Events

Doug Jensen is an Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Planner for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources who provides technical support to local governments as they develop, implement, and assess AIS Prevention Aid plans and activities within their counties. For over three decades, he has used science-based education strategies to change people’s behavior aimed at preventing AIS spread via his leadership supporting from national to local programs. He has authored dozens of scientific papers and education resources and received dozens of national and regional awards for his work. Regionally, Doug is the Outreach Committee Chair for the Great Lakes Panel on ANS and contributes leadership as a member of the Minnesota Invasive Species Advisory Committee and co-facilitates the DNR’s Statewide Aquatic Invasive Species Advisory Committee. Last fall, he was honored to co-chair the 2024 Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference at the DECC, which has grown to be the largest invasive species event on the planet! Locally, he serves as a long-time member of the Board of Directors for the Great Lakes Aquarium and for River Quest, a local youth education program for 6th graders. He has an MS in Education and a BS in Biology from the University of Minnesota Duluth. GO BULLDOGS!

The Gary-New Duluth Recreation area was shutdown by the City in 2009 due to budget shortfalls. The GND Development Alliance was created in 2013 to revitalize and transform the city into a true community center and recreation area. The initial vision and much more has been accomplished. The GND REC is a true, regional destination.

Mark Boben grew up in the far west community of Gary-New Duluth. Upon graduating from college, Mark went to work for Phillips Petroleum Company. He worked around the world including 15 years in Norway and China. His career focused on major capital projects, government relations, Health, Safety & Environment, training and QAQC. Mark and his wife, Linda, moved back to Duluth in 2009 after taking early retirement. Mark wanted to give back to his community and began with enhancing the GND Veterans Memorial and reinstituting Memorial Day ceremonies before establishing an all-volunteer non-profit organization, to revitalize and transform the GND REC.

Almost 53 Years of Medical Education in Duluth Kevin Diebel, PhD. Regional Campus Dean, U of M Medical School, Duluth Campus

We recognize that some of our state’s greatest health disparities exist in our rural areas and Native American communities. For almost 53 years, the Medical School, Duluth Campus has been working to change that through a unique emphasis on training physicians who are drawn to practicing in those communities, with a focus on family medicine and primary care.

Veterans transitioning to civilian life often face invisible wounds that traditional treatments don’t fully address. 23rd Veteran’s 23V Recon program takes a unique, proactive approach to mental health—combining physical fitness, positive psychology, and a strong sense of community to rewire the brain and reduce symptoms of trauma. In this presentation, Mike Waldron will share how this innovative 14-week program is helping veterans rediscover purpose, improve mental well-being, and reintegrate into society with confidence. Learn how this approach is changing lives and how organizations like Rotary can support those who have served.

Mike Waldron is a Marine Corps veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and is now the Executive Director of 23rd Veteran, a nonprofit dedicated to improving veterans' mental health. With firsthand experience of the struggles many veterans face post-service, Mike has dedicated his career to developing innovative solutions for reintegration and mental wellness. Under his leadership, 23rd Veteran has expanded its impact through 23V Recon, a revolutionary 14-week program that helps veterans rewire their brains for a healthier, more fulfilling life. Today, he’s here to share how this program is transforming lives and how we can all play a role in supporting our nation’s heroes.

Celebrate with President Elizabeth Simonson at Pier B on Monday, June 16 at 5:30pm.

More information to follow.

District Governor Elaine Hansen, Past President Sandy Hoff and Rotarian Renee Burns

The Rotary District Conference was last in Duluth 10 years ago, believe it or not!

In October of 2025 the conference makes a return to Duluth, with the District Governor a member of our Club, Elaine Hansen.

We’re planning a fun, informative, fun, interactive, fun, meeting.

Learn how you can be involved and have fun with fellow Rotarians from our area as we work together to plan and then execute a successful District Conference.

The Duluth Promise is a coalition of educational institutions and workforce partners committed to building a strong local workforce. We offer a comprehensive approach to workforce development by aligning educational pathways with industry needs. Our coalition ensures students receive relevant training and support to succeed in high-demand fields. We focus on healthcare, manufacturing and business services. 

The Duluth Promise will allow our educational institutions, businesses, community organizations, and local government to align resources and expand programming that help students transition smoothly from high school into postsecondary education and the workforce, while helping job seekers access pathways to training and in-demand careers.

Specifically, the Duluth Promise will:

• Expand dual-credit and technical training opportunities so students can earn college credits or job certifications while still in high school.
• Strengthen articulation between secondary and post-secondary institutions for clear educational pathways.
• Connect high school and college students, as well as job seekers, with real-world opportunities in high-demand fields through career counseling and mentorship programs.
• Strengthen partnerships with local employers to create work-based learning experiences, early work experiences, internships, and apprenticeships.
• Reduce barriers to education and training, ensuring everyone has access to quality career pathways, regardless of income.
• And collaborate with employers to create training programs that meet workforce needs and connect trainees and graduates with in-demand careers.

