District 5830 Governor's Home Page
District Governor

Jeff is a graduate of the University of Arkansas (BSIE – May 1976). He worked at Eastman Chemical for over 33 years and finished his service in 2008 as Global Director of Safety, Health, and Ergonomics. Since 2009, Jeff has served as an Owner/Operator of Chick-fil-A in Orlando, FL and Tyler, TX.
Jeff married his high school sweet heart (Debra) after graduating from the University of Arkansas in 1976. Jeff and Debra have one daughter (Melissa – Speech Language Pathologist), who is married Jeff Lahey (Assistant Principal/Administrator) and they have two wonderful grandkids (Sadie-9 and Camden-8).
Jeff has been an active member of Rotary for over 30+ years. Jeff’s membership began with the Longview South Rotary Club (TX) and includes transfers to the Kingsport Rotary Club (TN), Rotary Club of Orlando (FL), and finally, the South Tyler Rotary Club (TX).
Rotary MEMBERSHIP
Proposed by Past Longview South Rotary President/ 1989-1990
Community Leader, Sam Vaughn (now deceased)
Activities Director & Membership Chair 1991-1992
Club Treasurer (Longview South) 1992-1993
Club Secretary (Longview South) 1993-1994
Attended/visited Rotary clubs in Tuscaloosa, AL but 2001-2002
did NOT join/transfer Rotary membership due to travel
and short term assignment as Site Manager for a “closing”
chemical plant
Transferred to Kingsport, TN (Corporate Headquarters of 2002-2005
Eastman Chemical but did NOT immediately join/transfer
Rotary membership due to global travel assignments.
Joined Rotary Club of Kingsport (TN) and served as an 2006-2007
Engineer and Global Director classification for two great years.
Served as “Service Director” 2007
Took EARLY retirement from Eastman Chemical and applied 2007-2009
For a Chick-fil-A Owner/Operator franchise (long application and
review/approval process). Worked for two companies while waiting
on final Chick-fil-A approval and assignment.
Served as a Corporate Director for Tuner Brothers Trucking, 2008
Crane/Rigging, and Wind Energy (TX/OK) which required
Extensive regional travel - - - visited Rotary Clubs in TX, OK,
LA, and AR locations but DID NOT join due to travel constraints
Served as Global Corporate Director for Chemtura 2009
Corporation (CT), which required extensive Global travel - -
Visited Rotary Clubs around the world but DID NOT join
due to travel/work constraints.
Moved to Orlando (FL) and built a new Chick-fil-A location 2009-2012
In the downtown district - - assigned as Owner/Operator.
Visited area Rotary clubs for several years while starting a
new business and learning the Orlando area.
Joined Rotary Club of Orlando (FL) and became an active 2012
member supporting local education/reading efforts, service
projects, and club development.
Facilitated the Rotary Club of Orlando (FL) Rotary 2012-2014
Foundation Board’s “visionary” planning and long-term
sustainability efforts
Awarded Rotarian of the Month/Year by the Rotary Club 2014
of Orlando (FL) for club service and foundation support
Joined Rotary Club of South Tyler (TX) and became an active 2015
member supporting local enlistment, education efforts, service
projects, programs, and club development.
Served as “Club Administration Director” 2015-2016
Served as “Service Director” 2017-2018
Served as Club President of South Tyler Rotary (TX) 2019-2020
Served as South Tyler Rotary Foundation President 2020-2021
Served as District Disaster Relief Chair 2020-2021
Served as a District 5830 Facilitator for Club Visioning. 2018-Present
Submitted application for District Governor (District 5830) May 2021
District Governor – Nominee (District 5830) 2022-2023
District Governor – Elect (District 5830) 2023-
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