Mary Beth Growney Selene Rotary International

YOUR DONATION MATTERS $15 = 25 Doses of Polio Vaccine. Just 60 Cents Will Protect A Child For Life $25 = 50 Posters Promoting Immunization Days. This is essential in getting parents to bring their children to
vaccination areas. In India, more than 172 million children are vaccinated during a single national immunization campaign. $100 = 800 Purple Ink Finger Markers. After children receive the vaccine, their pinky fingers are stained to show they’ve been immunized. A Special Thanks to the Following for Making this Year’s District Confe rence a Success :
Harvey Stone -­‐ Warren, PA Frances Campbell -­‐ Warren, PA Jennifer Linn -­‐ Butler AM, PA Rick McDeavitt -­‐ Butler, PA Peek’n Peak Resort – Clymer, NY Northwest Bank – Warren, PA First Niagara Bank – Lockport, NY Stone Consulting, Inc – Warren, PA Freedom Management Group – Warren, PA Whirley Industries, Inc -­‐ Warren, PA Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry – Warren, PA Hagan Business Machines of Butler, Inc. – Butler, PA Gary C.K. Huang
President, 2014-15
T +1.847.866.3467
F +1.847.866.3390
gary.huang@rotary.org
Dear Fellow Rotarians and Friends:
I am very pleased to welcome you to this 2014-15 District Conference. A District
Conference is a wonderful opportunity for Rotarians and friends of Rotary to
enjoy good fellowship, to be inspired by the formal program and the interaction
with other Rotarians, and to celebrate the success of your District’s many
activities and initiatives. I recall the wonderful experiences Corinna and I have
had at such conferences and I wish you all the best as you take advantage of this
special time together.
The Chinese philosopher Confucius said, “It is better to light a single candle, than
to sit and curse the darkness.” This is a message that I have taken to heart.
Rotarians demonstrate this philosophy everyday as they carry out projects in
their communities and around the world, lighting candles of hope through their
actions.
My challenge to all of you this year is to Light Up Rotary by making Rotary
fun, by growing our membership, by doing more and better projects, and by
reaching more people with Rotary's message. Light Up Rotary is our theme for
the year – but it is more than our theme. It is how we live in Rotary, how we think
in Rotary, how we feel, how we work. It is how we make a difference – every day,
in every club, every district, and every country where we serve.
I hope you have a wonderful time during your conference and that you leave here
inspired to even greater heights of service and with a renewed commitment to the
work we need to do to help Rotary grow and do even more good in the world.
Please Light Up Rotary!
Sincerely,
Gary C.K. Huang
2014-15 President
ONE ROTARY CENTER 1560 SHERMAN AVENUE EVANSTON, ILLINOIS 60201-3698 USA • WWW.ROTARY.ORG
FRIDAY June 19, 2015 (Casual dress all day) 9:30 AM Golfers meet at Woods’n Wedges Restaurant located at Peek’n Peak’s World Class Upper Golf Course. 10:00 AM Tee Off! 10:00 AM Registration starts at Hotel Lobby by Reception. 11:30 AM –12:30 PM Opening of the Conference and introduction of the guests. 12:30 PM -­‐-­‐ 1:30 PM Lunch – Main Lodge. 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM Wine Tasting Tour – Attendees and Spouses/Partners Program. South Shore winery, very distinctive winery! Lots of character! 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM The second winery will be the Mazza Vinyard, where they bottle and ferment the wine! They give a nice tour for the educational portion of the tours! 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM The 3rd winery is called 5&20 winery! They have on the complex a winery, distillery and a brewery. Each guest will receive 4 tastings at each facility included in the tour. 1:30 PM – 6:00 PM Peek’n Peak Amenities, outdoor and indoor pool, spa, tennis, fitness center, climbing, Segway, mountain adventures, zip line, etc. 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Cocktail hour-­‐ Wine and Beer provided by Rotary Club of Warren-­‐ Main Lodge. 7:00 PM – 7:15 PM Parade of Club Presidents. 7:15 PM – 7:20 PM Flag Ceremony. 7:20 PM – 8:00 PM Buffet Dinner. New Major Donor Ceremony. 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM Keynote Speakers. 8:00 PM – 8:20 PM Past Rotary International President Frank Devlyn 2000-­‐2001– Mexico. 8:20 PM – 8:40 PM Past Rotary International President Wilfrid Wilkinson 2007-­‐2008 – Canada. 8:40 PM – 9:10 PM Past Rotary International Director and Sydney Convention Chair Mark Maloney. 9:10 PM – 9:45 PM Live Music-­‐ Artan Bakija, Michael McEhalney and Amanda Runge. 9:45 PM –10:00 PM Fireworks. 10:00 PM – 11:30 PM Hospitality Room at Nottingham Room and Fire Pit Area next to Hotel Restaurant. SATURDAY, June 20th (Dress Business Casual Day/Evening Formal) 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Paul Harris Breakfast-­‐ Hotel Restaurant. 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Registration-­‐ Hotel lobby. 9:00 AM – 11:45 AM Partners – Findley Lake Shopping and Tour. 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM District Awards and others-­‐ entire Saturday event will be at the Main Lodge. 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM Michael Angelo Carusso. 10:15 AM – 10:30 AM Amanda Runge – Annual Giving Officer for Zone 28 & 29. 10:30 AM – 10:45 AM Break. 10:45 AM – 11:15 AM Mary Berge – Zone 29 Rotary coordinator. 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM Georgene Hildebrand –Zone 29 Public Image Coordinator. 11:45 AM – 12:00 PM Break. 12:00 AM – 1:30 PM Youth Exchange Luncheon – Main Lodge. 