John GermLongtime Chattanooga Civic Leader John Germ has been selected to serve as President of Rotary International.
Germ, chairman of the consulting engineering firm of Campbell & Associates, Inc., will serve as the head volunteer for the 1.2 million-member service organization from 2016-2017.
The Chattanooga engineer has been a member of the downtown Rotary Club since 1976 and has served in a variety of Rotary leadership posts over the past three decades.
Germ was honored by President Barack Obama last year as one of 12 Rotary international "Champions of Change". He has served as president of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, Junior Achievement and Cherokee Area Council of the Boy Scouts, and as campaign chairman of the United Way. He has also served as president of the Tennessee Jaycees and was honored with the Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver Award.
"This is a huge honor not only for the Rotary Club of Chattanooga, but also for our city," said Chattanooga Rotary President Fred Decosimo said,. "We are proud of our native son and know he will make an outstanding President of Rotary International."
The Chattanooga Rotary Club is honoring Germ today from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at a reception at the IMAX Theater located on Chestnut Street.
Germ said his is honored to head Rotary International, which he said "makes a huge impact around the world.
"From eradicating Polio, to working on providing potable water for communities and serving as a partner to Habitat for Humanity here in Chattanooga, Rotarians make a difference from local to international levels," Germ said.