Kurt joined the Rotary Club of Placerville in January 2014. He was sponsored by his father, Danno, who has been a Rotarian for 60 years. He quickly took on leadership roles in the club including serving as president for three terms from 2018-2021. This was followed immediately by taking on the role of assistant/area governor from 2021-2025. As president, Kurt was the driving force behind the development and installation of a batting cage at the City of Placerville’s Rotary Park and improving ADA access to the seating area. With Kurt at the helm, his club and many community members were responsible for raising $100,000 for the Rotary Club of Paradise following the deadly Camp Fire. Kurt has filled roles for the district including being on the disaster response committee, district service chair, and the district’s Rotary Leadership Institute cadre. Kurt is a Paul Harris Fellow, Polio Plus Society member, and contributes to the Rotary Foundation monthly through Rotary Direct.
Kurt is a fifth-generation resident of El Dorado County and was born and raised in Placerville. He returned to Placerville after his 23-year career in the United States Air Force where he flew KC135R and C-130E/H aircraft as co-pilot, aircraft commander, and instructor pilot in both airframes. Kurt participated in a number of operations around the globe including Desert Shield/Storm/Calm, Restore Hope, Provide Promise, Iraqi Freedom, and Deep Freeze.
Kurt and his father manage commercial property in Placerville and have a small walnut orchard in the Apple Hill area. Kurt’s wife, Veronica (Polly), recently retired as a Colonel from a 31-year career in both the active duty and the Air Force Reserve. They have two sons, one a student and athlete (cross-country and track) at Cal Poly Humboldt, and the other, also a student-athlete (football and track), in high school.
In addition to Rotary, Kurt’s involvement in the community includes being the publicity chair for Placerville Ducks Unlimited, Flight Captain of the Sierra Flight 27 Order of Daedalians, former board member and vice-president of the Marshall Foundation for Community Health, and former commissioner for District 3 of the County of El Dorado Veterans’ Affairs Commission. He has coached youth basketball for the city and junior varsity baseball for El Dorado High School. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion, and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
