2017 Float Riders and Outwalkers

The Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee Inc. presents “Doing Good in the World” as the theme of our January 2, 2017, float.

President, Rotary International

John Germ
Rotary Club of Chattanooga Tennessee

germ-john-sml-c-1John F. Germ is board chair and chief executive officer of Campbell and Associates Inc., consulting engineers. He joined the firm as an engineer in 1965 after four years in the U.S. Air Force. He serves on the boards of several organizations, including the board and executive committee of the Public Education Foundation, Orange Grove Center Inc., and as board chair of Blood Assurance Inc. He also is founder and treasurer of the Chattanooga State Technical Community College Foundation and president of the Tennessee Jaycee Foundation.

He was Tennessee Young Man of the Year in 1970; Engineer of the Year, 1986; Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year, 1992; and Tennessee Community Organizations Volunteer of the Year, 2009. He is a recipient of the Boy Scouts Silver Beaver Award and the Arthritis Foundation Circle of Hope Award. In 2013, the White House recognized him as a Champion of Change.

Germ joined Rotary in 1976 and has served Rotary as vice president, director, Foundation trustee and vice chair, aide to the Foundation trustee chair, chair of Rotary’s US$200 Million Challenge, RI Board Executive Committee member, RI president’s aide, Council on Legislation representative and chair, membership zone coordinator, chair of numerous committees, area coordinator, RI training leader, and district governor.

Germ has received RI’s Service Above Self Award and The Rotary Foundation’s Citation for Meritorious Service and Distinguished Service Award. He and his wife, Judy, are Benefactors and members of the Arch Klumph Society of The Rotary Foundation. They have four children and six grandchildren.

germjudy150Judy Germ

Judith (Judy) Germ was born and raised in Decherd, Tennessee. After graduating from Franklin County High School in 1956, she moved to Chattanooga to work for Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company. She and John met in church and were married on July 17, 1959. Soon after, they moved to Knoxville where she worked for the Dean of Admissions at The University of Tennessee. John and Judy moved to Dover, Delaware where John served four years in the US Air Force.

It was when they moved back to Chattanooga that Judy became involved in civic activities, and found a passion that has lasted her entire life. She joined the Chattanooga Jaycettes, an organization dedicated to providing emerging young leaders an opportunity to create a positive change in the community and themselves. She served as secretary, Vice President and President, and was ultimately selected to receive the Alice Littleton award from the Tennessee Jaycettes for outstanding volunteer community work. She was also named an honorary Jaycee and awarded the JCI Senator by the Tennessee Jaycees. (The JCI Senator was awarded by the Tennessee Jaycees)

Additionally, she has served as a volunteer for the American Red Cross, Pre- School Development Center, PTA, Blood Assurance Incorporated and as a board member for Santa for all Seasons. She is a dedicated fundraiser for organizations important to her, including the March of Dimes, The American Heart Association, The Siskin Foundation and others. She was selected for inclusion in Young Women of America and is an Honorary Rotarian.

She and John are Benefactors to the Rotary Foundation and members of the Arch Klumph Society. John and Judy have four children and six grandchildren.

Rotary District 5190 – Northern Nevada and Northeastern California

David Shelton

Parade Costume

My Grandparents on my Mother’s side came from Scotland. I was born in Loyalton California. I have a wife, Nora, three children and 10 grandchildren.

I joined Rotary in 1986 with the Rotary Club of Garberville CA.

I moved to the Rotary Club of Portola in 1994 when I was transferred to that area. I was a District Manager for a large propane company.

I became President of that club in 2000-2001.

I was an Assistant Governor from 2007-2010.

I was on the District RYE Committee as the Country Contact for Belgium from 2010 to 2013.

My Wife and I have been Stage Managers for 5190 District conference four of the last six years.

I was selected to the Rotary Club of Portola Endowment as a Trustee in 2004, voted President of the Endowment in 2013, an office I still hold today.

My Wife and I are multiple Paul Harris Fellows.

Rotary District 5240 – Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Kern Counties

Patricia Jones

Parade Costume

Patricia Jones is the current President, CFO and Co-Owner of Home Helpers In-Home Care in Thousand Oaks, California and together with her husband George have taken care of hundreds of seniors in Ventura and LA Counties for the past 10 years.
Prior to doing senior care, Patricia served as the President and CEO of the Alliance for the Arts, the official nonprofit fundraising arm of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza and responsible for raising over 20 million dollars and establishing and funding two endowments. During her tenure, the organization was lauded by the National Endowment for the Arts as the most successful public-private partnership in the US. After 14 years in this position, she retired to work with her husband in senior home care.

