Rotary Youth Leadership Awards

Bios, Letters & Info The 2nd Annual RYLA Convention and Rotary International's 2002 Convention will be held in, Barcelona, Spain!

John W. Nugent, RYLA Chair

John W. Nugent
Rotary Club of Westchester
7335 Vista del Mar Ln.
Playa del Rey, CA 90293
Phone: 310 306 5956, Fax: 310 343 1069
E-mail: jnnugent@hotmail.com

John was born July 21, 1945, in Sharon, Pennsylvania; and married his wife, Nancy Nail Nugent, on December 25, 1967. They have two sons, Derric James, 33, and Shane Elden, 29. The Nugent family has resided in Playa del Rey, California, since 1982; and all are Paul Harris Fellows.

John attended the University of Cincinnati, and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Youngstown State University in Ohio. In 1990, he retired from his 22 year career with N/S Corporation where he served as Executive Vice President. N/S is a leading manufacturer of vehicle cleaning equipment and water treatment systems. Upon selling his interest in N/S Corp., John formed Nugent International Corporation, a marketing consulting business. John is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nugent Convalescent Home Incorporated, and NuBridge Development Corporation. He is also a General Partner in Nugent Associates, Nugent-Charleston Properties, and NuBridge Associates. All are Pennsylvania L P ' s.

In addition to his corporate involvement, John has served on the board of several trade associations and service organizations, including two years as Chairman of the Board of Managers of the Westchester YMCA. He has received the Distinguished Service Award from the International Car Wash Association and has held patents for vehicle washing machines. His biography has been published in Who's Who in California, American Biographical Men of Achievement, ABI's 5,000 Personalities of the World and the National Register's Who's Who in Executives and Professionals.

John has served his Rotary Club of Westchester, California, as Information Chairman, Vocational Service Director, Secretary, Vice President and President, 1988-89. He has served District 5280 as Zone Representative, charter member of the Long Range Planning Committee, member of the Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee, Chairman of the Home-stay Committee, District Governor, 1993-94, Chairman of the Governor Nominating Committee, 1997-98, and as Chairman and then Co-Chair of the District's Permanent Fund Committee, 1998-2001.

John has served on Rotary International's Committee for the Victoria Zone Institute; as Governor Elect Trainer for the Las Vegas, Nevada, Zone Institute; as Co-Chair of the Arrangements Committee for the San Diego Zone Institute; as Treasurer of the Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee, and as Zone Coordinator for the New Generations Task Force. John is currently serving RI as the 2001-2002 General Chair of RI RYLA, as Vice Chair Administration for the Reno Nevada Zone institute, and as Zone 24 Coordinator for the RI Family Task Force.

Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar

Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar, a food broker for international products, is the former owner of Gust.F.Bratt AB. During his active business career he traveled all over the world. In addition, he has been a member of the boards of several companies and served as chairman of the board of a local private school.

Carl-Wilhelm has been a Rotarian since 1974. He immediately became involved in all levels of Rotary, and has held a numerous positions at the Club, District and International levels. His District service has included chairing the Youth Exchange and Member Elections Committees and the Sweden Rotary Youth Exchange Foundation. He was also a treasurer of the Rotary International Scholarship Foundation of his District and served as District Governor in 1987-88.

He began International Service to Rotary in 1991 with the appointment to the Youth Service Committee, which he chaired in 1993, followed by positions as regional coordinator of the Youth Service Task Force and serving as a moderator at numerous Rotary International Institutes. He has personally many times represented the RI President at a District Conference in locations streching from Finland via USA to India. He has been a RI Director 1996-98, and as such a member of the Executive Committee, chairing the Finance Committee of the Board and vice-chairman of the Audit Committee.

He has been member of the Audit & Operations Review Committee of RI 1998-2000 and he was also member of the 2001 San Antonio Convention Committee. He was vice-chairman of the Communications Committee in 2000-2001 and is presently member of this committee. He is also presently Chairman of the European Presidential Conferences, member of the RYLA Committee, member of the European Affairs Committee, Area Coordinator for the Friendship and Fellowship Task Force, Chairman of the Permanent Fund Committee for Europe and RIBI, National Polio Plus Advocacy Advisor and member of the Polio Eradication Advocay Task Force. He was the Moderator of the 1999-2000 Regional Magazine Editors Seminar.

Carl-Wilhelm was born in Göteborg, Sweden, January 16, 1935. He is married to Monica since 1962, has two sons and two grandsons.

