Invocation: John Schuler

Pledge: John Schuler

Song: John Schuler

Hail to the Chief!

Our new Jefe is Jeff. Jeff Gutierrez that is. He gave us a deep dive into who he is. My own personal observation is that he always looks like he's getting away with something, but you just don't know what it is. See picture below:

Personal Background, Rotary Vision, and Insights from the

Calgary Convention

Family and Personal Background

• Wife: Irva, celebrating 40th wedding anniversary.
• Children: Son Gianni (31, lifelong autism, recent health issues, requires ongoing therapy; best friend James McGill helps with therapy, works as an aide at Kern High School District), daughter Kimber (lives in Sacramento with husband Trevor and beloved dog).

Education and Career

Worked for Dennis P. Walt for 20 years, later bought the company, and has owned it for

21 years.

Faith Journey

Identifies as a covenantal reformed Christian.

Friends (Jeff Alfonso and Bailey Abbott) encouraged greater church involvement.

Attends Sovereign Grace Church.

Rotary Involvement and Theme

Jefe's theme for the year: A focus on giving back to Rotarians (us) by coming up with speaker programs to serve the

members, helping them as business people, rotarians, and individuals.

Programs will be organized by nine chairs, each responsible for five speaker programs.

Key Programs and Chairs

Samantha Davis: Technology

Andre Gonzalez: Local Government

Ray Watson: Travel

Doug Pierce: Food

Andrea Hansen: Arts

Aaron Falk: Military and nonprofit organizations (executive director of Community Foundation,

prior work with military installations)

John Schuer: "Eternal Things" (long-term or philosophical matters)

Justin Leland: Small business advice and stories

John Mendeborough: Education (superintendent)

Supported Cause

Rotary meeting speakers’ fees will be donated to Calm, a local organization supporting animals. Visited Calm frequently with son Gianni in his youth, memorable story

about Gianni's fascination and fear of a turkey named Po.

Acknowledgments

Thanked wide support system: wife Irva, Jacob Frost (sergeant-at-arms), board members, past presidents (open offers of help), and technical assistant Lillian (AI-powered by Linian).

Rotary International Convention in Calgary

• Attended Calgary Rotary International Convention, stayed in local Airbnb, commuted by bike.
• Impressed by the city’s rivers and residential areas; noted similar oil industry pride as Bakersfield.
• Venue: BMO Center, held large-scale sessions and "House of Friendship" for fellowships and causes.
• Breakout sessions covered topics such as disease prevention, education, water use, with a notable conversation about dry sanitation.
• Noticed unique proximity of causes (e.g., aid to Ukrainians, Russia-USA committee, Peace Park).
• Large pancake breakfast—fed 18,000 attendees.
• Parade of flags: Surprised by many countries represented, learned about specific flag ceremony for the USA.