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. For PETS 2023, our keynote speakers were:
Gordon McInally
President 2023-2024, Rotary International
Gordon McInally 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.
Joining Rotary in 1984 at age 26, Gordon is a member of the Rotary Club of South Queensferry. He has served various positions in RIBI and RI. Gordon says he looks forward to working with members to build new Rotary clubs and groups. “My vision is that Rotary should exist everywhere in a style to suit everyone who has the desire to be part of us and to help us do good in the world,” he says. In his free time, Gordon enjoys rugby, good food and wine, and stick dressing, the traditional Scottish craft of making walking sticks. Gordon wishes to dedicate his presidency to making the world a better place for his granddaughters, Ivy and Florence, to live and thrive.
Larry Lunsford
Rotary International Trustee 2021-2025
Larry Lunsford, a certified public accountant, is senior vice president and chief financial officer of Bernstein-Rein Advertising, Inc. He has served his alma mater, Truman State University, on its National Alumni Association Board and its Foundation Board. He also served as treasurer of the Epilepsy Foundation for the Heart of America.
His passion for Rotary and his invitation into the family of Rotary began during his college years, when in 1982, he was selected as a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar to Australia. Larry joined Rotary in 1991, was President of the Rotary Club of Kansas City-Plaza, Missouri in 1997-1998, and was District Governor of Missouri D6040 in 2001-2002. He has served Rotary International in many assignments including International Assembly Lead Trainer, RI President’s Representative, member or chair of various committees, and as Director.
Larry and his wife, Jill are Major Donors, Benefactors, and Bequest Society members. He is a charter member of the District 6040 Paul Harris Society. He has been awarded the Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service and the RI Service Above Self Award.
Jeremy Hurst
Director 2022-2024, Rotary International
Jeremy Hurst is a 34-year Rotarian and Past President of the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman and Past Governor of District 7020 in the French, English and Dutch speaking Northern Caribbean.
Jeremy and Michelle, are Arch Klumph Society, Bequest, Paul Harris Society and Polio Plus Society members. He is a recipient of the Rotary Foundation’s Citation for Meritorious Service and has been heavily involved in managing Rotary’s Disaster Relief efforts in the Caribbean. He is a founding member of HANWASH, the audacious Rotary-led partnership bringing clean water, improved sanitation and hygiene to all the citizens of Haiti.
He is passionate about finding lasting solutions to Rotary’s membership challenges and is currently working with the Zones’ Regional Leadership to build a Membership Action Plan. Jeremy currently sits on RI’s Participant Engagement Committee and is the board liaison to the Interact Advisory Council. Born in Rochester, England, he relocated to the Cayman Islands in 1988 and owns and operates the IRG group of companies, providing a range of property related services. He and Michelle love travelling and making the most of the unique opportunities to serve, build lifelong friendships and enjoy the fellowship that Rotary offers.
Clemson Turregano, PhD
CEO, Global Leadership Services and Professor of Practice, Leadership Studies, The Citadel
Clemson is a leadership development professional and certified coach leading global teams designed to enable leaders around the world. In addition, Clemson serves as advisor, faculty, and designer for The Citadel’s Executive Leadership Academy, created to share the idea of principled leadership with leaders across the Lowcountry of South Carolina and Georgia. Clemson’s broad span of clients includes start-ups, telecommunications, banking, manufacturing, and non-profit organizations, in addition to all levels of government and universities.
Clemson is a 24-year US Army veteran retiree, serving in capacities from infantry soldier to West Point Professor to Armor Battalion Commander. A practicing scholar, he has won awards for teaching strategic leadership to senior government officials, has published numerous works and guidebooks, plus has been the lead designer for teams winning four Brandon Hall awards for training design and delivery.
Clemson’s undergraduate degree is from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina. He earned an MA in Political Science, MPA, and Doctorate from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. He also earned a MA in Security and Strategy from the US Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania.
