PRESIDENT

Hugh P. O’Kane has lived in Port Royal Plantation since retiring in late 2000. He was born in Detroit, raised in Columbus and is an Engineering graduate of The Ohio State University.

He joined GE Lighting in Bucyrus, OH, after a three-year GE training program in Logan, OH; Cleveland; Philadelphia; and Syracuse. Holding various engineering and manufacturing positions there and later in Cleveland and Warren, OH, he then managed plants in Bucyrus (glass), Pittsburgh and Bucyrus (fluorescent lamps). Leaving GE after 26 years in 1989 he moved to the Southeast and managed plants in the automotive components industry (filters, gaskets and brakes) in Fayetteville, NC, LaGrange, GA, and Smithville, TN. He then joined a start up company in the automotive components industry in Murfreesboro, TN. He remained there as President and CEO of O-Flex, Inc. until retiring in September 2000.

Hugh has been married to Gail Miller for over 47years. They have six kids stretching from Ohio to California to Australia and nine grand kids.

He joined Rotary in 1977 in Bucyrus and rejoined that club in 1983 when he returned to Bucyrus and then was a member in LaGrange and Murfreesboro. Hugh was active in numerous community organizations including the Jaycees (president, vice president, and director), local Chamber of Commerce (vice president, director), United Way, Junior Achievement and school and church organizations.

Hugh has been Director of Communications, Community Services and Club Services, Secretary, VP and PE. He is active in Habitat for Humanity, Commissioner - Beaufort County Board of Registration and Elections, Past President of the HHI Ohio State University Alumni Club, an usher and lay reader at St. Francis by the Sea Catholic Church. He is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow