Meet our Board and Members
2023-24 Board
President Danny Mintz
Secretary Gary Daigneault
Treasurer Sandy Smith
Past-President Liz Meyer
President Elect PJ Welch
Secretary Gary Daigneault
Treasurer Sandy Smith
Past-President Liz Meyer
President Elect PJ Welch
- Full name: Daniel Mintz
- How long have you lived in 29 Palms?:
- Profession/Company work(ed) for:
- When did you join Rotary?:
- Who led you to join?:
- Why did you join?
- Other organizations involved with:
- Other interests/hobbies:
- What’s an interesting fact about yourself?:
- What do you love about 29 Palms?:
- What’s your favorite Rotary memory?:
- Full name - Elizabeth Hatch Meyer
- How long have you lived in 29 Palms? - 77 years
- Profession/Company work(ed) for - Taught high school for MUSD for 28 years
- When did you join Rotary? – Sept. 19, 2018
- Who led you to join? Gary Daigneault
- Why did you join? – I love 29 Palms and love making it the best place to live.
- Other organizations involved with – Board of Trustees of Copper Mountain College, former City Council person for 8 years, Mayor twice.
- Other interests/hobbies: Van Camping! Over 100,000 miles across America and Canada, so far.
- What’s an interesting fact about yourself? – I just went sledding in Switzerland!
- What do you love about 29 Palms? – 29 Palms has a good spirit and we take care of each other.
- What’s your favorite Rotary memory? – Handing out boxes of food and Stater cards during COVID 2020.
- Full name - Randolph Councell (Randy)
- Profession/Company work(ed) for - Retired City of Twentynine Palms, Community Services Director 30+ years
- When did you join Rotary? – 1991
- Who led you to join? Dawn Benton and Danny Mintz
- Why did you join? – Serve my Community
- Other organizations involved with – Delano JC's, Delano Arts Foundation, Kern County Red Cross, Copper Mountain College Foundation
- Other interests/hobbies: Gardening, travel
- What’s an interesting fact about yourself? – grew up in Twentynine Palms, playing in sports programs as a child that I oversaw
- What’s your favorite Rotary memory? – Traveling through Rotary Friendship Exchange to Italy, Lithuania, and taking Christmas presents to the orphanage in Baja with my sons.
- Full name: Jamie Wayt
- How long have you lived in 29 Palms?: 1.5 years
- Profession/Company work(ed) for: Owner, Texas Jack Wild West Outfitter. VP of Corporate Communications for Cimarron Firearms. Qualitative Research Analyst and Project Manager for various consumer research firms.
- When did you join Rotary? 2021
- Who led you to join? Liz Meyer
- Why did you join? Moving to a new place during a pandemic makes it very difficult to meet people and I really wanted to get involved in the community.
- Other organizations involved with: Several market research professional organizations, firearms industry orgs, and Fredericksburg, TX Chamber of Commerce
- Other interests/hobbies: live music, film, pilates, cooking
- What’s an interesting fact about yourself? I had a live music-focused blog for 10 years and was the rock blogger for the GRAMMYs, attending the awards for 6 years, interviewing many famous musicians!
- What do you love about 29 Palms? It's peace, beauty, and creativity
- What’s your favorite Rotary memory? Getting to know everyone and the weekly guests! Lots to look forward to in 2022.
- Full name: Anna Stump
- How long have you lived in 29 Palms? : 6 years
- Profession/Company work(ed) for: Self employed artist and curator; art educator (San Diego City College, Grossmont College, Copper Mountain College); special project in 29 Palms: Mojaveland; film and video location in Los Angeles (www.moonhuts.com)
- When did you join Rotary?: 2021
- Who led you to join?: City Manager Frank Luckino
- Why did you join? I joined Rotary to meet people in 29 Palms outside of the artist community.
- Other organizations involved with: Chair, Public Arts Advisory Committee; Morongo Basin Art Council, member
- Other interests/hobbies: cooking, gardening (trying to learn how to grow in the desert!)
- What’s an interesting fact about yourself?: I lived in Turkey for several years.
- What do you love about 29 Palms?: I love the space and sky, and the freedom I feel here.
- What’s your favorite Rotary memory?: So far, I'm just enjoying getting to know the other members, and finding out what's happening in our community from all the amazing guest speakers. Plus Bruce's lunches are a treat each week!
- Full name: Gary Daigneault
- How long have you lived in 29 Palms? : 43 years
- Profession/Company work(ed) for: Broadcaster, 10 years with KDHI/KQYN 29 Palms, 32 years with Z107.7 Joshua Tree. Taught High School Vocational education, Broadcasting and Digital Multi-Track Editing, for 27 years.
- When did you join Rotary?: September 1982
- Who led you to join?: Local Mortgage Broker, Dick Tannenabaum
- Why did you join? To give back to the community.
- Other organizations involved with: Theatre 29, Koi Pond
- Other interests/hobbies: Motorcycle rider, Direct and perform in live theater.
