Field Club
3615 Woolworth Avenue
Omaha, NE

Larry Guenther, the Nebraska market executive for JPMorgan Chase, has taken on a new role as the President of Omaha Downtown Rotary for the Rotary Year 2023-2024. With 19 years of experience as a Rotarian and a Paul Harris Fellow +2, Larry brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to his position. He has invested significant time and effort into studying the projects and initiatives submitted by our club to Rotary International, allowing him to identify his goals for the year ahead strategically.
 

Larry's presidency will leverage the valuable resources of our members, including their time and treasure, to accomplish the objectives set by our club. By June 30, 2024, we aim to achieve these goals and showcase our progress under Guenther's leadership. To gain insight into his vision and plans, mark your calendars for July 12, 2023, when Larry will deliver his inaugural speech.
 

Larry's professional background aligns well with his role as President of Omaha Downtown Rotary. He is responsible for delivering the global resources of JPMorgan Chase to Nebraska and played a pivotal role in establishing the firm's first commercial banking office in the state in 2017. Over his impressive 30-year career in banking, Guenther has been involved in numerous financings and mergers and acquisitions transactions across a diverse range of industries throughout the Midwest.
 

Larry's journey began in Nebraska after graduating from Wayne State College in 1991, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration, majoring in management and finance. At WSC, he excelled academically, participating in the prestigious John G. Neihardt Scholars Program and graduating magna cum laude. He also became a lifetime member of Delta Sigma Pi.
 

Following graduation, Larry began a commercial banking career in Blair, Nebraska. It was during this time that he experienced his most significant merger to date—marrying his college sweetheart, Traci Van Meter '92, a computer science graduate and fellow Delta Sigma Pi member. Larry continued his education by completing an MBA in finance at the University of Nebraska-Omaha and subsequently pursued opportunities in Iowa and Illinois, ultimately working for Bank One, which later merged with JPMorgan Chase.

 

In 2003, the Guenthers returned to Nebraska to raise their two daughters and be closer to their loved ones. Larry's career progressed in regional commercial banking, managing clients in multiple states across the Midwest. In 2008, he took on the Omaha business banking manager role for Great Western Bank, overseeing three banking teams and successfully navigating the acquisition and integration of the largest failed bank in Nebraska's history.
 

Community service has always been a top priority for Guenther throughout his banking career. He serves on the State Board of Community Health Agencies Drive (CHAD) and the State Board for the Alzheimer's Association, having previously chaired the Omaha and Central Illinois chapters. Guenther is also actively involved in the Nebraska Chapter of Financial Executives International and is a member of ACG-Nebraska. Additionally, he maintains his long-standing membership with Rotary International and remains on the finance committee for St. Charles Borromeo Church.
 

Adding a personal touch, it's worth noting two fun facts about Larry's connection to Wayne State College. Their oldest daughter, Halsie, was named after Dr. Ken Halsey, a professor and advisor for Delta Sigma Pi. Furthermore, all seven members of Guenther's immediate family are proud WSC graduates: Joe, Lynn, Lori, Connie, Dennis, Terri, and Larry himself.
 

With Larry Guenther at the helm, Omaha Downtown Rotary is poised for an exceptional year of growth, community impact, and meaningful service. Stay tuned for updates on the progress and accomplishments of our club under his dedicated leadership.

 

President Larry Guenther's beautiful family

Camille and Deb have announced the year's first Social/networking event under Larry’s reign.  Steve and Pat McCollister along with Bill and Gretchen Harvey are co-hosting a pool party at McCollister’s home for adult members, their spouses, as well as prospective members.  The event will be held at the McCollister’s home at 16611 Spring Circle South on Thursday, July 27th, from 5:00  – 8:30 PM. Mark your calendars.

 

Heavy appetizers and snacks will be provided, as well as ice, lemonade, water, and soda.  Bring your alcoholic beverages, a swimming suit, and a towel if you want to take a dip in the pool.  They have a lovely dressing room next to the pool to change in.
 

We will have a sign-up sheet at the July 12th Rotary meeting, or contact Deb Skinner at 402.658.4526. 

R. Gordon R. McInally is president of Rotary International. He was educated at the Royal High School in Edinburgh and at the University of Dundee, where he earned his graduate degree in dental surgery. He operated his own dental practice in Edinburgh until 2016. Gordon was chair of the East of Scotland branch of the British Paedodontic Society and has held various academic positions. He has also served as a presbytery elder, chair of the Queensferry parish congregational board, and commissioner to the general assembly of the Church of Scotland. Read President McInally's biography.

 

Watch the video below of President McInally's address to the Rotary International Assembly: