USA: Irving J. "Sonny" Brown -- Telephone: 915-584-5511 Fax: 915-584-6315 * Read bio

USA
Eugene Hastings, Read bio

USA Dana Mackison Read bio

British Isles David Liddiat
Past President R.I.B.I. Read bio

Australia: John Thorne -
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Australia: Heather Yarker -
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Spain: Julio Sorjus -
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Rotary Youth Leadership Awards

Abraham I. Gordon

ABRAHAM I. GORDON served as RI Vice-President (1999-00) & RI Director (1998-00). In 2002-03 he serves as Chair of the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) Committee having served as chair (2000-01) and as Chair of the Election Review Committee, having served as Chair (2000-01) & member (2001-02). He serves as a member of the Rotary Foundation PolioPlus Speakers Bureau (2000-03). He has served as Chair of Northeast USA Region of the Polio Eradication Private Sector Initiative (2000-02),Chair of Council on Legislation Advisory Committee (2000-01), Chair of Committee on Code Policies (1999-00), Chair of Joint Rotary International & Rotary Foundation Disaster Relief Committee (1999-00) & Chair of Service Above Self Award Committee (1999-00). He has served on the Board of Directors Executive Committee (1999-00), Joint Committee of Directors & Trustees (1999-00), Committee on Extension (1999-00), Policy Advisory Committee (1999-00), General-Secretary Selection Committee (1999-00) & Liaison Director to the Districting Committee (1999-00) & the Constitution & By-Laws Committee (1998-99). He was honored to Preside at the opening sessions of the 2000 RI Convention in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In 2001, he was Chair of the First RYLA International Convention in San Antonio & as Chair the RYLA Workshop held at the RI Convention in San Antonio. At President Bhichai Rattakul request, he will serve similarly as Chair of the Second RYLA International Convention in Brisbane, Australia in 2003. He chaired Presidential and the Foundation Luncheons at the Buenos Aires Convention and the Great Northland Breakfast at the Barcelona Convention.

A Rotarian since 1973 & Past President of the Rotary Club of Bridgeport, CT (Dist 7980), he has served as District Governor (1989-90), Delegate to the 1992 (Anaheim, CA), 1995 (Caracas, Venezuela) & 2001 (Chicago, IL) Councils on Legislation. Abe was Convener of the Magical Montreal 1998 Rotary Institute, Convener of the Nautical Newport 1999 Rotary Institute & Co-Convener of the 1998 RI Presidential Urban Concerns Conference. In 1986, he (with his late wife Marilyn) led a Group Study Exchange (GSE) team to Dist 9800 (Australia). Abe has attended numerous RI Conventions & Conferences, including the President’s Russian Peace Conference in Anchorage, Alaska, the President’s Conference on Central European Development in Prague, Czech Republic, the Latin-America Presidential Conference in Guatemala City, Guatemala, the Budapest Workshop on Eastern Europe in Hungary & the All-Europe Multi Zone Rotary Institute in Berlin, Germany. He & Marilyn represented the Rotary world at the 2000 Rose Bowl Parade & Celebration. On behalf of The Rotary Foundation, Abe & Marilyn were honored to lead the PolioPlus National Immunization (NID) program in Ghana & Togo in November, 2000 where they participated in the immunization of over 1,000,000 children. Abe takes great pride as a Co-Founder with Marilyn of the Gift of Life program in Penang, Malaysia, which has saved over 100 children’s lives to date.

The Rotary Foundation honored him with its Distinguished Service Award, the Citation of Meritorious Service & the District Service Award. Abe & and his late wife Marilyn are Multiple Paul Harris Fellows, Major Donors & Benefactors of the Foundation. Their children & grandchildren are all Paul Harris Fellows. Dist 7980 in Connecticut has honored him as Most Outstanding Rotarian; Rotary Districts in Georgia honored him as a Will Watt Foundation Fellow; Massachusetts Dist 7890 with its Appreciation Award; & Dist 7230 in New York as a Champion of Gift of Life. In 1988 & in 2000 he was named (jointly with Marilyn) "Most Distinguished Alumnus" of the University of Bridgeport.