- What’s an interesting fact about yourself?: I also paint, acrylic on canvas.
- What do you love about 29 Palms?: The thing I love the most about Twentynine Palms is the wonderful, independent, sometimes quirky, people!
- What’s your favorite Rotary memory?: My favorite Rotary memory was watching the "lights go on" in our young people when I served as a RYLA Counselor.
- Full name: Sandy Smith
- How long have you lived in 29 Palms? : This time, since January 2001 compliments of USMC
- Profession/Company work(ed) for: Executive Director of Copper Mountain College Foundation
- When did you join Rotary?: October 2001
- Who led you to join?: Jim Hart, then City Manager for 29 Palms
- Why did you join? It felt like finding my people. I read about Rotary’s mission, Service Above Self and immediately felt like I belonged. The members of our club became my family at this duty station and have remained that for more than 20 years.
- Other organizations involved with: I am a board member for Basin-wide Foundation.
- Other interests/hobbies: Travel. Reading. Bingo. My grandkids – Juniper (3) Claire (3) and Colton (1).
- What’s an interesting fact about yourself?: I’ve traveled to five of the seven continents; 18 countries and can’t wait to see the rest of the world.
- What do you love about 29 Palms?: The people. The small town feel. The way we band together to help each other and get things done. And the dry heat.
- What’s your favorite Rotary memory?: Brazil, 2015. I was a part of a five woman Vocational Training Team (VTT) to Maringa, Brazil. We spent a month living with Rotarians while working at the University. We shared best practices while learning alternative ways of marketing, grant writing, utilizing English in the classroom and campus culture. We were unplugged from real life but doing amazing work and it was life changing.
- Full name: Jermaine Rodney Sr.
- How long have you lived in 29 Palms?: 32 years
- Profession/Company work(ed) for: Business owner
- When did you join Rotary?: 2014
- Who led you to join?: Randy Councell
- Why did you join? To serve my community
- Other interests/hobbies: Serving my community
- What’s an interesting fact about yourself?: I'm an actor
- What do you love about 29 Palms?: The people
- What’s your favorite Rotary memory?: When Santa arrived in a helicopter
- Full name: Dawn Benton
- How long have you lived in 29 Palms?:
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- Full name: Elizabeth Bevan
- How long have you lived in 29 Palms?: 20 years total
- Profession/Company work(ed) for: Civil engineer for MCAGCC
- When did you join Rotary?: Sept. 2021
- Who led you to join?: My mom, Sandy Smith!
- Why did you join? Rotary has always been a huge part of my life since I was in elementary school, and it finally was the right time in my life to be a Rotarian.
- Other organizations involved with: Member of MSA. Volunteer for Copper Mountain College.
- Other interests/hobbies: Kickball, crafting, and traveling
- What do you love about 29 Palms?: Joshua Tree National park is my favorite part about living in 29 palms, there is so much adventure right in our backyard!
- What’s your favorite Rotary memory?: My favorite rotary memory is helping to organize, collect, and work towards gathering donations to take to our partnered orphanage in Mexico. We were at the time helping them build a brand new playground, and visiting to bring them new supplies, toys, food, and first aid kits. It was amazing to see the faces of these kids we were able to help first hand! Such an experience really stays with you. ❤️
- Full name: PJ Welch
- How long have you lived in 29 Palms?:
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- Full name: Donald U. Thursby
- How long have you lived in 29 Palms?: almost four years
- Profession/Company work(ed) for: Little Church of the Desert (Pastor)
- When did you join Rotary?: October 2022
- Who led you to join?: Liz Meyer
- Why did you join? I had been a Rotarian before in Humboldt, NE. I liked their values and service.
- Other organizations involved with: The Presbytery of Riverside
- Other interests/hobbies: music, walking, reading, watching sports, some coin collecting
- What’s an interesting fact about yourself?: We have a 27 year-old ball python snake named Sammie.
- What do you love about 29 Palms?: The people
- What’s your favorite Rotary memory?: Helping children and youth.
- Full name: Matthew Finnegan
- How long have you lived in 29 Palms?: Over 12 years
- Profession/Company work(ed) for: Little Church of the Desert, JD Properties
- When did you join Rotary?: 2022
- Who led you to join?: Liz Meyer and John Cole
- Why did you join? It was time, I had been unofficially part of the Rotary for a few years. Seeing how much they have helped the community made it an easy decision when I was asked.
- Other organizations involved with: Little Church of the Desert, Oasis of Mara 735 Masonic Lodge
- Other interests/hobbies: Altruism
- What do you love about 29 Palms?: The town is still small enough where any individual can still have an influence.
