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Show Page A8 Thursday, October 2, 2003 Times Newspaper POPULAR BAND MISSING BIRD Continued from front page Computers. He is a polished management professional, who doubles as a fun-loving fiddle player, and sings wisecracking lyrics about rival companies at company gatherings in Round Rock, Texas. Running the brutal day-to-day business . of the world's No. 1 manufacturer of 'personal computers, Rollins is said to be responsible respon-sible for Dell's surviving the techr downturn. In that process, Dell Computers captured 17 percent per-cent of the worldwide market mar-ket in the first quarter of 2003 up from 14 percent from the same period last year. With Dell shipping 25 percent more computers this year over the same period last year, Rollins doesn't have much opportunity opportu-nity to do a lot of fiddling these days. Rollins explains: "We've got a tough-minded corporation corpora-tion ethic. We expect our leaders to deliver." Reflecting on his astounding success in the marketplace, Rollins recently recent-ly looked back to his first big achievement in music. Kevin, Kyle, Craig and Anita, the four children of Ralph and Betty Rollins, attended Orem High School. They were all outstanding students, and were all When there were no ishes: Fishes and Daughters of Utah Pioneers, Provo Company announces that D. Robert Carter, noted historian and author, will speak at the Eldred Center on the 6th of October at 1:00 pm. The event is open to the public and is sponsored by the Utah Humanities Council, who promoted history and heritage, books and reading, and public discussion of issues important to our communities. He will speak on the famine and drought of 1855-56 when Utahn's were clutched by the hand of famine. Voracious grasshoppers invaded the territory; damaging and destroying the Wasatch Front. A fierce drought withered many of the crops that survived the grasshoppers. grasshop-pers. The server winter killed more than half of the Share valuable life lessons with at-risk youth The Slate Canyon Youth Center works to educate and help at-risk youth develop necessary life skills. "Volunteers provide positive posi-tive role models to our youth and can make a difference dif-ference in their lives," said Linda Campbell, regional volunteer coordinator. "We feel that even if the life of one youth is touched, it changes society." The center has a Family Literacy Program which is in current need of tutors. Volunteers are also needed to teach life-skills classes spanning over a vast range of topics. Anything from snowboarding to yoga is needed. Professionals may share their expertise with the youth through classes. Those with a journalism background could help produce pro-duce the monthly newsletter. newslet-ter. Currently, volunteers are needed to help with the productions pro-ductions of a play from start to finish. For further information regarding these and other volunteer opportunities available in Utah County, contact the United Way Volunteer Center weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 374-8108. You may also contact United Way via e-mail e-mail volunteerunited-wayuc.org. studying music, along with their other classes. Their father, Ralph, was a Professor of Civil Engineering at Brigham Young University, and also headed the Rollins, Brown & Gunnell Engineering firm. Young Kevin, a sophomore, sopho-more, who had taken up playing the violin as well as the guitar, organized a five-piece five-piece band with his brother, Kyle, and three other boys at Orem High School. At 15 years old, "The Gents," as they called themselves, became popular entertainers entertain-ers and played at many school dances. That autumn, "The Gents" entered a contest for bands that was staged at the Utah State Fair in Salt Lake City. "The Gents" won First Prize at the Fair competition. com-petition. Next, they traveled to Boston, Mass., as Utah's entry in the National Battle of the Bands. Amazingly, "The Gents" won the national competition competi-tion and returned home in triumph to Orem High School. Kevin became a winner! win-ner! In due time, Kevin was called on a proselytizing mission for his church. While serving his two-year mission in Canada, Rollins came across a Canadian company, which was marketing mar-keting a new line of soft drinks, called "Pop Shop", cattle and sheep. These three factors, compounded by Utah's growing population, popula-tion, resulted in a drastic - r i v ; '-ft "Vw? 4'. : Fishermen on Utah Lake by Samuel H Jepperson, circa 1900 7. m t. 1 1 that piqued his interest. Upon his return from Canada, and with financial help from his father, Kevin worked to open a "Pop Shop" in Provo and market the new drinks at bargain prices. Learning some of the challenges and successes in the market place, Kevin concluded he was not yet equipped to topple the other soft drink behemoths in America, such as Coca Cola and Pepsi Cola, so he closed up his Pop Shop operation and pursued his education. Brigham Young University became his challenge chal-lenge for the next six years, where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree, a Civil Engineering Degree, his Master of Business Administration Degree, and met his future wife. He became a scholar and a husband. hus-band. Keen to enter the business busi-ness world again, Kevin joined the nationally recognized recog-nized firm of Bain & Co. as a business consultant in 1984. He honed his MBA in the highly competitive American business market place and earned a reputation reputa-tion as one who could effectively effec-tively transmit the use of winning business strategies to others. Meanwhile, Kevin Rollins became a father of four, with his wife, Debra, and served a term as a bish loaves II Famine '. food shortage. Ward fishing