Member Bio

Rotary Host: Tony Sambol

Born and raised in Ft. Dodge, Iowa.  University of Iowa graduate -- go Hawkeyes! and then drove out to California looking for jobs.  Leaving the state and crossing over the line into Nebraska there were signs that said "There Is No California". Who would of known?
 
First job was with the State of California in the Department of Mental Health.  Hey I just thought .... Mental health and Rotary! At Atascadero State Hospital I worked as a rehabilitation  therapist with the mentally ill, criminally insane and sexual psychopath patients. Later I transfer to Napa State Hospital.

Though out my 35 years with the state, I held many positions from therapist to program manager, hospital administer to state wide volunteer director for the department, and program director for acting out children from 13 through 22 years of age, both girls and boys.  My welcome to this new job was in the 1st week someone tried to burn down one of the wards. 

After retiring from the state I was appointed to several boards of director for foundations and to a county advisory board for a county mental health department. One of my goals that I achieved was to be the founder and CEO of a nonprofit, 501(c3), community foundation in partnership with the City of Lincoln, CA.  

I have lived in AZ since 2010, first at Del Webb Festival and recently here in Sun City Grand.  I am a proud father of 2 daughters, 1 son and a 21 year old granddaughter and they live in both California and Washington.  Here in Grand I live with man's best friend, Mr. Bozwell, a black lab, who of course, controls the entire home! My interests are swimming, fitness, music and drama.