorrow's leaders."
The Rotary office received a "Thank You" letter dated January 27, 2017, from Bob Phipps, Director of Development of Community Hospice. Bob writes:
"Dear Rotary Club of Canton - Thank you so much for your recent donation to Community Hospice of $100.00. We are grateful for the support you have provided and will put it to good use in our care of patients.
We know there are many worthwhile organizations needing support, and feel honored that among those we were chosen for this donation. If we can ever provide the club with an overview of our organization and it's efforts in Stark County please let us know."
At our weekly meeting on February 3, 2017, President Craig Young welcomed the members and the guests to the meeting.
Rotarian Kim Kroh gave the Invocation.
President Craig then asked those celebrating a February birthday to stand and be recognized.
President Craig then recognized Rotarian Sharon Sirpilla for her outstanding speakers in the month of January.
Secretary Suzette Matthews welcomed the following guest to the meeting: Peter Kopko, Carolyn Givens, Don Foley, Dick Kiko, Jr., Tim Blocher, Rick Johnson, Amy Mast, Pat Hoover, Bill McCabe, Pat McCabe, Perry Alexandrides, Ryan Young, Barb Mucci, Kevin Warrene, Rodney Sutton, Tracey Evans, Debbie Poland, Homer Richards, Karen Marsh, Jeff Marsh, Dianne Williams, Jim Ondrus, Peter Taflan, Andrew Castle, Brent Rice, Thomas P. Brown IV, David Kaminski, Paul Hervey, Theresa Thomas, Jim Keller, Kevin Heraghty, Dave Waikem, Chylece Head, Eric Smer, Scott Barwick, Larry Marcus and Franklin Arner.
The "Happy Bucks" were provided by the following:
Mark Clendenin - In thanks and appreciation for Akron Children's Hospital and the successful cancer surgery performed on his relative;
Rick Taylor - In honor of those who recently volunteered to be Junior Achievement mentors for juniors at McKinley High School: Bill Maddox, Bruce Schorsten, Mark Clendenin;
PDG/PP Dave Ewing - In appreciation for being hired recently at Liberty Ford (after they purchased his previous employer, Downtown Ford);
Bill Sparks - In recognition and appreciation for the Secretary of State's office and the great work they do in assisting businesses in the state;
Bruce Schorsten - In celebration of Super Bowl Sunday and the opportunity to escape politics for an afternoon;
Suzette Matthews - In celebration of John Husted, Secretary of State of Ohio, as our honored speaker today; and in appreciation of Dianne Williams, her sister and flutist, for being our featured musician for the day.
The following "Rotofact" was then read:
"Did you know we are close to ENDING POLIO. As a Rotarian, it is your chance to change the world to make sure no child is disabled by polio ever again. Since 1979 when our Global POLIOPLUS project started, 2 billion children have been protected from polio, 500,000 new cases have been prevented each year, 5 million people who might otherwise have been paralyzed are today walking, working members of society.
With 193 countries now polio-free, the world has made too much progress to falter now. Currently Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria are the only countries where polio has not been completely eliminated. We still have work to do-- but it is an achievable goal, one that you, me, we, along with 1.2 million fellow Rotarians worldwide, can accomplish together! You really can change the world for the better ONE LIFE at a time through Rotary!"
Vice President Michelle Mullaly, with the assistance of Rotarian Bill Liber, drew the SECOND week prizes for the "Unevent" Raffle. *See story above for the winners from the last two week's of drawings.
PP Dan Matthews then introduced our new member, Raquel Raderchak. *Please see story above for Raquel's bio.
PP Dan being the speaker chair for the month of February, introduced our speaker, Secretary of State Jon Husted. The topic was "Ohio's Economic Growth Plan".
President Craig concluded the meeting by informing the members of next week's speaker: Pete Fierle, Communications Director for the Pro Football HOF. Mr. Fierle will speak on "The Johnson Controls Pro Football HOF Village Sponsorship".
**If you are planning on bringing a guest to the February 10th meeting, please contact the Rotary office and register your guests.
The following Rotarian turned in a makeup during Friday's meeting: Chuck Smith; PDG/PP Bob Pattison ( 4-Cocoa Beach Sunrise, FL); PP Dan Fuline (3-District 6650's Pegasus Farm Military Family Center).
Pete Fierle (pronounced FEAR-LEE) joined the Pro Football Hall of Fame in April 1988. A current member of the company’s executive team, he was promoted to Chief of Staff & Vice President of Communications in January 2016. He had served as the Vice President of Communications & Special Assistant to the President since June 2014.
At our weekly meeting on February 3, 2017, Past President Dan Matthews (sponsor) introduced our newest member, Raquel Raderchak, to the Rotary Club of Canton. Dan had the following to say when introducing Raquel:
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The Rotary office received a letter dated February 2, 2017, from Angela Palomba, Executive Director of The First Tee of Canton. Angela writes:.jpg)
The Rotary office received a "Thank You" letter dated January 27, 2017, from Bob Phipps, Director of Development of Community Hospice. Bob writes:.jpg)
At our weekly meeting on February 3, 2017, President Craig Young welcomed the members and the guests to the meeting.