1:30 PM -­‐-­‐ 4:00 PM Partners -­‐ Peek’n Peak Amenities, outdoor and indoor pool, spa, tennis, fitness center, climbing, Segway, mountain adventures, zip line, etc. 1:30 PM – 1:45 PM Break. 1:45 PM – 2:15 PM Mark Kriebel – Past Zone 29 Public Image Coordinator –“The Power of One”. 2:15 PM -­‐-­‐ 3:00 PM Michael Angelo Carusso. 3:00 PM -­‐-­‐ 3:15 PM Wiles – Free Books for Kids. 3:15 PM -­‐-­‐ 3:30 PM Break 3:30 PM -­‐-­‐ 3:45 PM Tom Chelgren – RYLA. 3:45 PM -­‐-­‐ 4:00 PM Fatos Axhemi – Elementary School “Kelmend Rizvanolli” DG Project 4:00 PM -­‐-­‐ 5:00 PM Relaxing time. 5:00 PM -­‐-­‐ 6:00 PM District Governor’s Reception – Provided by Mr. Nick Scott, Owner of the Peek’n Peak and Erie Club Rotarian – Main Lodge. 6:00 PM -­‐-­‐ 6:15 PM Grand March. 6:15 PM -­‐-­‐ 6:30 PM Memorial Service. 6:30 PM -­‐-­‐ 6:50 PM Main Annual Awards. 6:50 PM -­‐-­‐ 6:55 PM Past Rotary International President Frank Devlyn. 6:55 PM -­‐-­‐ 7:00 PM Past Rotary International President Wilfrid Wilkinson. 7:00 PM -­‐-­‐ 7:05 PM Past Rotary International VP Mark Maloney. 7:05 PM -­‐-­‐ 7:15 PM Video link with District 7330 Conference. 7:15 PM -­‐-­‐ 8:15 PM Dinner. 7:15 PM -­‐-­‐ 7:30 PM Mimoza Kusari Lila – Mayor of Gjakova. 7:30 PM -­‐-­‐ 8:00 PM Peter King – Rotary International President’s Representative. 8:15 PM -­‐-­‐ 8:30 PM Passing the gavel and pin ceremony. 8:30 PM -­‐-­‐ 8:45 PM District Governor Ruzhdi Bakalli’s final remarks. 8:45 PM -­‐-­‐ 9:30 PM Albanian Music and dancing. 9:30 PM—11:30 PM Hospitality Room at Nottingham Room and Fire Pit Area next to Hotel Restaurant. SUNDAY, June 21st. 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Breakfast. 9:00 AM -­‐-­‐ 10:00 AM Business meeting – Crown room. 10:00 AM—11:00 AM Advisory Board Meeting-­‐ Sherwood Room. 11:00 AM -­‐-­‐12:00 AM Advisory Board Champaign Brunch-­‐Ebony Room. GARY C.K. HUANG,
Taipei, Taiwan
President, Rotary International, 2014-15
Trustee, The Rotary Foundation, 2004-06
Vice President, Rotary International, 2001-02
Director, Rotary International, 2000-01
Gary C.K. Huang was born in southern China and grew up in Taiwan. He is a
graduate of Eastern Michigan University, U.S.A. and holds an MBA from the College of
Insurance (New York).
He is currently Honorary Chairman of Taiwan Sok Shinkong Security Co., Ltd.
He is a past president of the Malayan Overseas Insurance Co.
Gary has been awarded the National Civic Service Award by the Federation of
Non-Profit Associations and the Outstanding Community Service Award by the
Ministry of Interior, R.O.C. In 2001, he was named “Honorary Mayor” by the City of
San Antonio during Rotary’s convention.
A Rotarian since 1976, Gary is a member of the Rotary Club of Taipei, Taiwan.
He has served RI as district governor, director and vice-president, Trustee of The
Rotary Foundation, and as chairman and member of numerous international
committees and task forces.
He has been instrumental in the area of membership development throughout Asia.
As a Rotary Foundation Trustee, he set the goal of recruiting 100 new Foundation
Major Donors in Taiwan to help celebrate Rotary’s centennial, which resulted in 106
Major Donors in 2005 and another 103 Major Donors in 2006 contributing more than
US$2 million to the Foundation’s Annual Programs Fund.
Gary has recounted his experience in business and his life within Rotary in a
2004 book entitled Finding Solutions, Not Excuses.
He is a recipient of the RI Presidential Citation and the Service Above Self Award,
Rotary’s highest honor. He also received the Rotary Foundation’s Citation for
Meritorious Service and Distinguished Service Award. Gary and his wife Corinna
have one son and two daughters. They are all major donors to The Rotary
Foundation.
Mary Beth Growney Selene
Rotary International Director 2013-2015
Mary Beth is the founder and President of Ryan Signs,
Inc., in Madison. She is a non-lawyer Fee Arbitrator and a nonlawyer member of the Client Security Fund of the State Bar of
Wisconsin. Mary Beth is a former member of the Board of Directors and ongoing
supporter of the What If? Foundation, which works to feed and educate children in
Haiti.
Personal time is shared with her husband Alan Selene (PDG, District 5970)
and daughter Bridget.
Mary Beth Growney Selene has been a member of the Rotary Club of
Madison West Towne-Middleton since 1987 and she served her club as President
in 1993-1994. She has been a host parent to four Rotary Youth Exchange students.
In her District 6250 she served as Governor in 2000-2001; District
Membership Chair and District Rotary Foundation Chair.
Mary Beth has had the opportunity to serve as the Rotary International
President’s Representative several times. She served as a Training Leader at the
International Assembly in San Diego in 2008 and 2009 and was the District 6250
Representative to the Council on Legislation in 2004, 2007 and 2010.
She served as the General Chair for the (then) Zones 27 & 28 Institute and
was a Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator for Zone 27, the Public Image
Resource Coordinator for Zone 28, and as Zone 28 Rotary Coordinator. Mary Beth
currently serves as Rotary International Director from 2013-2015.
She has received Rotary International’s Service Above Self Award and The
Rotary Foundation’s Citation for Meritorious Service.
Mary Beth and Alan are Major Donors to The Rotary Foundation. They are
currently Sustaining Members to the Annual Programs Fund of The Rotary
Foundation and Bequest Society members to The Rotary Foundation Permanent
Fund.
Peter King
RIBI President
Apart from a childhood in Sussex; study in Cambridge and
military service, Peter has lived for the most part in South
West London and Surrey.