Abe received a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from the University of Bridgeport & a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from the Duke University School of Law. As an attorney he practices before the State of Connecticut & the U.S.Court systems, the U.S. Supreme Court & serves by special appointment of the Chief Justice of Connecticut as a judicial trier of civil cases as an Attorney Trial Referee. A member of the Professional Discipline Committee of the Connecticut Bar Association, he is also a Trustee of the University of Bridgeport & has served as president of the Bridgeport Heart Association & the of the Navy League of the United States, Bridgeport Council, & served for over thirty years as a volunteer civilian boat crew member & aircraft pilot for Search & Rescue for the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. He is a Life Member of the American Legion and a member of Mensa.

 

Sonny Brown

Irving J. "Sonny" Brown is a Trustee, the Rotary Foundation, 2000-2004; Chair of the RI 2001 Convention in San Antonio; Chair of RYLA committee, 1998-2000; Vice President, Rotary International, 1996-1997; Director, Rotary International, 1995-1997.

Sonny is Chairman and Founder of Sonny Brown Associates, an international commercial and industrial real estate consulting firm. He was born in Parral Chihuahua, Mexico. Spanish is his first language. He is an active member of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors and other regional and national real estate organizations.

He has served his community as director of the El Paso Industrial Development Corporation, as a commissioner on the Housing Authority of El Paso, and as vice-president and director of the El Paso Chamber of Commerce.

A Rotarian since 1960, Sonny has served RI as club president, district governor, director and vice-president. In addition he has served as an international Assembly training leader, vice-chairman of the World Community Service Resource Network, Chairman of the First International RYLA Committee and chairman of the 2001 San Antonio Convention. He currently serves as a Trustee of the Rotary Foundation.

 

Bhichai Rattakul

SuanLuang, Bangkok, Thailand
Bhichai Rattakul was educated in Bangkok and Hong Kong and received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Political Science from the University of Ramkhamhaeng University in Bangkok and Kensington University in California.

A member of Thailand's Parliament for nine terms since 1969, and leader of the Democrat Party, he has served his country as foreign minister, deputy prime minister, speaker of the House of Representatives and president of the Parliament. He has also led many Thai delegations to the United Nations.
President-Elect Rattakul is honorary vice president of the Thai Scout Council. He also has served as chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Anti-Drugs Commission, National Audit Commission and the 13th Asian Olympic Organizing Committee. He has been decorated with Special Class Honors from the King of Thailand and First Class Honors from the Emperor of Japan, and presidents of Austria, Korea, Nicaragua and the Philippines.

Bhichai Rattakul joined the Rotary Club of Dhonburi in Bangkok as a charter member in 1958 and has served RI as district governor, chairman of the Diplomatic Relations Task Force, International Assembly discussion leader, committee member and chairman, chairman of the RI Convention Committee, trustee of The Rotary Foundation, and director and chairman of the Executive Committee of Rotary International. He is the recipient of The Rotary Foundation's Distinguished Service Award and Citation for Meritorious Service for his support of its inter-national humanitarian and educational programs.

President-Elect Rattakul and his wife, Khunying Charoye Rattakul, have three children and five grandchildren. He enjoys gardening, golf and reading.

Warwick Carl Bateman. OAM

HONOURS: 1985: Medal of the Order of Australia, Awarded by Her Majesty The Queen for "Service to the Community & Youth". 1977. Scout Associations Medal of Merit, Awarded by Sir Zelman Cowan, for "Services to Scouting" 1983: Citizen of the Year , Awarded by Willoughby City for "Services to Youth 1986: Named a "Paul Harris Fellow" for furtherance of international understanding. 1992: Presidential Citation International President of Rotary International " Presidents Citation" for work with youth leadership training.(RYLA) 1996 Named a "Paul Harris Fellow" (sapphire) for contributions to youth District 9680/Rotary Club of Hornsby. 1997 Bar to the Medal of Merit Awarded by the Governor General & Chief Scout of Australia. 1998 Fellow International College of Chiropractic Awarded for outstanding service the International Chiropractic Community. 1999 Fellow Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards USA 2002 Silver Emu. Awarded by the Governor General and Chief Scout of Australia for sustained and exceptional services to the Scout Association of Australia

