Keynote Speakers
Each year, we feature Rotary International leaders and other special guests as our keynote speakers. They share with us tools for personal growth; they challenge and inspire us; they bring to us a moment of humor. Below are our featured speakers confirmed thus far for PETS 2026.
Mike McGovern
Vice President 2007-2008, Rotary International
Mike served his entire professional career with the Town of Cape Elizabeth, Maine USA beginning as an intern in 1977 and serving as the chief appointed officer (town manager) for 31 years until his retirement in 2016.
A member of the Rotary Club of South Portland-Cape Elizabeth, Maine, Mike joined Rotary in 1986. He has served Rotary as District Governor, RI Vice President, Foundation Trustee, Foundation Vice-Chair, RLI Global Chair and more. He has chaired the PolioPlus Committee since 2014 and currently chairs the Polio Oversight Board which governs the global polio eradication initiative partnership.
Greg Podd
Vice Chair 2025-2026, The Rotary Foundation
Greg is a CPA and Personal Financial Specialist, having his own practice since 1979. He has written continuing education curriculum and presented at many professional conferences as well as a guest professor at Arizona State University.
Joining Rotary in 1982, Greg is a member of the Evergreen Rotary Club. He has served Rotary as Foundation Trustee, Director, Vice President, Major Gifts Advisor, and on many committees.
Greg is the recipient of the “Service Above Self” award, Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service. He and Pam have been married for fifty years, have three children and four grandchildren. All family members are Paul Harris Fellows. Greg and Pam are Bequest Society and Arch Klumph Society members.
Christel Butchart
Rotary International Peace Fellow
Christel Greiner Butchart is an expert conflict resolution educator and facilitator who has worked at the local, state, national, and international levels. Her work is dedicated to fostering connection, belonging, accountability, and effective communication across diverse communities.
Christel is a Rotary Peace Fellow representing District 7710 and Durham, NC. During her Fellowship in Australia, she earned a Master’s in International Relations with a focus on Peace and Conflict Resolution from the University of Queensland, served on the Rotary Advisory Board, and fulfilled her Applied Field Experience working with displaced children in Yangon, Myanmar.
A long-time educator, Christel is the founding director of Creating Cohesion, supporting mission-driven organizations with tools to navigate conflict and thrive collaboratively. A mother of two boys, she had daily opportunities to practice the skills she brings to her professional life.
Ken Howell
RI Zones 26 & 27 Action Plan Lead
A fourth-generation Idahoan, raised on the family farm, Ken attended the College of Idaho, earning a B.A. in English literature and in Psychology. He earned his law degree from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1984 and has served as a trustee for 20 years. His law practice is focused on banking and finance, real estate and governmental regulation of the financial services industry.
Joining Rotary in 2002, Ken has his club and district (5400) in many capacities including District Governor in 2015-2016. He has served Zones 26 and 27as Trainer, End Polio Now Zone Coordinator, Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator, and since 2023, the Action Plan Lead. Ken is a Major Donor, Paul Harris Fellow, and a member of the Bequest, Paul Harris and PolioPlus Societies.
Ken is a woodworker, amateur electronics technician and inveterate tinkerer. Ken is married to Bernadine Marconi, living in Boise with their garden, a house in a perpetual state of remodel, and two very fortunate cats.
Discussion Leaders 2026
Lee Adams
Governor 2014-2015, District 7720
A member of the Rotary Club of Greenville since 2015, Leigh’s husband, Ed, is also a member of the same club. Both are Level IV Major Donors, Level IV Bequest Society members, and Paul Harris Society Members. Lee received RI’s Service Above Self Award in 2018 and the Citation for Meritorious Service in 2025.
Veronica Bent
Governor 2023-2024, District 7710
Since 2008, Veronica has served many roles in the Morrisville Club and her district. She is married to Winston Bent and has two sons, Daniel, and Benjamin. She is a DEI Leader for Pinnacle Financial Partners and enjoys building partnerships and collaborations.
Nancy Barbee
Governor 2009-2010, District 7730
Nancy has been a member of RC of Maysville since 2000. She is a Major Donor, Bequest Society Member, Polio Plus Society Member. Nancy currently serves as the Zone 33 End Polio Now Coordinator. She leads NID teams to India for polio eradication yearly! She has three sons and one granddaughter.
