Joey Spitz and David Holomakoff of KinoTek Software will share their story of starting a business during the COVID crisis. Spitz is a seasoned business operator with experience building teams, developing cutting-edge technologies and scaling companies. Holomakoff is a biomedical engineer specializing in biomechanics and biological interfacing with instrumentation.
Founded by former collegiate athletes who suffered career-ending injuries, KinoTek Software is a Portland-based startup focused on developing 3D visualization movement analysis technology to provide clinicians with accurate screenings, objective data, and visual aids to inspire patients to finish their treatments.
Spitz oversees the company’s business operations and manages department leaders in sales, marketing and product development. A Columbia Business School graduate, Joey previously served as Vice President of Operations for Vaunt Inc, an official content and gaming partner of the NBA, NFL and MLB player associations. He also led agency and brand partnerships at Bombora as the company scaled to over a hundred employees and became the leader in B2B intent data. A native Californian living in Portland, Maine, Joey enjoys skiing and spending time with his two dogs, Charley and Lucy.
Holomakoff holds a BS and MS from the University of Maine in Biomedical Engineering, and is the company’s Chief Product Officer, overseeing day-to-day operations, and execution of production strategy, as well as the formation of strategic relations and partnerships. He holds multiple patents and has co-authored a number of academic journal articles.
New Member Brian Batson
By Julianna L’Heureux
John Curran introduced Brian Batson as a new member. Brian is a graduate of LaSalle University. He has worked as a nurse at Maine Medical Center, and is now a member of the government services team at MaineHealth. Brian is a former member of the Portland City Council, where he had the distinction of being one of the youngest city councilors in the nation. Brian has strong leadership experience and is dedicated to providing service above self. Welcome Brian Batson to Portland Rotary!
Portland High Senior Receives Youth Service Award
By Julianna L’Heureux
Jan Chapman introduced Johannah Burdin, counselor at Portland High School who presented Raphael Brisson as the school’s selection for the Youth Service Award. Burdin said Brisson keenly understands the importance and joys of community service. “Ralph is an outstanding young man who has overcome serious obstacles. For the first few months of his ninth-grade year, Ralph and his family were homeless and needed to use the city’s shelter system.” She noted that Brisson’s volunteer service includes Planned Parenthood, Upward Bound, Preble Street Soup Kitchen, Cultivating Community, and the Bicycle Outdoor Leadershipprogram. “Ralph’s inner light, intellect, huge heart, and inquisitiveness have shined through since the beginning of high school,” Burdin added. “He has an incredible work ethic, is mature beyond his years, takes initiative and is a creative problem solver. He is fluent in Creole and English, proud of his Haitian heritage, and is recognized and respected as a leader at Portland High and in so many of the community activities he has sought out.”
Brisson thanked the club for the award and said he plans to attend the Massachusetts College of Health Sciences for training as a diagnostic medical sonographer. In addition to the Leadership award, Brisson chose for the $100 contribution in his name to be donated to the Jackie Robinson Foundation to help fund scholarships.
Bits and Pieces | by Juliana L'Heureux
President Ellen Niewoehner welcomed a record number of Rotarians and guests for the club’s weekly Zoom meeting on January 29th.
Tom Talbott’s invocation included a short history about the tradition of celebrating Groundhog Dayon February 2nd. Most Rotarians have seen the popular movie Groundhog Day, but probably are unaware of the history of this annual tradition.
Nanette Duncanson responded with her family’s story, because Groundhog Day is when her parents celebrate their “first date” anniversary. Her parents John and Carol Ranger have been married for 64 years!
Jim Willey introduced his guest Captain Michael Harper. He is the Salvation Army Area Coordinator for Portland. He came to Portland from Manchester, New Hampshire, where he was a member of the Rotary Club. Captain Harper will soon join Portland Rotary.
President Ellen read a thank you note received from the Maine Veterans Home in response to the donation of protective face masks delivered by Portland Rotarians during the District 7780 distribution made available by the Rossi Family Foundation. Dick Hall travelled to Massachusetts to pick up donated children’s protective masks to give to the Boys and Girls Club of Portland.
President Ellen acknowledged the generosity of those who contributed to the Loretta Rowe memorial bench, which will be installed in Rotary Grove, a small park overlooking Casco Bay, near the Ferry Terminal.
President Ellen revived a club tradition we’ve missed during our Zoom gatherings by announcing the January birthdays and membership anniversaries.
