District 5730
 
Phelps Blume
 
After over four decades of involvement and leadership in Rotary at the local, community, and district level, Phelps Blume wants to give back to those who have supported him by serving as District Governor of Rotary District 5730.  A practicing Certified Public Accountant for more than thirty years, Phelps has served as an Assistant Governor eight different years, twice as Club President, and more than twelve years as Club Secretary-Treasurer.  Phelps is an active member of the Levelland Noon Rotary Club with over thirty years of perfect attendance.
 
Whether delivering medical or school supplies to Mexico, planting and providing equipment to a local food bank, or helping ship food to those in need, Phelps always believed “He Profits Most Who Serves Best.”  Supporting international projects, foreign exchanges, and the Polio Plus campaign have always been a top priority for Phelps.
 
A native of Lamb County, Texas, Phelps was born in Amherst, went to public school in Sudan (Where he was introduced to Rotary), attended South Plains College, and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Texas Tech University with a degree in Accounting.  Phelps became a Certified Public Accountant in 1993 after working in the feed yard and savings and loan businesses for seventeen years.
 
Phelps and his wife, Dianne, have been married forty-six years and have twin daughters.  Phelps and Dianne are major donors to the Rotary Foundation and their daughters are both Paul Harris Fellows.
 
District 5770
 
Conni Eckstein
 
Conni Eckstein lives in Norman, Oklahoma, and has been a Rotarian since 2009. She is a Paul Harris fellow, currently a member of the Norman Sooner club and is looking forward to her District Governor year. 

Conni graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering and retired from her engineering career in 2016. In addition to traveling to Rotary International conventions, she’s been to five so far, and other points near and far.

 Conni volunteers for Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), gives community talks on suicide prevention, performs improvisational comedy, or improv, when allowed by Covid, and writes. She also exercises regularly with strength training and yoga. Conni enjoys local service projects and fellowship with fellow Rotarians.
 
District 5790
 
Dan Steele
 
Dan was born in Graham, Texas and grew up on his family’s cattle ranch. He was active in 4-H showing steers, heifers and goats. He and his family were active members of the First United Methodist Church where he participated in the youth group and sang in the chancel choir. In high school, Dan was a member of the band including Jazz Stage Band which was a favorite activity of his. He also participated in school musicals and the thespian group. He served as president of the student council in his senior year.
 
Dan returned to Graham in January 1975, and took a position with Graham Savings & Loan Association.  The Rotary Club of Graham immediately recruited him to be a member and to sing in their “Rotary Follies” variety show fundraiser. He was a member of the Graham club through 1983.
 
In 1984, Dan began a new career as an optician and practice administrator for his wife’s optometry practice, Cary S. Labbe, O.D. in Mineral Wells, Texas. In March of 1991, he joined the Rotary Club of Mineral Wells and in 1993 became secretary for the club. Dan was selected as president-elect for 1994-95 and president for 1995-96.  He has served as Foundation Chair for several years and the Treasurer since March 2000. PDG Jerry Parr presented him the Rotary Builder Award for his club in 2008. He became a Paul Harris Fellow June 1995, reached the Major Donor Level 1 in March 2014, and joined the Paul Harris Society in August 2014. He continues to be an active member and treasurer of the Rotary Club of Mineral Wells.
 
In District 5790, Dan served as Assistant Governor for four years, then as Lieutenant Governor for the West Area in 2016-17. He completed the Rotary Institute for Leadership training in February 2009, and the District Vision Facilitation Training in June 2016.  Dan participated in the Wheelchair Projects to the Dominican Republic in 2014, and Costa Rica in 2016. He has attended Rotary International Conventions in Chicago, Salt Lake City, New Orleans and Birmingham, England. He currently serves District 5790 as the District Grants Chair and District Governor Elect. Dan says “Rotary is my passion!” 
 
District 5810                       
 
Howard Templin
 
District 5810 2021-22 DGE Howard Templin has been married to his wonderful wife Ellen for 31 years.  They have three adult daughters, Nicole Templin, the Reverend Claire Makins and Barbara Templin.  Ellen and Howard have 2 grandsons, Cal and James Makins.

Howard earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Texas, Austin in 1973.  After working as an architect and capital improvements project manager for over 47 years, he retired in July 2020 after serving as a senior project manager on the University of Texas at Dallas campus.

Howard, a 3rd generation Rotarian, has been a member of The Rotary Club of Dallas since 2009.  He is Paul Harris Society and he and Ellen are Major Donors.   Howard is a past District Membership Chairman and Assistant Governor.  He was president of the Rotary Club of Dallas, the 1st Rotary club in Texas, in 2017-18.  Howard served on his club’s Board of Directors, the Dallas Rotary Foundation Board, several committees, as well as participating in many of his club’s projects.
 
District 5830
 
Carolyn Franks
 
Carolyn Franks is a native of Pittsburg, Texas and a graduate of Pittsburg High School and the University of North Texas.  District Governor Nominee Designate Carolyn Franks will hold the District Governor position from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.

From 1987-1998 she taught choir and piano at Pittsburg ISD where she started the piano program which still is being taught today at Pittsburg Jr. High and High School.

She currently serves on the boards of the Camp County Historical Commission, the Pittsburg-Camp County Library, the Pittsburg-Camp County Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Pittsburg Rotary Club and the 20th Century Study Club. 
She was a member of the District 5830 Group Study Exchange to Tasmania in 1998. She joined the Pittsburg Rotary Club in 1998 and has served as president two times. She was an Assistant Governor to PDG John Henson and PDG John Jetter.
 
For the last 20 years she has been employed as the Director of the Whatley Center for the Performing Arts at Northeast Texas Community College and has been the organist and choir director at First United Methodist Church for over 10 years and has volunteered as organist at St. William Laud Episcopal Church where she is a member for over 40 years.
District 5840    
 
Dwayne Hopkins
 
Dwayne F. Hopkins (CMSGT, USAF, Retired) is currently the Executive Director/CEO for Fisher House, Inc. providing services to military families in need during medical crisis. Dwayne retired from active duty with 29 years of military service as an Air Force Command Chief Master Sergeant.
 
Dwayne has a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He also earned a Master’s Degree in Procurement/Acquisition Management with an emphasis in Leadership and a M.B.A degree from Webster University. He was awarded the United States Air Force Legion of Merit and two Bronze Stars.
 
Dwayne is a member of the San Antonio West Rotary club.
 
District 5870                                  
 
Shannon Coleman
 
Shannon and her husband, Jeff, are members of the Rotary Club of Pflugerville, where they are Paul Harris Fellows, Major Donors and Shannon is a member of the Paul Harris Society.
 
Being that servant leadership is one of her core values, Rotary has been the perfect fit to allow her to serve others. In her development as a Rotarian, she has come to believe it is our obligation to help members evolve from being a club member into becoming a Rotarian. She believes that the key to doing so is through engagement and creating opportunities for service.
 
Following her recovery from a long-term illness in 2007, Shannon realized the importance of making the most of the time we are given. Her quest for adventure, pursuing her passions and serving others was renewed. She is passionate about the ocean, scuba diving, Rotary, wine and connecting with others; and will welcome any opportunity to do any combination of the above when possible.
 
She has a sincere belief that everything we do can be made to have an element of fun, bring joy and engage others. A typical weekend at “Casa ColeClan” involves gardening, hanging out on the back patio with her children, grandchildren or group of friends who know her as "Dory”.
 
District 5890                             
 
Mindi Snyder
 
Mindi Snyder and her husband Jeff live in the rural city of El Campo where she was raised.  They enjoy spending time with their children, Shelby (who married Colby Kane) and Colby Lee, and their beloved grandchild Matthew. All love outdoor activities and traveling.  Mindi retired after 24 years of service to three cities as Finance Director and City Manager and works part-time as a Customer Service Manager for GUNDA Corporation.
 
Mindi joined Rotary in 1995 and has been a member of Wharton, Rosenberg and El Campo Rotary Clubs where she served in many roles including Centennial Club President for 2004-2005. El Campo Rotary chartered two Interact Clubs at the High School and Middle Club and a Rotaract Club under her direction as New Generations Chair.  One of her continued roles for many years in El Campo has been Foundation Chair and she was very proud that El Campo Rotary achieved 100% PHF status last year.  Mindi served as Assistant Governor twice and has been on the District Youth Exchange Committee and served in various roles from Inbound Coordinator to Youth Exchange Officer since 2001.   Mindi and Jeff have hosted many Rotary Exchange Students and their daughter did a short-term exchange to The Netherlands.  
 