April Clark
Governor 2018-2019, District 7730
A member of the Swansboro Rotary club, April joined Rotary in 1999, is a Paul Harris Society, Bequest Member and Major Donor. April is active in her community and has served four National Immunization Days in India. In 2024 she was the recipient of the Service Above Self Award.
Deb Corbett
Governor 2023-2024, District 7680
Debb Corbett is a leadership trainer, speaker, and mental health professional. Entering her twentieth year in Rotary, Debb is a Major Donor, Paul Harris Society member, and Benefactor. Debb and her husband, Bailey, have three adult sons.
Mike Conrad
Governor 2009-2010, District 7690
A charter member of the Downtown Greensboro and Gate City Rotary Clubs, Mike has maintained perfect attendance since he joined Rotary in 1991. A recipient of the Citation for Meritorious Service, Mike and his wife, Mary Ann, are multiple Paul Harris Fellows, Bequest Society members, Benefactors, and Rotary Foundation Sustaining Members.
Vanessa Ervin
Governor 2014-2015, District 7730
A healthcare administrator, Vanessa joined the Jacksonville Rotary Club in 1992 and has served in several Zone 33 leadership roles. She is a Major Donor, Benefactor, Paul Harris Society Member, Bequest Society Member, led effort to establish a dialysis center in India, and has received the Rotary Service Above Self Award.
Angela Bendorf Jamison
Governor 2021-2022, District 7710
Angela joined the Rotary Club of Wakefield/Wake Forest in 2010. She founded Communicopia, a public relations marketing agency in 1998. Angela enjoys the opportunity to Amplify Rotary in clubs and communies.
Matthew Kane
Governor 2014-2015, District 7710
Matthew joined the North Raleigh Club in 1996. After learning how Rotary perfectly blends fellowship with service, he got active in grant projects and community service. He was twice selected as “Rotarian of the Year” and is a member of the Paul Harris Society.
Connie Molland
Governor 2024-2025, District 7670
Joining the Rotary Club of Madison County in 2008 to meet people in her newly adopted community, Connie found that Rotary was a perfect match for her lifelong love of providing service to others. Connie served as president of her Club during COVID then served her District as governor during Hurricane Helene.
Joyce Morin
Governor 2022-2023, District 7750
A past president of the Lancaster Rotary Club, Joyce a member of the Paul Harris Society and a Major Donor. Joyce moved to South Carolina from Vermont and is enjoying promoting Rotary ideals, gardening, and sports of all kinds.
Tammy Mosteller
Governor 2022-2023, District 7670
Current President of the newly formed Alz Research E Club, Tammy is a Paul Harris Fellow, District 7670 CART Chair and a Regional Director for The CART Fund. She and her husband Tony, have two sons and three grandchildren. Tammy is the owner/broker for Benefits Specialist, LLC.
Beth Padgett
Governor 2020-2021, District 7750
A member of the Beth Rotary Club of Greenville (SC), Beth was the first woman to become club president in 2001. Beth is a Major Donor, Bequest Society and Paul Harris Society member, a Benefactor, and an RLI Graduate.
Brenda Shaw
Governor 2013-2014, District 7720
Brenda joined Rotary in Alabama in 1990, and is now a member of the Rocky Mount club. She is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, Sustaining Member and a Benefactor. Her husband, Bill, is also a member of the Rocky Mount club, a Paul Harris Fellow and a Benefactor.
Jon Spillman
Governor 2018-2019, District 7690
A member of The Rotary Club of Guilford since 2004, Jon has served his district in several roles, including Assistant Governor, Governor’s Aide and District Grant Chair. Jon and his wife Alison have two children who also participate in many Rotary service projects.
Nathan Thomas
Governor 2022-2023, District 7710
Nathan is a Key Account Manager at LEONI responsible for managing the business relationship with global commercial vehicle customer Caterpillar. He attended the University of Cincinnati, graduating in 2015 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering.
Beth Trotter
Governor 2019-2020, District 7680
A member of Mecklenburg County-South Rotary, she joined Rotary in July, 2010. Beth and her husband, Rodney Holtzmuller, are Major Donors, PHS and Bequest Society members. They have four married adult children and 11 amazing grandchildren.
Carolinas' PETS 