2024 Keynote Speakers

Mark Maloney

Mark Maloney

RI Past President/Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair-Elect

Mark Daniel Maloney is a principal in the law firm of Blackburn, Maloney and Schuppert, LLC, with a focus on taxation, estate planning, and agricultural law. He represents large farming operations in the Southeastern and Midwestern United States and has chaired the American Bar Association’s Committee on Agriculture in the Section of Taxation. He is a member of the American Bar Association, Alabama State Bar Association, the Alabama Law Institute, and is a past president of the Morgan County Bar Association.

He has been active in Decatur’s religious community, chairing his church’s finance council and a local Catholic school board. He has also served as president of the Community Foundation of Greater Decatur, chair of Morgan County Meals on Wheels, and director of the United Way of Morgan County and the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce.

Maloney served as RI president during 2019-2020, when he presided over the first virtual RI Convention that was organized during the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasized strategies to grow Rotary. A Rotarian since 1980, he has also served as an RI director; Foundation trustee and vice chair; and aide to 2003-04 RI President Jonathan Majiyagbe. He also has participated in the Council on Legislation as chair, vice chair, parliamentarian, and trainer. He was an adviser to the 2004 Osaka Convention Committee, chaired the 2014 Sydney Convention Committee, and chaired RI’s Operations Review Committee for four terms. Prior to serving as a district governor, Maloney led a Group Study Exchange to Nigeria.

He also served as Future Vision Committee vice chair; Foundation training institute moderator; Foundation permanent fund national adviser; member and vice chair of the Peace Centers Committee; member of the International PolioPlus Committee; and adviser to the Foundation’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in Schools Target Challenge Committee.

Maloney’s wife, Gay, is an attorney in the same law firm and a member and past president of the Rotary Club of Decatur Daybreak, Alabama, USA. Both support The Rotary Foundation as Paul Harris Fellows, Major Donors, and Bequest Society members.

Beth Stubbs

Beth Stubbs

Rotary International Director

Beth Stubbs is a highly accomplished professional and esteemed member of the Rotary community. With a degree in accounting from Plymouth State College, Beth brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role as Rotary International Director. As a Certified Public Accountant and a former CFO, she has excelled in managing finances and providing strategic guidance to organizations. Beth has dedicated her career to consulting with small business owners, helping them navigate financial complexities and develop successful exit strategies.

Throughout her Rotary journey, Beth has been deeply involved in various committees and initiatives within her district. Her passion for Rotary extends beyond the local level, as she has attended numerous international conventions and participated in life-changing projects around the world. From supporting polio eradication efforts to organizing community fundraisers, Beth’s commitment to making a positive impact is truly inspiring.

In addition to her Rotary involvement, Beth actively contributes to her community through board memberships in local nonprofits and her church. She is a firm believer in the power of education and personal growth, having served in leadership positions in Toastmasters International. In her free time, Beth enjoys reading, traveling, and cheering for her favorite sports teams.

Beth’s dedication, expertise, and genuine desire to serve others make her an invaluable asset to the Rotary community. As a member of the Board, she will leverage her financial acumen and collaborate with clubs to create awareness and maximize the potential of Rotary. Together, we can continue to uphold the values of Service Above Self and make a lasting difference in the lives of individuals and communities worldwide.

Brian Hall

Brian Hall

Rotary International Director-Elect

Brian is a member of the Rotary Club of Covington, LA.  He has served his club and district in many positions, including as District 6840 Governor in the 2014-2015 Rotary year. Brian was active with the Host Organizing Committee of the 2011 Rotary International Convention, where he served as the chair of the Technology Committee, and as a member the RI Promotions Committee for the 2019 Honolulu convention.  He served Rotary Zone 31 as Assistant Regional Rotary Public Image Coordinator in the 2013-2014 year, as an Assistant Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator in the 2016-2019 years, and as End Polio Now Coordinator from 2019 to 2022. Brian served as a Training Leader at the International Assembly in both 2018 and 2019 and a Training Leader Support in 2021 and 2022. Brian is currently serving as a board member of the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Rotary Action Group, board member and past chair of the Past District Governors Fellowship, and treasurer and CFO of HANWASH. Brian is also serving as chair of the newly formed Joint Rotary International/Rotary Foundation Technology committee, reporting to the RI Board of Directors and The Rotary Foundation’s Trustees. Brian received Rotary’s Service Above Self award in the 2021-2022 Rotary year. Brian will be serving as a member of the Board of Directors of Rotary International in the 2025-2027 Rotary years from Zones 30 and 31.

