Rotarians of the Week
December 10th, 2018
Nancy Dean
Nancy was born and raised in Tracy, CA. She graduated from UC Davis with a degree in Atmospheric Science. Nancy was hired part time by the National Weather Service in 1978 and became full time after graduating from college and eventually retiring in 2015. She worked at Great Falls and Billings, Montana, Riverside, CA, Silver Spring, MD and Eureka including a time as a fire weather forecaster supporting wildfires. Nancy joined Rotary in 2006 and was president of Rotary Club of Eureka 2012-2013 and Assistant Governor 2013-2015. She is currently the D5130 inbound coordinator for Youth Exchange. Nancy married Bill Dean in 1984 and has enjoyed traveling around the country.
December 3rd, 2018
Gregg Gardiner
Gregg grew up in Bloomington, Illinois. After high school he went directly into the USMC as an enlisted Marine. He served in the F-4 phantom squadron VMFA 531 and was honorably discharged in August 1970 after having served 3 years.
After the service Gregg moved to Erie, Pennsylvania. In 1974 he founded Furniture Lane, which grew into a 2-store furniture operation in northwestern Pennsylvania. Gregg later started a fine dining restaurant called Aunt Mary’s Pub and Palace and also co-founded a company called Rent Way.
Gregg sold his businesses and then became involved in time-share resort development in Europe working in Spain, Greece and London.
Business:
1987 – 1996 Kauai Times, President and Publisher. The Kaua`i Times grew from a small newspaper to one of the best community newspapers in America, winning more State and National awards than any other newspaper its size in America.
1996- Present: Blarney Publishing, Inc. – Publishing art magazines, kid’s magazines and food magazines, based in Humboldt County. “101 Things to Do” is now in 13 markets, including Hawaii which is operated under license. Mostly located on the West Coast in California and Oregon – but also have publications in North and South Carolina.
1996-2003: Started Hawai`i Internet provider doing business as Kaua`i Internet, the largest locally-owned Internet service provider on Kaua`i until it sold in 2003.
1997 – 2001: Midway Limited was the air charter operator and marketing, reservation and logistic support arm for Midway Island National Wildlife Refuge, taking visitors to this island for the first time in over 55 years. In August 1998 Midway Limited supported the Kauai Visitor Bureau and operated the Kaua`i Hotline and fulfillment contract, which processes between 5,000 – 6,000 requests per month answering questions and sending out information about the Island of Kaua`i. This company was sold in 2001.
2014- Present: Guest Services Directories (GSD) is an in-room hotel guide providing guest information about the hotel and area information. Now in Humboldt, Mendocino and Lake Counties.
Awards:
2015 County of Kauai – Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. named July 2nd as Gregg Gardiner in appreciation for founding KIUC
2015 Congressional Award from Congressman Jared Huffman for North Cost Honor Flight
2015 Eureka City Schools Board of Directors – For outstanding achievement in leadership as Chair of the Measure S campaign which received 62% voter approval for a $50 million bond
2014 Greater Eureka Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year – selected from over 600 businesses
2013 Eureka City Schools Board of Directors – Apple award – outstanding community service for bringing the community together to support the school district in opening a new school, 2013
2009 Special recognition by the Commandant of the Marine Corps in support of their recruiting mission
2009 Rotary International – International Service Award
2007 NRECA – International Service Award – presented at annual convention
2006 NRECA – Board of Directors in appreciation of faithful and dedicated service
2002 KIUC – Board of Directors, Koa Paddle award, the appreciation of dedicated leadership, steadfast dedication sacrifice, and outstanding fellow volunteerism in establishing KIUC.
1998 County of Kauai Mayor Mary Ann Kusaka – Founding Food Bank Island of Kauai
1993 Secretary of Defense – Presentation for JCOC Class of ’58 Joint Chief’s Conference
1994 Pacific Missile Range Facility – Outstanding support of PMRF and the Sea Services
1992 Kaua`i County Council – Resolution Community Service for Hurricane Iniki
1992 House of Representatives – Appreciation for Community Service (Hurricane Iniki)
Elections:
2002 KIUC Board of Directors
2012 Elected Board Member, Humboldt Community Service District – HCSD provides, water, sewers and street lighting
2015 Chair of the Measure S campaign this summer – voters approve $50 million bond to improve schools
Community Service – current:
Coordinator, Toys for Tots – Humboldt, Trinity, and Mendocino Counties – annual campaign is over $100,000 to purchases toys for over 6,000 needy children. The total area we serve is small in population with approximately 155,000 people but high in size over 8,260 sq. miles. If it were a state it would be bigger than Connecticut, Delaware, Rhode Island and District of Columbia and almost as big as New Jersey. Of the 6,412 children that received toys from us this year, a little over 1,400 were of Native American ancestry.