VOCATIONAL : Graduate in Behavioural Sciences (Royal College of Sciences); Graduate & Registered Osteopath; Graduate & Registered Chiropractor ¨ 1958 - 1990 Private psychology practice. Recognised specialist in Adolescent Behaviour,; Culture Shock, and the clinical use of hypnosis; first to use hypnosis with an Australian Police Service; and the use of hypnosis in surgery. ¨ 1960 ? 1976 Honorary Psychologist to Charlton Memorial Homes for Boys & Court Chaplains Office ¨ 1965 - Consultant to Industry and Governments. ¨ 1970 - Consultant in the design and conduct of leadership training programmes. ¨ 1973 ? 1974 Lecturer in Group Behaviour, Counselling, & Motivation Techniques NSW Education Dept. ¨ 1974 - Australian Governments "Special Representative" to the Commonwealth Secretariats New Guinea meetings / workshop on Adolescents in Developing Nations. ¨ 1977 ? Lecturer School Counsellors Assoc. Adolescent Behaviour, Counselling Techniques. ¨ 1977 ? 1988 Youth For Understanding. National Counsellor for Australia. ¨ 1979 - Lecturer throughout America, United Kingdom, Europe , Africa, New Zealand, Israel, Vanuatu, New Guinea and Sri Lanka ¨ 1985 - Lecturer for Queensland Government on counselling, family and adolescent problems and development. ¨ 1985 - Media & marketing research ¨ 1992 - Approved Trainer under the Australian Training Levy Scheme ¨ 1990 - Adviser to schools regarding problem groups, triads and group dynamics ¨ 2001 - Research studies Macquarie University (M.Sc candidate.)
¨ Appointed by Minister for Health to 1988-1991, 1991-1995, 1995-1998, 1998-2000 NSW Chiropractors Osteopaths Registration Board. Serving on Qualifications, Legislation, Education and Examination committees. Appointed as NSW Board Deputy President ¨ Official primary health care practitioner to the Australian Youth Ice Hockey Team to Korea, for the Asia Oceanic Championships.(1993) responsible for total health of team ¨ Official primary health care practitioner to the Australian National Ice Hockey team, World Championships Canada and Spain.(1994) then Lithuania (1996) responsible for total health of team ¨ Adviser to the Department of Veterans Affairs.(1995/96) ¨ Post graduate research, Macquarie University. (ongoing)

ROTARY ¨ 1965 - 1988 Accepted into Rotary Club of Chatswood. Member holding offices at Club and District level. Feature speaker at functions and District Conferences and Assemblies. ( 9750,9550,9680) ¨ 1970 - 1996 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Committees ¨ 1972 President Rotary Club of Chatswood ¨ 1974 - 1996 Design and live in director for over 17 Rotary Youth Leadership Seminars. ¨ 1977 - 1982 Also conceived and developed the Rotaract Leadership Course 9680 & 9550. ¨ 1977 - Assisted in the design and acted as Course Leader for the first three Rotaract Representative Courses. ¨ 1988 Charter president Rotary Club of Willoughby ¨ 1988 -1995 Rotary Club of Willoughby & Honorary member Waitara ¨ 1995 - Rotary Club of Chatswood ¨ 1998 -2001 Member International RYLA Committee. ¨ 2002-2003 Special Advisor International RYLA Committee

GENERAL ¨ 1954 ? Scout Association of Australia all sections. NSW Branch Commissioner (Leader Training) 11 years, now State Commissioner . Member of the International training Team. State Commissioner dealing with Behavioural Issues and Child Protection . ¨ 1969 - Design and conduct of courses on Health, Leadership and Personal Development for industry and youth organisations in Australia, South pacific Region , Israel and USA. ¨ 1977 ? 1991 Youth for Understanding (largest youth exchange programme in the world exchanging over 9,000 students each year.). 14 years as on National Executive. National Counsellor responsible for the overall mental & physical health issues. Elected first life member of that organisation. ¨ 1983 - 1986 Elected to the Program Advisory Council of Youth For Understanding , Washington DC, for 3 years. 1985 Elected International Chairman of Program Advisory Council. ¨ 2001 Author "Reduce the Risks - A parents guide . A series of simple techniques designed to help minimise the risks of our youth falling prey to bullying, depressions , drugs and suicide. (100,000 copies) ¨ 2002 Author "A Parents Guide. The Prevention of Child Abuse. (100,000 copies) ¨ CURRENT Working with youth leaders especially in the field of suicide and personality development, Design of youth leadership workshops here and in the US.

