Vice Adm. James Pitts, a native of Milton, Florida, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1986 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He earned a Master’s in National Security Affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School. Pitts’ early submarine assignments included USS Grayling (SSN 646), USS Plunger (SSN 595), USS Hammerhead (SSN 663), USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 709), and USS Tucson (SSN 770), where he later served as commanding officer. His shore assignments included leadership roles at the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Joint Staff, and the Undersea Warfighting Development Center. He commanded Submarine Group Seven in Yokosuka, Japan, before becoming director of Warfare Integration at OPNAV. Vice Adm. Pitts currently serves as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Requirements and Capabilities for the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Legion of Merit.
In honor of the Tucson Rodeo tradition, we encourage everyone attending our lunch meeting on February 19, 2025, to dress in rodeo garb. Let's celebrate this iconic event and continue the tradition of embracing Tucson's western spirit! We look forward to seeing you all in your best cowboy hats, boots, and western attire.
What a fantastic Wednesday we had for the monthly "Events Around Town" on 2/12/25! While this is a dark week for Rotary Club of Tucson, members across Tucson gathered for a variety of unique events, hosted by our own members at some of the city's favorite dining spots.
Here’s a look at the fun that unfolded:
Batey Puerto Rican Gastronomy – Hosted by Mark Irvin and John Duval Located at 4230 N. Oracle Rd. #100, this vibrant spot brought the flavors of Puerto Rico to life, with attendees indulging in delicious dishes that captured the essence of Caribbean cuisine.
Vero Amore – Hosted by Glenn Ewing and Bobby Larson At 2920 N. Swan, Vero Amore’s intimate, cozy atmosphere was the perfect backdrop for a relaxing lunch of conversation, great food, and plenty of laughs. Guests were treated to a variety of Italian-inspired dishes that were both comforting and delicious.
The Monica – Hosted by Brittany Battle and Khris Dodge A great time was had by all at 40 E. Congress, where Brittany and Khris took their guests on a culinary journey with a modern twist on classic dishes. The Monica offered a trendy vibe and fantastic flavors.
Amelia's – Hosted by Robert O’Brien and Phil Gutt (Phil had to miss; hoping he's feeling better) Robert’s gathering at 5553 E. Grant was a delightful afternoon filled with good food, good company, and good times. Amelia’s provided a perfect setting for socializing, while guests enjoyed its stellar menu of hearty and flavorful options.
Locale – Hosted by Vic Jacobs, Marcia Krumwiede, and Angela Moore (Women’s Lunch) A special shout-out to the women’s lunch at Locale, located at 60 N. Alvernon Way. The event was full of spirited conversations and great food, offering a welcoming atmosphere for all who attended.
A big thank you to all of our hosts for making these events so memorable! And while the regular lunch meeting was skipped this week, there was no shortage of camaraderie and community building.
If you missed out this time, don’t worry! Be sure to sign up for the next "Events Around Town" via the homepage of our website. You’ll be responsible for your own meal, but the company and good times are on us. Interested in hosting? Reach out to President Kurtis or the Rotary office with your location and guest count, and we’d love to have you involved!
Inviting prospective members to Rotary events is a great way to showcase the club's values and service. The Club covering the cost of lunch for first-time attendees is a generous touch that can make newcomers feel welcome and appreciated. It's all about building connections and strengthening our impact in the community. We encourage you to bring your prospective members to a club meeting. They won’t be disappointed.
Please consider your Rotary Club of Tucson Foundation (RCTF) in your charitable giving. Our Foundation has a Legacy Society that you can be a part of with a gift of $10,000 or more.
This gift can be made during lifetime or at the time of your death.
During Lifetime: As an outright gift of cash, securities or other assets; or over a period of 10 years or less; or directly through your IRA, if you are age eligible.
At Death: By naming our RCTF as a beneficiary of your Estate, Trust, Retirement Account, or Life Insurance.
When asked why he decided to contribute to the Rotary Club of Tucson Foundation and be a part of the Legacy Society, Darrell Stewart responded:
Rotary will never run short on projects, programs and causes worthy of our financial support. So why the RCOT Legacy Society? For me, I want to leave a lasting contribution to local youth seeking to further their education. Consequently, the endowment within the RCOT Scholarship Fund is the perfect vehicle to accomplish that. Darrell also reached out to Larry Adamson. Larry is available to assist anyone interested in being a part of the Legacy Society. We have the forms to document your contributions.