Co -Chair North Coast Honor Flight – completed seven missions – taking 400 World War II and Korean War veterans back to Washington DC to see the memorials that were created in their honor – over a four-year period of time raised $470,000.
Chair of renovation campaign to remodel the Redwood Boys and Girls Club teen center during his president year in Rotary
Community Service: – Past
Past President of the Rotary Club of Eureka
Foundation Chair, Rotary Club of Eureka
Past President of the Greater Eureka Chamber of Commerce 2010 – 2012
Past Commandant of the Six Rivers Marine Corps league Detachment 2008 -2010
KIUC Founding Chair 1995 – 2006
NRECA Board Member 2002 -2006
Kauai Business Council past Chair
Kauai Economic Development Board – Past Director
Lihue Business Council – Founder
SBA Media Advocate of the Year 1995
Hanalei Bay Rotary Club – Founder and Past President
Kauai Rotary Club – Foundation Director
The Navy League – Past National Director
Samoa Power and Waste Authority – Past Director
Kauai Marine Corps League – Founder and Past Commandant
Six Rivers Marine Corps league Detachment – Past Commandant
Defense Organization Conference Association – Hawai`i Delegate
American Legion Post 54 – Founder and Past Commander
Kauai Food Bank – Founder and Past President for three years
Developmental Disability advocate for northwestern Pennsylvania (1977/1980)
Muscular Dystrophy Association of Northwestern Pennsylvania – Past President (1979/1980)
Personal:
Married to Kathleen Cloney-Gardiner: Kathleen.
The Gardiners have a blended family of four wonderful children.
November 19th, 2018
Jay Bahner
I was born in Willamite Valley in Lebonan Ore Dec 1949 M, my family moved to Humboldt County in 1953 , I have lived here since then attened local schools and graduated from Eureka High School in 1968 . I went into the Recreational vehicle business at the age of 19 and I am in my 49th year now . My wife and established J’S RV Center in 1985 . We have enjoyed it and have received numerous awards . My wife Vonel and will enjoy our 37 anniversary on Dec 5th . We have 2 daughter and one son 7 grand children and one great grand child . The last one grandchild Jonah was born on November 2ND , Good Fining opportunity . I have many interest , Old Cars race cars , airplanes , baseball football to mention a few . I came into Rotary in the spring of 1985 with Jim Howard as my sponsor , I have been in Rotary for 33 years and was President for the year of 2015 2016 when we brought back the wheel . We also celebrated Jim Howards 100 TH Birthday . We also sponsored the Finest group of Rotaracters you will ever find . They have already become our future and are doing an outstanding job of leading our club in many capacities.
November 6th, 2018
Jay Reed
I’m born and raised in Humboldt County, having graduated from McKinleyville High School and HSU.
· Live in Arcata with my wife Nichole and daughter Evangelina (12 years old)
· Am a CPA and partner with Aalfs, Evans & Company, LLP in Eureka. Have been with the firm for 19 years.
· In my free time I like to cook, travel, spend time with family, go to movies, do things outdoors including hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, etc.
· I joined Rotary in 2010.
· I’ve been the Treasurer for our club since October 2012.
· Previous to Rotary I was a board member and Treasurer for Hospice of Humboldt for 6 years.
October 29th, 2018
Klark Swan
Klark Swan first came to know Rotary through Rotary Youth Exchange. in 2003, Klark went to Germany on her exchange. This experience changed her life. When she returned home in 2004 she along with a few other exchangers founded district 5130’s first ROTEX club, which is still a strong and wonderful addition to the Youth Exchange Family.
In 2009 Klark convinced a group of her friends that they should start a Rotaract Club in Eureka, CA and thus the Lost Coast Rotaract was born. Klark Served as the founding President from 2009 to 2010
From 2010 to 2016 Klark continued to be an active member in Rotaract, fell in love with her wonderful husband Jessie Swan, got married, Graduated from Humboldt State, had children (Charlie and Lincoln) and joined The Rotary Club of Eureka.
Klark is one of the managers at the beautiful Sequoia Conference Center.
Klark now proudly serves on the board of her club and manages the annual fundraiser.
Klark truly believes that Rotary will and does change the world.
October 22nd, 2018
Jennifer Budwig
I joined Rotary in 1991; I have been on the board of directors for Fortuna Sunrise Rotary and was the secretary for 2 years; now on the Eureka Board of Directors.
My favorite aspect of Rotary is the people. Love my fellow club members and the difference we make in our community!
