Julie Brandle was selected in the Fall of 2020 to serve as our District 6630 Governor for the July 2023- June 2024 Rotary year. 

At a ceremony on July 14, 2021, Brandle was officially sworn in as the District Governor Nominee (DGN) along with District Governor Elect (DGE), David Jones who will serve as Governor in 2022-2023.

(Photo L-R) Past DG Beverly Ghent-Skrzynski administered the oath of Governor Elect and Nominee, DG Larry Lohman then pinned DGE Jones and Jones in turn pinned DGN Brandle.

 

(Photo L-R) Larry Lohman,  2021-2022 District Governor,  Julie Brandle, David Jones

About Julie:

She is a past president of the Rotary Club of Akron and served as an Assistant Governor for Summit S - Medina County Cluster. She has chaired the District Conference Committee, and was a member of the Foundation Gala committee. She has also served the District as a facilitator for the Tri-District Membership Seminar and was chair of the District public image committee.

Brandle is a committed community advocate and currently serves on the boards of  The Rotary Club of Akron, Kent State University's Construction Management program, the Portage Development Board (economic development), Akron Civic Theatre, Akron Urban League, Greater Akron Chamber, ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors) Northeast Ohio, Coleman Foundation and the Hattie Larlham Foundation. Julie volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together, and the Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio. Julie is a Lifetime Gold Award Girl Scout and holds the adult honors of Women of Distinction and the Thanks Badge.

She is a graduate of Cuyahoga Falls High School, as well as Bowling Green State University where she earned a double major in Interpersonal and Public Communication and Soviet Studies and a travel grant scholarship to study in Kiev, Ukraine. She is a graduate of Goldman Sachs 10k Small Businesses, ScaleratorNEO, Leadership Portage County and Leadership Akron's Class 37.

Brandle is the president and a founder of Metis Construction Services, a female-owned commercial general contractor located in Kent. Metis completes ground-up, renovation, and facilities maintenance projects throughout Ohio, along with projects currently in PA, IL, KY, MI, DE, MO, and NY.  With over 25 years of experience in sales, marketing, and public relations, Julie oversees these areas of expertise for Metis along with being an integral part of the management team that designs and manages the overall business strategy for Metis Construction.

Brandle is the daughter of Rich (deceased) and Leann Soika and has a brother Rich (Sharon) and sister Kristen (Orlando) and 5 nieces and nephews (Orlando, RJ, Lydia, Ardynn and Reid). She and her husband Steven reside in Brimfield Twp. Their daughter Kimberly is a 2021 Bowling Green State University graduate and is excited to begin her first year this fall as a third and fourth grade Intervention Specialist at Monclova Elementary in the Anthony Wayne Local School District.


What is a Rotary District Governor?

District Governors (DG) are elected by the district clubs two to three years before taking office.
This time is dedicated for them to plan and attend development/training and leadership sessions.

There are approximately 526 District Governors worldwide.
 
Once their one-year term as Governor is complete, they retain the title of Past District Governor (PDG).

What does a District Governor do?

As a District Governor you have proven strong leadership skills and decision making. During your year in office, clubs look to you for leadership, support, and motivation as they carry out service projects and participate in Rotary programs.

What you do

  • Strengthen clubs, organize new clubs, and grow membership
  • Encourage contributions and other support for The Rotary Foundation
  • Promote positive public image and serve as spokesperson for district
  • Develop a safe environment for youth participants
  • Conduct district conference and other meetings
  • Supervise district nominations and elections
  • Prepare budget, provide annual report, and help administer District Designated Funds
  • Complete online district qualification
  • Work with governor-elect and other district leaders

The Rotary Club of Akron has a long history of its members being selected as District Governor.

These members of the Akron Rotary Club have honorably served as Rotary International District 6630 Governors (DG).
District 6630 has been renamed over the years as noted.

Formerly 21st District (renamed in 1922)
1922-23            Theodore E. Smith*          
 
Formerly 158th District (renamed in 1937)
1944-45            Harry E. Votaw*        
 
Formerly 229th District (renamed in 1949)
1956-57            William D. Zahrt*              
 
Formerly District 663 (renamed in 1957)
1968-69            Leslie P. Hardy*       
 
Renamed District 6630 (renamed in 1991)
2003-04            Jack A. Harig            
2010-11            Stew Buchanan        
2015-16            Cheryl A. Warren      
2019-20            John L. Reyes              
 
*Deceased / We also wish to recognize Richard Farkas who was scheduled to serve as a DG for the 2016-17 Rotary year. We were saddened when Dick passed away prior to the commencement of his term as DG. 
Sponsors