- Full name: Pat Welch
- How long have you lived in 29 Palms?: 47 years
- Profession/Company work(ed) for: Moving and Storage Cardinal Van & Storage
- When did you join Rotary?: 1985
- Who led you to join?: Ray Garett
- Why did you join? To give back to my community
- Other organizations involved with: California Moving and Storage, ATA and Elks Lodge
- Other interests/hobbies: Fishing and old cars
- What’s an interesting fact about yourself?: I’ve been President of our Rotary Club twice
- What do you love about 29 Palms?: Weather and the community
- What’s your favorite Rotary memory?: Helping an orphanage in Mexico
- Full name: Jene Estrada
- How long have you lived in 29 Palms?: Seven years
- Profession/Company work(ed) for: Morongo Unified School District
- When did you join Rotary?: 2023
- Who led you to join?: Superintendent Dr. Patricio Vargas
- Why did you join? I joined to be a part of my local community and to network with other businesses that could benefit students in the Morongo Basin.
- Other organizations involved with: Morongo Education Foundation
- Other interests/hobbies: Art, reading and spending time with my family
- What do you love about 29 Palms?: The night skies and the abundance of outdoor activities
- Full name: Patricia LaSala Stout
- How long have you lived in 29 Palms?: 30 years
- Profession/Company work(ed) for: Clergy
- When did you join Rotary?: 2023, but was member of Crestline and Indio Morning previously
- Who led you to join?: Liz Meyer, Marsh Collins
- Why did you join? To participate in service opportunities
- Other organizations involved with: Schoolhouse Museum
- Other interests/hobbies: Traveling and reading
- What’s an interesting fact about yourself?: I’m Italian
- What do you love about 29 Palms?: People are friendly; sun and warmth.
- Full name: John Cole
- How long have you lived in 29 Palms?: 55 years
- Profession/Company work(ed) for: Morongo Unified School District, City of 29 Palms
- When did you join Rotary?: 2014
- Who led you to join?: Pat Welch
- Why did you join? Good group, good work, good people
- Other organizations involved with: Food Pantry, MUSD Foundation, Annual Art Expo, Historical Association, starting track meets
- Other interests/hobbies: Kids, grandkids, great-grandkids
- What’s an interesting fact about yourself?: Ran three marathons, including first L.A. Marathon
- What do you love about 29 Palms?: The people and the community atmosphere
- What’s your favorite Rotary memory?: Our projects that have benefitted the city
- Full name: Jack D. Shelver
- How long have you lived in 29 Palms?: Three years
- Profession/Company work(ed) for: City Manager--Del Mar, Imperial Beach, Lemon Grove, Solana Beach, and Seal Beach. Assistant City Manager--Imperial Beach and La Mesa.
- When did you join Rotary?: 1968--Del Mar (President 1970); 1972--Imperial Beach; 1977--Lemon Grove (President 1982); 1994--Ramona; 2020--Twentynine Palms
- Who led you to join?: A lady I met at the gym who is no longer a member.
- Why did you join? To serve Rotary and the community, and for the Fellowship.
- Other organizations involved with: Little Church of the Desert; Sky's the Limit Observatory. When we lived in Julian I was president of the Fire District Board, Chairman of the Community Planning Group, and Treasurer of the Pine Hills Water Company Board.
- Other interests/hobbies: I have a private pilot's license and am a certified SCUBA diver.
- What’s an interesting fact about yourself?: After high school I served as a Marine in Korea just after the end of the war.
- What do you love about 29 Palms?: Wonderful and interesting people.
- What’s your favorite Rotary memory?: Distributing food boxes to thankful people.
Former Members
- Full name: Frank J. Luckino
- How long have you lived in 29 Palms?: I have lived in the Morongo Basin for 19 years.
- Profession/Company work(ed) for: City of Twentynine Palms
- When did you join Rotary?: 2005
- Who led you to join?: Gary Daigneault
- Why did you join? To be involved and give back to the Community
- Other organizations involved with: City of Twentynine Palms, Elks, and MUSD Foundation
- Other interests/hobbies: Hiking, football, and Bourbon
- What’s an interesting fact about yourself?: Dana White (UFC President) was a trainer in our office in Las Vegas
- What do you love about 29 Palms?: Definitely the people, small town America, helping one another
- What’s your favorite Rotary memory?: My Wife's (a former Rotarian) experience with RYLA that lead her to become a Teacher.
- Full name: David Smith
- How long have you lived in 29 Palms?: Nine Years
- Profession/Company work(ed) for: National Park Service
- When did you join Rotary?: 2005 - Grand Canyon Rotary
- Who led you to join?: My boss encouraged me to join.
- Why did you join? My boss said it was a great way to make new friends who can help do public service.
- Other organizations involved with: Little Church of the Desert, Joshua Tree National Park
- Other interests/hobbies: Trail Running, litter clean ups, bowling, clogging
- What’s an interesting fact about yourself?: I have lived and worked in 9 National Parks across the United States.
- What do you love about 29 Palms?: I love the people who go out of the way to help their neighbors when they are struggling.
- What’s your favorite Rotary memory?: The Rotary exchange with the South Africans who arrived on the hottest day of the decade and who were thrilled that we all could hang out in a pool to escape the heat.