Peter qualified as a Barrister at Law in 1970. Commissioned
into the Army Legal Services, he served in Germany and
Northern Ireland. After five years he returned to private
practice, mainly in London, Kent, Cambridgeshire and
Suffolk. Peter was also an Acting Metropolitan Stipendiary
Magistrate in the Midlands. In 2000 Peter took up a full time judicial position as a Special
Immigration Adjudicator. Promotions followed, and he is now an Upper Tribunal Judge, still
within the field of immigration, asylum and human rights.
Peter is a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Arbitrators; a Freeman of the City of
London and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He served 25 years in the
Territorial Army in transport and logistics, and was awarded the Territorial Decoration and
Bar. He retains his service connection as a part time Judge Advocate involved in military trials.
Peter joined the Rotary Club of Kew Gardens in 1984. He has been president of the Club twice
and is proud that he remains one of its three founding members. Peter has played an active part
in District 1140, particularly as International Chairman, Community and Vocational Chairman
and Extension Officer. He was District Governor 2002-03 with the theme “Sow the Seeds of
Love”.
He has served RIBI as an AG facilitator; Chairman of the Constitutions Committee, and
Chairman of the Business meeting at the Annual Conference. He has been a facilitator,
moderator and speaker at several RI Institutes and seminars; a representative at the Council of
Legislation and the RI President’s representative at a number of Districts, particularly in the
Balkans.
Peter has particular connections with Rotary Clubs in Romania and Kosovo. His interest lies in
the role of Rotary for peace building and conflict resolution. He has presented at a number of
seminars on that issue and on TV.
Peter is married to Di, also a Rotarian and a member of the Rotary Club of Northwick Park in
District 1130. Di was a secondary school teacher, specializing in Mathematics. She is currently
the Chairman of the RIBI Youth Exchange Association. They have been counsellors to
Ambassadorial scholars and host parents to many youth exchange students over the years.
They have two children, Ian who is a surgeon and Louise who is a teacher.
Peter is also a Priest of the Anglican Church. When time permits he enjoys bowls and croquet.
Di is a member of two Choirs and a Justice of the Peace.
A Special Thanks to: My wife Afijete for supporting, helping and traveling with me during the entire
year. To my kids, Hana, Ilire and Ylli for supporting and understanding why I
couldn’t pay attention to them during entire year.
Rotary Club of Warren, especially Harvey Stone who was my right arm during
entire year. Harvey helped me in any way possible and what I asked him. There is
not enough Thank You for Harvey’s efforts and help. There is no word to express
my gratitude for his great Rotary work.
To William Wagner, CEO of Northwest Bank for fulfilling my request for
Northwest to donate $10,000 to Annual Fund. To Bill Jones, Dave Close, Kevin
Mead, William Wagner, Paul Boger and Christopher Darling for donating to
Annual Fund when I asked them and for supporting me in any way possible.
To all District Rotarians for supporting 100% District Governor Project and
Vocational Scholarship Fund. For increasing membership and Annual Fund
Donations.
To PRIP Wilfrid Wilkinson for his advice and support.
To PDG’s for their advice, friendship, mentoring and support- Lee Ahlum, Lee
Dyer, Patty Meehan, Mike Visconti and Ron Erret.
To DGE Lee Weber and DGN Tom Chelgren for their support.
To AG’s Judith Hughes and Scott Bayline for their help, advice and unlimited
support.
To future leaders of Rotary District 7280 for their enthusiasm and commitment,
AND to ALL ROTARIANS of District 7280 who did the work, breaking all time
District records in district events attendance, membership growth and Annual
Fund Donations. District 7280 Rotarians Lighted Up Rotary by having the largest
membership net increase in 25 years and having the largest donations to
Annual fund in the amount and per capita in the history of District 7280.They
made Light Up Rotary Year, the happiest year of my life.
It is for them that I try to Light Up Rotary and Be A Gift to the World.
Ruzhdi Bakalli
District Governor 2014-2015
Ruzhdi Bakalli
Rotary Club of Warren
District Governor 2014-2015
Vice Governor 2015-2016
District Membership Chair
Zone 29 Assist. Public Image Coordinator
Ruzhdi Bakalli, President of PCED Inc. in Warren, PA, a Non Profit EconomicDevelopment Organization, was born in Gjakova, Republic of Kosova. Ruzhdi earned a
BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Prishtina, Kosova and was a
Fulbright Scholar, Graduate Studies – Mechanical Engineering at The Ohio State
University.
Ruzhdi served as a Member of Parliament of Kosova from 1989-92 and was one
of the founders of The Declaration of Independence of Kosova in 1990. Ruzhdi Bakalli
is the Founder of Rotary in the youngest country in the world, the Republic of Kosova.
In June of 2000, when his country was still healing from the war wounds
inflicted by Serbian forces, went back to the city where he was born, Gjakova (Kosova),
with one goal, to establish the first Rotary Club in Kosova-Rotary Club of Gjakova. This
success was preceded by many months of lobbying and informative work activities
with his fellow Gjakova residents and without leaving aside constant contacts with
officers of the Rotary Clubs everywhere in the world, especially in the USA to support
this initiative.
He founded and served as President of the Rotary Club of Gjakova, Kosova, the
first Rotary Club in Kosova from 2000 to 2008, and was named Honorary President for
Life of the Gjakova Rotary Club. He also has served as President of the Warren, PA
Rotary Club, 2010-2011.
During his years of service to Rotary, Bakalli has embraced the international
aspect of Rotary. He has spoken to Rotary Clubs, both internationally and within the
United States, about the founding and chartering of new clubs in Kosova. He also has
been instrumental in leading efforts to bring international humanitarian aid to needy
families, children and countries. His efforts helped in bringing food, supplies, clothing,
medical supplies and equipment, fire trucks, ambulances and other aid to those in
need. Since 2000 in coordination with the Oversea Project Team of District 1290 from
Great Britain, Ruzhdi coordinated annual delivery of two big convoys of medical,
school, firefighters and other equipment and supplies. In September of 2012 with the
help of a Rotary Foundation Grant, Ruzhdi delivered 210 computers to Gjakova high
and elementary schools. On May 26, 2011 Ruzhdi founded and charted the second
Rotary Club in Gjakova, the Rotary Club of Gjakova-Qabrati. Due to his and fellow
Kosova Rotarians work, today Rotary of Kosova has 11 chartered Rotary Clubs. Ruzhdi
was inducted on June 18, 2013 as an Honorary Member for Life of Rotary Club of
Gjakova-Qabrati. On May 13th, 2015 Ruzhdi was named Honorary President for Life of
Rotary Club Gjakova-Qabrati.
Ruzhdi has met with Rotary International Presidents and directors to continue
his international mission. In 2008 he met with President Bill Clinton, honoring him as
Honorary Member of Life of the Rotary Club of Gjakova. Ruzhdi has honored two
Rotary International Presidents, Mr. Frank Devlyn, the first RI President to formally
recognize Rotary in Kosova and Mr. Wilfrid Wilkinson who was the First President to
officially recognize Republic of Kosova in Rotary International as Honorary Members
for Life of Rotary Club of Gjakova.
During his term as President of the Rotary
Club of Warren, PA, Bakalli lead efforts that more
than doubled the membership. The club also
achieved a number of firsts under his leadership,
including: reaching the Rotary Foundation goal of
$100 per member donation; RI Presidential
Citation Award; four District Awards; created club
web, Facebook and twitter pages; inducted four
new Paul Harris fellows; and participated in
numerous community and international projects. During his term Rotary International
President Wilfrid Wilkinson was honored as Honorary Member for Life of Rotary Club
of Warren. Ruzhdi is Major Donor and Member of Paul Harris Society. To date, Ruzhdi
has personally sponsored more than 150 new Rotary members.
Ruzhdi continues to work with the Rotary Club of Warren in the development of
an Anti-Meth drug awareness program for their community. On June 27th 2013 Ruzhdi
honored Mr. Gary C. K. Huang, Rotary International President Elect 2014-2015 as
Honorary Member for Life of Rotary Clubs of Warren and Gjakova.
Bakalli, for his achieved successes as a devoted Rotarian along with support
from his Rotary friends has had great support from his family too, especially from his
wife Afijete who is also a member of Rotary Club of Warren and PHF+8. This example
proves again the famous saying “behind every great man there is a great woman!”
Ruzhdi and Afijete Bakalli have three children, two daughters and a son.
Patty Meehan
Sharon Rotary Club
Vice Governor 2014-2015
District Treasurer 2015-2016
Asst. Project Lead Zone 28-29 Regional
Membership Team 2015-2016
Patty Meehan, the 95th District Governor for Rotary
International District 7280 graduated from Kennedy
Catholic High School and continued her education at Youngstown State University.
There she earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in
Accounting. She continued her education at Duquesne University completing the
Paralegal Certificate Program with honors.
Upon completing her education Patty was employed by the former First Federal of
Western PA as the branch manager of its Mercer office. While there she became active
in the Mercer Area Chamber of Commerce, Business and Professional Women's Club,
and chaired the Mercer Victorian Days. In 1993 Patty was asked to join the Rotary Club
of Mercer. She began a series of firsts as the first female member of the club and its
first female president in 1996-97.
The Bank transferred Patty to its Farrell, PA office in 1998 so she was asked to join the
Sharon PA Rotary club and became its President in 2002-2003. Within Rotary District
7280, Patty has served for several years on the District Finance Committee, a member
of its Paul Harris Society, 2010 District Conference Chair, an Assistant Governor for 5
years leading up to her selection as District Governor for 2013-2014.
In 2000 Patty became the manager at Lawyers Abstract Co of Mercer County, Inc
located in Hermitage, PA. Several months ago she retired from that position to
concentrate on her new role. She now focuses her time on Rotary and her role as
Eucharistic Minister and Lector at St. Michael Parish in Greenville, PA.
Patty is married to Thomas Mong and they reside in Greenville. Rotary has been the
primary activity since June 2013 but they enjoy visits from Tom's sons, former SSgt
Daniel Mong USMC and his family and SSgt Matthew Mong USAF and his wife SSgt Sara
Knight-Mong USAF.
Lee Weber
Rotary Club of Greenville
District Governor Elect 2014-2015
District Governor 2015-2016
Lee grew up in the Pennsylvania mill town of Clairton,
South of Pittsburgh. He graduated from Clairton High School, Asbury College, and
Boston University. He was a church pastor for 43 years in Pennsylvania, Vermont, and
Massachusetts. For many years he also worked with organizations dealing with troubled
youth. Since 2008 he has worked as a Shaklee independent dealer with his wife Carol.
They continue to build that business.
Rotary entered his life in 1975, when he finally said “Ok” to a group of friends
who had persistently asked him to attend a meeting. As he says, “It’s been a great ride
ever since; a life changer!” He has been a member of eight different Rotary Clubs,
including a charter member and founder of one of them. Some of the Rotary positions
he has held include three years as Club President, several officer positions within his
club, served many years on ESSEX in Vermont and Massachusetts, was an Assistant
Governor for many years, and has been the District Membership Chair for several years.
One of Lee’s joys is contributing to the Rotary Foundation and then giving a Paul Harris
Award to some deserving person.
Lee is married to Carol and they live in the Greenville area on an old dairy farm.
He only “farms” some large gardens and raises pumpkins for market. Some of his
hobbies are photography, walking, making walking sticks, and collecting stamps and
Halloween memorabilia. He reads nonfiction. He and Carol have three children – one in
Texas, one in Connecticut and one in Colorado. They own a condo in Las Vegas, and
enjoy traveling around.
DGN Thomas R. Chelgren
Rotary Club of Punxsutawney
District Governor Nominee 2014-2015
District Governor 2016-2017
Thomas R. Chelgren retired in January 2013 after serving the citizens of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for over 28 years as a member of the Pennsylvania
State Police. Enlisting in 1984, he worked in seven different locations, including
Station Commander at the Tionesta and DuBois barracks. Tom ended his career as a
Sergeant in Troop C, Punxsutawney, working as the Criminal Investigation Section
Supervisor and Major Case Investigation Team Leader.