Something fun outside of the club…………I have a wonderful husband of 20 years and 4 ½ fabulous kitties (the half is a stray that adopted us)
October 16th, 2018
Jaison Chand
Jaison first joined Rotary in 1997 with the Fortuna Noon Club and rejoined with the Eureka Club in 2013. Jaison is a Paramedic and Registered Nurse with City Ambulance of Eureka, where he has worked for the last 24 years; currently serving as Chief Operating Officer. For fun Jaison enjoys acting, doing both some minor screen work, voice overs, and on the local theater stages. He also raced stock cars for 15 years at Redwood Acres Raceway and throughout the North State. On sunny days he’s usually up in his airplane and enjoying this beautiful county from above. Jaison is on the Board of Directors for the Eureka Rotary Club, Greater Eureka Chamber of Commerce, Boy’s and Girls Club of the Redwoods, and the Ferndale Repertory Theater and is the State Assembly appointee to the State Commission on Emergency Medical Services.
October 8th, 2018
Carly Robbins
I joined Rotary in June of 2016, and am currently the president-elect for the 2019-2020 Rotary year. I am a founding member and past president of Lost Coast Rotaract club of Eureka, which was formed in 2009. To this day it is still an amazing club filled with dynamic young professionals. This year I will also serve as the Chair for Rotaract for District 5130 to support the amazing clubs that exist in our district and look for opportunities to aid in the growth of new Rotaract Clubs where possible.
While a part of the Rotary/Rotaract world I had the chance to participate in a Group Study Exchange trip to the South of France with an amazing group of women for a unique cultural and vocational exchange experience. I’ve also participated in a Rotaplast mission to Chittagong Bangladesh as a non-medical volunteer to support a team of medical professionals performing free surgical reconstruction for children and adults afflicted with cleft lip and/or palate, burn scarring, and other deformities. I am truly impressed by the breadth of impact Rotary has across the world – from huge endeavors like working to eradicate polio or small community projects to clean up a local park – more is possible when we join together, and I believe that is what Rotary is all about.
I work as the Development Director of Food for People, the food bank for Humboldt County, which provides food assistance countywide to 12,000 children, seniors, and families every month through our 18 hunger relief programs that include senior and child nutrition, fresh produce, job training, advocacy and more.
When not at work or Rotary I enjoy doing art projects and staying healthy either by experimenting with healthy recipes or running a crazy obstacle race.
September 24th, 2018
John Fullerton
I first joined the Old Town Rotary in 1996. However I didn’t like getting up so early so I switched to the Rotary Club of Eureka in 2001. Ken Stoddard was my sponsor. I love the community involvement we get with Rotary and have enjoyed working on more than a dozen of the Done in a Day projects. My wife Gail & I recently celebrated our 30 year anniversary and have two grown children who live in Eureka. One, Ashley, works part time in my office as a bookkeeper while she finishes HSU with her accounting degree. When she graduates next May she will be full time in my office as an accountant. I have been a self employed CPA for over 35 years. My business is in Old Town. My first month in business I grossed $25, now I have eight employees.
September 17th, 2018
Patrick Cleary
Patrick Cleary has been the executive director of the Humboldt Area Foundation in October 2012. In his tenure, the foundation has grown to $130 million in assets and over $80 million in cumulative grants. Prior to that, Patrick was the president of Lost Coast Communications, a local radio group that includes FM stations KHUM, K-SLUG, KWPT The Point, and 94.1 The Lounge. Patrick is also co-founder of the Lost Coast Outpost, Patrick was the interim general manager at KHSU from 2008-2010 at Humboldt State University. He also served as interim general manager of the North Coast Co-op from 2001-
2002. Patrick is past president and board member of the Humboldt Folklife Society, where he led the expansion of its annual Folklife Festival into an eight day summer festival in Blue Lake as a local musicians’ showcase. He is also a co-founder and organizer of the Buddy Brown Blues Festival. Patrick moved to Humboldt County in 1997 from New York, where he was Managing Director at The Chase Manhattan Bank in the Media and Telecommunications group. In his banking
career, he worked with hundreds of companies in the media business. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Georgetown University in 1979. Patrick lives in McKinleyville with his wife Cat, their three dogs, two horses, and one cat, and is an avid amateur musician who currently performs with local group That Buckin’ String Band. He plays guitar, mandolin, banjo, dobro, harmonica and bass, though not necessarily well.
September 10th, 2018
Phillip Nicklas
Phillip Nicklas joined our Rotary Club in 2014. He joined because Rotary was supporting the Boys & Girls Club of the Redwoods with money to improve their Teen Center. He has served on the Boys & Girls Club board for nearly 10 years and is the current president.
Phil values our Rotary Club primarily for the Meatloaf, the valuable presentations given every week, and the club’s “evil conspiracy” of helping others.
Outside of Rotary and Boys & Girls Club, Phil has taught swing dancing at Humboldt State and DJ’d a radio show on KHSU. He currently runs a monthly swing dance with live bands at the Arcata Veteran’s Hall.
Phil is married to Alana, and they have a 2 year old daughter named Clara, and a second daughter due in October.
September 3rd, 2018
Arnold King
Arny shows that love grows in Rotary!