Brian has been married to his wife, Lynn, for 30 years.  They currently reside in Madisonville, Louisiana. They have two children, Keely and Patrick.

Brian was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi.  Brian worked as a CPA for several years before changing careers to become a computer programmer.  In 1998 he and Lynn relocated to New Orleans, where Brian decided to merge his backgrounds and begin consulting with companies regarding business and financial systems.  In 2000, he and three others formed AIM Technologies to provide information and business systems sales and consulting. 

Ron Harris

Ron Harris

CEO, A Level Up

Delivering dynamic programs for nearly 30 years, Ron brings enthusiast encouragement to every audience. His expertise ranges from personal life coaching to character education in public schools; from corporate strategic planning to church rivals; from teambuilding to disaster relief efforts. With a background firmly grounded in education, faith and family, Ron ignites excitement and action in those around him through speaking engagements, targeted training and special projects to uplift the underserved. Ron is the founder and CEO of A Level Up, Inc., and Next Level Up, LLC, providing life-changing programs throughout the United States as well as in several countries in Europe, Central America and Asia. His engaging style and sense of humor captivate his audiences, challenging them to aspire to greater heights. Ron’s passions are to motivate the best in each of us, to inspire us all to overcome obstacles and to bring hope to the hopeless.

Pamela Stewart

Pamela Stewart

Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator

Pamela was recognized as a 2022 Rotary International Service Above Self award recipient at the Rotary International Convention in Houston, Texas and is the Zone 31 Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator 2022-2025.

Pamela joined the Rotary Club of Ruston in 2002 where she served in various roles, including as President from 2006-2007.  After her year as Club President, she was involved in a club extension project and served as a charter member and charter Club President of the Rotary Club of Lincoln from 2009-2010.  She served as District Governor from 2013-2014, as Rotary Zone 31 Assistant Rotary Public Image Coordinator from 2014-2018, as Zone 31 Endowment/Major Gifts Adviser 2018-2021, as Zone 31 Girls’ Empowerment Ambassador 2021-2024, and as Zone 31 Global Grants Resource 2021-2023.  She has served in various other club, district and zone capacities, as well as serving on the Ole Man River President-Elect Training Seminar (OMR PETS) Committee (Chair 2022-2024), and as President’s Representative for RI Presidents Ravi Ravindran, Ian Riseley, and Holger Knaack.  She is also a Regional Coordinator for Heart of American RLI.  She is a Major Donor-Level 3, Bequest Society Member-Level 5, and sustaining member of the Rotary Foundation, and a recipient of the Rotary Foundation’s Citation for Meritorious Service.  Her community involvement includes serving as President of the Lincoln Parish Bar Association for four (4) terms, serving on Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Hearing Committees, serving on the Louisiana Bar Foundation Fellow Northeast Community Partnership Panel, serving as Chair of the Northern Louisiana Medical Center Board of Trustees, serving on the Board of Directors of the Grambling High Foundation, and serving as President and a co-founder of Goodwill Lunching, Inc.   She is a recipient of the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Citizen Lawyer Award, a Louisiana Bar Foundation Fellow, and a member of the Judge Fred Fudickar, Jr. American Inns of Court.  She is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University and LSU Law School and is Senior Counsel for Genesis Energy.