About the same time as she started in home care, Patricia joined the Thousand Oaks (Noontime) Rotary in 2010 after much encouragement from her business associates and friends. She currently serves as Chair of the Rotary Senior Outreach program. As part of the Senior Outreach Committee, Patricia developed a greeting card project whereby recycled greeting cards are signed by Rotarians and distributed together with Meals-On-Wheels and to seniors who reside in Assisted Living Facilities. Loneliness is the kiss of death for seniors. The greeting card project lets the seniors know they are not forgotten and that someone cares about them. Cards are distributed in the Spring, Summer and during year-end Holidays. She also developed Socks for Seniors and has slipper socks with grippers for men and women distributed to home-bounds seniors through-out the Conejo Valley during the holidays.
Patricia recently joined the Rotary International Committee and also volunteers on the Rotary Club Administration Committee and served as Chair of Sponsorships for the Thousand Oaks Rotary Chili Cook-off fundraiser. “I can’t imagine my life without Rotary, it has been a great experience to be a part of it.”

Patricia also volunteers as Chairman of the Board for the Conejo Valley Senior Concerns Organization. Senior Concerns is 41-year old and fully-audited 501-C3 (nonprofit) providing vital services to seniors and family caregivers in the Conejo Valley. Their services include an Adult Day Program, Meals on Wheels, a free Caregiver Support Center, and pro bono legal and financial services and much more.

Patricia had a prior career in Manufacturing and Human Resources at Rocketdyne in Canoga Park, California for 14 years in the 80’s and early 90’s. Originally from a rural area of Michigan, she also had a 9-year career at Michigan State University working in Alumni and Development Affairs and also attended there as a student. Preferring the warmer weather in Southern California, Patricia transferred her credits and completed her BS in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and received her MBA in Business Administration from Pepperdine University in Malibu.

Over the years, Patricia has received numerous awards for community service. She was named Woman of the Year by the Greater Conejo Chamber of Commerce and Woman of the Year by the American Heart Association. She was named Top 25 Most Influential People in the Conejo Valley by the Acorn Newspaper. She received the Women in Business Not-For-Profit Leadership Award by the San Fernando Business Journal. She has received numerous commendations from City of LA, Agoura Hills, Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks. Patricia also received recognition from the State of California Senate and Assembly for volunteer and community efforts. Patricia was also named by NASA as a manned Flight Awareness Honoree, recognized personally by George H. W. Bush and astronauts for Safety contributions to the space program while working at Rocketdyne.
Patricia is married to George Jones, and has step-daughter Eva Marie (Jones) Cote and step-son Joe Jones. She also has four grandsons, Ryan, Brandon, Skyler and Koa.

Rotary District 5240 – Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Kern Counties

Alejandra (Alex) Magana

Parade Costume

Alex is the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce Events and Special Projects Manager. She is very active in the local community, and currently serves as the Coordinator and Club President of the Santa Maria Valley Rotaract Club. “Our goal in Rotaract is to involve young professionals and emerging leaders in giving back to Santa Maria through service and community action as well as provide an opportunity for professional development,” Magana said.

Ms. Magana joined the Chamber staff after working with HUB International for three and a half years as a Personal Lines Account Manager. During that time, she became a licensed Property and Casualty Agent and received her CISR (Certified Insurance Service Representative) designation from the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research. This past year, Magana received the 2016 Insurance Professional of the Year Award from the Insurance professionals of Santa Barbara.

Alex is also part of the International Association of Insurance Professionals and serves as Secretary of the local chapter, Insurance Professionals of Santa Barbara. She is also part of the IAIP California Council 2016 – 2017 Public Relations Team, and serves as the Communications Liaison for all 12 Chapters in CA.

When Magana isn’t out serving her community, she enjoys spending time with her husband Jose and 3 month old daughter Alina Rose. Like any true Santa Maria local, she enjoys good BBQ and the local wine scene we are so fortunate to have here in the Santa Maria Valley

Rotary District 5280 – Los Angeles Basin, California

Lynn Kim

Parade Costume

Lynn Kim is a native to Southern California. She was born and raised in Palos Verdes Estates, CA. She graduated University of Southern California (not spoiled children, rather University of Strong Connections) with a B.A. in Political Science. Plans to attend law school were put on hold to get married and start a family with her college sweetheart. After two children, Lynn pursued a career in Real Estates. She rose to the top in her field quickly. She was the Rookie of the year and Regional rookie of the year her first year. Within 3 quick years, she became the #1 agent at Keller Williams Palos Verdes, which consist of over 300 agents. She has a deep passion helping people. Prior to real estate, Lynn worked with the Los Angles County’s District Attorney’s office as a Victim’s advocate. Today, she’s an advocate as well when it comes to her clients real estate contracts. Lynn is thankful to be a part of Rotary, where she can help serve her community’s needs as well.