Why do many police officers appear to be cold, condescending and matter of fact and sometimes seem to lack compassion. Police officers represent a source of power that often is not readily understood by many in society. Agencies play a necessary, critical role in the preservation of public order and safety but have often been the target of complaint and criticism by the media and others in helping professions.

Dr. Stephen Hennessy, a Hibbing born, Minnesota native, is a 40 year law enforcement professional and University Professor who has studied thousands of police personalities and ways of communicating based on the famous Psychologist Carl Jung theories of personality type as measured by the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, the Law Enforcement Personality Profile and other instruments.

His thirty years of research may help explain why officers may appear that way but really aren’t as heartless as one might think.

Dr. Hennessy began his law enforcement career as an intern in the FBI in 1962. Officed across from J. Edgar Hoover’s office at that time. Joined the FBI’s Denver Field Office in 1964 and, as a Special Agent transferred to Houston Texas and Newark New Jersey. Joined the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in 1973, served as Director of the Cooperative Area Narcotics Squad based in Duluth until appointed Assistant Superintendent of the BCA in 1977. Retired to Scottsdale Arizona in 1991. Joined the Phoenix Police Dept., as Training Administrator in 1993 to retirement in 2003.Appointed Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at St. Cloud State University retiring in 2016.

Holds a BSBA from University of Denver and a Masters and Doctorate degree from The University of St. Thomas, St. Paul

Rick is Captain with the St. Louis County Rescue Squad.

The Rescue Squad is a 501c3 volunteer organization that responds to calls involving wilderness search and rescue; boat and water safety; first aid; and public safety.

Volunteer Rescue Squad Members are trained in specialized skills. They provide search and rescue services to a 7100-square mile area in Northern Minnesota.

These are tasks which require training above and beyond the basic search and rescue skills such as first aid, cross country navigation, wilderness survival, emergency driving, and small boat handling.

Tricia and her husband Richard retired early to follow a dream of living on a sailboat to explore the world. Since April 2024 they have been sailing and exploring the Nordic and Baltic countries. She will share photos and talk about what it is like to live on a 45 ft sailboat.

Tricia was a member of Club 25 from 2001 until late 2023 and was Club President and an Assistant District Governor. Prior to retirement, Tricia was the Chief Development Officer at UMD and she and her husband Richard raised their two sons in Duluth - they still consider Duluth their home and are renting their house so that they can return here if and when they stop their sailing adventures. When they are not on their sailboat now, they live at their cabin in Nisswa, MN.

Karl will provide an update on Rotary District 5580 Bolivia medical clinics projects in Bolivia. Harbortown Duluth Rotary has worked on Rotary District 5580 medical clinics, water wells, schools, roads, and water reservoirs working with Mano a Mano Bolivia and International Partners from high in Andes Mountain range in the Cordillera Real Mountains to low in the Amazon Rain Forest in Bolivia. Karl has been working on projects in rural, mountainous regions to help the indigenous Quechua Indians who are the direct descendants of the Incas.

Karl D. Everett is from Duluth, MN and has over 40 years of experience as an engineer, geologist and consultant. Karl has a M.S. degree in Engineering from the University of Idaho and a B.S. degree in Geology from the University of Minnesota, Duluth. He volunteers as a member of Rotary International and has served as Rotary District 5580 Water and Sanitation Chairman, has served on the District 5580 Grants Committee, and Harbortown Rotary Duluth International Committee.

Roger Reinert took office as the 40th Mayor of the City of Duluth in January, 2024. He brought to office relevant experience from the private, public, and military sectors.

Reinert is a licensed attorney, and prior to taking office provided legal and consulting work focused on local units of government and local elected leaders. He also spent 18 years teaching undergraduate political science and legal courses, and graduate public policy classes. He most recently taught at the College of St. Scholastica where he was adjunct faculty for both the Stender School of Business and Department of Political Science at the College of St. Scholastica. In addition to his Juris Doctorate, he also holds Bachelors and Masters in Science degrees.

Prior to being elected Mayor, Roger also served six years in the Minnesota Senate representing District 7, which covered nearly all of Duluth. Before that he served two years in the Minnesota House of Representatives for the House district representing the western half of the city. He also served five years on the Duluth City Council, and was twice elected City Council President.

Reinert is also an actively serving Navy Reservists and holds the rank of Commander. He is currently assigned to the Pentagon as the Executive Officer for the Chief of Naval Information’s reserve unit. In 2019, he completed a one-year combat deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Resolute Support, and was deployed again in 2020 to Italy where he led a COVID Crisis Action Team.

Upon his return home, Reinert was asked to serve as the Interim Executive Director at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center 2020-2021. In the role, he provided strategic direction, management, and fiscal oversight to an organization with a $12M budget, and 500 employees. His leadership ensured the 800,000 sq. ft. regional asset survived the COVID pandemic.

Roger makes his home in Duluth's Observation Hill neighborhood. He is a sailor, avid runner, and licensed pilot.