Keynote Speakers

Hello District 7080 Conference Committee Rotarian’s

This is the grass-roots beginnings of your very first District Conference Blog. Come by often to watch as it starts to unfold itself into beautiful pictures, video's and conversations among fellow Rotarians. This year marks the 100th Anniversary of Rotary International when Canada itself joined Paul Harris' US organization. Are our Rotary Roots deep enough? ...to sustain another 100 years ...to strengthen our agricultural roots for health and hunger ...to seed our growth with new talent ...to fertilize with inspiration and renewal ...to ensure enough water for everyone ...to sew the quilt of friendship across the land Rotary District 7080 Conference will be ...

Gord Surgeoner

Dedicated leader is perhaps the best way to describe Gord Surgeoner. During his 30-year career, he has worked tirelessly to promote initiatives and champion causes that he believes are important to the well-being of the agri-food industry. After completing his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1971 at the University of Guelph, Dr. Surgeoner went on to obtain a Master’s degree in Economic Entomology in 1973, also from Guelph and a Ph.D. in Forest Entomology in 1976 from Michigan State University. Gord became an esteemed professor at the University of Guelph in Environmental Biology and Plant Agriculture, where he remained on faculty until his retirement in 2004. Since his ...

Carl Hiebert

It's proverbially difficult to judge a book by its cover. It is equally demanding to judge a person by his origins. Carl Hiebert has his roots in a simple Mennonite farming community in Southern Ontario. Interesting beginnings for a man who has become an adventurer, author, entrepreneur, photographer and aviator. After working his way around the world – while living on an average of $1.35 a day – Carl eventually found his way to Waterloo, Ontario, where he has worked as a salesman, photographer, reporter, and technician. In 1981, his life’s direction took a drastic turn when he broke his ...