John Lai is Chairman, CEO, and President of Mister Car Wash. Before being named CEO in 2013, John was the Chief Operating Officer. Before that, he was the Vice President of Market Development. He played a key role in crafting the company’s employee-first culture and relentless focus on continuously improving the customer’s experience. Before joining Mister Car Wash, John was Vice President of Sales for Financenter, President of Blue Coral Systems, Direct Account Manager for Nestle, and District Manager for Carnation Company.
Additionally, John serves on the Board of the Southern Arizona Leadership Council and is an Advisor to the Friends of Arizona Lacrosse. He previously served as the Executive in Residence at the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona, was a member of the Strategic Advisory Council for Arizona Forge and served on the board of the International Car Wash Association. John earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Arizona in 1987. John started his career delivering Newsday on Long Island, NY.
Our latest Events Around Town (EAT) lunches dished up another full plate of fellowship—and, of course, some fantastic food!
Rotarians gathered across Tucson at Perche No, Redbird Scratch Kitchen, Opa's Best, and Guillermo's Double L, where the day's specials included lively conversations, plenty of laughter, and a generous helping of Rotary spirit. Between bites, tables buzzed with stories, ideas, upcoming projects, and enough laughs to make dessert completely optional.
The beauty of EAT is that there's no podium, no agenda, and no speeches—just good food, great company, and the chance to pull up a chair with friends, meet someone new, and strengthen the connections that make our club so special. Every restaurant had its own flavor, but the secret ingredient was the same everywhere: Fellowship.
A huge thank you to our wonderful hosts for setting the table for another memorable afternoon. Your hospitality keeps this monthly tradition fresh, fun, and something our members always look forward to.
If you missed this month's EAT, don't stew about it—we'll have another seat waiting for you soon! Until then, keep your calendars open, your forks ready, and your appetite for fellowship growing. After all, the best thing on the menu is always the company.
One new Wild Polio paralysis case was reported last week and none this week. We are now 6 weeks since the most recent report of a child being paralyzed by the Wild Polio Virus in Afghanistan.
Total Wild Polio cases
Year-to-date 2026
Total
2025
Total
2024
Total
2023
Total
2022
Globally
10
52
99
12
30
- in endemic countries:
10
52
99
12
22
The Final Two Polio Endemic Countries
Pakistan No new (2026) Wild Polio cases reported this week. Three Wild Polio cases reported in 2026. Thirty-one Wild Polio cases reported in 2025. Seventy-four Wild Polio cases reported in 2024.Six Wild Polio Cases reported in 2023. The most recent case had an onset of paralysis on 4/7/26. No new WPV1 Environmental Samples and no cVDPV2 Positive Environmental Samples were reported this week in Pakistan.
Afghanistan One new (2026) Wild Polio case reported this week. Seven Wild Polio cases reported in 2026. Twenty One Wild Polio cases reported in 2025. Twenty-five Wild Polio cases reported in 2024. Six Wild Polio Cases reported in 2023. The most recent case had an onset of paralysis on 5/7/26. No new WPV1 Environmental Samples and no cVDPV2 Positive Environmental Samples were reported this week in Afghanistan.
Advocate, Donate & Educate to END POLIO NOW & FOREVER!
Over 3 billion Children Immunized.
Over $3 billion Raised by Rotary for Polio Eradication.
21,000,000 Children Saved from the Paralysis of Polio.
1.6 million lives saved thanks to the Polio Vaccines. Together, We End Polio!
Date: Thursday, July 16 Start time: 5:00 PM End time: 9:00 PM
Who's invited: All the cool Rotarians (hence your invitation). Who else is invited: Anyone who is philanthropic, fun, and who YOU believe would be a great new Rotarian; and/or your significant other. Cost of entry: $20
Any issues with the link: Call Jeff at 520-990-1011.
Beverages: 4 whisky tastings, 4 tequilla tastings, and a couple of surprise tastings.
Food: But of course - ample amounts of your favorite BBQ.
Where: Fairway Cigars: 2900 E Broadway #113.
Deadline to RSVP: July 13 at 2:00PM. Maximum # of guests: 50 (due to the inevitable unrivaled enthusiasm, and the limited number of spots - don’t procrastinate to RSVP – this opportunity wouldn’t last long). Any questions: Call Jeff at 520-990-1011
This month's adventure will be the Mount Bigelow Trail, a moderate out-and-back hike beginning at the trailhead across from Camp Lawton. While I only remembered this trail as the final portion of our old Butterfly hike, it certainly deserves a visit of its own. The hike covers approximately 2 miles with 587 feet of elevation gain. As with all hikes in the Santa Catalina Mountains, you can expect the refreshing scent of pine, cooler temperatures, and sweeping views of Tucson from the summit of Mount Bigelow.
Meet-up and Departure: We will meet at LeBuzz (Catalina Highway and Tanque Verde) at 6:30 AM, with departure at 6:45 AM. We anticipate starting the hike around 8:00 AM.
After the hike, we’ll head over to Beyond Bread at the Mount Lemmon Lodge for a well-earned caffeinated beverage and snack. (As always, fudge from the General Store will be available for individual purchase.) 😁
Our first Replacement/Social Mixer of the 26-27 Rotary year will be held the evening of July 29th at the Terraza Garden Patio, Hacienda del Sol, 5501 N. Hacienda del Sol Rd. from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This is a great way to meet your fellow Rotarians in a relaxed setting. Registration is now open under “Upcoming Events” on the left side of the homepage at our website www.tucsonrotary.org. Please be sure to register your guests. Guest fee is $36 billed to your member account. We hope to see you there...
Ticket Packets as well as Classic Club tickets are now available for pickup at Rotary meetings along with posters, business cards, and ticket-selling partner agreements.
If you haven't completed the Ticket Survey yet, please click on this link: (https://forms.gle/jot5D3JstDyYvoBs5) and give us your feedback by May 20. If you can’t access the link, please complete a paper survey at the Ticket Table to let us know whether you'll sell paper tickets, online, at events, through partner seller groups you recruit, and/or donate instead. THANK YOU!
At the Rotary Club of Tucson, we believe in giving back to our community and supporting causes that make a real difference. And now, it’s easier than ever to contribute to our efforts!
We’re excited to highlight a new way for you to make your donations directly to the Rotary Club of Tucson Foundation – all from the comfort of your own home! Simply head to our website, where you’ll find the gold Donation button at the top right of the menu bar. Whether you're contributing to our Scholarships, making a General Donation, or supporting our Local Charities, your generosity will help fund important initiatives that uplift our community.
But wait, there’s more! If you're joining us for lunch at the next meeting, don’t forget to look for the blue scholarship cups on the tables. These cups now feature a QR code that will take you straight to the Donation Page with just a quick scan. No need for cash or checks – donate right from your phone!
We can’t thank you enough for your ongoing support of our Foundation. Your donations directly benefit our community and empower us to continue making a meaningful impact. If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Rotary office.
Let’s continue to do good in our community – with a click, a scan, and your generous heart!
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