 

John G. Thorne

John G. Thorne (Shirley)
[Rotary Club of North Hobart] R. I. Director for Zones 7 & 8
PO Box 170, South Hobart, Tasmania. 7004
Ph:- (03) 62 25 4588 Fax:- (03) 86 10 1089 Email:- thorne@tassie.net.au

John, who was born in Launceston, was a Science/Maths teacher and the Foundation Principal of the Tasmanian School for Deaf Children in 1961. John became National Vice-President of the Australian Deafness Council. He was also Chairman of the Disability Advisory Council advising the State Government on all disability issues. He has consulted for many disability organisations. John received several awards in education including - Fellow of the Australian Council for Educational Administration. He is a Justice of the Peace.
In 1978 John became a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar studying in California. This led to further research studies on his return to Tasmania and a Doctor of Philosophy degree In 1983 John was a Visiting Education Fellow to Japan in the area of disability for the Australia-Japan Foundation.

John was invited to join the Rotary Club of North Hobart in 1979 and served as District Governor in 1989/90. Rotary International has chosen John to work on many Rotary Foundation committees:
· Rotary Foundation Coordinator for the South West Pacific area
· Lead trainer for incoming Rotary Foundation Coordinators from all zones across the world.
· Assistant General Coordinator of the Foundation Alumni Resource Group
· Consultant for 3H programs
· Visited and evaluated several universities for the establishment of the Rotary Centers for International Studies.
John and Shirley have represented Rotary International leadership at several District Conferences in Australia and overseas. John has also been active in committees and chairmanship roles in numerous Rotary Institutes.
Rotary International has further recognised John in several ways, including:
· Paul Harris Fellow (1979) before he was a Rotarian, by District 5260
· The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service (1990-91)
· The Rotary Foundation Distinguished Service Award (1994-95)
In 1998 The Rotary Foundation recognised John's work outside Rotary with the award of the Distinguished Scholar Alumni Award. John and Shirley, married in Launceston, have two married daughters and three grandsons.

Heather Yarker

Heather is a charter member of the Rotary Club of Ashmore, District 9640, Gold Coast, Australia. She has held most Club Director positions and was President in 1992-93. Her classification is Wholesale Nurseries and her business involvement includes Partner in Chimbu Nurseries and Director of Inka Labels.

Heather's active involvement in District Rotary programs began before she was invited to Rotary as her husband Ian is a Rotarian of 27 years and was a Governor in 1994-95. Heather has served on many District Committees including Group Study Exchange, Rotary Youth Transition Seminar, which is RYLA for year 12 leavers, Bowelscan, New Generations, Rotary Overseas Medical Aid for Children, Australian Rotary Health Research Fund, as well as Rotarians Against Malaria, Transplant Education and Chairman of RYLA -Rotary Youth Leadership Award for 3 years.

Heather was an Assistant Governor in 1997-99 and Governor in 2000-2001 in the year "Create Awareness Take Action". During this year she initiated 23 Matching Grants. At regional level, Heather served 3 years as Northern Region Rotary Australia World Community Service Project Volunteer Coordinator and has been team leader for 8 Project Volunteer teams to Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Indonesia. At National level served as a committee member for Model United Nations Assembly.

In 1997-98 Heather received the "Four Avenues of Service Citation" for individual Rotarians. In 1998-99 Heather received the Rotary International "Service Above Self Award" She has also attended 8 International Conventions and visited Rotary Clubs in 27 countries. Heather and her husband PDG Ian are both Sapphire Paul Harris Fellows, Rotary Foundation Benefactors, Rotary Foundation Volunteers and have both participated in PolioPlus immunisation program in India. In January 2002 she was RI President's Representative to District 3290 Bangladesh Conference and is currently also Polio Eradication Coordinator for northern Australia.

Heather's interests include her family of 3 adults, 2 sons and a daughter, and 2 grand children. Also community, travel, theatre and fishing.

 

Chakravathy Srivatson

Rtn. C. Srivatsan, born on 18th May 1946, is a Senior Partner in Sampath Kumaran and Co., a firm of Chartered Accountants, having offices at Bangalore and Chennai. He had his early school education in three different schools in Tamilnadu. He graduated in Commerce from the prestigious Loyola College, Chennai.

A CA Student of Fraser & Ross, Bangalore, he is presently a fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and the Institute of Company Secretaries of India. He is also a law graduate from Renukacharya College for Law, Bangalore. He practices as a Chartered Accountant specialising in Audit and Taxation. He is a member of the FKCCI. He was elected to the Southern India Regional Council of Chartered Accountants of India for two terms and was the Chairman in 1979-80 having been the Vice Chairman and Secretary in the previous years. The other professional offices he has held include the Vice President of the Institute of Internal Auditors, Bangalore Branch, nominated member on the Committees on "Continuing Professional Education" and "Vision and Restructuring" of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, New Delhi.

