District Governor and Trainer
Jim’s Rotary service and recognitions include Assistant Governor and the Follow Me Assistant Governor of the Year Award, Rotary Foundation Bequest Society and Benefactor, Paul Harris Society and Paul Harris Fellow +8, 2017 Rotary International Convention HOC Executive Committee, RLI Graduate + 3 Graduate Courses, Georgia Rotary Student Program Will Watt Fellow, District Youth Services Chair, and Georgia Rotary Laws of Life Board member. He is Past President of the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs and recipient of the District 6900 Sheffield Leadership Award, Club Rotarian of the Year, two Service Above Self Awards, and sponsor of twelve Rotary Club members.
Jim also maintains a high profile in the foodservice industry as Chairman Emeritus of the Georgia Restaurant Association, and a member of Georgia State University’s School of Hospitality Industry Advisory Board. He is past president of the restaurant division of the Georgia Hospitality and Travel Association, which presented him with the Chairman’s Award in 2003 and designated him Food Service Industry Leader of the Year in 1990.
Jim lives in Sandy Springs, Georgia, and is a member of the City of Sandy Springs Development Authority and American Legion Post 201. He and his wife Donna are active members of Dunwoody United Methodist Church, and they have a son and a daughter who have blessed them with three grandsons and two granddaughters.
Don Martin joined the Rotary Club of Jasper in January of 2007 and served as President for the 2011-2012 Rotary Year. At the District Level, Don served on the Technology Team from 2012 to 2017 and as the AV Chair from 2013-2017. He served on the Board of Directors from 2014-2016 and as the Assistant Governor for Area 16 from 2016 -2018. Don is a Rotary Leadership Institute Discussion Leader and has served as the Faculty Chair and District Director.
In the Jasper area, Don served on the Board of Directors for the Pickens County Chamber and Chair of the Business Council. Don is a past President of the Pickens County Board of Realtors and has served on several local charity Boards including the Hope House, The Tater Patch Players, Jasper Muse, the Jasper Community Action Team of the FERST Foundation and the Bent Tree Foundation.
Don’s wife, Regina, is a retired educator and, seemingly, a full-time long arm quilter. Regina is also a Rotarian and a Past President of the Rotary Club of Jasper. Both Don and Regina are GRSP Will Watt Fellows as well as Paul Harris Fellows, Paul Harris Society Members and Major Donors of the Rotary Foundation.
Don and Regina are both Elders and Choir Members at the Fellowship Presbyterian Church, which is where they first met in 1994. When time permits, they love antiquing, wine tastings, travelling in their motorhome and, of course, all things Rotary.
A native of northern New Jersey, Mike graduated with a BS degree in Food Technology from Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, PA. He began his career in the food processing industry with a small vegetable processing company in Baltimore, MD and Greenwood, DE. In the remaining career of 35 years he worked with products such as breakfast cereals and other breakfast foods, pet food, Kool Aid, and salad dressings both in quality control and production management positions. The last 25 years of his career was working in the seafood processing business as VP of Operations. He lived in Maryland (2X), Pennsylvania (2X), Illinois (3X), Michigan, Massachusetts, and finally St. Simons Island. After retiring from King & Prince Seafood Corp.in Brunswick, GA, he and his wife opened 2 picture framing stores, one on St. Simons and the other in Brunswick. They closed the business after 11 years to retire once again.
Mike joined the Rotary Club of St. Simons Island in 2001 and served on the club’s Board of Directors in 2005 to 2007 and was club President in 2011-2012. He served on the St. Simons Island Rotary Scholarship Fund from 2006 to 2015, 2009 to 2015 as the Chair. Mike and Nancy were a GRSP Host Family in 2013-14 and he served as a Trustee to GRSP from 2013-2017. To support District 6920 activities, he was the 2018 District Conference Chair and an Assistant Governor from 2015 to 2018.
Mike and his wife Nancy have been married for 53 years, live on St. Simons Island and have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
Claudia Tucker Mertl was born in Memphis, Tennessee and grew up on a horse ranch in Harlem, GA, near Augusta. She attended Georgia Southern University where she received both her BS and Master’s degrees in Recreation Administration.
