Speaker: Ron Sekkel - "The Power of One"
Jul 13, 2015
PRESIDENT ANDY KRAKE'S FIRST MEETING
Speaker: Ron Sekkel - "The Power of One"

Ron started his Rotary adventure when his father, Program Chair for the Rotary Club of Placentia, California, asked him to come in the 1960s to be a program at his Club.  Ron loved seeing how the owner of a little janitorial firm could mingle with the Fire Chief, the Police Chief, the School Superintendent, and the Mayor, enjoying fellowship while doing good in the world.

With that in mind Ron joined Rotary as soon as asked by becoming a member of the Rotary Club of Cambria Pines, California in 1977 at 32 years of age. He’s been a member of 4 other clubs for a total of 5 clubs, 2 of them as a charter member. The last 16 years he’s been a member of the Rotary Club of Scotts Valley, CA. He was the President of the Rotary Club of San Lorenzo Valley, CA in 1986-1987 and entered District Service in 1999-2000 as an Assistant District Governor.

Since then he’s served for the District’s Clubs in numerous positions:

  • District Community Service Chair, 2000-2003,   
  • Traveled to the Rotary International Osaka Convention  by taking a Freighter to Japan and back, 2004, (as Paul & Jeanne Harris went by ship in their day)
  • District Governor, 2004-2005, Rotary’s Centennial year,
  • Flew to Sri Lanka for the ribbon cutting ceremonies of our District’s Tsunami Water Project, 2005 (The Project caused Ron to break his 29 year no fly policy, since then he’s been on over 36 airplanes visiting Rotary friends, projects, meetings or conventions)
  • District Trainer, 2006-2009, Spoke to 60+ Clubs about projects in Rwanda, Sri Lanka, and implemented District 5960’s Visioning Program in our district,   
  • Dean of the District 5170 Leadership Academy, 2009-Present,
  • District 5170 Council of Legislation Representative, 2010, Successful presentation of the 5th Avenue of Service, (New Generations) Youth Service.
  • 2014- Present - Site Administrator for the RotaCare Free Clinic in Santa Cruz

He’s served in various positions Beyond the District as well:

  • Zones 23 & 24 Special Features Chair, 2007 Long Beach Zone Institute,
  • Zones 23 & 24 District Trainers Network Coordinator, 2007-2009,   
  • Far West PETS Faculty, 2008 & 2009,
  • Far West PETS Opening Program, Talent & Script Coordinator, 2006-Present (10 Years), 
  • Zones 25 & 26 Communications Chair & Special Assistant to Rotary International Director John Blount, 2009-2011.
  • RI President’s Representative at the District 6360 Conference in Michigan, 2012
  • 2013 COL at 2012 Institute COL Zones 25&26 Co-Trainer
  • 2012 & 2013 Zones 25 & 26 Gets Instructor, Financial Risk Management
  • 2012 Zones 25 & 26 Institute, Opening Program Chair
  • Zones 25 & 26 Chief Financial Officer, 2011-2013.
  • Keynote Speaker at the District 5340 Assembly, 2013 
  • 2013-Present - RI Zone 26 Asst. Rotary Coordinator for Districts 5000, 5170, 5220, & 5230
  • Convener & Chair of the Nominating Committee of the Zones 25&26, 2015-2017 Rotary International Director selected was PDG Bradford Howard.
  • 2015 Talent & Script Coordinator for the Presentation at the International Assembly titled, “Living Beyond Yourself”

Ron received the Rotary Foundation’s Citation for Meritorious Service in 2008.

Ron and Cindy are Rotary Foundation Major Donors, Level 2.

Ron was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, came to the US at age 8 and became a citizen at age 13.  He graduated from UCLA with a BA and a Commission as a Supply Corps Officer in the United States Navy Reserve in 1969. After Naval Service he attended California State University at Long Beach and earned a Master’s of Science in Industrial Psychology.

It was there that Ron met Cindy Taylor in Motivation and Emotion class with the question “Would you like to study for Midterms?” they married 6 months later in 1973.

Ron started his tax business in 1979 and sold it after 34 successful years causing his retirement at the end of 2013. He’s an Enrolled Agent and a National Tax Practice Fellow.