He has been an active Rotarian for 25 years and served as President of Rotary Club of Bangalore Central, of which he is the Chartered Secretary, during 1988-89 and has held various positions in the District over the years such as Group Study Exchange Chairman, Conference Secretary, two-times Conference Treasurer and Director of various avenues of service. He is a Paul Harris Fellow.
He was chairman of the Multi Dist. Seminar on Foundation in 1995-96 and Chairman of ICGF on Club Service in 1992-93.

He is a member of Century Club where he served on the Finance Committees for four years. He is a member of Bangalore Club, and was on the Managing Committee for 8 years. He was elected President of the club during 1997-98. He has been a Freemason for more than 25 years. It was mainly through his efforts that the "Lodge Professionals" was founded. He is also the Vice President of the Loyola Alumni Association, Karnataka Chapter. His Hobbies include cricket, racing and playing cards. He is married to Vasanthi, a graduate in Political Science from Lady Sri Ram College, Delhi. She is a Paul Harris Fellow. Srivatsan and Vasanthi have two daughters, Anjana and Archana. They too have dreams like their father to make a mark in their respective careers.
Living with them is his eldest sister Ms. Lilavathi, a retired Deputy Director of School Education. She is a great source of inspiration and guidance and support to the family.

 

Julio Sorjus

A Rotarian since 1983, Julio is a member and charter past president of the Rotary Club of Barcelona-Condal. He has served RI as district 2210 governor in 1991-1992, member and chairman of many regional and international committees and task forces, group discussion leader and training leader at the RI International Assembly, convenor as well as moderator at RI Institutes, Presidential Conferences, Conventions; RI presidential representative to numerous local meetings and district conferences. Chairman of the 1992 RI President's Conference on Goodwill and Development in Barcelona, and of the 1997 RI President's Conference on Middle Eastern Development in Cairo, Egypt, which explored opportunities for service and cooperation among the Rotary Clubs of the Mediterranean and Middle East in addressing issues of education, health, leadership and human values.

For eight years he worked as chairman of the Spanish Rotary Youth Exchange program, helping to coordinate exchange visits for nearly 2,000 students, and he has supported Rotary's Group Study Exchange, an international exchange program for professionals. He has been involved in the Rotary's Inter-country Committees of Spain's ICCs with France-Andorra, Italy and Great Britain, which works to increase international understanding and goodwill by encouraging exchanges between Rotary clubs of different countries and cooperation in implementing international service projects.

Elected at the 1997 Rotary International Convention in Glasgow, Scotland, his term as RI Director was from I July 1998 to 30 June 2000. He has been Vice-Chairman of the 2002 Barcelona Convention Committee, being also Chairman of the Barcelona Convention Host Committee. He is currently member of the Strategic Planning Committee, member of the RYLA Committee, member of the Eradication Fundraising Campaign and member of the Nominating Committee for President of RI in 2004-2005.

Julio Sorjús is an attorney and a partner and chairman of the Sorjús Law Firm, summa cum laude graduate of the University of Barcelona and was an Associate Professor of Procedure Law at the University of Barcelona Law Faculty. He is a member of the Barcelona Bar Association, a past senior vice president of a national bank, and director of several financial and industrial corporations as well as legal advisor to two international charitable foundations. He is married to Carmen and they have a daughter named Tatiana and a son named Julio, living all of them in Barcelona, Spain.

Eugene Hastings

Eugene H. Hastings: District Governor, 1996-1997; District 7930 - Greater Boston Area. Gene retired in 1990 as an advertising executive with the Daily Evening Item, a daily newspaper in Lynn, Massachusetts. Born in Salem, MA he grew up in Swampscott, Massachusetts before moving to Marblehead in 1964. He has a BA in business administration from Boston University. Gene is an amateur radio operator and was general chairman of New England A.R.R.L. Conventions for 35 years. He has had several radio articles published in QST, the international amateur radio journal and holds the highest FCC amateur license. He is also an avid film and digital black-and-white and color photographer.

Gene joined the Lynn Rotary Club in 1975 and has served in many posts including club president and currently is editor of the club newsletter. He is a board member and a corporator of Camp Rotary, Inc. a boys & girls camp founded in Boxford, MA by Lynn Rotary in 1921. The camp serves over 1200 youngsters annually from throughout New England and several foreign countries. It is Rotary International's longest-running club project worldwide. He served as Foundation Chair for District 7930 for 1997-1998 and a representative for Rotary International President Carlo Ravizza in 2001 as well as newsletter editor for past director and Rotary vice president Abraham Gordon and Donald Osburn during their terms of office.

Gene is currently major donor chair for Rotary District 7930, is editor of the District 7930 newsletter, former publisher of Zone 31 & 32's Foundation newsletter and webmaster for the District 7930 internet website, Rotary Zones 31-32 website and the Camp Rotary website. Gene and Clara are major donors to the Rotary Foundation. He and his spouse Clara, also a Paul Harris Fellow, have three children and three grandchildren.

Dana Mackison

Telephone/fax: 972-245-2142

 

Marlene B. Brown

Marlene B. Brown, M.S., CMC, CSP, joined Rotary in 1995. Sponsored into the Utica Rotary Club (the largest Club in District 7150) she served on several committees, including Chairing the Program Committee for three years. In June of 1999, then District Governor Ed Paparella surprised Marlene by presenting her with the Utica Rotary Club's Paul Harris Fellow for outstanding work to the Club and the District. In the fall of 1999, she was nominated to the Utica Rotary Club Board of Directors. However, as business reasons made Friday meetings difficult, Marlene transferred to the New Hartford Rotary Club (one of the District's medium size clubs). On the New Hartford Club level, in the Rotary year 2002-2001, she assumed the position of Club Secretary and was elected to the position of Secretary and was elected to the position of President-elect, serving as Club President in 2001-2002. In December of 2001, the New Hartford Rotary Club Board of Directors awarded Marlene with their 2001-2002 Jim Hickey Award for outstanding Club Rotarian of the year.

On the District Rotary level, in 1999, under the leadership of then Governor Ed Paparella, Marlene was asked to design and keep current the District and Youth Exchange websites, and be the Editor of the District Governor's newsletter, Credo, positions each succeeding District Governor have asked her to continue. Both the District and the YE websites have won first and second places, respectively, in the Best of the Rotary Web. Under the District leadership of then Governor Ward Vuillemot, Marlene was appointed to the newly created role of ICO (Internet Communications Chair). In June 2001 and again in June 2002, Marlene was presented with D7150's Governor's award for her services with the District Website, Internet Communications, and Editor of the District Newsletter, Credo. Under the District leadership of current Governor Don Reese, Marlene has been appointed Chair of the Rotary Centennial Celebration, a three-year appointment. In addition to being a Paul Harris Fellow and Benefactor, Marlene has presented on Technology at Multi-District President Elect Training Sessions, District Assemblies, and District Conferences; and is a faculty member of the Rotary Leadership Institute.

On the Rotary International level, since the year 2000, Marlene has been author of the Rotary News Memo (read by Rotarians worldwide). She is also a resource committee member and webmaster for Rotary RYLA website; a Board Member and ass't webmaster for RotaryFirst100; a Member of Rotarians on the Internet; a Member of the International Computer Users Fellowship; and Internet Advisor for the World Community Service Rotary Network. In the year 2001, Marlene was asked by the International RYLA Chair to design a Rotary RYLA website and be a part of the committee at Convention 2001. In addition to doing this in June 2001, at Rotary International's 92nd Convention in San Antonio, TX, Marlene was also presented with an award for having been choosen as webmaster of Zone 31's Best District Website and as Zone 31's Best Internet Communications Officer. In December of 2001, the Rotary RYLA website was chosen as second best in its category in The Best of the Rotary Web. In June 2002, Marlene was invited by Rotary International President Rick King to facilitate a session at the 93rd R.I. Convention in Barcelona, Spain. Marlene has once again been invited to participate at the 94th R.I. Convention in Brisbane, Australia.

CEO of TechnoTouch e-Strategists, and President of The Children's Museum in Utica, NY, Marlene is a business futurist, professional speaker & author, marketing strategist, website developer, and advocate for children's education. A native of Clinton, New York, and 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, she 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.

Marlene and Earl 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, growing the Children's Museum, spending time with her family, and playing with her grandchildren.