She taught classes in the Recreation curriculum at Georgia Southern. She was voted “Alumni of the Year” for Georgia Southern University College of Health and Professional studies. She was recently inducted into the Alumni Honorees Society.
Mike joined the Rotary Club of St. Simons Island in 2001 and served on the club’s Board of Directors in 2005 to 2007 and was club President in 2011-2012. He served on the St. Simons Island Rotary Scholarship Fund from 2006 to 2015, 2009 to 2015 as the Chair. Mike and Nancy were a GRSP Host Family in 2013-14 and he served as a Trustee to GRSP from 2013-2017. To support District 6920 activities, he was the 2018 District Conference Chair and an Assistant Governor from 2015 to 2018.
Mike and his wife Nancy have been married for 53 years, live on St. Simons Island and have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
Rich was born in Alton, Illinois but has lived in the Atlanta, Georgia area since 1972. He is a graduate of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas with a B.S. in Business Administration.
Rich is a charter member of the Rotary Club of South Gwinnett and has served as Club President. He is now a member of The Rotary Club of Greene & Putnam Counties. On the District level, he has served a District 6910 Polioplus Chairman in 1987-88, District Conference Chairman in 1990-91, an Assistant Governor for 3 years and District Trainer in 1996-97. He was District Governor in 1999-2000.
Rich is a recipient of the Rotary International Service Above Self Award, The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service and Distinguished Service Award. He is a Major Donor and Bequest Society Member.
His current hobbies include cycling and Native American culture. Personal accomplishments include running the Atlanta and New York Marathons and the Bike Ride Across Georgia (BRAG). His most recent accomplishment was completing the 107 mile Ride To End Polio event in Tucson, AZ.
Amy H. Maley is a CFP and Vice President/Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch. She is a proud member of the Rotary Club of Downtown Macon, which she served as Club President from 2013-2014 and Assistant Governor from 2014-2017. She currently serves on the PETS Committee and as District Trainer during 2019-2020 for DG Mike Muldowney. Amy is a Paul Harris Fellow and a Will Watt Fellow.
Rich is a recipient of the Rotary International Service Above Self Award, The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service and Distinguished Service Award. He is a Major Donor and Bequest Society Member.
His current hobbies include cycling and Native American culture. Personal accomplishments include running the Atlanta and New York Marathons and the Bike Ride Across Georgia (BRAG). His most recent accomplishment was completing the 107 mile Ride To End Polio event in Tucson, AZ.
District Governor Elect and Trainer
Kirk is a Georgia Native, Married to Deena since 1999, Proud Father of three ( Cambri 16, Knox 14, Kolton 11), A Serial entrepreneur an outdoor enthusiast that builds, buys, or creates companies that provide opportunities for individuals to align their passions with their purpose. Beyond his family and his faith, his true passion in life is helping men struggling with addiction. Kirk founded Vision Warriors so men could experience lasting recovery like he has since April 24, 1995. Kirk joined the Alpharetta Rotary Club, following in the footsteps of his father, Ken Driskell, who was a past president and charter member. Kirk served as his Club’s President in 2015-2016 and since has been active in the District. Kirk is honored to have been selected to serve as District 6900’s Governor in 2020-2021.
Tina is member of the Rotary Club of Greene & Putnam and served as Club President in 2011-12. She was recognized by her club as Rookie of the Year, Rotarian of the Year and serves as her club’s International Service Chair. Active at the District Level, Tina received Rotary’s highest honor, the “Service Above Self” award which recognizes up to 150 Rotarians annually who demonstrates their commitment to helping others. In addition, she has served on the finance committee, an Assistant Governor and is currently the District’s International Service Chair. She is a graduate of the Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI). Tina is a Level 1 Major Donor, a GRSP Will Watt Fellow, a Benefactor, a member of the Bequest Society and Paul Harris Society.