Leni Gronros

Leni has been a member of the Rotary Club of Rockland Maine since 1995. Within two months of joining he was sent as a participant on the RYLA program and has been hooked on Rotary ever since. He served as a member of District 7790's RYLA committee in 1996 and took over the program as chairman in 1997, 1998 and 2000. He was President of Rockland Rotary for the 2000-2001 year and plans to running for District Governor in a few years. Leni was recently made a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rockland Rotary and is a Foundation Benefactor. The International RYLA Committee is his first appointment for international service to Rotary.

Leni is the third generation to run his family's business. They have operated Rockland Boat, a marine supply business, since moving to Rockland since 1928. It has always been a true family business and he enjoys working with his sister, brother and wife who are all actively involved. The business primarily caters to commercial fishermen but changed a few years ago to include sailing vessels. Last year Leni join the International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians when he discovered the joys of sail boat racing.

Leni married Jennifer in 1996 and they currently reside in Rockland with their Siberian Husky Kindra and cat Izzy.

Charles R. Peterson

Charlie Peterson is the Broker/Owner of Peterson Company Real Estate in Fort Collins, Colorado, Specializing in farms, ranches, tracts, and water rights. He and his wife, Susan, have three grown children and six grandchildren. Charlie began his professional career as a registered pharmacist in 1955, operating retail pharmacies in Golden and Greeley, CO until 1969. In 1973 Charlie was the President of the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy. He began his real estate career in the early 1960's and in 1970 he opened his own office.

He has held various positions on the Board of Realtors, the Colorado Pharmacal Association, as well as Larimer and Weld County Pharmacal Associations. He was a director of the Chamber of Commerce and on the Board of Directors of the Osteopathic Memorial Hospital. He is also a Master Arbitrator for the Better
Business Bureau.

Charlie has been a Rotarian for 43 years; 12 as a member of the Rotary Club of Greeley, CO and 31 years in the Rotary Club of Fort Collins. In addition to serving as a member of the Board of Directors and most of the committees in his club, Charlie has served as President, 1980-1981; as District Chairman of the Rotary Foundation Fund Raiser, 1985-1986; as the first District Governor of District 5440 in 1987-1988; as District Chairman of the Rotary Foundation 1990-1994; and as a delegate to the Rotary International Council on Legislation in 1992 and 1995; as a Group Study Exchange Leader to District 3360 Thailand in 1993.

He has been awarded 13 Paul Harris Fellowships, was honored as Rotarian of the Year by the Fort Collins Club in 1981-1982, by District 5440 in 1992-1993; and received the RI Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service in 1993. He is also a Major Donor, Benefactor and Bequest Society Member. Susan, also a Paul Harris Fellow, is a member of the Fort Collins Breakfast Rotary Club, District Chairman of RYLA for Districts 5440 and 5450, and a Major Donor.

Dennis Benko

Dennis, PDG D5280, is partner in charge of taxes for the CPA firm of Benko and Piane in South Gate, California. Born and raised in South Gate, he earned a bachelor's degree in business education and a master's degree in accounting from California State College at Los Angeles.

A member of the South Gate Rotary Club, since January 31, 1973, Dennis served as President in 1978 -1979. He has served as District Treasurer, District Conference Chairman, Rotary Foundation Chairman, and Rotary Foundation Annual Giving Chairman, and as District Governor of Rotary International District 528 in 1984 -1985.
Dennis served as an instructor for PETS in Southern California for fifteen years in the subject of Budget and Finance. In 1986, he served as chairman of PETS in Southern California.

He has served as a member often Rotary Institute Committees, and has been Treasurer of SCANEX (Multi District Youth Exchange) for five years. In 1995 Dennis was the first inductee to the District 5280 Hall of Fame. He is a recipient of The Rotary Foundation's Citation for Meritorious Service, and The Distinguished Service Award.

Steve Garrett

Steve Garrett is a second generation native born Californian, raised in Temple City, California. He studied at Pasadena City College and the University of Colorado. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving in the Republic of Vietnam. Steve and his wife Marge live in Arcadia, California. Their five grown children have all moved on to college and careers of their own. They enjoy the task of spoiling their five grandchildren.

After working several years as a biologist he joined a Merrill Lynch, a national investment brokerage firm. During an 18 year career he served as financial consultant, sales manager and branch office manager. Steve established Steve Garrett and Associates, a Registered Investment Advisor and investment brokerage firm in 1990, which invests and manages money for individuals and small corporate retirement plans.

Steve joined the Rotary Club of Arcadia in 1974. He joined the Rotary Club of San Marino in 1983, where he served as president in 1989-90. Steve was instrumental in the formation of the Rotary Club of Sierra Madre in 1997. He is now a member of that Club.

