HISTORY

In June, 1995, Past District Governor (1986-87), Dr. William N. Leonard, was commissioned by District 6890 Governor Jorge Blondet to survey the New Tampa area, (I.e., area north of Fletcher Avenue along Bruce B. Downs Boulevard) as a potential location for a new Rotary International Club. In July, 1995, the survey indicated 3,600 residents and approximately 14,000 people in three communities, most of which were business and professional people working in Tampa or nearby urban areas. An application was submitted to Rotary International with the sponsorship of the Rotary Clubs of Temple Terrace and Ybor City. The first organizational meeting was held on September 13, 1995, at Hunters Green Golf & Country Club. In addition to Dr. Leonard, other (former) Rotarians attending the meeting were Dr. Thomas E. Wade, (Rotary Club of Tampa), William C. Spivey, (Rotary Club of Tampa North) and Thomas Dessy, (Rotary Club of Carrollwood) as well as 8 to 10 non-Rotarians. The name of “Rotary Club of New Tampa” was suggested by Dr. Wade as well as a meeting day and time. Since most potential members worked in downtown Tampa, a breakfast club seemed the logical choice. Also, if the meeting was held on a Friday morning at a premier golf course, some members may wish to take the day off and play a round of golf. On September 22, a second meeting was held at 7 A.M. at the Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club with approximately 20 prospective members in attendance. At the September 29 meeting, club officers and directors were elected with 32 prospective members present. Dr. Thomas Wade was elected as the Charter President for the new club. Charter officers & directors included:

Charter President Thomas E. Wade

President-elect William C. Spivey

Vice President Lillian Strauss

Secretary Andrew C. Greenburg

Treasurer Kimberly W. Cole

Sergeant-at-Arms Thomas Dessy

Club Service Director Gerard A. Perret, Jr.

Vocational Service Director Ann O. Bartlett

Community Service Director Robert W. Smucker

International Service Director Charles Davis

Senior Director William N. Leonard

Membership goals for the new club were set first at 35, then 40, then 50. Charter Night was held on December 2, 1995, at the Tampa Palms Golf and Country Club with 63 new members (59 new Rotarians and 4 former/existing Rotarians), setting a new record in the Southeastern USA for clubs having the largest number of charter members (and within the top 2% of all Rotary Clubs ever chartered throughout the world). Charter Night had an attendance of over 150 including eight past Governors and their spouses.

During the Charter year, Dr. Wade commissioned Lillian Strauss, principal at Tampa Palms Elementary School (and charter VP) to have children at her school propose the design for the Club banner as a competition. Based on these submissions, a design was selected by the Club Board of Directors and is still used today with minor alterations. An annual Club Roster (including club membership information, officers & directors, a list of Paul Harris Fellows, award recipients, etc.) was initiated by charter member Ann Wade, who subsequently served as the annual roster director for many years.

Even before it chartered as an official club in December, 1995, the Rotary Club of New Tampa had undertaken a community service project, namely, bellringing for the Salvation Army outside a supermarket for a whole week, raising enough money to receive a special award from the Salvation Army. The first major service project included purchasing and planting trees in the median of Bruce B. Downs Blvd. This included raising some $20,000 which was matched with funds from the City of Tampa. After completion, a road sign and a plaque were erected crediting the Rotary Club of New Tampa for its contribution. Through 2023, the club has raised and donated more than $1 million to local nonprofits and an additional $450,000 to The Rotary Foundation.

Since its chartering, the club has undertaken many community service and vocational service projects. In 2021 the club chartered a satellite group called the Rotary Club of New Tampa Satellite After Hours as a committee of the club. This group meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of each month in various locations.

The Rotary Club of New Tampa is committed to continuing projects and service that makes New Tampa and Tampa Bay a wonderful place to live, work and play.

Founders

Dr. Thomas E. Wade
Charter President

Dr. William Leonard
Club Organizer

PAST PRESIDENTS

Rotary Club of New Tampa

Thomas E. Wade…………………………1995-96

William C. Spivey………………………1996-97

Gerard A. Perret, Jr………………………1997-98

Alan J. Lewis…………………….………1998-99

Kimberley Cole…………………………1999-00

Joseph A. Amon…………………………2000-01

  1. Douglas Andrews…………………….2001-02

Bernardus Geradts……………………….2002-03

Jerry Bever………………………………2003-04

Connie Bladen……………………………2004-05

Colin Beach………………………………2005-06

Gordy Larson……………………………2006-07

Lynn Grinnell……………………………2007-08

Mike Wallace……………………………2008-09

Mac Anderson……………………………2009-10

Gary Gunter…………………………….2010-11

Matt Palmer…………………………….2011-12

Dennis Loomis…………………………2012-13

Peter Gambacorta………………………2013-14

Frank Moore……………………………2014-15

Lesley Zajac……………………………………….. 2015-16

Brice Wolford…………………………………….. 2016-17

Karen Frashier……………………………………. 2017-18

Craig Miller……………………………………….. 2018-19

Ann Wade…………………………………………. 2019-20

Walter Oles……………………………………….. 2020-21

Craig DiCecco…………………………………….. 2021-22

Ashvin Maharaj………………………………….. 2022-23

Ken Guidera………………………………………. 2023-24

 

 

 

 

HISTORY OF

Rotary Club of New Tampa

September 13, 1995 – Organizational Meeting at Hunter’s Green Golf & Country Club

September 22, 1995 – Second Meeting at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club

September 29, 1995 – Officers and Directors Elected

December 2, 1995 – Charter Night

Inducted 59 new members and 4 former Rotarians. Total of 63 members.

 

SPONSORING ROTARY CLUBS

Rotary Club of Ybor City:

Dr. Jack Fernandez, President

Rotary Club of Temple Terrace:

Sam Mudano, President

 

Charter Members (11 still active*)

Nichola C. Ahrens, Vicki Ahrens, Joseph A. Amon, Mac Anderson*, James Anthony, William Auvil, Ann Bartlett, Charlotte Clark, Kimberley Cole, Patricia Coleman, Michael Crabtree, Chuck Davis, Liz DeAmbrose, Tom Dessy, Robert Doran, Robert Ferrera*, Herb Fiss, Andrew Greenberg, Timothy Harris, Allen Hemmat, Larry Hooper, Ram Kancharla*, Robert Kasak, David Lanigan*, William Leonard, Alan Lewis, Michael Leslie, Laura Livengood, Brian Malison, John McCarthy, Lisa McDaniel, Michael Morris*, Bradley Page*, Jay Palmer, Matthew Palmer*, Gerard Perret*, William Poole, John Ramil, Pam Santo, Melinda Sheer, Robert Smucker, Steven Sockler, Ric Spearin, William Spivey, Lil Strauss, Martha Streeper, Felix Subervi, Gerald Tippin, Robert Van Sickler*, Ann C. Wade*, Thomas E. Wade*, W. Don Whyte, John W. Wilcox

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