A native of Reidsville, Georgia. She attended Georgia Southern University and Georgia State University She owns Hollcroft & Associates, Inc. a real estate and property management company that serves the Lake Oconee area. In addition, she owns and operates Barefoot Mountain Farms located in the mountains of North Carolina providing Fraser fir trees and greenery to schools and civic clubs throughout the Southeast. An advocate for reforestation she has established the Davis-Hollcroft Family Forestry Scholarship at the University of Georgia. This scholarship is presented annually to a student studying at UGA’s Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources.
Tina is married to Mike Fischlin, a former Major League baseball player who continues to live his passion as a sports agent with the Boras Corporation. In her spare time, she enjoys running, golf, spending time with family and friends and serving in her community and around the world. Tina, Mike and their dog, Sophia Loren, reside in Reynolds Lake Oconee located in Greensboro, Georgia.
Steve has lived all over the World to include 4 years in Japan and 4 years in Germany where he attended High School. Steve was selected to participate in a new program focused on all aspects of Art/Design and received an Art Scholarship. He was active in Boy Scouts, a member of Civil Air Patrol and the International Order of DeMolay where he served as Master Councilor of Eifel Chapter in Germany.
After High School he enlisted in the US Air Force, graduated from a joint military Engineering School in Virginia and served active duty.
Steve has a long history of service with civic, business and professional organizations to include Leadership Lowndes Board of Trustees, member of Moody Air Force Base Chief’s Group, American Red Cross Board of Directors (serving during Hurricane Katrina), Metro Planning Organization (CAC), Habitat for Humanity (2002-2008) and participated in the Jimmy Carter Work Project, Critical Incident Team Leader at Moody AFB, Community Partners in Education, Valdosta Sesquicentennial Planning Committee, VRC Imagination Library Committee, Military Affairs Committee, Moody AFB RAO Executive Committee, Charter Class Member of City Government 101 Program, and Red Carpet of South Georgia Board of Directors to name a few.
After serving active duty in the Air Force Steve went on to pursue a career in Art/Design and worked as an Art Director, Creative Director, Director of Corporate Communications, Marketing Director and CEO of an Ad Agency/Design Firm. His award winning work has included all aspects of print and broadcast advertising, and book illustration to name a few. In 1987 Steve got married and closed his agency and moved to Moody Air Force Base working for the Department of Defense as a Civilian. His primary focus was morale for Airmen and families and he worked as a Liaison between the base and community in coordination with the Judge Advocate General to assure compliance with Department of Defense Guidance. Steve has worked on many Air Shows and had the honor of working to support the NATO Partnership for Peace Initiative. He has served through numerous Mission Changes under Air Force Special Operations Command and Air Combat Command. Steve’s Wife passed away while serving active duty in the Air Force assigned to the 93d Air Ground Operations Wing. Their son Stevie is training to become an Air Force Pararescueman and daughter Katelynn is a Senior at Highland Christian Academy and has been attending her Dad’s Rotary meetings since she was born.
VP/Marketing at Quantum National Bank headquartered in Suwanee, GA. Prior to entering banking, career was spent in marketing/advertising for Pepsi Beverages & Foods, Cox and Turner. Undergraduate degree is in Communications with an MBA in Marketing.
Member of the Alpharetta Rotary Club since 1998., serving as president in 2002-03. Have served the Rotary district as an Assistant Governor, District Membership Chair, District PR Chair and four times as District Conference Co-Chair. Selected (with husband and fellow Rotarian Rory Young) as District 6900 Rotarian of the Year in 2006.
Rich was born in Alton, Illinois but has lived in the Atlanta, Georgia area since 1972. He is a graduate of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas with a B.S. in Business Administration.
Rich is a charter member of the Rotary Club of South Gwinnett and has served as Club President. He is now a member of The Rotary Club of Greene & Putnam Counties. On the District level, he has served a District 6910 Polioplus Chairman in 1987-88, District Conference Chairman in 1990-91, an Assistant Governor for 3 years and District Trainer in 1996-97. He was District Governor in 1999-2000.
Rich is a recipient of the Rotary International Service Above Self Award, The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service and Distinguished Service Award. He is a Major Donor and Bequest Society Member.