He served the District as Foundation Dinner Chairman and Rotary Information Chairman in 1990, RYLA Chairman in 1991, as Governor's aide 1992-1993, District Newsletter Editor 1992-1993, Budget Committee Chairman 1996-1997, District Conference Chairman 1998--1999 and Practical Rotary Leadership (PRLS) Chairman for 1999-2000, District Foundation Chairman for 2000-2001. Steve was the District Governor in 1994-1995 for District 5300.

Steve Garrett has served as an Instructor to the 1991, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2000 Southern California and Nevada President Elect Training Seminar (PETS). He was the Instruction Chairman for the 1996 Southern California and Nevada President Elect Training Seminar. Steve Garrett has served as an Instructor to the Governor Elect Training for Zones 23 & 24 in 1999, 2000 and 2001.

He was a facilitator at the Rotary International RYLA Workshop in 1999 and chaired Rotarian RYLA Regional Workshop in 2000. He is a member of the Rotary International RYLA Committee for 2001-2002. As District Governor he was instrumental in creating the first Interact Symposium (www.interactsymposium.org) and has stayed active in this regional event. Steve Garrett represented RI President Frank Deviyn to the District 6170 Conference in Hot Springs, Arkansas in May of 2001.

 

Richard Walker

Richard (Dick) Walker is a member of Salisbury Rotary Club, Queensland, Australia. His educational qualifications include Masters and Ph.D. degrees. He has served on numerous state, national and professional educational bodies in Australia. He has authored numerous books and journal articles, his more recent publications being directed at solution of mass literacy problems in developing countries. He is a Research Fellow of the Graduate School of Educastion, University of Queensland.

Dick has served Rotary International as governor of District 9630, as member and chairman of a large number of R.I. and regional committees and task forces, and as a Group Leader at two International Assemblies.

For over a decade, he has played a major role in generating Rotary's international literacy effort and during that time he, and very often his wife Fay, have spent a great deal of time in developing countries. He has been awarded two Presidential Salutes for literacy projects, the Citation for Meritorious Service from the Rotary Foundation, and the Service Above Self Award. In 1992, he was awarded membership of the Order of Australia (AM) in recognition of his contribution to literacy. In the same year, the Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand, conferred an honorary Doctorate in Education for his contribution to education in Thailand.

With three adult children and nine grandchildren, Dick and Fay have had a busy family life, but they have worked for many years for the intellectually disabled and the aged. Dick is a long-term member of the Guardianship and Administration Tribunal of his home state, Queensland.

 

José García Tortosa

José García Tortosa has been a Rotarian since 1981, member of RC of Alicante he founded himself. He served his club as a secretary (3 times) and as President (1984/85). José has 5 Paul Harris Distinctions and is also a benefactor.
He has contributed to the creation of clubs like Calpe, Benidorm and Benissa (all from District 2200) and organized several Rylas in his District.

He served in his district as a governor assistant (1994/95-1996/97-1997/98) and at least served as District Governor (1999/2000). In the current year apart from being the instructor for PET for the actual Governor of District 2200, José is member of the Task Force Committee for zone 10. (Volunteers)

José is the Chairman of the inter-countries committee Algeria-Spain, and is a member of the Host Committee for Barcelona 2002 Convention. He is an active Rotarian and participated in Niza (1995), Singapur (1999), Buenos Aires (2000) and San Antonio (2001) Conventions.

Apart from Rotary, José has dedicated a large part of his life being a Real Estate Agent in Alicante (Spain) where he arrived in 1962 from Algeria, after independence, where he was born and grown up, so he is perfectly bilingual french-spanish. He also was vice-chairman of the Spanish Federation of gymnastics and organized the world championship in Alicante.

Keith Barnard-Jones

Keith retired in 1996 as the senior partner of a General Medical Practice which catered for the health needs of 12,000 people on the island of Portland on the south coast of England, and for 1000 prisoners in a Prison and Young Offender Institution on the island.

Keith was the Founder Vice President of The Rotary Club of The Island and Royal Manor of Portland in 1977. He has served District 1200 as Youth Exchange Chairmen, Club Service Chairman, and Extension Officer. He was District Governor in 1987-1988, the Polio Plus Year, and, after various Committee appointments, Keith became President of R.I.B.I. in 1996-1997.

Keith was his District's Representative at The Council on Legislation in 1989, and a Group Discussion Leader at The International Assembly at Anaheim in 1993

He is currently Director of Rotary International for the years 2001-2003. Keith is the proud holder of two Presidential Citations and has represented the President of Rotary International at District Conferences in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1996, 1997, and 1998.

Keith married Judy, a nurse, in 1965, and together they worked as Rotary volunteers in the Vietnamese refugee camps of Hong Kong in 1981. He also volunteered for more Rotary service in Sri Lanka early in 1999.

Keith and Judy have two children. Christopher, the elder, is a civil airline pilot, and their daughter, Sian, is the personal assistant to the managers of a large business park on Portland. Keith & Judy have three grandchildren.

Keith lists his hobby as Rotary, but all sports, particularly sailing, rugby, and squash, as well as photography have taken up much of his time over the years, though his participation in the more vigorous pastimes nowadays is usually only as a spectator. The household is completed by, run by, and overrun by, two bulldogs, Cassie & Freya.

Richard D. King

Richard D. King is the President of Rotary International. He is a Past International Director and Past Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board. Prior to becoming the President-elect, he served as a Trustee of The Rotary Foundation, and served as Chairman of the Fund Development Committee and as Liaison to RI's Leadership Development Committee and the 2005 Centennial Planning Committee.

Rick has served Rotary as District Governor, as a member of the USA PolioPlus Committee, member and vice chairman of the Rotary Village Corps Committee, Chairman of the World Community Service Committee, member and Chairman of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee, Preserve Planet Earth, Rotary True Image and Vocational Service Committees, member of the Joint Committee of the Board and Trustees of The Rotary Foundation, two term member of the Tenth Decade Committee and World Chairman of the R.I. Membership Task Force. He has served as Chairman, and on two occasions as a member, of the Nominating Committee for RI President. Appointed by two RI Presidents as an International Assembly Instructor, Rick has addressed RI Assemblies, Conventions, Institutes, Foundation Seminars, and District Conferences in more than 64 Nations.

A trial lawyer by profession, Rick is a graduate of U. C. Berkeley with three different degrees. He is admitted to practice in both California and Utah and before the United States Supreme Court. Rick holds the Legion of Honor from the Order of DeMolay, the Spirit of Life Award from the City of Hope, the Distinguished Citizen Award from the United Portuguese of California, the PolioPlus Pioneer Award, the Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service and The Rotary Foundation Distinguished Service Award.

He has served as a member of the board of the Eden Hospital Foundation, as a Trustee of the City of Hope, and as the fund raising Chairman for the Boys Scouts of America. He is an elder in the Mormon Church, a member of the Commonwealth Club, Order of Chevalier and a member of Actor's Equity. He was a Distinguished Military Graduate from U.C. and served on active duty for two year in Military Intelligence with the rank of Captain. Rick, and his wife, Cherie, are recipients of the Two Diamond-Major Donor Paul Harris Fellow. They reside in the Mission San Jose area of Fremont, California. They have two sons, Rob and Ty.

Marlene B. Brown

Marlene B. Brown, M.S., CMC, CSP, joined Rotary in 1995, where she served on several committees, and as Program Chair, for the Utica Rotary Club (the largest Club in District 7150) for three years before transferring to the New Hartford Club in 1999, where she has served as Secretary and PE. President & CEO of MarmeL Consulting Firm and TechnoTouch e-Strategists, Marlene is a business futurist, professional speaker & author, marketing strategist & website developer.

A graduate of Utica College of Syracuse University and SUNY Cortland, Marlene holds a Master's Degree in Education with advanced work in Psychology, Technology, Marketing and Administrative Leadership. A former College Instructor, Senior English and Psychology teacher, and instructor for the American Management Association, Marlene is a member of the National Speakers Assoc, American Marketing Assoc, Institute of Management Consultants, & the World Future Society.

Marlene is one of 15 professionals worldwide to have earned the combined CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) and the CMC (Certified Management Professional). She recently was chosen as one of twenty outstanding Women in Business owners in Central New York State. In addition to her speaking schedule, Marlene and her team have designed, developed, and maintain several business, not-for-profit, and Rotary-related websites, many of which are international award-winning sites.

In addition to serving her Club this year as President, Marlene serves Rotary on the District level as Web Designer and Developer for the District website and D7150's Youth Exchange website, as District Internet Communications Officer, and as Editor of the District newsletter, Credo. On the Int'l level, Marlene - a Paul Harris Fellow - serves as Web designer and developer for the Rotary First 100 website and the Rotary RYLA website.

Marlene and Earl, lifetime residents of the Mohawk Valley & CNY, very much enjoy their involvement with Rotary. Both Rotarians, they can be found at almost every District Rotary event, cameras in hand. Marlene says that her greatest production in life is her 5 grown children and her 4 grandchildren. She enjoys presenting to groups, working with their clients on net marketing and web design, reading and researching, listening to music, spending time with her family, and playing with her grandchildren.