We are holding an Appreciation Event on February 18th for all Legacy Society Members. It is not too late to join the Legacy Society and attend this event. Please reach out to us with any questions.
Planned Giving Committee:
Jo DeChatelet, Chair, Charlotte Harris, Marcia Krumwiede, Lee Olitzky, Darrell Stewart
Lead: Nancy Gutt (the_nance@comcast.net) Please email me if you plan on helping out on the TRAK day!
TRAK: Therapeutic Ranch for Animals and Kids: 3250 E. Allen Road
Saturday, February 22nd, and March 15th
Time: 8:00 - noon
Come and be a "Rancher" for the day! Please bring work gloves, refillable water bottles, and wear boots or shoes that can get dirty. We will take, sweep, shovel, feed, water, brush, have fun and more!
The next Whisky Fellowship - March 8. The details are below:
You don’t want to be one of the few who miss this. Rumors are already flying that this one will be our most impressive extravaganza/lallapaloosa/production yet…..
Date: Saturday, March 8, 2025
Start time: 6:00 PM - End time: That's up to you.
Who's invited: All the cool Rotarians (hence your invitation).
Who else is invited: Anyone/everyone who is philanthropic, fun, and who YOU believe would be a great new Rotarian; and/or your significant other.
Cost of entry: $20 plus an interesting bottle of whisky.
Can the bottle go back home with you?: Absolutely.
Bonus Points for: A bourbon that impresses Brett Stein, or a Rye that impresses me (FYI - I'm way easier to impress than Brett).
Food: But of course... ample amounts of your favorite munches.
Where: My wife Bonnie’s and my oh so inviting home.4901 N Avenida de Castilla, Tucson (in the Hacienda del Sol Estates community).
Just a reminder for our hike on Saturday, March 8th at 7:00 a.m. We're looking forward to a fun trek up Mount Wrightson in the Santa Rita Mountains. The trail offers amazing views and a rewarding summit, no matter what the weather brings! The journey up Mount Wrightson will offer many opportunities to soak in the beauty of the Santa Rita Mountains. It’s a fantastic hike for those looking to stretch their legs and enjoy a great day outdoors. Looking forward to hitting the trail with you.
Lead: Nancy Gutt (the_nance@comcast.net) Please email me if you plan on helping out on the TRAK day!
TRAK: Therapeutic Ranch for Animals and Kids: 3250 E. Allen Road
Saturday, March 15th
Time: 8:00 - noon
Come and be a "Rancher" for the day! Please bring work gloves, refillable water bottles, and wear boots or shoes that can get dirty. We will take, sweep, shovel, feed, water, brush, have fun and more!
I am pleased to share that we have completed sufficient clean-ups to receive our permanent sign. It will be placed on River Rd. When the city is ready; they asked if some of us would attend a photo op. Date to follow...
We are planning our next road clean-up for Saturday, March 22nd, at 8:15 AM.
We meet at Fiesta Bowling, 501 W River Rd.
Please wear closed-toed shoes, a hat, water and sunscreen. We provide grabbers, vests, and bags.
We can use more help, please join us in this community service project.
Questions, concerns, etc. text or email: lee@wit2tucson.com or 520 444 4109.
Come help Tri Y get ready for the kids that will attend summer camp. Camp improvement projects include landscaping, trail clearing, and more. The day starts at 8:30a.m. and finishes in the early afternoon with a break for lunch.
Camp Lawton Service Day on Saturday, May 3rd for next spring’s RCOT Camp Lawton Service Day.
We’ll plan on gathering at Camp at 8.30 a.m. for registration, coffee, and light snacks. Lunch will be served at mid-day and we expect all the projects to be wrapped up by 3.00 pm.
We’ll coordinate registration with the club and staff.
Any questions can be addressed to Jon Harned or myself.
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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Vice Adm. James Pitts, a native of Milton, Florida, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1986 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He earned a Master
Inviting prospective members to Rotary events is a great way to showcase the club's values and service. The Club covering the cost of lunch for first-time attendees is a generous touch that can make newcomers feel welcome and appreciated. It's all about building connections and strengthening our impact in the community. We encourage you to bring your prospective members to a club meeting. They won’t be disappointed.
Please consider your Rotary Club of Tucson Foundation (RCTF) in your charitable giving. Our Foundation has a Legacy Society that you can be a part of with a gift of $10,000 or more.
Lead: Nancy Gutt (
The next Whisky Fellowship - March 8. The details are below:
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!