His current hobbies include cycling and Native American culture. Personal accomplishments include running the Atlanta and New York Marathons and the Bike Ride Across Georgia (BRAG). His most recent accomplishment was completing the 107 mile Ride To End Polio event in Tucson, AZ.
Frank is a Certified Public Accountant who has retired from practice as a shareholder in the firm Thigpen, Jones, Seaton and Co., PC., Dublin, Georgia. Frank joined the Dublin Rotary Club in 1981. He is Past President of the Dublin Rotary Club, served as D6920 Assistant Governor 2011-2013, District Director 2013-2014 and District Trainer 2014-2016 and 2017-2018. He will be serving as District Trainer again for 2020-2021. He is married to Debra and has two grown sons and two grandsons.
More than 20 years of group insurance industry experience, currently with ERISAPros. Prior experience includes group sales executive and reinsurance broker with including MetLife, United Healthcare, Reliance National and John P. Woods. Undergraduate BA in Political Science and MBA in Marketing Management. Rotarian since 1997 and has served as Club President, Assistant Governor and four time District Conference Co-chair. Selected (with wife and fellow Rotarian Lauri Young) as District 6900 Rotarian of the Year in 2006.
District Governor Nominee and Trainer
Mary Ligon joined the Rotary Club of Dougherty County in 2002 serving in several capacities before becoming President in 2009-2010. At the district level, Mary served as an Assistant Governor for 4 years and as AG Trainer/Coordinator, helping AGs support their clubs and the district. In June of 2020, she will conclude 5 years as district grants chair, 2019-2020. Mary enjoys seeing Rotarians work combined with Foundation funds impacting communities throughout the district.
Mike Berg is a 38 year Rotarian starting with the South Gwinnett Club and President (1992-1993) of the Snellville Club currently the Gwinnett Sunrise Club. He is a Paul Harris fellow +4, a GRSP Will Watt fellow, a benefactor, a Paul Harris Society member, an RLI graduate and currently an Area Four Assistant Governor (2017-2020).
In addition to his Rotary life, he is Vice President of the Lake Lanier Association, Vice President of Keep Dawson County Beautiful, Board Member of the Coosa N. Ga. State Water Planning Commission and Board Member of the Civic Foundation for the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia.
Mike is a former President of the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia (2013-2014), Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of Dawson County (2005-2017), District 3 Gwinnett County Commissioner (1985-1989), Institute for Georgia environmental leadership board (IGEL), Chairman of the Georgia State Public Defender Council, Board member of the State Parent Teacher Association (PTA), Founder and past Chairman of the Gwinnett United in Drug Education (GUIDE)
Mike is married to and works for his wife, Jane Berg. They have two adult children and three Grandchildren. They live on Lake Lanier in Dawson County.
Andy joined the Rotary Club of Savannah South in February 2008. He has served as an officer and board member of the Club and as President for 2013-2014. Andy has served as an Assistant Governor, member of the Public Image Committee and as Chairman of the District 6920 Group Study Exchange/Friendship Exchange Committee. In 2016 he was Team Leader for a Friendship Exchange to District 1800 in Germany. Andy and his family have been host parents to two GRSP students. He is a Paul Harris Fellow, Sustaining Member and Rotary Foundation Benefactor and a GRSP Will Watt Fellow.
Andy serves as an Elder at the Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church, a volunteer firefighter with the Skidaway Division of Southside Fire and is a member of the German Friendly Society of Savannah and the German Heritage Society of Savannah. Andy and his wife, Anna-Fay, have two adult daughters.
President of Engineering at Moon, Meeks, Mason & Vinson, Inc.