January birthdays include: Abdullahi Ali, Brian Batson, Tony Manhart, Steve Stromsky, Matt Tassey, Marissa Fortier, Don Lowry, Judy Cavalero, David Smith, and Amy Chipman.
Club membership anniversaries for January include:
Mark Stimson, 54 years
Alan Nye, 37 years
Tom Sukley, 35 years
Mark Millar, 34 years
John Marr, 26 years
Ellen Niewoehner, 23 years
Patty Byers, 22 years
Rich Campbell, 21 years
Bruce Moore, 20 years
Liz Fagan, 17 years
Bowen Depke, 16 years
Ben Millick, 4 years
David Ertz, 3 years
Megan Peabody, 3 years
Michelle DiSotto, 2 years
Jen Sledge, 1 year
Ian Torrey, 1 year
Amy Chipman presented a report about Rotary District Grants. About $112,000 is being returned to District 7780 which is half of the 2016-2017 contributions made to the Rotary Foundation. These funds can be used for local projects or Rotary Service programs. Last year, for example, the club received a district grant to support the water projects in the Dominican Republic. The deadline for grant applications is June 1, 2021, and they will be evaluated on a “first come, first served” basis. Amy and President Ellen encouraged committee chairs to identify projects that would be worthy of an application.
Paul Harris Fellow Awards
Amy Chipman recognized three members with Paul Harris Fellow Awards. Ben Lowry was honored with his third PHF; Julie L’Heureux received her eighth; and, Mike Fortunato earned his sixth.
Protecting Portland's History
by Erik Jorgensen
Sarah Hansen, Executive Director of Greater Portland Landmarks, joined us for our virtual lunch on Friday to discuss current goings on at her organization as well as developments around the proposed Munjoy Hill Historic District. Sarah comes to Landmarks having worked around the country – in Boston, Colorado, the Pacific Northwest, and Arkansas, before reaching Maine. She lives in Westbrook.
Landmarks came into being in 1964. In addition to a mission based on advocacy for Greater Portland’s built environment, the organization provides a range of educational programs, produces publications, hosts graduate school interns, and is now partnering with the Atlantic Black Box Project, an educational initiative examining the history of the slave trade in the Northeast. This is a story that has a direct impact on Maine, with its historical shipping and trading businesses.
Neighborhood preservation surveys lie at the center of Landmarks’ work, documenting buildings, streetscapes and other elements that define a place. Most recently, these surveys have included Portland’s Bayside and Ferry Village in South Portland. These have focused on how sea level rise might affect historic resources. The organization is working with the cities on developing mitigation strategies, recognizing that not everything can be saved.
At the heart of the organization is advocacy – one of the chief projects recently has been the Munjoy Hill historic district, which faces a City Council vote next week. In recognition of the loss of historic fabric and character there, the city has started with a demolition moratorium. The proposed historic district includes 49 percent of the top of Munjoy Hill. According to Hansen, the neighborhood is really in danger, as land values are currently so high that the district will act as a stabilizer, reducing the froth of speculation. It should also act to preserve some of the affordable housing in that part of the city.
Munjoy Hill is a vernacular neighborhood, with lots of working-class history. The City has received more than 400 comments so far regarding the district, and about 80 percent of those are in favor. But that’s far from the only issue that Landmarks is tracking. Other projects include Portland ReCode – the reworking of the city code, including the preservation ordinance. The Mercy Hospital redevelopment project is also going to be huge, and will bring nearly 500 new residential units to the area. Bramhall Square Park, at the intersection of Deering Avenue and Congress Street, is also being redesigned. And then there is the massive 200 Federal Street Project, which will provide height along the spine of the city as our tallest building to date.
presented Raphael Brisson as the school’s selection for the Youth Service Award. Burdin said Brisson keenly understands the importance and joys of community service. “Ralph is an outstanding young man who has overcome serious obstacles. For the first few months of his ninth-grade year, Ralph and his family were homeless and needed to use the city’s shelter system.” She noted that Brisson’s volunteer service includes Planned Parenthood, Upward Bound, Preble Street Soup Kitchen, Cultivating Community, and the Bicycle Outdoor Leadershipprogram. “Ralph’s inner light, intellect, huge heart, and inquisitiveness have shined through since the beginning of high school,” Burdin added. “He has an incredible work ethic, is mature beyond his years, takes initiative and is a creative problem solver. He is fluent in Creole and English, proud of his Haitian heritage, and is recognized and respected as a leader at Portland High and in so many of the community activities he has sought out.”
