MADISON – Rotary Club of Madison has named two Madison personalities as honorary members.

Roger Cross and Tommy Overcash received the commendation for significant contributions to Rotary, locally and internationally, Rotary President Tim Stone said.

“We would be grateful to have Roger and Tommy as active members, if their schedules permitted. We wanted to recognize Roger for his direct support of the club and tireless support of Pat Cross, former club president and District Governor, who is extraordinarily active in Rotary across the country and world,” Tim said.

“Tommy has been supporting the club in myriad ways almost from our first day,” Tim said. “Tommy was with us as we orchestrated the 16th annual Parrots of the Caribbean. He sweated with the rest of us and planned last-minute activities.”

Cross and Overcash have assisted Rotary projects, such as Children’s Garden at Madison Public Library, Madison Street Festival, tree planting in Mill Creek Park and Adopt-a-Mile, Stone said.

To become an Honorary Member, the nominee must hold good public standing. A Rotarian nominates the candidate (Stone nominated Cross and Overcash.). Then, membership chair Dr. Emily McIntosh submits the application to the board. With board approval, the nomination goes before the entire club.

The club voted unanimously to accept Cross and Overcash.

Rotary International has 1.2 million members worldwide, who create lasting change across the globe and in our communities, Roger said. “The Madison club is highly respected for its members’ contributions and projects and well known in Alabama and surrounding states.”

“I’ve engaged in club projects while my wife Pat was a club member for the past 18 years,” Roger said. Roger also has helped at the district and zone levels, such as training conferences in Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama.

Roger retired as an aerospace engineer.

In Tommy’s opinion, Rotary is a great asset to Madison. “My wife Debbie is a longtime member, almost since its inception in 1999. We’re a team in all we do.”

“Rotary has contributed monetarily to Madison Hospital, Hogan Family YMCA and has committed to the new City Park in downtown revitalization,” Tommy said. ‘Done-in-a-Day’ activities have included ramps for CASA and SS backpacks.

Tommy works as a Senior Systems Engineer for Willbrook Solutions, a contractor at NASA on Space Launch System. For 14 years, he has served as District 5 Councilman on Madison City Council.

“As 33-year residents of Madison, we feel it’s important to support and give back to the community that we love and call home,” Tommy said.