A Software Engineer at Scale AI and Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve, received District 7620’s Global Grant Scholarship to pursue a Master of Science in Cognitive Science at the University of Edinburgh. His work currently focuses on building Artificial Intelligence technology to support national security.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree from MIT and has specialized expertise in defense technology, AI/ML development, and software engineering. A former Boren Scholar at Tsinghua University in Beijing, Eric served on active duty in the Army after graduating from MIT. He has worked in Maryland and the DC area supporting U.S. Cyber Command’s Cyber National Mission Force and Special Operations Command.

As a Global Grant Scholar at the University of Edinburgh, Eric aims to advance the study of ethical AI and leverage it to proactively prevent conflicts, aligning with the Rotary Foundation’s focus on Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention. He was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Washington, DC and values Rotary’s unique position to unite DC’s diverse professional community for service.

A resident of Navy Yard, Eric enjoys runs on the National Mall and biking around the city. He speaks Mandarin Chinese and some Russian and has studied and lived in Russia, China, and Kazakhstan. Eric looks forward to sharing his insights from his Edinburgh studies with Rotary clubs throughout District 7620.

Ukpeme Akpan Okon, the Principal of The Values String, LLC is the Author of  award-winning The Values String: A book on Transitional Life, Compelling Fulfillment, and Profound Peace.A Lawyer, Human Rights Consultant, Arbitrator, Adjudicator, Mediator, Speaker, Trainer, Mentor, and Ambassador for Peace, she believes that the complexities of the world, and challenges encountered by individuals can be surmounted.

A retired Deputy Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department and former Chief of Police at the Supreme Court of the United States. With over 43 years in law enforcement, he has commanded large teams, taught ethics at Johns Hopkins and American University, and was awarded the Fulbright Scholarship to work with Scotland Yard. He holds three master’s degrees and has published over 35 articles on policing. Known for transforming police culture through ethical leadership, Swope was the sole officer invited to keynote the DOJ’s National Symposium on Police Integrity, later influencing reform efforts in Los Angeles following the Rampart scandal.

As we begin a new Rotary year, we take a moment to reflect with gratitude and look ahead with excitement.

We extend our sincere thanks to Victoria Feldman for her outstanding service as Club President over the past year. Under her leadership, we made lasting memories, introduced meaningful new traditions, and continued the legacy of the ones we hold dear.

Now, we proudly welcome Nick Martinez back as our Club President. With Nick at the helm, we look forward to a year filled with renewed energy, connection, and purpose.

We invite all members and guests to join us this Friday morning as we officially mark the Installation of Officers, thank Victoria for her contributions, and offer our full support to Nick as he begins his new term.

Here’s to a year of fellowship, service, and growth together!

We’re looking forward to the upcoming Classification Talk by Ron Sigelman – a longtime Rotarian and past president of our club.
Ron brings with him a wealth of experience, both professionally and through his many years of dedicated service in Rotary.
It will be a great opportunity to get to know more about his background, his journey, and what continues to inspire his commitment to service.

This week’s meeting will focus on shaping our strategic plan for 2025–2026, with a special emphasis on membership.
We’ll explore how to grow our club, engage members more meaningfully, and strengthen retention as we look ahead to a new Rotary year. Join us as we lay the groundwork for a vibrant and sustainable future.

We’re delighted to welcome back Linda Berg-Cross, a valued past member and dedicated Rotarian, as she visits our club. Linda will share insights into her current focus and ongoing commitment to service. Join us for an inspiring session and reconnect with a familiar face who continues to make a difference both locally and globally.

We are pleased to welcome Geoffrey Thomas, recipient of our Professional Service Award, to our club. Geoffrey has demonstrated outstanding dedication to community service, and we look forward to hearing about his impactful work with Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland. His leadership and commitment to providing safe, affordable housing have made a meaningful difference in the lives of many. We are honored to have him join us and share his experiences.

Nick Martinez, CFP®
Financial Advisor – Edward Jones

Nick Martinez is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional based in North Bethesda, Maryland. He brings over 18 years of experience in the financial services industry, serving individuals, families, and business owners with personalized investment strategies and long-term financial planning.

In addition to holding the CFP® designation, Nick also carries a number of professional licenses and certifications, including the Accredited Asset Management Specialist℠ (AAMS®) designation, as well as the Series 7, Series 66, and Life and Health Insurance licenses.

Nick has received multiple recognitions throughout his career, including being named a Million Dollar Producer, a Circle of Success qualifier, and a consistent Impact Conference attendee—demonstrating both high performance and strong client commitment.

Outside of the office, Nick is an active member of the local community, and enjoys a variety of activities including coaching youth sports, playing golf, and participating in high-performance driving experiences at local tracks.

This year’s Teacher of the Year is Kristen Portalea, a dedicated math teacher with 14 years of experience at Rockville High School. Known for her creativity and commitment to all learners—especially students with IEPs and Emergent Multilingual students—Ms. Portalea makes every student feel welcome. Whether it’s using erasable highlighters, color-coded notes, or hot chocolate to keep lessons engaging, she goes above and beyond to help every student succeed.