Naperville Rotary installs new president
John Gallagher recently was installed as the 75th president of the Rotary Club of Naperville following the successful term of outgoing President Liz Zienty.
Also installed were Wendy Gross as president-elect, Nina Menis as president nominee, Bonnie Marshall as treasurer, and Mark Riordan as secretary.
Gallagher brings a strong sense of purpose, optimism and vision to the organization.
"When I joined the club, I had no idea of what Rotary was about," he said. "I knew the entrance to most towns displayed that round Rotary logo, but I didn't really understand the scope of Rotary."
Gallagher soon learned.
"Our club is an amazing club, giving nearly $350,000 a year to make Naperville a better place and to help people internationally. When you multiply the average $10,000 donation per club by 34,000 clubs internationally, that adds up to $3 billion being given annually to help people locally, nationally, and throughout the world."
During the past eight years, Gallagher has been involved in many aspects of the Rotary Club, including service, membership, scholarship committee, and sergeant, whose job is to levy fines on members to support the club's scholarship fund.
As sergeant, he frequently told inspirational stories and then asked members to donate to the fund based on how moved they were by the story he told.
Gallagher's vision for his presidential year is to maintain the tradition of being one of the best Rotary Clubs in Illinois and in the country, but he also wants to update it. He plans to bring in more youth and technology.
"I am working with some students and others to find a way to bring in satellite connections to help us communicate internationally with other clubs in distant parts of the world," he said.
His vision also includes reinvigorating the Rotary Club student exchange program.
Gallagher, owner of EDI, or Exterior Designers, Inc., a siding/window/door/and roofing company, is also involved in the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce. EDI was runner-up for the Small Business of the Year Award in 2009 and has earned numerous other awards from the Better Business Bureau and other organizations.
Gallagher views the Naperville Area Chamber as a group, like Rotary, that is very influential in making Naperville a better place.
"In my opinion, there is a spirit of excellence in Naperville that is unique," he said. "This town works because of that spirit."
Above all else, deeply held Christian faith drives all that Gallagher does.
"Faith is the foundation of who I am," he said.
He has been actively involved with The Gideons International since 1990 and has helped distribute thousands of Bibles through that organization.
He is supported in his faith by his wife of 37 years, Jeannette, and their three children: David, Anne and John. They also have four grandchildren ranging in age from 7 to newborn.
"I approach my new role in Rotary with fear and trepidation," Gallagher said with a smile. "Many great people have gone before me. It's a small world and we are all working for the same purpose - a better life for everyone."