West Jax Rotary

J. Daniel McCarthy
Captain, Judge Advocate General’s Corps
United States Navy (Retired)

Captain “Dan” McCarthy was born in Miami, Florida, on September 5, 1955. He graduated from Miami Springs High in 1973 and proceeded to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1977. After commissioning he reported to USS DALE (CG-19) in Mayport, Florida, where he served as 1st Lieutenant and Communications Officer while earning designation as a surface warfare officer.

In 1980, Captain McCarthy was selected for the Law Education Program. He attended Duke Law School where he graduated with honors in 1983, also receiving the North Carolina Trial Lawyer’s Litigation Award. His first assignment as a judge advocate was as Trial Counsel and Command Services Officer at Naval Legal Service Office Jacksonville, from 1983-1986. Captain McCarthy next served as Staff Judge Advocate for Commander, Naval Surface Group, Western Pacific, from 1986–1988, where he was responsible for the legal needs of 21 overseas homeported ships. Captain McCarthy was then assigned as Staff Judge Advocate for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Philippines, from 1988-1990. He then attended George Washington University Law School, where he received an LL.M. in International Law, graduating in 1991 with highest honors.

After completing his post-graduate education, Captain McCarthy served as Executive Assistant to RADM W. L. Schachte, the Acting Judge Advocate General of the Navy, from 1991-1993. Captain McCarthy was then selected to serve as Special Assistant for Legal and Legislative Affairs to the Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable John H. Dalton. He served the Secretary of the Navy in this capacity from 1993-1998.

In September 1998, Captain McCarthy assumed command of Trial Service Office Southeast, headquartered at Naval Station Mayport, Florida. He retired in that position in August, 2002 and was a Senior Counsel at Holland & Knight, LLP. In May, 2003 he was appointed the Director of Military Affairs and Chief of Veterans & Disabled Services for the City of Jacksonville. In that capacity he reported to the Mayor of Jacksonville, The Honorable John Peyton, on all matters involving Jacksonville’s military and disabled communities. On January 6, 2009 he was appointed to the position of Chief Assistant to The Honorable Angela Corey, the State Attorney for the 4th Judicial Circuit.

Captain McCarthy is Surface Warfare Qualified and is also entitled to wear two Legions of Merit, three Meritorious Service Medals, a Navy Achievement Medal, the Battle “E”, the National Defense Service Medal, the Meritorious Unit Citation, four Overseas Service awards, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and a Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon.

He is married to the former Barbara Weaver of Aiken, South Carolina. Barbara is employed as the Director of Medical Information at the Mayo Clinic. They have three children: John (26), a naval officer assigned to USS McCAMPBELL DDG85, Jim (24) a teacher at PV High School, and Julianne (20) a sophmore at the University of Florida.

Notes
After President Mike called the meeting to order, there were several pop-ups.

Judge Del Wallace announced that the mentoring committee would be meeting on Friday, February 6 at 7:30 AM at the Derby House.

Will Croft announced that the Adopt-A-Highway committee would be meeting Saturday morning to clean up Ortega Boulevard.

Marshall Butler provided the club with a recap of the Earlyact meeting he attended on January 28. The club is off to a great start and it is a terrific partnership between our club, the Bishop Snyder Interact Club and Chaffee Trail Elementary. The kids are working on several projects, and there will be a mentoring project starting soon.

If anyone is interested, the EarlyAct Club at Chaffee Trail will be meeting Wednesday, 2/11 at 3 PM. It would be great if some members of West Jax Rotary could attend.

Chaffee Trail Elementary
11400 Sam Caruso Way
Jacksonville, FL 32221
904-693-7510 (office)

School Directions:
I-10 West or East, Exit 351, South on Chaffee Road. Go 2 miles south, right onto Sam Caruso Way. Chaffee Trail Elementary will be on your left.

Clint Dawkins gave a pop-up announcing the work being done on member classifications. Please review the revisions and provide feedback if necessary.

Barry Allred introduced John Rood, Chairman of The Vestcor Companies, past Ambassador to the Bahamas and member of the Mandarin Rotary Club.

Rotary has always been important to John. Growing up, he would attend Rotary meetings when visiting his grandfather in Minnesota.

John gave an overview of the jobs US Ambassadors perform while representing our country. They must resign all fiduciary commitments so they can focus 100% on their job as ambassador. There is a thorough vetting process and 2 weeks of intensive training. It took 4 1/2 months for him to get confirmed, and was ultimately confirmed as a recess confirmation.

The 4 primary performed by an ambassador are:
1. Leadership
2. Strengthen bi-lateral relationships
3. Counselorship
4. Diplomacy

The most important qualities needed are management and leadership.

Thank you Mr. Rood for your service to our country.

Visiting Rotarians:
Ann Renfroe — Downtown
John Rood — Mandarin
Marcus Drewa — Southside
Tom Trout — Southside
Mary Alice Phelan — Southside

Rotary Guests:
Jim Roberts — Guest of Eric Schultz

Birthdays
February 9 — David Barksdale
February 10 — John McCorvey
February 10 — Jerry Spinks

Next Meeting - February 18, 2009
Country Lunch & Bus “Windshield” Tour of Cecil Commerce Center and Aviation Facility
Show time: Meeting & Lunch start at 12 Noon; Bus tours start at 12:30
Attendee List
NO MEETING AT HOLIDAY INN