Discussion Leaders 2023
Lorraine Angelino
Governor 2013-2014, District 7750
A member of the Emerald City Rotary club in Greenwood, SC since 2002, Lorraine is is a Major Donor, Paul Harris Fellow, Benefactor, Bequest Society member, and a Paul Harris Society Charter member. She enjoys participating in Rotary events around the globe.
Carol Burdette
Governor 2018-2019, District 7750
Carol Burdette joined the Rotary Club of Anderson in 1994 and Carol was the second woman to become club president. Carol is a Major Donor, Bequest Society and Paul Harris Society member, and Benefactor.
Lee Dixon
Governor 2008-2009, District 7730
Lee has been active in District 7730 and the Morehead City Noon Rotary Club since 1996 where he served as President. Lee is a Paul Harris Fellow and has participated in many Rotary programs, in particular Group Study Exchange. Currently, he is the President of Coastal Architecture, a full-service Architectural Design firm.
Ken Dresser
Governor 2014-2015, District 7680
A member of the Rotary Club of North Mecklenburg County for over twelve years, Ken is a member of the Paul Harris Society and the Bequest Society and is on the RLI Faculty. Ken and his wife Barbara have three children and ten grandchildren.
Vanessa Ervin
Governor 2014-2015, District 7730
A healthcare administrator, Vanessa joined the Jacksonville Rotary Club in 1992 and currently serves as Zone 33 Asst Public Image Coordinator. She is a Major Donor, Benefactor, Bequest Society Member, and led the district effort to establish a dialysis center in India.
Becky Faulkner
Governor 2010-2011, District 7750
Becky has been a member of Greenville Breakfast Rotary club since 1995. She has served as club president and led a GSE Team to Brazil. Becky is a graduate of Rotary Leadership Institute, a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, Benefactor, Paul Harris Society member, Major Donor, and Bequest Society member. Becky is retired from Greenville County Schools having served in elementary schools for 31 years. She has been a professor in the School of Education at the University of South Carolina Upstate since 2002.
David Hayden
Governor 2020-2021, District 7710
A member of the Capital City Rotary Club since 2006, David is a Bequest Society Member and Paul Harris Fellow. A retired Army Colonel and practicing attorney, he supports Veterans and their families in NC. He is average at golf, but always hopeful.
Leigh Hudson
Governor 2013-2014, District 7710
Leigh joined the Garner Rotary Club in 1981 and then the Clayton Rotary Club in 1985. He is a member of the Paul Harris Society and is a RLI faculty member. He is active in his community and have been recognized with several civic awards.
Tracey Ivey
Governor 2019-2020, District 7720
A member of the Rotary Club of Goldsboro since 2007, Tracey is a Major Donor, Bequest Society and Paul Harris Society member. She and her husband Mitch have three sons, Ben, Cade, and Matthew.
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.
Chris Justice
Governor 2021-2022, District 7690
Past President of the Gate City Rotary Club, Chris is a member of the Paul Harris Society. Chris owns and operates the Justice Law Group. He’s also very involved with Lionheart Academy of the Triad, a school for children with Autism that Chris helped found.
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.
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.
Bill Shillito
Governor 2007-2008, District 7670
Bill is a member of the Rotary Club of Catawba Valley (Conover). He is a Major Donor, Benefactor and a member of the Bequest Society. Bill serves as the National Director of CART from 2009-to present. He and Diane have two sons and seven grandchildren.
Ronnie Thompson
Governor 2013-2014, District 7670
A member of the Rotary Club of Morganton, Ronnie is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, a Benefactor, and a member of the Paul Harris Society. Active in the community as well as Rotary, Ronnie and his wife, Anne, have twin daughters and four grandchildren.
Mike Walker
Governor 2020-2021, District 7680
A member of Charlotte-South Rotary, Mike recently became a Major Donor and is a member of the Bequest Society and PHS. He organized his District Kilimanjaro climbs for PolioPlus. He and his wife Susan have five grown children and five grandsons.
Carolinas' PETS 