Rotarian of the Week 03-09-11

Our Rotarian of the Week was born in Chicago and grew up in Mount Prospect, Illinois.  His first job at age 13 was working for the Mt. Prospect News Agency delivering morning papers for a penny per paper, and later at age 16 doing bill collecting of overdue accounts for  $1.25 per hour.   After high school he attended the University of Illinois, before joining the Air Force.  He eventually graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in engineering and served in the Air Force for twenty-four years.  He came to Wyoming in 1984, when he was transferred to F.E. Warren Air Force Base.  In 1988, he was transferred to Laramie, where he served as an instructor for Air Force ROTC at the University of Wyoming.  Today, Jerry Haenisch is the CEO of PGI, an education administrative support company and the Chancellor of Preston University.  He also teaches classes online for Kaplan University and the University of Maryland.  Jerry and his wife, Ilsey, have been married 41 years.  He enjoys motorcycling, photography and old muscle cars.  He is also a member of the International Fellowship of Motorcycling Rotarians.  His favorite meal is a French dip sandwich with fries.  Jerry has been a member of Rotary since 1990, when he joined the Laramie Rotary Club.  Since joining Rotary, Jerry has visited Rotary Clubs in more than 15 different countries.  In 2005, he transferred to our Club.  He enjoys Rotary because of the fellowship, international activities and the high ethical standards and integrity of Rotary.  His most memorable Rotary experience was providing the notable news report at the Laramie Rotary Club each week and helping develop the RYLA training program in the mid-1990s.    Jerry based the RYLA leadership training off the Air Force Officer Training School program where the leadership position rotates through the students. He is also a Paul Harris Fellow +5.  Next to family, Jerry’s proudest accomplishment is his twenty-four years of service to our country in the United States Air Force.  Jerry currently serves as one of our Sergeant at Arms.  In recognition of his service to Rotary and our country, the Sergeant at Arms presented Jerry with a gift certificate and a travel book.