companies flocked to Utah Lake and Provo River where fishermen opened , UTAH POHett v. . J r i, t - v 1 1 1 II- f ' op in his ward for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 1993 Bain & Co assigned Kevin to become a consultant to Michael Del at Dell Computers at Round Rock, near Austin, Texas Analyzing current strate gies at Dell Computers, Kevin recommended Dell discontinue selling their computers through retail stores and convert to direct sales. Joining Dell Computers in 1996, Kevin astonished most of the computer world by slashing 5,700 Dell jobs In 2001, Kevin assumed his current role as COO and presided over unprecedent ed company growth. Kevin says he saw the downturn coming. "Because of our direct-sales model, we were talking to suppliers and customers daily," he said. Taking the next step, Kevin cut Dell's inventory from seven days to three and started to custom-build every computer sold. Today, Kevin is a very busy man. Along with guiding guid-ing one of America's most successful companies, he is a very involved husband and father and handling increasing church and civic duties. Next Week: Kevin Rollins is Dell Computers' Driving Force. iere were 155-56 their fisheries to the destitute desti-tute white men and Indian. For more information call 373-5168. Safe. R Affo r Continued from front page friends joined in the search for Buster. When Buster did not return to the Powells yard after a couple of days, the Powells had the sign printed up and posted around town, offering $500 for the bird's return. Although the Powells have four other birds-- four Green Cheeked Conjures, two dogs, and an 18-year-old cat- their menagerie was not complete without Buster. On Sept. 20, two men walking in the Provo River bottoms bot-toms area caught the flash of a red-feathered bird sitting in a tree. One man said, "I think that's the bird someone is looking for. Just a moment, and I will get a net to catch him." The bird then flew out of his tree. "Never mind," replied the other man, holding out his hand. "Look, he is sitting on my finger!" Saturday evening, Buster, the Rose Breasted Cockatoo, was again sitting in his cage-weaker, but none the worse for wear. The Powell family was elated at the return of their bird, and sympathetic observers are only left to wonder: won-der: "Can such a beautiful bird, really, be worth $500? Focus on what matters with hospice for Utah PROVO, Utah-September Utah-September 22, 2003-Volunteers 2003-Volunteers at Hospice for Utah have the opportuni ty to assist members of the community who are in the final stages of terminal termi-nal illness and their families fami-lies through various acts of caring and service. Since the organizations inception in 1997, over 95,000 individuals have volunteered nationwide, according to the organiza tion's Web site. Despite the numbers, more volunteers volun-teers are needed to serve in various positions. Hospice for Utah pro vides a way for any willing volunteer to serve. Some qualified volunteers, such as registered nurses, provide pro-vide hands-on care for the terminally ill. Others give support for family mem bers and other caregivers. Volunteers may also fill clerical and administra tive roles in the Hospice office, while others may assist with planned events and other activities. "Volunteering for Hospice can be a challeng ing and rewarding experience," experi-ence," said Janet Kacskos, community relations director. "By serving peo ple who are making choices choic-es on how to spend their ast precious days and weeks of life, volunteers can learn more about themselves and what real- y matters." The services offered at Hospice for Utah help alleviate the pressure and remorse felt by those in the final stages of a termi nal illness, as well as their family members. "Hospice for Utah pro eiiable. rdable. You flip a switch.The light goes on. Things look brighter. That's what we work for. Our pledge will always be to provide you with safe, reliable and affordable power. We back this with our Customer Guarantees. Courtesies like returning phone calls on time, honoring appointments and coming through when you need us are all part of this commitment - guaranteed. To learn about our eight Customer Service Guarantees, energy conservation and safety, visit www.utahpower.net or call us at 1-888-221-7070. vides a program of compassionate, com-passionate, family-centered care," Kacskos said. "It allows the patient with a terminal illness to remain at home, in greater control of his or her life, surrounded by the people and things that give life meaning." Due to the emotional nature of the work, volunteers volun-teers receive extensive training and orientation. Volunteers also have the chance to offer support for the family members of Hospice's clients by running run-ning errands and helping with the day-to-day aspects of life. November is National Hospice Month and the local offices in Ogden and Draper will be celebrating with an Open House. The United Way of Utah County Volunteer Center is the only comprehensive compre-hensive source of information informa-tion for volunteer opportunities opportu-nities in our community, connecting potential volunteers vol-unteers to opportunities where they will make the most difference according to "their skills and talents, as well as have a good experience while serving. For further information regarding these and other volunteer opportunities available in Utah County, contact the United Way Volunteer Center weekdays week-days from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 374-8108. You may also contact United Way via e-mail volun-teerainitedwayuc.org volun-teerainitedwayuc.org or search the Volunteer Opportunities database on the United Way of Utah County Web site at www.unitedwayuc.org. UTAH POWER Making it happen. |