Lonny Stormo with Stillwater Sunrise Rotary Club

 Castlewood, South Dakota. I lived on a farm five miles from this little town of 500 people. I graduated with 27 kids.

Around 1987. I was just out of college a couple of years, and I wanted to do something in the area of service. I was always good in school, so, with my wife, Janet, I volunteered to mentor people working on their GED. I went on from that to be part of our Library board. When I moved to MN, my daughter was just entering her elementary years, so I spent most of my service time coaching teams, teaching Sunday School, and going on mission trips. When she left home, I needed a new outlet for community service, and I found Rotary International to be my passion.

Most people think Rotary is a networking group for professionals, however the mission of Rotary is Doing Good in the World. I have been part of our Stillwater Sunrise club and Rotary’s 1.4 million global members for six years now, and I am so passionate and proud of the service work we do locally and globally. Unlike other service orgs, this is a group where you can donate money to a foundation and then bring forward projects, using that foundation money, to serve others. I am currently our club foundation leader, president-elect, and on our district’s foundation leadership team.

 I love that Rotary is a global organization, and that you are able to find Rotarians in every country of the world. This is not just about a US organization out to help other countries in need. This is about a network of people that are actively engaged in local activities and adding their unique experience to global people who can benefit from that experience. 

DOING.  Author Sarah Ban Breathnach said “The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers, but above all, the world needs dreamers who do.” This is what I love about Rotary. We are “dreamers who do”. As an example, we don’t just talk about eliminating polio from this world, we actively go out and do it. 

Helping people live better lives. I have been blessed to find two careers in healthcare businesses that both have missions of helping others live healthier lives. I have found the same mission in all of my service work. I can think of no better life’s work than to help others be healthier and happier.

Traveling and enjoying great food and drink wherever we go.

I am inspired by everyone who I see using their personal gifts to make the world a better place. Some people use their ingenuity, some their wealth, some their ability to care for people, but they all choose to do something good with their gift. 

I love most foods that are Asian oriented. Korean BBQ is one current favorite. 

In a city that is new to me, wake up early, go for a run, walk for miles around the area with my wife, Janet, and a coffee, learn something new about the area, and then end with a great dinner and bottle of wine.

Most often, I am told I smile a lot. That’s not a bad trait for people to notice. I think people see me as a responsible and serious person when it comes to work/service, but someone who likes to have fun and laugh. 

Park Falls, Wisconsin

August, 2017

I’m chair elect for the Board, preparing to become the Alumni Board Chair in April, 2022.  

Helping people find their passion and watching them take action to achieve it.  

Dedication.  Because everyone I’ve met through the UMAA (employees and volunteers) are dedicated to their work and the U.  

Yes, in both places, I am serving people. At the U, it’s students and alumni.  At Medtronic, it’s patients and employees. 

Cooking and baking

Brené Brown.  She’s not afraid to talk about any topic, ask hard questions and become a better person.  I love her quote “I’m not here to be right, I’m here to get it right.”  

Pizza with fresh toppings - a spinach side salad.  :-)

Being outside, active and in nature - in any season. 

I see the good in the world, I want to make a difference and I like to celebrate the simple things in life with others.