Biofuels
Thomas H. Dirickson will speak on the Use and Benefits of Biofuels, particularly as developed in Brazil
Invocation and Introductions David Brummersted
Thomas Dirickson's grand-father was an American who migrated to Brazil in the 1920’s. He traces his father's famikly back to 17th Century Sweden. He graduated as an electronic engineer at University of Sao Paulo (Brazil) in 1969 and worked for 24 years in an elevator company, with assignments ranging from research and development of electronic control equipment to manager of the hardware and software team that developed the first microprocessor-controlled elevator in Brazil. He sold IBM personal computers (PCs) and enterprise (RISC) computers as an owner of a small company in a joint venture of IBM and a Brazilian company. He is now co-owner of a small manufacturer of protective cases for a broad range of mechanical, musical, electrical, optical, medical equipment, for personal and enterprises clients.
Thomas has been Rotarian since 1996, as a member of the Rotary Club of Alphaville-Barueri, in the city of Barueri, Sao Paulo, District 4610, with 42 members. He’s been responsible for International Interchange Programs and a volunteer for computers servicing in one of our projects. He has served as Protocol Officer, Treasurer, Secretary and President (2006/07), and for three years as Public Relation Committee president. He sponsored of three Rotarians, one of them in Austin, Texas.
He is married to a Brazilian-Chinese wife. They have three sons (two of whom live in San Diego, one a US citizen) and two grandchildren (one born in the USA).
His hobbies are singing in a choir, reading, traveling, and wine-tasting. He’s interested in ecology, solar energy and biofuels applications, and is an amateur photographer and videographer.
Among the projects Thomas has worked on: Projects dedicated to youth education, adult illiteracy, Rotary Youth Exchanges and blood donation. He has partnered with the Kellogg Foundation, Matching Grants projects with clubs from USA and Japan, recently with Argentine as a Global Grant Partner.