Lynn is a member of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Rotary Club.

Rotary District 5300 – Southern California-Southern Nevada

Gilda Moshir

Parade Costume

Gilda Moshir, immigrated to the US in 1979 from Iran, is a proud Persian American, one of 5 children of Fathieh and Hooshang Riazi who sacrificed a beautiful life and home to immigrate. Gilda has been involved in the community since she had children, is a mother to 2 boys, who are Eagle Scouts from San Marino Troop 359. Gilda and her husband Mehrdad raised their kids in the San Marino community. Gilda has been involved in PTA, Scouting, Caltech Women’s Club, Chambers of Commerce and most recently in the Rotary club of San Marino. She joined the San Marino Rotary Club in 2012 and has served as Membership Chair for 3 years prior to becoming President in 2016-2017 year. Under her leadership, Gilda has managed to re-invigorate the Interact club at the San Marino High School, to collaborate on 2 hands-on projects with other clubs: The Bike Project with the Pasadena Rotary Club providing 200 bikes to needy children ages 3 – 11 and the Superbuild in the Spring of 2017 with the South Pasadena Club which involves building homes for a community of homeless families in Mexico. This year the club will host a polio survivor to bring understanding of this disease that still plagues the world.

Gilda has a passion for sharing her culture with the larger community. She speaks and writes fluent Farsi and has been teaching Farsi language to children and adults. She was co-organizer of Farsi classes at Claremont Colleges, Caltech and most recently at San Marino Recreation. She has organized events celebrating the Persian New Year or Nowruz and has educated the community about this symbolic celebration of Spring that represents the Iranian New Year. Her 2 boys also speak, read and write Farsi. Professionally, Gilda has been an educator for the past 20 years working with children and families helping parents understand their children “who don’t come with instructions”. Most recently she has become an Independent Life Insurance Agent helping families navigate the world of finances and getting on track for retirement and college planning. The costume Gilda wears today is from her country of origin, Iran, she is holding the symbol of humanity and freedom, a replica of the Cyrus Cylinder.

Rotary District 5320 – Orange County CA from Anaheim to Newport to San Clemente

Heidi Larkin-Reed

Parade Costume

Heidi currently works as the Program Associate for the Orange County/Long Beach Chapter of the California Society of CPA (CalCPA), with the majority of her career in the non-profit sector.

She has served as the President/CEO of the Orange Chamber of Commerce for 6+ years, the Governmental Affairs Consultant for the South Orange County Regional Chambers of Commerce and the President/CEO of the Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce. She also worked as a reporter/editor for a community newspaper.

She has achieved the U.S Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organizational Management (IOM) certification and the Accredited Chamber Exec designation from the California Chamber of Commerce.

Heidi is a past president of the Southern California Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (SCACCE) and has served on the Board of Western Association of Chamber Execs (W.A.C.E.).

Larkin-Reed has been involved in several areas of community service including working on the Incorporation of the Town of Apple Valley, which resulted in the formation of the city in 1988.

She was also elected to the first Town Council and served as the first woman Mayor of the city.

She has also served the first President of the League of California Cities Desert/Mountain Division and was a member of the Board for the Local Formation Commission (LAFCO).

Heidi has been a member of Rotary International since 1998. She was the first woman President of the Rotary Club of Apple Valley (1998-99); the past Rotary District 5300 Awards Chair, and membership chair for four clubs.

Heidi is also the past president of the Rotary Club of Orange (2013-14) and a Board member for the Rotary Club of Mission Viejo. She served as an Assistant Governor for two years. (2014-16). She is currently the Executive Officer for District 5320 for Events.

Heidi holds a BA from California State University, Northridge and is married to Rusty Reed and has two children, Shannon and Brandon. She has one grandchild.

Her hobbies include yoga, gardening and genealogy. Her hobby recently let to the discovery that she is a descendent from a Mayflower passenger, John Tilley.

