Lions MD5 North-Dakota-DG's5

State of North Dakota

Welcome to the District Governors in MD5 from North Dakota. North Dakota has 111 clubs with 3154 members. 7 Leo Clubs and 1 Lioness Club.

District Governor 5NE 2011 - 2012

District Governor Stephen E. (Steve) Johnson

Email:

District Governor Steve was born in Manhattan, Kansas in 1948. His father’s occupation required frequent family relocations and as a result Steve attended almost a dozen different grade schools and junior high schools in Kansas and Nebraska. In 1966 he graduated from Salina (KS) high school and enrolled at Kansas State University (KSU). Three years later he and his high school sweetheart Brenda were married. In 1970 Steve graduated from KSU with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity.

After college graduation Steve joined the United States Air Force and was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant. He entered navigator training and received his wings in 1972, subsequently training as a B-52 electronic warfare officer. His first assignment was to Grand Forks Air Force Base. During his career Steve flew almost 2,500 hours in B-52s and B-1Bs, including 41 combat missions in Southeast Asia. While attending the year-long Air Command and Staff College, Steve completed his MBA with Troy State University-Montgomery. In 1986 he was assigned to Dyess AFB, TX with the new B-1B program, becoming chief of academic instructors. Steve retired from the Air Force in 1990.

After retiring from the Air Force, Steve joined the Grand Forks International Airport as its director of operations. In this capacity he managed construction projects, aviation security, airport rescue and firefighting, and oversaw day-to-day landside and airside activities at the airport. He earned his American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) accreditation in 1993.

Steve became executive director of the Grand Forks Regional Airport Authority in 1997 where he served until his retirement in 2009. During his tenure the airport prospered and was recognized by the FAA for its safety and wildlife management practices. Steve was a member of the Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce and Grand Forks Region Economic Development Commission Boards of Directors. He served as president of the North Dakota Airports Association and as state representative to the Great Lakes Chapter of AAAE. He also served on the AAAE national diversity committee.

Steve joined the Grand Forks (ND) Lions Club in 1992 at the invitation of long-time friend Lion Herman Livingston. Lion Steve served his club as president in 1996-1997, the year Grand Forks was devastated by flood. He was privileged during this term to administer LCIF grant funds and also distribute, to those in need, direct donations from around the world. Despite obvious challenges, he presided over the Club’s 75th anniversary celebration that year.

Lion Johnson has been club treasurer for the past 11 years. Steve has been on his club’s board of directors a total of 13 years and has been honored for perfect attendance the past 14 years. Steve was zone chairman in 2006-2007. This year is his third as a chairperson on the District MERL committee. He recently wrapped up a second year as Guiding Lion for the UND Campus Lions Club.
He is a North Dakota Lions Foundation Life Donor and a Melvin Jones Fellow.

Lion Johnson’s hobbies include fishing, golf, photography, computers, and collecting 1950s home décor items (see www.mid-centurian.com). Steve and Brenda enjoy spending summers at their Minnesota lake place. They recently celebrated their 41th wedding anniversary. The Johnson’s have two married daughters; two handsome sons-in-law; and four talented, brilliant grandchildren.

District Governor 5NW 2011 - 2012

District Governor Pat Vannett

Email:

Pat Vannett was born and raised on a small Iowa farm surrounded by a large family where she learned the value of hard work, dedication and family. Pat moved to North Dakota in 1979 spending fifteen years in the Fargo area before moving to the Bismarck/Mandan area in 1994. Church music is Pat’s love and she has been active singing, directing and coordinating music in parishes where she has lived for over 30 years. She was an award winning sales manager with a woman’s clothing company for twelve years and was a speaker at two of their national conferences. Pat is currently a licensed Realtor working in the Bismarck/Mandan area. She and Lion Kevin have a blended family of five children

From her very first date with Lion Kevin (a Lion event) she knew that Lions would become a part of her family. Pat joined Lions in September 2003, with the Club Branch of the Mandan Dacotah Lions and was a Charter Member in February of 2004. Pat has served her club in many capacities including all officer positions, has had perfect attendance and has been involved in numerous club activities and fundraisers. On the district level, Lion Pat has served the district in several positions beginning in 2004 to present. Lion Pat has attended seven district leadership rallies and has been a presenter at several rallies and conventions. Pat has participated in two extension workshops and has completed the Certified Guiding Lion training. Lion Pat has been involved in the multiple district youth exchange program having hosted several youth and served as camp counselor at the Medora camp in 2008. She has attended numerous district and state conventions, multiple district conventions, and rallies throughout the multiple district. Pat has attended three USA/Canada Forums and is a graduate of the Great Plains Lions Leadership Institute. She is the recipient of two International President’s Commendations and was named as District 5NW’s 2009-2010 Lion of the Year.

Pat has several goals for 2011-12, including: 1) challenging the Lions of District 5NW to serve with a Lion’s Heart by believing in each other, becoming better listeners, especially listening to our newer members and younger Lions; 2) promoting the Club Excellence process in no less than four locations where clubs will evaluate themselves, their membership and their community needs and create club goals; and 3) focus on being “good neighbors” to our extended Lions family by increasing inter-club visitations.