Speakers

• Born in Santa Monica, California in 1941. 
• 32 years active duty US Navy; Retired Rear Admiral. 
• Key Navy assignments:  Commander, Task Force 73; Director, Surface Warfare Programs; Commanding Officer, USS New Jersey; Naval Station Pearl Harbor; USS Cochrane.  Eight years in senior positions with Bechtel Corporation, including General Manager, Bechtel Business Services in Phoenix. 
• Volunteer service includes Board Member and President, Anthem Country Club Community Association, serving 2866 families, 2004-2010; President, Phoenix Navy League, 1999-2000; Chair, Arizona Coordinating Committee/Director, Pearl Harbor Memorial Fund, 2005-2010, honoring Pearl Harbor Survivors and all veterans with the new Arizona Memorial Visitor’s Center dedicated December 7, 2010; raised $2.5 million in Arizona and $54 million nationwide.  Initiated and led Anthem, Arizona’s Veterans Memorial Project, dedicated November 11, 2011, which honors all veterans.  Active supporter, Arizona Veterans Heritage Project.

https://my.rotary.org/en/general-secretary-and-chief-executive-officer

Joe Sweeney of the Rotary Club of Prescott Valley has been selected to serve as District 5495 Governor for the 2026–2027 Rotary year.
 
A California native, Joe previously served as president of the Rotary Club of Santa Clara (2017–2018) and as a board member of the Santa Clara Rotary Foundation. He also served as an Assistant Governor in District 5170 before relocating to Arizona in 2020.
 
Joe and his wife Linda, also a dedicated Rotarian and current President of the Prescott Frontier Rotary Club, moved to Prescott with a continued passion for service. Joe served as president of the Rotary Club of Prescott from 2021 to 2023, proudly leading the club through its 100th anniversary celebration. He was appointed Assistant Governor in District 5495 in 2021 and served through 2025, supporting the three Prescott-area clubs as well as several large clubs in the Phoenix and Scottsdale areas.
 
With support from the Rotary Club of Prescott Sunup, Joe and fellow Rotarian Bob Ticer restarted the previously inactive Rotary Club of Prescott Valley in early 2025. With 30 new members committed to Rotary, the club is set to receive its official charter from Rotary International in the fall of 2025.
 
“We have a lot of excitement within our club,” says Club President Bob Ticer. “Our members are eager to grow, serve, and make a real impact in the Prescott Valley community through fundraising and hands-on service.”
 
Joe currently serves on the District Visioning Committee, helping clubs chart a strategic path forward. A graduate of both the Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) and Rotary Leadership Academy (RLA), he now gives back as an RLI facilitator and RLA coach. He and Linda are proud members of the Paul Harris Society and dedicated supporters of The Rotary Foundation.
 
While in California, Joe helped charter two Rotary clubs—one serving the LGBTQIA community in San Jose and another, the Rotary Club of Silicon Andhra, composed primarily of members from the Andhra Pradesh region of Southern India. He also co-founded the Rotary Means Business networking group in District 5170 and helped launch the successful Silicon Valley BBQ Championships fundraiser.
 
Since moving to Arizona, Joe has played a vital role in building a districtwide partnership with the American Red Cross, helping coordinate Rotary-supported blood drives across the state.
 
“I am committed to working tirelessly to support and empower our clubs, advance Rotary’s initiatives, and ensure our district continues to make a meaningful impact—both in our communities and around the world,” says Joe. “Together, we can strengthen Rotary’s legacy of service.”
 
Joe is the founder of a printing business originally based in California, which now operates in Arizona. He and Linda have three grown children.

Ravenscroft opened its doors in October 2021.  The 30,000 square foot music venue and multi-use space is located at 8445 E. Hartford Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 (in the Perimeter Complex).

Ravenscroft Hall is an intimate 200 seat concert hall that showcases world-renowned and Grammy Award-winning artists featured in some of the finest Jazz performances in the Phoenix metro area. ​

Ravenscroft Hall offers an unparalleled musical experience with superb acoustics featuring the renowned Meyer Constellation sound system. Fans enjoy an optimal listening experience and perfect viewing from any seat in this performance space. Some shows also feature projected visuals that accompany the music, creating a multi-sensory experience for attendees.

The performance venue also includes the Jazzbird, a modern lounge themed after an urban New York City jazz club.  Jazzbird hosts music from popular and up & coming local musicians accompanied by a fine selection of wine, local craft beers and catered meals for purchase.

Pipeline Worldwide strengthens communities in Northern Uganda living in extreme poverty by serving as the community catalyst and implementing sustainable solutions.

President of Paradise Valley Community College

Dr. Jana Schwartz is honored to serve as President of Paradise Valley Community College, where she leads with vision, purpose, and a deep commitment to student success. With a focus on innovation and academic excellence, she empowers faculty, staff, and students to co-create a vibrant learning community that fosters growth and transformation. 

A passionate and student-centered educator, Dr. Schwartz is deeply committed to the community college mission and to ensuring the success of all students. As a proud Puma, you might catch her attending one of the many campus events, supporting student programs, and connecting with the PVCC community. She warmly welcomes everyone to explore the beautiful campus and is incredibly proud to serve a community that has been  co-creating and advancing the college’s mission for nearly 40 years.

With over 25 years of experience in higher education, Dr. Schwartz joined Paradise Valley Community College in February 2019 as Vice President of  Student Affairs. In that role, she led a comprehensive Student Affairs Division, focusing on creating affirming spaces where all students could achieve academic and personal success.

Before her tenure at Paradise Valley Community College, Dr. Schwartz held leadership roles at Front Range Community College in Colorado, serving as both Dean of Pathways and Student Success and Dean of Student Affairs. She also directed the Center for Human Enrichment at the University of Northern Colorado, a program dedicated to the success of first-generation college students. Her career began in residential living-learning environments at the University of Missouri-Columbia and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Schwartz champions a holistic approach to education, fostering creativity, self-awareness, and a lifelong commitment to learning.

Dr. Schwartz's academic background includes a Ph.D. in Higher Education and Student Affairs Leadership from the University of Northern Colorado, a Master of Arts in Student Development in Postsecondary Education from the University of Iowa, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Central College in Iowa. She remains actively involved in the higher education community, teaching graduate-level courses and mentoring emerging leaders at Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Colorado-Denver.

Outside of her professional life, Dr. Schwartz enjoys living in Arizona with her family, where they spend time on the soccer pitch, explore the outdoors, and stay closely connected to the local community.

For over 50 years, we have served children living in impoverished environments worldwide by establishing economic, spiritual, water, educational, and feeding programs. In addition to these programs, we have been leading teams of volunteers on two-week international mission trips bringing life-saving provisions and the spirit of Jesus.

Scott Jech will help us better understand how to protect ourselves and our families from the ever-present danger of a fire starting in our homes.  As Scott notes, there are a number of ways this can happen to any of us. Scott is a charter member of the Prescott Valley Rotary Club,. 
 
Scott's Fire Safety Essentials LLC business is located at 3700 N. Robert Road in Prescott Valley.