Group Study Exchange Team of 2008-09 (GSE) The Japanese perfectures of Kyoto, Nara, Fukui and Shiga now awaits GSE Outbound Team 2008-09

The District selection committee chaired by Stephen Maxwell met mid-November for final interviews. Requested and approved with Japan District 2650 was one additional outbound member bring to a total of five non-Rotarians chosen for a travel, cultural and vocational opportunity of a lifetime. Team Leader Robert Brandfass (Rotary Club of Morgantown) will now further the orientation and travail preparations for the anticipated March 16 to April 18, 2009 group study experience.
Representing District 7530 will be an exceptional exchange team of three women and two men. Leah Lynn Broderick, Aurora, WV, is a teacher and private music instructor; Carmen N. Burrell, Mount Clare, WV, is a physician; and Adelheid F. Schaupp, Morgantown, WV, is a construction owner/manager. Jeffrey F. Johnson, Buckhannon, WV, is employed by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture; and Thomas Minney, Elkins, WV, works with the Nature Conservancy. Team Leader Robert Brandfass serves as V ice President and General Counsel of West Virginia University Hospitals as well as General Counsel of West Virginia United Health System. He was previously a partner in the law firm of Kay, Casto & Chaney where he was a member of the law firm's Management Committee and Chair of its Health Care Practice Group.	GSE Team for 2008-09 Left to Right: Carmen, Adelheid, Jeff, Thomas, Leah and Team Leader Robert
Mr. Brandfass earned his J.D. degree from the Case Western Reserve University School of Law and graduated Cum Laude with an A.B. in Politics and Government form Ripon College. Mr. Brandfass is a member of the board of the United Way of Monogalia and Preston Counties and serves a president of the Mason Dixon Civil War Roundtable. Mr. Brandfass is a member of the Rotary Club of Morgantown and resides in Morgantown with his wife Paula. They have 3 children. Applicants for both GSE Team Leader and Members were noted to be of excellent personal and professional quality making the selection process most demanding. A debt of thanks is owed to District Rotarians who helped select for Rotary International Year 2008-09 such an excellent Outbound Team. Thanks also to our clubs and the several applicants offered for consideration.