Governor Line

2024-2025 DISTRICT GOVERNOR ALBERT HERNANDEZ
Rotarians and Extended Rotary Family~

As I reflect on my Rotary journey which started in 2005 I am reminded how grateful that I have been to be part of this Rotary family. Looking back at the nearly 20 years of being in Rotary I am reminded of the unique magic of Rotary. It's a kind of magic woven through the commitment and efforts of every Rotarian in our District. 
 
Each project we undertake, each community we touch, brings about a transformation not only in those we help but in ourselves as well. Through the magic of Rotary, we see firsthand how health initiatives extend lives, how economic development uplifts entire communities, how our commitment to education opens doors for youth to thrive, and how our global humanitarian efforts unite our district in service above self.
I have various initiatives and goals this Rotary year.
 
First, Grow Rotary! - membership growth is essential… Growing Rotary’s membership for the sake of saying ‘we’ve grown’ is not what’s best. Growing our Rotary clubs is important because more Rotarians means MORE IMPACT. It means Clubs like LA5 can give out more scholarships to students who are facing financial hardship. It means clubs like Rotarians for Environmental Action can continue their efforts in creating green spaces throughout Los Angeles County. It means Clubs like those in Burbank can continue their efforts in bringing comfort and hope to the seniors in their community events. 
 
As a nonprofit director for a homeless service agency, I see it every day. People are hurting. Single parent households are asking themselves should I buy groceries or should I pay the rent. Senior citizens are having to pack and leave communities in which they have deep roots because the cost of housing has surpassed what their social security can afford. People are living in their cars or on the streets. If we amplify our stories of the impact your Clubs are
making people will gravitate to your Clubs because they want to be a part of the Rotary movement.

Second, encouraging Rotarians to do business with fellow Rotarians is a must. When you need a plumber, a financial advisor, a caterer, a CPA, always think of Rotarians first. I plan to bring many business events next year that will promote business opportunities so we can all thrive.
 
Third, succession planning… The essence of our success lies not only in the projects we undertake today but in our vision for the future. Succession planning ensures that this magic of Rotary does not end with us or I. It means mentoring the next generation of Rotarians, preparing them to take the wheel, and infusing them with our values and commitments.

For those reasons I said to myself two years ago, I am going to interview to be a District Governor. Over the last two years of being in the Governor Line and training for my year as Governor, I realized that YES I want to have the BEST YEAR EVER. I want to spend my time lifting our clubs up, give you all the tools and resources to help you create fun and welcoming club environments, I want to inspire you all….But, I also think we should be supporting the next Governors so that their year is even better than the prior year.

Every year District Governors should get better and better. My hope is that the governors in our district, like Alex and Brady, are set up for success more so than I was. We want the district, the clubs and members to strive to be the best year after year. And I will do whatever I can do to support the next generation of District 5280 leaders.

Now I ask you here, to go on this journey with me next year, walk alongside me, trust
me… that yes there will be some new ideas, new events, new ways of doing things…. But it’s all because I want to see YOU succeed. I know by the end of this year we will all be saying, ALL OUR CLUBS HIT A HOME RUN!
 
Albert Hernandez
2024-2025 District 5280 Governor
Rotary Club of Burbank Noon
2025-2026 District Governor Alex Parajon
2026-2027 District Governor Brady Connell
Brady served as Senior Assistant Governor – Membership 2021-24, and as Assistant Governor 2020-21. From 2018-20 he spearheaded the District’s Habitat for Humanity project, helping to build 10 homes for deserving families in Culver City. He is past president of the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club, and has been a Big Brother of Los Angeles since 1990.
 
Brady is a television Executive Producer, serving as showrunner for many popular shows, including ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Brady has been instrumental in the launch some of television’s most successful series, including Survivor and The Amazing Race. He lives in Marina del Rey with his wife Lauri Chryss, and two young future Rotarians.
2027-2028 District Governor Janice Lowers

Janice Lowers has been a proud member of the Rotary Club of Burbank Sunrise since 2008. She has served as club president twice and Assistant Governor three times. Janice was Chief of Staff for Past District Governor Bette Hall. She has also served on the Policy and Guidelines Committee and the District Charitable Foundation. She looks forward to serving the District, our amazing clubs, and their equally amazing members. Janice is a Paul Harris Fellow, member of the Paul Harris and Polio Plus Societies, and a Major Donor.

Janice retired from the Burbank Police Department in 2009 as a Captain, having been one of the first women hired to be patrol officers. She has served her community on the Park and Recreation Board as well as on a number of nonprofit boards. Currently she serves on the board for Home Again LA.  Janice is the mother of adult twins who she raised as a single mom after her husband passed away in 2000. She loves travel, sports, fun, and serving others.