Tom and his wife Nancy married in 1985. Nancy is a Guidance Counselor at the
DuBois Area High School. Together they have a wonderful daughter Laura; a
sophomore at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. Laura is involved in drama,
voice and music in addition to her full time studies.
Born in Punxsutawney, Tom graduated from the Punxsutawney Area High School
and Jefferson County Vocational Technical School in 1974. He went on to work in the
private sector until 1984 and attended the Indiana University of PA at night within the
Safety Sciences program.
Tom joined the Punxsutawney Rotary Club in August 2003 before serving as
President in 2007-2008 and club Foundation Chair. Other local positions included
chairing the annual Radio Auction for seven years and the “Circle of Trees” community
holiday decorating project since 2007. Current and past District 7280 activities include
being a part of the Membership, Public Relations, Foundation, and RYLA committees
plus Paul Harris Society Coordinator.
Locally, Tom has served and is serving on numerous non-profit boards and
committees. He attends the First English Lutheran Church and is currently on church
council. In 2010 Tom received the Punxsutawney Man of the Year award and in 2011
the Daughters of the American Revolution “Excellence in Community Service” honor.
Judith Hughes
Slippery Rock Rotary Club
District Governor Nominee Designate 2014-2015
District Governor 2017-2018
Judy was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Skokie,
Illinois. She attended Northwestern University Preparatory
Music Conservatory and Niles Township High School. After graduation she attended
Northwestern University in Music and the University of Kansas where she received a
BM Ed. And a Masters in Music Performance.
Among the many awards Judy has won are: The Metropolitan Opera Regional Award in
Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Sullivan Award in NYC, the Bronze Medal in the International
Vocal Competition of Rio de Janiero, the Naftsger Vocal Award in Wichita, Kansas, the
NATS Award in Wichita and the Louis Sudler Oratorio Award in Chicago, Illinois.
The Pittsburgh Opera, the San Francisco Opera and the Santa Fe Opera are among
Judy’s opera credits along with the Pittsburgh Symphony Chamber Orchestra, the Erie
Philharmonic, the Youngstown Symphony and the Butler Symphony. Judy has
performed recitals in Greece and throughout Pennsylvania, Kansas and Illinois. Her
most memorable recital was at Carnegie Hall in New York. She was managed by Bobbi
Tillander in New York.
Judy was an Instructor of voice at Clarion, University, and had part time studios at
Grove City College, Westminster College, and Geneva College.
The leadership roles that Judy has had outside of Rotary include: Executive Director of
the Miss Butler Pageants for Miss America, President of the Local directors for Miss
Pennsylvania for 4 years, and co-chairperson of the Grove City United Way.
In Rotary, Judy has served as president, vice president, and membership chair. of the
Slippery Rock Rotary Club. She leads the Slippery Rock University Satellite Rotary and
is co-founder of the SRU Rotaract Club. She is an Assistant Governor for District 7280
and serves the district as Rotaract Chairperson. Judy was recently named DGN for
District 7280.
Judy is married to James C. Hughes and they have a daughter Laura Quinn (Hughes)
Hoopingarner married to Erik Kei Hoopingarner. The Hughes have a grandson named
Alexander James.
Ronald J. Errett
Emcee
Past District Governor 2009-2010, District 7280
Sharon Rotary Club
Ronald J. Errett is the President and CEO of the Community Action
Partnership of Mercer County, a 501 C 3 non-profit corporation focused
on programs to assist low income families. Ron started his career with
the community action agency in Altoona, PA in 1972, worked at the
community action agency in Johnstown beginning in 1977 and moved
into his current position in Mercer County in 1984. He has also hosted an
evening radio talk show since 1988 for 790 AM WPIC in Hermitage.
Ron was born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Uniontown,
Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of St. John High School and received an
Associates Degree from Penn State. Over his 41 years in Community
Action, he has completed numerous professional development programs
and has attained the distinction of Certified Community Action
Professional (CCAP). He is a past President of the Community Action
Association of Pennsylvania and of the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania.
In the Sharon Rotary Club he is a past Board member, a past Club
President, and as Co-chair of the Rotary Foundation Committee has
helped his Club achieve Every Rotarian Every Year since 2006. From
2004 to 2007 Ron was an Assistant Governor. He served as District
Governor for 2009-2010. He was District Foundation Chair from 20102013. He is a major donor and a member of the Paul Harris Society.
Frank Devlyn
President, Rotary International, 2000-2001
Entrepreneur and president of Latin America's leading optical
company, Frank Devlyn, was the 2000-2001 world president of
Rotary International, the network of 33,000 community-based
service clubs in 200 countries. He was the third Rotarian from
Mexico to lead the world organization since its 1905 beginning
in Chicago.
Devlyn is president of the Devlyn Optical Group of Mexico, a
manufacturer, distributor and retailer of optical products. He is past president of
Mexico's National Association of Opticians and Optometrists and of the optical section
of the National Chamber of Industry. He also acts as national advisor for the Mexican
government's Commission of Health to the handicapped and serves on the board of the
National Bank of Mexico, Inverlat Bank, the Mexican Red Cross and Goodwill
Industries.
In Mexico, Devlyn was president of the Vecino Vigilante program, a nationwide
neighborhood watch initiative sponsored by Rotary and other civic organizations. The
program addresses crime through preventative neighborhood coalitions and works with
local and national governments to ensure aggressive action is taken when a crime has
been committed.
Devlyn has served The Rotary Foundation as trustee and Rotary International as
director, aide to the president, district governor and advisor to Rotary's 1996
International Convention Committee in Calgary, Canada. He has acted as Rotary's
national advocacy advisor for polio in Mexico and a member of one of Rotary's future
planning committees.
Founder of Rotarismo en Mexico, Rotary's national magazine in Mexico, Devlyn has
also been a tireless promoter of Rotary's developed-to-developing country assistance
program, World Community Service. He created the largest used eyeglass bank in
Mexico which today serves as a model for cooperative donation-in-kind efforts between
Rotary clubs located in different countries.
