The Pima County Board of Supervisors appointed Jan Lesher County Administrator in April 2022. She oversees the policies and goals established by the Board of Supervisors while managing a 1.8 billion annual budget that is comprised of 54 departments and over 7,300 employees.
Lesher joined Pima County in 2010, advancing to serve as Deputy County Administrator, Chief Deputy County Administrator and Acting County Administrator prior to her appointment as the first female Pima County Administrator in April 2022.
Lesher returned to her hometown in 2010 after serving former Governor and Secretary Janet Napolitano since January 2003. Lesher served Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano as Chief of Staff, overseeing the daily activities of Agency’s 230,000 employees and $52 billion budget. Immediately prior to her move with the Secretary to Washington, DC, Lesher was the Governor’s Chief of Staff. Prior to being named to that position, Lesher served as Director of the Arizona Department of Commerce and the Director of the Governor’s Southern Arizona Office.
Born, raised and educated in Tucson, her professional experience is extensive; she served as Vice-President of Communications and marketing for the Tucson Economic Development Corporation, Executive Director of the Tucson Community Cable Corporation and Vice-President of Warner-Amex Cable prior to establishing Lesher Communications, Inc., a small business she owned and operated for a dozen years.
Her history of community involvement is impressive, including service as a member of the Board of Directors of Arizona Town Hall; the Community Foundation of Southern Arizona; the University of Arizona College of Social & Behavioral Science; the Community Food Bank; and La Frontera. She was named a Woman of Influence by Inside Tucson Business and recognized with the Women Who Lead award from the University of Arizona Women’s Studies Advisory Council in 2004. She was honored as the Metropolitan Tucson Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year in 2005. In 2008 she was the Arizona Capitol Times Leader of the Year in Public Policy and received the YWCA Business Leadership Award. Selected in 2021 by BizTucson as a Woman Leading the Region, she was also named one of the Women Achievers in Arizona by the Arizona Capitol Times in 2022.
On Wednesday, January 8, 2025, the Rotary Club of Tucson kicked off the second week of the month in style with our much-loved "Events Around Town." With no official club lunch meeting on the calendar this week, members gathered at three local restaurants around Tucson for a fun-filled lunch of food, laughter, and great conversation.
First stop: Vero Amore, where Glenn Ewing and Bobby Larson welcomed a lively group to enjoy some mouth-watering Italian dishes. From perfectly crafted pizzas to decadent pastas, the meal was a hit with everyone – and the great company made it even better. The ambiance of this cozy spot on Swan Road made it the perfect place to gather and share stories.
Over at Forbes Meat Company, Khris Dodge and Brittany Battle hosted a tasty gathering that had meat lovers in heaven! Located on 6th Avenue, this butcher shop turned restaurant served up some seriously amazing steaks and other meats, making it a go-to for those who love a hearty meal. Rotarians were chatting, laughing, and enjoying the expertly prepared dishes during this lunch.
Meanwhile, Vivace, hosted by Mark Irvin, brought a touch of elegance to the afternoon at its scenic spot on North Campbell Avenue. The delicious Italian-inspired menu paired with stunning views of Tucson made for a perfect setting to unwind and connect with fellow Rotarians. From starters to dessert, Vivace’s dishes were the perfect way to start the afternoon on a high note.
All in all, the afternoon was a fantastic success! Whether it was indulging in delicious food, swapping stories, or making new connections, everyone had a blast at these local hotspots. A big thank you to our generous hosts – Glenn, Bobby, Khris, Brittany, and Mark – for putting together such memorable events!
If you missed this month’s "Events Around Town," don’t worry! We can’t wait to do it again in February. Keep an eye on the website for future event details. You won’t want to miss out on the fun next time around! Contact President Kurtis or Dorinna at the Rotary office if you would like to host an upcoming Event Around Town!
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.
We have the forms to document your contributions. Please reach out to us with any questions.
Planned Giving Committee:
Jo DeChatelet, Chair, Charlotte Harris, Lee Olitzky, Darrell Stewart
The Rotary Club of Tucson will be volunteering at the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona on Saturday, January 18th located at 3003 S. Country Club Rd. in Tucson from 9 am-12 pm. We will be boxing food for 100’s if not 1000’s of people less fortunate than us and having a great time together while doing it. Our efforts in our previous volunteer opportunities have helped provide over 140,000 lbs. of boxed food for the elderly and families in and around Pima County. We are looking for 40 people 16 years of age on up to help. Please contact Bobby Larson at 520-730-5271 to register. Thanks gang, and I promise you will leave feeling better than when you arrived! ~~Bobby Larson P.S. Wear comfortable shoes as you’ll be standing a lot but there are a couple of 15 minute breaks.
Where: Tandem American Eatery, 8864 E Tanque Verde Rd, Tucson, AZ 85749
When: Monday, February 10, noon-1:30pm
Book Discussed: Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson
All are welcome, including members, spouses, guests, friends and acquaintances who love non-fiction. No prior meeting attendance is necessary, each meeting is a stand-alone session about the selected book.
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).
The Hiking Fellowship completed their first trek of 2025 over the weekend on Saturday, January 11th with a full group of nine hikers. We enjoyed a refreshing morning on the Phoneline Loop trail in Sabino Canyon. Joined by exchange student Kaoru Amano, host brother Chase Pickering, Rotarians Micheal Guymon (resident selfietographer), Rich Flynn, Chuck Sawyer, friends of Rotary Amy Nelson and Bill Mesch as well as my lovely bride Martha, we had a great morning of gorgeous views and camaraderie. Save the date for our next adventure of Saturday, February 8th when we will be taking on Wasson Peak in the Tucson mountains.
We’re taking orders for these long sleeve shirts throughout January. The shirts are lightweight, breathable, and offer UV protection. Shirts will be delivered in February. To order, or ask questions, contact Nancy Bevens - 520-343-9920, nbevens@gmail.com.
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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