Club History

History
History
For more than a century, the Rotary Club of Burbank Noon has been bringing together people who share a passion for service, leadership, and community impact. Founded in 1923 — just 12 years after Burbank became an incorporated city — the club has played an active role in helping our city grow and thrive.

Among the club's earliest leaders was James C. Crawford, a banker, civic leader, Burbank's fifth mayor, and the club's first president. His vision of community service helped establish a legacy that continues today.

Over the past 100+ years, thousands of members from a wide range of professions and backgrounds have called Burbank Noon Rotary home. While our members have changed with the times, one thing has remained constant: a commitment to Service Above Self.
 
Today, we proudly welcome members ages 18 and older from all professions, cultures, and walks of life. Our diversity is our strength, bringing together unique perspectives, experiences, and talents that help our club and community thrive.

Rotary is also a place for personal and professional growth. Through committee leadership, project management, public speaking opportunities, networking, mentoring, and hands-on service initiatives, members develop valuable leadership and communication skills while building lifelong friendships and professional connections.

Whether you're looking to make a difference, grow as a leader, expand your network, or give back to your community, Burbank Noon Rotary offers meaningful opportunities to learn, lead, and serve — locally and around the world.
 
 
Past Presidents Circle
We thank all these amazing men and women who have led the club. It is through their support that our members, club and community are thriving. 
 
Presidents (1923 - current)
2026 - 2027: Scott Rife
2025 - 2026: Cynthia Wagner
2024 - 2025: Paul Herman
2023 - 2024: Darrin Borders
2022 - 2023: Stephanie Bennett
2021 - 2022: Carolyn Blundell
2020 - 2021: Barry Gussow
2019 - 2020: Gregory Madore
2018 - 2019: Albert Hernandez (District Governor 2024-2025)
2017 - 2018: Brian Volpei
2016 - 2017: Jessa Freemyer
2015 - 2016: Renee Johnson
2014 - 2015: Ricardo Eichwald
2013 - 2014: Barbara Howell
2012 - 2013: Michael Thomas
2011 - 2012: Jonathan Taylor
2010 - 2011: Dr. Keith Sanneman
2009 - 2010: Siranoush Tokatlian
2008 - 2009: Sunder Ramani
2007 - 2008: Marsha Floyd
2006 - 2007: Nathan Rubinfeld
2005 - 2006: Kevin Knapp
2004 - 2005: Richard Raad
2003 - 2004: George Mauney+
2002 - 2003: Katherine Richard
2001 - 2002: Rev. Jerry Jones+
2000 - 2001: Kermit Floyd (District Governor 2004-2005) 
1999 - 2000: Bob Kelley
1998 - 1999: Christine Klima
1997 - 1998: Barry Sylvester
1996 - 1997: Captain Gordon Bowers
1995 - 1996: Mac Gubler
1994 - 1995: Rod Sanneman+
1993 - 1994: Ed Johnson
1992 - 1993: George Mauney+
1991 - 1992: Chuck Prentiss
1990 - 1991: Marshall Blair
1989 - 1990: Darrell G. Taylor
1988 - 1989: Gary Olson
1987 - 1988: Andy Sauer
1986 - 1987: Dave Seale
1985 - 1986: Bob Leland
1984 - 1985: Glen Taylor +
1983 - 1984: Peter McGrath +
1982 - 1983: Bob Jones
1981 - 1982: Chad Johnson
1980 - 1981: Dr. Richard "The Jokemaster" Dickies+
1979 - 1980: Charles Ferris
1978 - 1979: James "Jim" Woodburn, Sr. +
1977 - 1978: Allen Kessler
Missing a few years
1972 - 1973: John Pastor +
1971 - 1972: James McDowell +
1970 - 1971: Ralph Hurn +
1969 - 1970: Donald Goodsell +
1968 - 1969: Howard Clapp +
1967 - 1968: B. H. Roberts +
1966 - 1967: Ed Bedigan +
1965 - 1966: Harvey Christen + (District Governor 1972-1973) 
1964 - 1965: Joe Jordan + (District Governor 1969-1970) 
1963 - 1964: Dwight Williams +
1962 - 1963: Richard Heyes +
1961 - 1962: Thomas Jamieson +
1960 - 1961: Robert Brunner +
1959 - 1960: Gordon Jones + (District Governor 1962-1963) 
1958 - 1959: Ralph Foy +
1957 - 1958: Charles Walker +
1956 - 1957: Courtland L. Rose +
1955 - 1956: A. C. Putnam +
1954 - 1955: Ralph Simpson +
1953 - 1954: Ray Stansbury +
1952 - 1953: J. Russell Croad +
1951 - 1952: Ray Stolper +
1950 - 1951: Willard Salisbury +
1949 - 1950: P. Fred Johnson +
1948 - 1949: George Irving +
1947 - 1948: Dr. Harry Simmons +
1946 - 1947: Laurence Bly +
1945 - 1946: Jas. Arnold +
1944 - 1945: Gordon McCann +
1943 - 1944: Russ Kliegel +
1943 - 1944: Rhodes Elder+
1942 - 1943: Neal D. Bruce +
1941 - 1942: Lester Strout+
1940 - 1941: Edward E. Radcliff +
1939 - 1940: Beryl Barnes +
1938 - 1939: Earl Pendarvis +
1937 - 1938: Dr. Philip E. Zeiss +
1936 - 1937: Bill Mulligan +
1935 - 1936: Clifford Thompson +
1934 - 1935: J. H. McCambridge +
1933 - 1934: L. W. Ham +
1932 - 1933: J. O. Bishop +
1931 - 1932: A. C. Fillbach +
1930 - 1931: Jake Swall +
1929 - 1930: Earl Dufur +
1928 - 1929: Ray Sence +
1927 - 1928: Al Dymond +
1926 - 1927: E. R. Butterfield +
1925 - 1926: W. S. Sandison +
1924 - 1925: J. N. Van Meter +
1923 - 1924: J. C. Crawford + (First Rotary Club of Burbank President)
+ = Deceased 
 
Paul Harris Fellow
The origins of Paul Harris Fellow recognition. The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation. Rotary established the recognition in 1957 to encourage and show appreciation for substantial contributions to what was then the Foundation’s only program, Rotary Foundation Fellowships for Advanced Study, the precursor to Ambassadorial Scholarships. 
 
Paul Harris Fellows (Active Members): 
Jessa Markham - PHF 2018
Jonathan Taylor - PHF 2008
Brian J Volpei - PHF 2018
Cynthia Wagner - 2008
Carolyn Blundell - PHF+1 2009 & 2021
Kevin A Knapp - PHF +1 - 2019 & 2008
Dr. Keith Sanneman - PHF +2 - 2023, 2011 & 2009
Barry Gussow - PHF +2 - 2018 & 2008
Nathan Rubinfeld - PHF +3 - 2017 & 1999
David Augustine - PHF +4 - 2017 & 1998
Albert Hernandez - PHF +8 & Major Donor 1
 
Paul Harris Society
The purpose of the Paul Harris Society is to honor and thank individuals for their generous, ongoing support of The Rotary Foundation. Rotary districts often honor new members of the Paul Harris Society by presenting them with a certificate and chevron at a district or club event.