"It's an honor and opportunity to serve the world of Rotary in our quest to serve
mankind," Devlyn says. "The challenge is to help shape Rotary's global vision for
humanitarian and educational assistance for the next century. As the needs of
communities change, Rotary will work to meet those needs."
Wilfrid J. Wilkinson
President, Rotary International, 2007-2008
Rotary Foundation Chair of Trustees, 2012-2013
Rotary Foundation Trustee, 2009-2013
President-elect, Rotary International, 2006-07
Chair, 2005 Centennial Convention Committee
Trustee, The Rotary Foundation, 1997-01 & 2002-2004
Vice President, Rotary International 1993-94
Director, Rotary International 1992-94
District Governor, 1971-72
Wilfrid J. Wilkinson, a retired chartered accountant, was a founding partner of
Wilkinson & Company, a public accounting firm. He is a past-president of the Public
Accountants Council – Province of Ontario, and a past Treasurer of both the Canadian
Institute of Chartered Accountants and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of
Ontario. He is also a member of the Institute of Charged Accountants of Quebec and the
Royal Canadian Military Institute and was elected a Fellow of the Ontario Institute of
Chartered Accountants.
A Rotarian since 1962, Mr. Wilkinson is a member and past president of the Rotary
Club of Trenton, Ontario. He has served Rotary International as vice-president, director,
trustee of The Rotary Foundation and district governor. He has also been an
International Assembly discussion leader and chairman and member of several Rotary
committees including chairing the Rotary International Centennial Convention in
Chicago.
As a member of the International PolioPlus Committee, Mr. Wilkinson has been
dedicated to the global effort to eradicate polio. He participated in National
Immunization Days (NIDS) in Kenya, Tanzania, India and also administered polio
drops to children of Afghan refugees in Pakistan. He has also been a Health, Hunger and
Humanity Program volunteer to India. In addition, Mr. Wilkinson has had Rotary
assignments in South African, Namibia, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia and
New Zealand and many regions of the United States and Canada.
Mr. Wilkinson has been recognized for his humanitarian service by the Knights of
Columbus, the Province of Ontario, the government of Canada and in 2001 was honored
by Pope John Paul II with the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal. He is also the recipient of
many of Rotary’s honors, including the Citation for meritorious Service, The
International Service Award for a Polio-free World, the Distinguished Service Award
and Service Above Self Award.
Mark Daniel Maloney
Director, Rotary International, 1999-2001
Trustee, The Rotary Foundation, 2004-2008
Vice Chairman, The Rotary Foundation, 2006-2007
Mark is a member of the law firm of Blackburn, Maloney, and
Schuppert LLC in Decatur, Alabama, practicing in the areas of taxation,
estate planning, and agricultural law. He is licensed to practice law in
Alabama and Illinois and represents large farming operations in the southeastern and
midwestern United States. He was graduated from Harvard College with a degree in history,
and received the Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Vanderbilt University and the Master of
Laws degree in taxation from New York University. He is a member of the American and
Alabama State Bar Associations. Mark served as chairman of the Committee on Agriculture in
the Section of Taxation of the American Bar Association. He has served as an examiner in
taxation on the Alabama Board of Bar Examiners and is a member of the Alabama Law
Institute.
Mark is chairman of the Finance Council of Annunciation of the Lord Catholic Church
in Decatur. He has also served as president of the Morgan County Bar Association, president
of the Community Foundation of Greater Decatur, chairman of Morgan County Meals on
Wheels, chairman of the St. Ann Catholic School Board, and a director of the United Way of
Morgan County, the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce, and the Old Bank
Museum. Mark was a member of the Vanderbilt University Law School National Alumni
Board.
A Rotarian since 1980, Mark is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Decatur,
Alabama, and served as Governor of District 686 in 1989-90. Mark also served as a member
of the Board of Directors of Rotary International in 1999-2001 and as the Aide to Jonathan
Majiyagbe of Nigeria, the President of Rotary International for 2003-04. Mark was Vice
Chairman of the 2004 Council on Legislation and Chairman of the 2010 Council on
Legislation. He served as a Trustee of the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International in 200408 and was the Vice Chairman of the Trustees in 2006-07 and 2007-08. Mark was the
Chairman of the 2014 Sydney Convention Committee and Vice Chairman of The Rotary
Foundation’s Future Vision Committee. Mark is currently Chairman of RI’s Operations
Review Committee and Vice Chairman of the Foundation’s Rotary Peace Centers and
International PolioPlus Committees. Mark is a Paul Harris Fellow, Benefactor, and Major
Donor of The Rotary Foundation and a member of its Bequest Society. Mark's wife, Gay, is an
attorney at the same firm and also is a Paul Harris Fellow, Benefactor, and Major Donor of The
Rotary Foundation and a member of the Bequest Society.
Mimoza Kusari – Lila
Mayor of Gjakova Municipality
Mimoza Kusari-Lila was born on 16 October 1975 in
Gjakova. She completed the Master studies at the
Institute of Economics, University of Colorado and
Duquesne University. In 2001 she received the title
Master of Business Administration and Masters in Ebusiness. During her time at Duquesne University as the MBA student, Ms. Kusari –
Lila was the founder and the first President of the Duquesne University Business
Woman Association. She completed the Bachelor studies at the Faculty of Economics at
the University of Prishtina in 1998.
Mimoza Kusari-Lila worked for the World Bank and USAID project to support Kosovo
businesses. She also worked as project manager at the American University in Kosovo
Foundation education plan for Kosovo, as well as in the establishment of the institution.
Mimoza Kusari-Lila became part of public sector in 2003 when she has been offered the
position of spokeswomen and Adviser to Prime Minister of Kosovo, Bajram Rexhepi. In
this position Mimoza Kusari – Lila served until December 2004. Mimoza Kusari-Lila
served as executive director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo
(AmCham), from 2006 to 2009. During her time as the Executive Director of AmCham,
the organization was officially accredited by the American Chamber of Commerce in
Washington DC and the European Council of American Chambers in Europe (ECCAC).
