As the 2016-17 Rotary year begins, the Troy club has installed new officers to lead the local organization and its community programs. All positions become effective on July 1st. Richard Bender, executive director of United Way of Troy, has been named president following a year in the role of president-elect. As president, he will continue to help Troy Rotary expand its engagement with the community and the programs the club offers. Attorney J. Andrew Wannemacher, Court Administrator for the Miami County Juvenile/Probate Court in Troy, has been appointed as president-elect and will work closely with Bender to learn all the responsibilities of the president’s role before stepping into that position for the 2017-18 Rotary year.

Rachelle Miller, executive director of Troy Miami County Library since 2008, will continue in her role as club secretary. As leader of the library, Miller handles day-to-day business and programs at the Troy library, Local History Library, Oakes-Beitman Library in Pleasant Hill, Ohio, as well as bookmobile services. Howard Cheney, owner of Fisher-Cheney Funeral Home in Troy, will start his 29th year as the club’s sergeant-at-arms. A dedicated Rotarian for more than four decades, Cheney is responsible for greeting all members at weekly meetings and tracking their attendance, having maintained a perfect attendance record himself for the past 38 years.

Thomas Giere, co-owner of Nolan, Giere & Company, will continue in the capacity of treasurer for Troy Rotary. He has held this important position since 1996 and does an outstanding job of working with club members and the Troy Rotary Foundation to provide thousands of dollars of financial support for club programs and scholarships that benefit the community. Andrew H. Johnston will step into the role as past president following his 15-month presidential term. Johnston will lend his leadership, knowledge and know-how to support the newly installed officers. The club appreciates his dedication and commitment to the mission and vision of Rotary.

Troy Rotarians and the Troy Rotary Foundation support several community projects annually. In 2014-15, more than $16,000 in scholarships and community aid was distributed from the fund, including the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program, Rotary’s annual Shoe Project, scholarships, and sponsorships to summer camps at Brukner Nature Center and WACO Air Museum. The Troy Rotary Club is a member-involved, goal-oriented service club focused on socio/economic issues that have an impact both locally and internationally. Follow their activities on Facebook at Troy Rotary Club. To learn more about Rotary and membership, please visit www.troyohiorotary.org.