Degree: Bachelor of Civil Engineering 1993, Auburn University
Licensed Professional Engineer Georgia & Alabama
Professional Affiliations:
Life Member National Eagle Scout Association,
Alumnus of the Harris County Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Program,
Life Member Auburn Alumni Association
ROTARY BACKGROUND:
President of the Harris County Club 2004-2005 and miscellaneous club positions
Rotary District 6900 Assistant Governor – 2009-2012 ( 3 years)
Rotary District 6900 Service Project Chair – 2012-2014 (2 years)
Rotary District 6900 Assistant Trainer – 2014-2015
Rotary District 6900 Administration Chair – 2015-2016
Rotary District 6900 Chief of Staff/Assistant Trainer – 2016-2017
Rotary District 6900 Trainer – 2018-2019
P.E.T.S. Training Team Miscellaneous Rolls – 2010 – present
AWARDS:
District Assistant Governor of the year
District Rotarian of the Year
Hans Meier is a member of the Rotary Club of Lainer Forsyth. He is currently on his third year as Assistant Governor in District 6910. He was AG of the Year for 2017-2018 and 2018-2019. He is a Paul Harris Fellow, Foundation Benefactor, Hue Thomas Fellow and Will Watt Fellow. His hobby is woodworking. He is chairman of a Scroll Group and Turning Group and has taught a number of different classes. He also has a number of wood working You Tubes to his credit.
Lisa was raised in East Tennessee, went to the University of Georgia where she received her Masters in Landscape Architecture. Soon after moving to Savannah, she opened her own firm, specializing in Landscape Architectural Design and construction.
Lisa has been married to Chip for nearly 37 years, has two sons, one married with 2 small grandchildren and one in his Senior year at the School of Engineering at Jenkins High School.
District Governor Nominee Designate and Trainer
George resides in Williamson, Ga. with his wife, Jill. They have two sons, George II and Nicholas and are grandparents to three boys. George has been employed by University of Georgia Griffin Campus as the research station superintendent for the Field Research Services unit since April 1990. He is a member and past president of the Research Center Administrators Society. He received the Distinguished Service Award in 2014 from the Research Center Administrator Society in 2014.
George received an Associate Degree from Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College (ABAC) in 1974. He transferred to the University of Georgia where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1976 and then a Master of Science in Agronomy in 1978. After graduation, George worked for Auburn University for six years. He than moved to Parsons, KS to work for Kansas State University as Agronomist Instructor until March 1990 performing research with soybeans.
George has been active in the community by serving on the Griffin Youth Soccer Association as a board member and president as well as a coach and referee. He served as board member and president of the Griffin High School Soccer Booster Club. He is a 1995 graduate of Leadership Griffin-Spalding County. He served as an assistant scout master for Troop 1. He served on the Pike County Planning Commission. George and Jill are members of the First Methodist Church of Griffin. As an alumnus of ABAC, he has served on the alumni board and as president.
Gerry was responsible for United Way of Northeast Georgia’s Annual Campaign and the Planned Giving program. During his United Way career, he has been responsible for raising more than ¼ billion dollars in annual campaigns and over 15 million in Planned Giving assets.
Gerry decided to become a United Way professional to help improve the quality of life for others after experiencing assistance in his young life from a couple of United Way agencies that taught him lifelong lessons and provided him opportunities to succeed.
He is a Past President of the Classic City Rotary Club in Athens Georgia, Past Assistant Governor of District 6910, current District 6910 Training Vice Chair, current District 6910 Awards and Recognition Chair, a member of the District 6910 Conference Committee, past District 6910 Board Member, DGND of Rotary District 6910, Past President of Sales and Marketing Executives of the Birmingham Alabama Chapter and the Past President and founder of Professional Sales Association of Birmingham. He has spent many years coaching youth baseball.
Gerry serves his church-Watkinsville First United Methodist as an Usher, a member of the Nominations Committee and a Collections Processor.
Gerry is married to Lisa Landers Taylor, a retired special education teacher. They have two sons, Christopher (daughter in law Ashley) and Ryan.
His favorite pastimes are outdoor sports, model railroading and spending time with his family, including his Black Labrador Retriever, Hannah.
Ed has been a Regional Business Executive for Peach State Federal Credit Union since June 18, 2018. He is responsible for business development and MSA market presence in the Augusta, Georgia and Aiken, South Carolina areas. He has been an executive within the credit union industry since 2005, having served as Vice President/Chief Administrative Officer with his previous credit union.