Rotary District 5330 – Inland Empire, Southern California

Tami Wilhelm

Parade Costume

Tami Wilhelm’s family arrived in the local community in 1905 as a farmers and businessmen. The family has been deeply involved in the direction and growth of our community for over 110 years. Selling the family farm in 2011, Tami began a land development company that is very active today. Tami is a community leader with years of leadership and philanthropic experience. Chairing nonprofit Boards, participating as a member of local advocacy groups and political action committees, sitting as the Chair of the local Health Foundation’s Crime and Safety Committee; and even sitting on the City’s planning commission seemed to be second nature to Tami. She joined Rotary in 2014 and immediately was chosen to Chair Hemet Sunset’s membership committee. Using her skill and connections in her new position, the Club began to grow rapidly. As a Club Board member, Tami helped the Club rebrand itself as a warm and vibrant Club.

Tami had attended two International Conventions and participated in a six day review of a Recycling project in Goioere, Brazil funded in part with a District 5330 Rotary Foundation Global Grant. Her growing commitment and love for Rotary brought two immediate outcomes. Tami and her Daughter became Paul Harris Society members, and the District, noting her leadership capabilities and drive, named her the International Chair for Water & Sanitation. Tami remains committed to bringing fresh water to the children of the world and will represent her farming heritage as an out walker in the parade.

 

 

Rotary District 5340 – San Diego, Imperial, and parts of Riverside Counties

Jane Kwon

Parade Costume

Jane Kwon is a Rotaractor from District 5340, San Diego, where she has been an active member of Rotaract for 4 years. She has been Vice President of Records and was Past President of the Rotaract Club of San Diego State University. She was abroad this past year and kept active Rotary by joining the Saehanyang Rotaract Club of South Korea, as well as, served on the Rotaract Host Committee for the RI Convention 2016 in Seoul. Jane is currently the District Rotaract Representative back in San Diego and serves as the Ambassador for South Korea in the Rotaract Big West MDIO. Jane loves Rotary and Rotaract and is excited to continuously be apart of the Rotary family!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rotary District 5500 – Southern Arizona

Brad Sackrider

Parade Costume

Brad Sackrider is a member of the Fort Yuma Rotary Club in Yuma, Arizona, District 5500. He and his wife relocated to Yuma from Ohio in 2007 and run a dental office together. She does the drilling and he does the billing. Brad has two children ages 8 and 9 that keep him busy. He has been a member of Rotary for just over 6 years and has had a very successful run. His list of Rotary accomplishments include: PHF +5, Past President, 100% attendance 6 years, Attended 5 Rotary International Convention, Hosted an International exchange student, Volunteered to travel and work on 9 international service projects (Sierra Leone – 2010, 2011, 2016; Mexico – 2010; India – 2012, 2013, 2014; Zimbabwe – 2015; Pakistan – 2015). Besides Rotary, Brad is active in the Yuma community: as a member of the Arizona Western College Institutional Review Board, Board Member Education Foundation of Yuma County, NexGen, Past President of H. L. Suverkrup Elementary school PTO, Arizona Community Foundation Grant Reviewer, and past Commissioner for the State of Arizona Commission for Service and Volunteerism.

Rotrary District 5810 – North Texas

William “Bill” Dendy

Parade Costume

William “Bill” Dendy is a 5th generation Texan and successful businessman who believes it is important to give back, to touch lives in positive ways and to help others obtain their life goals. Rotary has provided an avenue to achieve these objectives.

Bill has been an active member of Rotary for over 16 years. He has served on many boards and has received numerous awards and recognition for countless achievements. Bill is the key organizer and charter member of North Texas E-Club. This unique E-club concept includes a weekly physical meeting utilizing technology to combine the convenience of an E-club with the socialization of a traditional club. Their motto is “Rotary Your Way.”

Within District 5810 Bill has served as District Treasurer from 2010-2012, was District Rotarian of the year in 2012, was co-chair for two district conferences, and was a district assembly trainer. Bill is currently serving as District Governor. Bill is a member of the Paul Harris Society, Bequest Society, White Hat Society and is a major donor to The Rotary Foundation.

Bill is the president of Elite Financial Management in Dallas, Texas, with over 25 years of professional experience in investments and financial planning. He graduated from Lake Highlands High School in Dallas; he then attended the University of Dallas (undergraduate Degree in Philosophy), and Southern Methodist University obtaining an MBA (with concentration in finance). In addition, Bill holds the designations of Certified Financial Planner®, Certified Public Accountant, Chartered Life Underwriter, and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst. Bill also earned his Juris Doctorate from SMU and is a practicing attorney.

He is a member of American Mensa and is a private pilot. He enjoys travel, fine dining, deep sea fishing and most importantly spending time with his family and friends.