Mimoza Kusari-Lila became active member of Kosovo politics in the elections of 2009,
running for the major of Gjakova municipality and nearly won. In February 2010
Mimoza Kusari – Lila was elected as the VP of New Kosovo Alliance Party. In general
elections held in December of 2010, Mimoza Kusari – Lila was the most voted female
in the Republic of Kosovo.
After New Kosovo Alliance joined the Government coalition, Mimoza Kusari – Lila
was appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister for Economy and Minister of Trade and
Industry, a position which she held from February 2011 - October 2013. She left this
position to run for the second time as a candidate for Mayor of Gjakova. In December of
2013 she won the elections and became the first and only female mayor in Kosovo.
Mimoza Kusari – Lila is married to Arben Lila and mother of two sons, Adri (9 years
old) and Edon (3years old).
Mary Berge
Zone 29 Rotary Coordinator
Rotary Coordinator Mary Berge hails from the sunny state of
California. It was there that she was schooled, having receiving a
Bachelors, Masters and Ph.D. in Psychology.
She currently works as a Licensed Psychologist, at her own Private Practice in
Johnstown Pennsylvania. In her spare time, Mary enjoys traveling, cooking, golfing and
scuba diving. But most of all, Mary’s greatest passion in life is serving others through
Rotary.
Mary was first introduced to Rotary International when she was selected to participate
in the Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) as a team member to Sweden
in 2002.
Since then, Mary has served in numerous District Leadership capacities
including serving as District Governor in 2008-2009.
As the Rotary Zone 29 Coordinator, she has the opportunity to work with Rotarians and
District leaders across the Midwest, East Coast and in parts of Ontario Canada.
In 2005 Mary received Rotary’s Four Avenues of Service Award and in 2011 she was
honored with The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service.
Together, she and her husband have hosted 8 Youth Exchange Students and numerous
GSE teams, attended several International Conventions and participated in hands-on
grant projects in Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic and India. Mary and her husband
are members of the Bequest Society, Paul Harris Society and they are Major Donors to
our foundation.
Georgene L. Hildebrand
Zone 29 Rotary Public Image Coordinator
Georgene was invited to join the Rotary Club of Alpena Michigan in
2000 and enthusiastically engaged in the mission of Rotary! She is
passionate about sharing the good news of Rotary and energized by
serving as the Public Image Coordinator for Zone 29. She has
promoted Rotary as District Governor 2012-13, as Assistant Governor 2007-09, and
president of the Rotary Club of Alpena in 2005-06. A frequent contributor at district
conferences, PETS training and has enjoyed hosting Group Study Exchange (GSE)
teams. Fifty percent of the clubs achieved the Presidential Citation during her year as
Governor and a three year public image district grant was secured to broadcast the good
works of Rotary for the district.
She is a member of the Paul Harris Society, and a Major Donor of the Rotary
Foundation.
She is past president of the Community Foundation of Northeast Michigan, is a trustee
for Alpena Regional Medical Center and is active in her church where she travelled to
Cameroon Africa for mission work.
Georgene is President of RightPath, LLC , a management consulting firm specializing
in management training, strategic planning and retreat facilitation. Past employment
experiences include clinical and management in nursing, corporate and college level
teaching and management in heavy manufacturing for the automobile industry. She
earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science Degree in
Administration.
She and her partner Jim Park reside in Alpena and spend some winter time in Fort
Myers Florida. Jim is also a fellow Rotarian, past President, a multiple major donor, a
member of the Paul Harris Society and led a GSE team to Argentina. He has a perfect
attendance record 43+ years.
Georgene’s oldest son, Jonathan Hildebrand is a member of the Rotary Club of
Valparaiso Indiana and Jim’s son, Scott Park is a member of the Rotary Club of Glen
Ellyn Illinois. In their leisure time, both Jim and Georgene enjoy tennis, golf, travel,
visiting with grandchildren and attending football games at the University of Michigan.
Mark A. Kriebel
Mark Kriebel first joined Rotary in 1977 in Ebensburg,
PA, and is currently a member of the Endwell, NY
Rotary Club, where he served as President in 20012002.
Mark’s District 7170 work has included chairing most
District operating Committees, Assistant Governor,
and 2006-2007 District Governor. Since his year as
Governor, Mark has served Rotary as Zone and
Regional Membership Coordinator, Regional Public Image Coordinator, GETS and
DGN trainer and Zone Institute training coordinator, and he has had multiple
assignments as President’s Representative, International Convention presenter, and
Training Leader and Plenary speaker at the International Assembly in San Diego. Mark
also served on the 2013 Council on Legislation.
Outside of his Rotary service, Mark has served as President of Endwell Baseball, a
founding Board member of Maine-Endwell Dollars for Scholars, Treasurer of the
Center for Technology and Innovation, and he is extremely active in the Boy Scouts of
America, where he has served as President of the Baden-Powell Council, President of
Northeast Region Area 3, and Regional Vice-President.
Mark currently sits on the National Council's Executive Board of the Northeast Region,
in addition to chairing the national BSA committee dealing with membership growth
and retention. Mark has been named a Distinguished Eagle Scout, and is a recipient of
both the Silver Beaver and Silver Antelope Awards.
He is a familiar voice on radio, television, in stores and "on-hold", and, for over 35
years, has been the principal in the MUZAK franchise serving a 10 county area of New
York.
Mark‘s wife Patricia has served as Endwell Rotary Club President, and will serve as
District 7170 Governor in 2014-15. Mark and Patricia have hosted Rotary Youth
Exchange Students, and they are Rotary Foundation Major Donors, Benefactors, and
Bequest Society Members.
Michael Angelo Caruso
Founder & President, Edison House
Past-President of Troy Rotary Club, MI
Michael Angelo Caruso is President of Edison House,
an international consulting firm based out of Royal Oak, Michigan, specializing in
professional and personal development. Edison House clients include Hallmark, Bank
One, Verizon Wireless, Rayovac, Citgo, the United States Navy, Discount Tire, the
State of Alaska, AT&T, Cooper Tire, and the National Institutes of Health.
