Dr. Jeff Rose, Norfolk Public Schools’ newest superintendent, spoke to the club about his path to Norfolk and his optimism for the division’s future. A longtime education leader and former superintendent in Oregon and Georgia, Dr. Rose said he was drawn to Norfolk by the community’s diversity, resilience, history, higher education partners, faith-based organizations, military presence, and strong civic infrastructure.
He described Norfolk as a place with “all the ingredients” to build something special for students. At the same time, he noted that the school division must move from operating as a collection of individual schools to functioning as one aligned school system. His early work has focused on strengthening central office support, creating clearer expectations, reducing red tape, and ensuring schools receive the attention and resources they need.
Dr. Rose emphasized that students should be treated differently based on their individual needs while being loved and supported equally. He also highlighted the importance of collective ownership as Norfolk develops its next strategic plan, saying the goal is to educate students for their future—not simply for the systems of the past.
He closed with confidence that Norfolk Public Schools can tell its story more effectively, raise expectations, and once again become known as an award-winning division where students graduate ready for meaningful careers and opportunities.
The Meeting
Armistead Williams and Pam Tubbs led music, including “Happy Birthday” (to September babies: Rob Sult, Shep Miller, Joey Rothgery, Pam Tubbs, Dave Charney, Bill Johann, Julie Keesling, Armistead Williams, Bill Gresham, Ed Kellam). We also celebrated Rotarian anniversaries, led by Barbara Lifland with 37 years and Stephen Jones with 33 years! Bob Heely gave the invocation, and Sue Padalino served as greeter. The following Rotarians introduced guests:
John Ehehalt - speaker Dr. Rose, Mitzi Nichols Jeremy Clark, Alicia Boring, and Lawrence Anderson all from Norfolk Public Schools
Sue Padalino – Allegra & John Milisitz – writer and content coordinator for Norfolk. Marketing company launching a media site about Hampton Roads
Sally Hartman – Dr. Veleka Gatling – ODU Associate Vice President For Workforce & Community Relations
Kelly Stefanko – Bradford Smith, Norfolk City Auditor
Jeff Wells – James Harris, Next Steps for Success, Executive Director
Abby Peterkin – Andrea Long Chief Strategy Office, and Becca Diggs Team Up Mentoring Program both from the Up Center
Jennifer Priest - Tanya Keller, a neighbor who does marketing and PR for organizations around the area
Jeff Ryder – Drew Lusher, program and partnership manager at Chrysler Museum
Sigur Whitacker - Katy Rock, of Next Steps for Success, whose picture was featured in the district newsletter receiving the $11,000 district grant check last week
Bring a Guest!
We’re always happy to have prospective members attend a Rotary meeting as our guests. If you know someone who may be interested in Rotary, please invite them to join us and learn more about our club.
If someone is attending primarily to hear the speaker and does not have an interest in joining Rotary, we ask that they cover the $30 cost of lunch.
Regardless of the reason for attending, please have your guest RSVP to Karen Grinnan at rotaryclubofnorfolk@gmail.com or Jeff Ryder, Membership Chair, at jryder@vastage.org in advance so we can reserve a seat.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Sue Rose-Padalino
In February Sue Rose-Padalino and her 23-year-old daughter Lyndsey took a road trip to explore
cities where they might want to relocate. They traveled from their Coral Gables, Florida home
up to Maine. Norfolk was the winner.
Sue, a Coral Gables Rotarian, transferred her membership to the Rotary Club of Norfolk where
she is a greeter and sergeant at arms and serves on the career day committee. She enjoys the
club’s camaraderie and being with business-minded people.
Sue lives in Ghent Square and has an office in the Monticello Arcade in downtown Norfolk. The
Blairsville, Georgia native is the founder and CEO of The Rose Group Co., an umbrella company
whose businesses include Politicalmeetings.com, which helps people discover nearby civic and
political events, and PoliticalVIP, which does nonpartisan consulting.
Sue frequently travels for work. She recently emceed a CEO Clubs Network event in
Washington, D.C. She is scheduled for an October roundtable discussion at the AIM Congress in
Dubai, which focuses on international business, investment and partnership opportunities. She has worked on projects in Malaysia, Thailand and India.
When not working, Sue enjoys walking, painting, spending time with her three Shih-Poo dogs
and supporting her daughter’s golf training. She is seeking dual Italian citizenship based on her
grandmother’s heritage.
Sue is an entrepreneur and business development professional who likes “meeting interesting
people, learning from different perspectives and bringing people together around ideas and
opportunities.” She believes “some of the best things in life happen when people take time to
listen, learn and work together.”
Be sure to greet Sue at an upcoming meeting or event. You likely will recognize her by the stylish fedora she often wears as her signature look.