Jill Pietrusinski

Jill Pietrusinski

Rotary Coordinator

Jill joined the Rotary Club of O’Fallon in 2005 to become more involved in her community.  Jill served as her Club President in 2011-2012.  Jill then served as District 6510 Governor 2017-2018 and currently serves Rotary Zone 31 as Rotary Coordinator of 17 Districts. She also was chosen to serve Rotary Zone 31 as an Innovative New Club Advocate from 2020-2023. Jill served as an International Assembly training leader in 2022 and 2023. She will serve in the role of Zone 31 Action Plan Champion in 2024 and has a passion for Growing Rotary.

Jill is a Benefactor and a Bequest Society Level 3 as well as a Major Donor IV and Paul Harris and Polio Plus Society member.  She serves on the District and Zone Visioning and RLI Committees as a facilitator and is Chair of IVFC (International Visioning Facilitation Council). She is also a member of several Rotary fellowships and action groups.

Jill was born in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada and raised in Evansville, IN.  She graduated from Nursing School at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY.  As a military spouse, Jill and her family lived in several locations finally settling in Southern, IL in 1992.  Since 2001 Jill has been a financial advisor, district advisor and now financial advisor and principal with First Command Financial Services.  She specializes in comprehensive financial planning services with expertise on military and federal employees’ needs.

Jill and John reside in O’Fallon, IL and are very active in their community and their church.  They enjoy travel and wine appreciation events as well as being loyal Pittsburgh Steelers and Penguins fans.

Jill has two adult children Jenna Purdy (Rotarian) and Sean Purdy.

Jamie Higgins

Jamie Higgins

Pubic Image Coordinator

Jamie has been a member of the Rotary Club of Morrilton since 2011 where he currently serves on the Board of Directors and served as Club President 2014-15.  In addition, he has served on numerous committees for District 6170 including RYLA and Youth Exchange. 

He served as District Governor during the 2020-21 year and served as a Zone Lead Trainer for District Governor Nominee’s in 2022.   Jamie currently serves as Zone 31 Public Image Coordinator and is a member of the 2024 Zone Institute Executive Team.  He is a member of Rotary Foundation Bequest Society and a member of the Paul Harris Society. 

Ron Petersen

Ron Petersen

Emcee

Ron was born in a small Northwest Kansas community and has been married to Louise for 59 years. She is also a Rotarian. They have five children, twelve grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Ron’s Rotary Classification is Radio Broadcasting. His career spans over 56 years with positions in the Joplin and Columbia, Missouri markets. He was successful in putting 50,000 watt 95.1 KMXL-FM on the air in March of 1991. Ron, Louise and their son Ron Jr. co-own MikeFM & Fabulous 1490 AM KDMO 93.5 FM.

He served as President of the Missouri Broadcasters Association in 1986 and was honored by the association as the 2005 Distinguished Broadcaster of the Year. Ron is presently Chairman of the McCune Brooks Regional Hospital Board of Trustees who manage a $20 Million public trust for the City of Carthage. Ron Emceed the Carthage Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet ’15 to’20. He has served on many other city and county boards. Ron’s hobbies include wine making, outdoor cooking, woodworking & being with his grandchildren.

He joined the Carthage Rotary club in 1977 and has served as a board member, Sergeant of Arms, Vice President and as President. In 1998 Rotary International recognized him with the 4 Avenues of Service Citation and in 1998 he was awarded the Rotarian of the Year at his club level. He served District 6110 as Assistant Governor, District Governor ‘08-’09, Public Relations Chair ’09-’14, Health & Hunger Chair ’09-’14, Chairman of the 4-Way Test Speech Contest ’10-’20 & Co-Chair ’21-present & District 6110 Trainer for DGE Warren Lovinger. He was involved with Mid-America PETS from 2012-2016.

Ron, Louise, and Ron Jr are all Paul Harris Fellows. Ron & Louise are members of the Paul Harris Society and are Rotary Foundation Level 4 Major Donors, Rotary Foundation Sustaining Members, Foundation Bequest Society Members and Rotary Foundation level 2 Benefactors.