Michael has educated and entertained audiences all over the world, including the Middle
East, the Caribbean and 49 of the 50 states.
Michael utilizes his unique background in the technology sector and a separate career in
the entertainment business as he delivers his speeches and seminars, always rooted in
the topics of positive self-concept, improved communication, team leading and problem
solving.
Michael has delivered over 2,000 paid presentations and keynote speeches on
leadership, selling, and marketing. Michael has created over 75 informational products
including books (the 5 Cool Ideas series); audio programs (Dear Michael Angelo -- A
Father's Life Letters to His Son and the FastLearnerAudio series), and DVDs (Present
Like a Pro). All are available at www.MichaelAngeloCaruso.com.
Mr. Caruso gives back as a member of Rotary. He is a Past-President of the Troy Rotary
Club in Michigan and serves as Public Image Chair for District 6380 in Michigan and
Ontario, Canada.
Amanda Runge
Rotary Foundation Annual Giving Officer
Amanda is an Annual Giving Officer with the Rotary
Foundation.
She started at Rotary International Headquarters in
Evanston, IL in 2009 working with the Regional Rotary
Membership Coordinators.
During her 5 years she has worked with Rotary volunteers at all levels enabling them to
be more successful. Amanda has worked with many RI Programs including Open
World, Interact, Rotaract, and has also been the disaster relief liaison for the
organization. Additionally you may have seen her managing the Resource Booth at the
International Conventions in Bangkok, Lisbon, and most recently in Sydney.
Amanda was introduced at a young age to Rotary. Her mother became the first woman
member of the Appleton, Wisconsin Breakfast Rotary Club in 1986 and she also was a
Rotary Youth Exchange Student to France at the age of 16 for a short term exchange.
Having a somewhat unique background Amanda is also an active opera singer. She has
her undergraduate degree in Music from the University of Southern California and her
Masters in Music from Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, England.
Wisdom Addo
Exec. Director for West Africa Centre for
Peace Foundation
Wisdom Addo is the Executive Director for the West Africa
Centre for Peace Foundation (WACPF) a non-governmental
organization that serves young people in schools and
communities through education on human rights, leadership
trainings, and peace building.
Wisdom also serves as the Ghana Chapter Coordinator for
the PeaceJam Foundation USA. His work, which provides Peace Education for the
youth that counts on the learning ability of human beings which focuses on the
acquisition and advancement of capacities, skills, values and knowledge contributing to
the establishment of a global and sustainable culture of peace as it comprises of all
stages of life and socialization of human beings. Wisdom Addo was a Rotary Peace
Fellow and graduated at the Rotary Peace Center, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
in 2012 with professional certificate in Peace and Conflict Studies.
Ruby Wiles
Founder of Free Books for Kids Town
Ruby Wiles is the founder and director of Free Books for
Kids Town whose mission is children's literacy and
education. She recently returned from visiting the Forest
Kindergarten outside Zurich, Switzerland.
After serving as a Lutheran pastor in such diverse places as
rural North Dakota and inner city Bronx, New York, she
returned to Warren County to focus her energy and passion on education.
Since its beginning in December 2011, Free Books for Kids Town has given away over
13,000 children's books free to children in Warren County. In addition to this program,
we are working on piloting some new educational models that can be easily replicated
across the country.
Ms. Wiles graduated cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, California. She is a former
Congressional intern and former assistant at The Nature Company. She lives in Warren
with her wonderful husband, Steve Shaw; her son Grady and her animal friends: Polly,
Bear, and Shadow.
Acronyms used in Rotary
3-H Health, Hunger & Humanity
AG Assistant Governor
APF Annual Programs Fund
COL Council On Legislation
DG District Governor
DGE District Governor Elect
DGN District Governor Nominee
DGND District Governor Nominee
Designate
DLP District Leadership Plan
DLT District Leadership Team
DMC District Membership Chair
DSA Distinguished Service Award
DSG District Simplified Grants
DT District Trainer
EREY Every Rotarian Every Year
GETS Governor Elects Training Session
GSE Group Study Exchange
HOF House Of Friendship
IPDG Immediate Past District Governor
IPP Immediate Past President
MG Matching Grant
MPHF Multiple Paul Harris Fellow
NG New Generations
NGO Non-government organization,
perhaps involved in a project
NID National Immunization Day
PDG Past District Governor
PE
President Elect
PEF Permanent Endowment Fund
PETS Presidents Elect Training Seminar
PHF Paul Harris Fellow
PHS Paul Harris Society (District)
PHSM Paul Harris Sustaining Member
PP
Past President
PF
Permanent Fund
PRID Past Rotary International Director
PRIP Past Rotary International
President
PRIVP Past Rotary International Vice
President
RC Rotary Coordinator (RI, Zone)
RFSM Rotary Foundation Sustaining
Member
RIBI Rotary International in Great
Britain and Ireland
RID Rotary International Director
RIDE Rotary International Director
Elect
RIDN Rotary International Director
Nominee
RIMZC Rotary International
Membership Zone Coordinator
RIP Rotary International President
RIP Rep Rotary International
President Representative
RIVP Rotary International Vice
President
RLI Rotary Leadership Institute
ROTEX Organization of Ex-Rotary
Exchange Students
ROTI Rotarians On The Internet
RPIC Rotary Public Image Coordinator
Rtn Rotarian
RYE Rotary Youth Exchange
RYLA Rotary Youth Leadership Award
SAR Semi Annual Report (Club to RI)
STYEP Short Term Youth Exchange
Program
TPF The Permanent Fund
TRF The Rotary Foundation
YEP Youth Exchange Program
YIR Yours in Rotary
YIRS Yours In Rotary Service
ZCC Zone Challenge Coordinator
Kosova Exchange Team
Photo from Left: Fatos & Albina Axhemi; Artan Bakija: Ylber Muhaxhiri; and Butrint & Rrezarta Nallbani.