Prior to joining the credit union industry, Ed was the President/CEO with the Augusta Chamber of Commerce for 3 years. That role was preceded by 15 years in the telecommunications industry in the Augusta area, including positions as General Manager with CellularOne of Augusta Regional Vice President with KMC Telecom.
A native of Asheboro, NC, he graduated from Clemson University in 1971 with a B.A. in Economics. As a community servant, including his proudest role as President of the Rotary Club of Augusta, he has held eighteen (18) Chairman/President roles in various civic organizations in Augusta. Among these organizations are The Augusta Sports Council, The Imperial Theatre, The Ronald McDonald House of Augusta, and The Augusta Clemson Club. From 2000-2003, Ed was a member of the Clemson University Board of Visitors.
Among his honors, in 2003 he was an Inaugural Laureate in the Junior Achievement CSRA Business Hall of Fame. He was the recipient of the 17th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 2014 Unity Award from the Alpha Phi Alpha, Augusta Chapter. Receiving his highest professional honor, he was inducted into the African American Credit Union Coalition Hall of Fame (AACUC) on August 7, 2019.
He is married to Deb, and has two daughters, and four grandchildren. An avid golfer, Ed’s hobbies include baseball, football, U.S. history, WWII (his father’s journey), travel, and essentially anything sports related! He is a member of Trinity-on-the-Hill UMC in Augusta (since 1977). He is also a member of Palmetto Golf Club and The Pinnacle Club.
Margie has been active serving at the District level, where she served as District Governor in 2011-12 and as the District Rotary Foundation Chair from 2016-2019. Margie has served as District Trainer for two Governors and as the representative to the Council on Legislation 2016-2019. Outside of the district, Margie served as President of The CART Fund (Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust) 2015-17. She is a graduate of Rotary Leadership Institute and serves as a Discussion Leader and is the past Curriculum Director. She is honored to serve as the Chairman of RLI Sunshine Division for 2019-2021.
Margie is self-employed with her husband, Ron Kersey, as financial and estate planners. They specialize in working with owners of timberland. Prior to heading out on her own, she spent 20 years in retail including 10 at Toys R Us as an operations Director. Training was a big part of her job and soon after leaving Toys, she went to work with Dale Carnegie Training traveling most of South Georgia. She has also worked as a trainer for the Calvin Center in Hampton, GA providing leadership and teamwork challenges in an “Outward Bound” type program.
Ron and Margie live in Lawrenceville, Georgia where they attend wine tastings whenever they can.
Don is a native of Memphis, TN and holds degrees from the University of Memphis, Georgia State and Mercer. Don is currently an Associate Broker specializing in residential real estate with 515 Life Real Estate Company, LLC. Don served 28 years of Active & Reserve duty with the United States Army before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1998. His terminal assignment was as the Chief of the Transportation and Services Division, G-4, Headquarters, United States Army Reserve Command at Fort McPherson. Following his retirement, Don was a Project Manager for the Anteon Corporation until 2006. Don is a longtime member of the National Defense Transportation Association, serving as President of the Atlanta Chapter, State Vice President and Southeastern Vice President. Don is a life member of the Reserve Officer’s Association and the Military Order of World Wars.
In the Jasper area, Don served on the Board of Directors for the Pickens County Chamber and Chair of the Business Council. Don is a past President of the Pickens County Board of Realtors and has served on several local charity Boards including the Hope House, The Tater Patch Players, Jasper Muse, the Jasper Community Action Team of the FERST Foundation and the Bent Tree Foundation.
Don’s wife, Regina, is a retired educator and, seemingly, a full-time long arm quilter. Regina is also a Rotarian and a Past President of the Rotary Club of Jasper. Both Don and Regina are GRSP Will Watt Fellows as well as Paul Harris Fellows, Paul Harris Society Members and Major Donors of the Rotary Foundation.
Don and Regina are both Elders and Choir Members at the Fellowship Presbyterian Church, which is where they first met in 1994. When time permits, they love antiquing, wine tastings, travelling in their motorhome and, of course, all things Rotary.