A member of the Rotary Club of Birmingham , Roy Hickman's steady rise through the ranks of Rotary was a success story all its own. The man who was to become Rotary International's 62nd President was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, January 27, 1902. His mother was widowed when he was only two and, as the youngest of six children, he put his energy and initiative to work at an early age. In fact, his sales record as a door-to-door, store-to-store light bulb salesman won him the promise of a position with General Electric after college graduation. He entered the University of New Mexico with the intention of becoming an electrical engineer but soon switched to business administration. His commercial career was yet another success story. "Success" was a word that cropped up constantly when reviewing Roy Hickman's many ventures.
He became interested in Rotary in 1926 when he arrived in Birmingham as a salesman for Alabama Engraving Company, but it was not until 1935 that he became a member. His classification was "Printing and Publishing – Photo Engraving," but his influence was felt in a number of fields.
At Alabama Engraving, he advanced to Chairman of the Board. The company and its affiliate, Platemakers, Inc., grew under the guidance of Hickman and his partners, fellow Rotarians, Robert Faerber and Robert Monroe.
Only three years after becoming a Rotarian, Roy was elected a Director and, at age 39, became one of his Club's youngest presidents. In 1948-49, he served as District Governor, and he served as Aide to Rotary International President Frank Spain in 1951-52. Then, as the city of Birmingham celebrated its 100th anniversary, the "Magic City" became the fifth in the world to give Rotary two International Presidents.