Arnold King joined the Rotary Club of Eureka in 2016. Previously, he had been in Lost Coast Rotaract since 2011. He met his wife, Jessica, in Rotaract, and they have a one year old daughter named Selkie Rose. Arnold is a former commercial fisherman and now teaches history and health at Northcoast Prep Academy in Arcata. In Rotary, he is the club’s Youth Exchange Counseler and runs the March Madness Pool in the spring.
Thank you for your dedication to Rotary Club of Eureka!
August 20th, 2018
Greg Williston
Congrats Greg and thank you for your service above self! Tell us about yourself.
“I came to HSU to study Oceanography and Geology and graduated with degrees in both. I married Laura and brought her out to Humboldt “just to finish my last year of school”. That was 33 years ago. We both have worked in our fields of study ever sense. Laura at the Blood Bank for 33 years and me at SHN Engineers & Geologists for the past 20 years.
My mother and father trained me very early in life to live the Christian value of “service above self” long before I committed myself to become a Rotarian 10 years ago. Rotary’s international reach has always impressed me, so Laura and I chose to host five exchange students in five straight years while our two boys were at Eureka High School. I consider that experience a blessing to my whole family.
I have held a seat on our clubs board of directors twice; one of my favorite projects was one that I did with other Rotarian Gregg Gardiner’s in our club (Greg Pierson and Gregg Gardiner) at Eureka High School’s baseball field; I frequent the Done-In-A-Day projects (you should to); as a 17 gallon blood donor I am extremely impressed by Tom Schallert’s Safe Blood Africa Rotary project to somehow get blood mobiles donated, outfitted and sent overseas; and I really enjoy the fellowship and programs at our weekly meetings (and rarely miss a meeting).”
August 27th, 2018
Kim Bauriedel
Thank you for your dedication and hard work! To hear all about Kim and his dedication to the Rotary Club of Eureka, come visit our club! We meet Mondays at the Elks Lodge in Eureka from 12-1:30, we would love to have you.
August 6th, 2018
Annalise von Borstel-Crouppen
Annalise first joined the Rotary family in 2002 as a member of her High School’s Interact Club where she was able to travel to Mexico and built a playground for a community center in Baja. She then joined the Lost Coast Rotaract – Eureka in 2011 and served as Rotaract Treasurer for 3 years, and Community Services Chair for 2. She “aged out” of Rotaract 2016 and joined Rotary Club of Eureka without skipping a beat. In 2017 she was appointed Secretary under Bruce Smith and continue in that role under President Brad Mettam.
Fun Fact:
“I’m a realtor at Ming Tree Realtors. I love to work with people moving to the area, helping them get to know Humboldt and everything it has to offer. I like staying active in the community through the Eureka Chamber of Commerce as a Chamber Ambassador (2012-present). I also sit on the Board of Directors for Compass Community Credit Union (2017-present). I enjoy spending time with my husband and friends, hiking, skiing, and traveling. I was an AFS exchange student to Austria in 2001-2002″
August 13th, 2018
Alicia Cox
Alicia, tell us a little about yourself! I joined Rotary in 2002. I’ve served as the Public Relations chair since about 2004. I’m Co-Chair of the Burl/Blog committee and I’ve served on the Board of Directors for two terms. I’ve served on the annual fundraising committee a few times and helped packed bags with Backpacks for Kids in the past. Outside of Rotary I’m on the Board of the Humboldt County Convention & Visitors Bureau and The Henderson Center Merchants Association. Something fun… well I enjoy gardening, hiking and spending time with my family.
I grew up locally, attending Fieldbrook grade school and Arcata High School. I’ve worked in advertising since 1986 when I graduated from HSU with a degree in English. We opened the advertising agency in 1986 and in addition to public relations we provide marketing recommendations as well as media placement and production services including the creation of ads to run on television, radio, print and in social media. Our web site is located at www.coxrasmussen.com. Our office is located in Henderson Center, Eureka.
July 24th, 2018
Ken Stodder
Please join me in honoring Ken for 59 years of service! Ken’s many accomplishments include working for Eureka City Schools, serving as one of the very best Lumber Jack announcers of all time and his devotion as avid Red Sox fan, we sure are glad you make Rotary part of your legacy! Be on the lookout for Rotary Club of Eureka’s “Rotarian of the Week”
July 30th, 2018
Mathew Owen
Matthew has been a member of Rotary since 2001. He heads up our club’s “Done in a Day” community beautification projects and is a past President. He’s also a member of the Tournament of Roses, which he also joined in 2001 and has his 17 Rose Parade coming up this January 1. He is also involved with the Eureka Chamber of Commerce and is on the board of the Sequoia Park Zoo. Mathew’s Daughter, Molly, was a Rotary Youth Exchange student to Thailand. Mathew, thank you for all you do with our club and in our community!!