Mindi has been recognized as Rotarian of the Year twice by the El Campo Rotary Club in 2004 and 2019 and, most recently she received the District Rotarian of the Year honor for 2018-2019.
 
Mindi is a Paul Harris Society Member, Polio Plus Society Member, Major Donor Level II, White Hat Society member and Bequest Society Level I donor to the Rotary Foundation. 
 
District 5910      
 
Demetress Harrell
 
Demetress Curl-Harrell is a resident of Lufkin, Texas where she is a notably active community leader.  Demetress is married to Demetrius R. Harrell, her exceptional friend and supportive mate for 33 years.  Demetress strives for excellence in her daily life as she promotes the value of self-worth among her colleagues and spiritual peers.  Demetress serves as the Chief Executive Officer for Hospice in the Pines, Incorporated where she has been employed since 1993, Demetress has also been an adjunct instructor for Angelina Community College for the past seventeen years where she motivates the educational endeavors of her many students.  Demetress holds a Bachelor’s degree with double majors in Social Work and Sociology, a Masters of Arts in Community Counseling and has obtained multiple hours in her pursuit of a PhD in Public Health Administration.  Demetress recently achieved a certification from Yale University in Healthcare management and is currently enrolled in a DEI certificate program under the USF Muma College of Business.  Demetress is a strong advocate in her community supporting many service programs, local projects and civic organizations.  Demetress has been a featured keynote speaker for various groups including Hospice, Healthcare and other business-related forums nationally as well as internationally.  Demetress was appointed as a Hospice Ambassador by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization this April and will be a key representative on the United States Capitol Hill.  Demetress feels that public speaking is an avenue for self-expression.
 
While end of life care is a great passion, it is Demetress’ civic work that defines her service above self attributes.  Since 1998 Demetress has been a member of the Angelina County Rotary club where she served as President in 2006 and 2015.  Demetress has held many District roles from Membership Chair and Assistant Governor.  Demetress also held the distinguished role of RI Assistant Rotary Coordinator of Membership before being selected as a District Governor candidate.  Demetress is still in awe of her most recent Rotary appointment as District Governor Nominee that will truly capture the essence of her commitment to Rotary service.  Demetress is a member of the Paul Harris Society and was honored to present her mother with a Paul Harris Fellow.  While this leader serves on many Boards, Committee’s and Alliances, she never can be one found not working.  Demetress is an Executive Board Member of the CHI St. Luke’s Hospital Board of Directors and Texas Division Board Advisor, Texas and New Mexico Hospice Board of Director, National Hospice and Palliative Care CEO steering committee, Texas Non-Profit Hospice Alliance, National Association of Social Work/Texas Nomination’s Chair and any more healthcare affiliations.

This young lady has been honored with many awards and accolades to include the 2017 Chamber of Commerce Athena Award, TXNMHO Board President Director of the year, Angelina Chamber of Commerce Healthcare Professional of the Year, Rotary Roll of Fame award, and best featured presenter for Hospice care; however, Demetress believes that God is the highest award recipient and presenter.  It is by this song that Demetress lives by: “May the works I’ve done speak for Me”.

Demetress is a devoted member of the First Missionary Baptist Church; Demetress is a Sunday School instructor and for more than ten years she was the President of the Ruth Circle Mission group.  Demetress has been a very active member of the General Mission of FMBC serving for more than seven years as President.  Demetress has spoken at churches around East Texas to include; Tyler, Longview, Center, Nacogdoches, San Augustine, Chireno, Lufkin, and Diboll.  Church is how Demetress was molded and today is the way she is grounded.

Demetress is the founder of the Sherman and Mandy Curl Memorial Scholarship Foundation along with her husband, and since 1999 this scholarship has provided financial aid to graduating seniors around the schools near her residence.

Demetress has also written two books and many publications.  
 
District 5930                             
 
Kent Grier
 
 
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