Many have known me for years as Dave Sinykin KFAN on-air host with Trent Tucker on “In the Zone” and as a solo KFAN host, a.k.a. The Head Cheese, for Packer Pride.  I’ve been doing both for 25 years. But the other Dave has been in advertising and marketing sin the ‘90s.

I started out at a couple of Chicago Marketing agencies as an account and copywriter. Then to Minneapolis, first to an advertising agency as accountant then VP of Marketing for K-Tel International, and for eight years, radio sales account exec then sales manager. I also have my own agency Titletown Marketing, since 2009.

Carol Chen
Classification: Marketing
Sponsor: Jean Morrison 

Carol Chen is Director of Marketing Automation Technology at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, where she leads marketing automation strategy, governance, and adoption. She specializes in Salesforce Marketing Cloud architecture, CRM integration with Salesforce Education Data Architecture (EDA), user enablement, and scalable operating models for communications. Her work includes building training pathways, governance frameworks, and enterprise communication systems that reduce dependency on tribal knowledge and support sustainable adoption. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, golf, fitness, healthy living, and arts and cultural events.

The Rotary Club of Edina’s Membership Committee recently approved the following applicant. Written objections to the applications below must be submitted before Midnight, Tuesday, September 8, 2026, to Rotary Club of Edina, PO Box 24481, Edina, MN 55424 or emailed to administrator@EdinaRotary.org. 

Meriwether Felt
Classification: Architecture
Sponsor: Catherine Gump

Meriwether Felt is the principal of Meriwether Inc., an architecture firm based in Minneapolis that designs custom residences, additions, remodels, and restoration, focusing on sustainable design. Her work has been published in House & Garden, Midwest Home, Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine, and Better Homes & Gardens. She is currently a member of the Planning Commission for City of Edina. Meriwether is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) as well as MN Greenstar.

The Rotary Club of Edina’s Membership Committee recently approved the following applicant. Written objections to the applications below must be submitted before Midnight, Tuesday, September 8, 2026, to Rotary Club of Edina, PO Box 24481, Edina, MN 55424 or emailed to administrator@EdinaRotary.org. 

Ellen Kennedy
Classification: Human Rights
Sponsor: Josh Sprague 

Ellen Kennedy is the Founder and Executive Director of World Without Genocide. She advocates for human rights at the local, national, and global levels through legislation; presentations and courses at faith institutions, public organizations, and universities in Minnesota and nationally; and publications of articles, books, and other materials. She is also a representative to the United Nations Department of Global Communications. She is currently on the Board of Directors of the League of Women Voters-Edina, and co-chairs a social justice committee, and is on a social justice committee at Mount Zion Temple, a Reform Jewish congregation in St. Paul. Ellen was a member of Edina Noon Rotary Club from 2002-2011, and served as president, 2009-2010.

The Rotary Club of Edina’s Membership Committee recently approved the following applicant. Written objections to the applications below must be submitted before Midnight, Tuesday, September 8, 2026, to Rotary Club of Edina, PO Box 24481, Edina, MN 55424 or emailed to administrator@EdinaRotary.org. 

At our last meeting, Greg Anderson, CEO of Allegiant Travel Company, shared an inside look at Allegiant’s distinctive business model, leadership philosophy and recent acquisition of Sun Country Airlines.

Anderson discussed some of the characteristics that distinguish Allegiant from other low-cost carriers. In particular, he highlighted Allegiant’s ownership of its aircraft fleet and the flexibility that ownership provides the company. Allegiant’s model focuses on connecting underserved cities with popular leisure destinations through nonstop, low-fare flights.

A recurring theme throughout Anderson’s remarks was the importance of balancing financial performance with the needs of customers and employees. Rather than viewing every decision strictly through the lens of maximizing profit, he described a broader approach that considers what will best serve customers and team members while still supporting the company’s long-term financial health.

Anderson also discussed Allegiant’s acquisition of Sun Country Airlines and the unusually rapid pace of the transaction. Announced in January and completed on May 13, the approximately $1.5 billion deal closed in just over four months—a timeline Anderson highlighted as exceptionally fast for an airline combination.

We need volunteers for this year's Car Show! Sign up today, HERE!

Mark your Calendars! The Rotary Club of Edina, with support from the 50th & France Business & Professional Association and Explore Edina, will host the eighth-annual Edina Car Show 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20 in downtown Edina. Watch the web and Barker for further event details and volunteer opportunities. Sponsorship proceeds go local community non-profits via the Edina Rotary Foundation with $133,500 raised since 2019.

All Service is Fundamental Gala raffle tickets SOLD or UNSOLD must be returned by Thursday, September 17 to Madeleine Isaacson. Please return completed raffle tickets and payment to Madeleine Isaacson or send to Edina Rotary Foundation, PO Box 24481, Edina MN 55424 by Sept 17.  Per state and city permit guidelines, all tickets and stubs must be accounted for before the drawing on Sept 24. 

Each member is encouraged to sell the raffle tickets to friends and family. This helps to spread the word about Rotary and the great organizations the funds support throughout our local community such as:
Thanksgiving Baskets to Edina school students in need
Camp Enterprise
Way to Grow
Bridging
My Very Own Bed

We have exciting prizes this year!
• First Prize: $1,000
• Second Prize: $250
• Third Prizes: $100 (there are four third-place winners!)

Tickets may be purchased with cash, check, or ACH withdrawal. State law prohibits credit cards to be used to purchase raffle tickets. Deadline to turn in raffle tickets is Thursday, Sept 17.

This update was provided by Savanna Wilson of Revolved, a non-government organization working throughout the world. Revolved exists to strengthen promising work in overlooked places. They invest in community leaders around the world who are quietly making a difference and offer the support that unlocks their full potential.

Thanks to the generosity of the Rotary Club of Edina, Chisizya Hospital in rural Zimbabwe is now a little brighter and better equipped to serve its community. This August, the Club’s support helped install solar lighting around the hospital, improving safety and access, particularly during nighttime emergencies. Rotary Edina also provided a comprehensive toolkit for Knowledge, the man who takes care of maintenance at the hospital, giving the local team the ability to make repairs and care for the facility long into the future. For a small rural hospital serving thousands of people, these practical improvements make an enormous difference. Knowledge couldn’t have been prouder of his new tools, and the Chisizya community is incredibly grateful. Thank you, Rotary Club of Edina, for making this possible.

A huge thank you from all of us, and from the Chisizya community, for your generosity and support.

Many thanks,
Savanna

At the August 13, 2026, Rotary meeting, five members became Paul Harris Fellows in recognition of their contributions to The Rotary Foundation (TRF). The pins were presented by Rotary Foundation Director Bob Scott to Ram Gada, Wei Huang,  Feroza Mehta, James Olcott and Tanwi Prigge. Congratulations to our new Paul Harris Fellow honorees

It's never too early to choose your 2026-2027 service committee or audit those committees you may be interested in joining.  Print and review the 2026-2027 Committee list HERE.