Mário César Martins de Camargo
Rotary International President-Elect
De Camargo was president of the printing company Gráfica Bandeirantes and has been a consultant to the print industry in Brazil. He has also served as president and chair of several printing and graphics trade associations, including the Brazilian Association of Graphic Technology and the Brazilian Printing Industry Association. He has served on the board of Casa da Esperança (House of Hope), a medical center in Santo André sponsored by his Rotary club that serves more than 200,000 patients every year.
De Camargo studied in the U.S. and Germany and holds degrees from São Bernardo do Campo Law School and the Getulio Vargas Foundation’s São Paulo School of Business Administration. He attended a high school in Minnesota in 1974-75 through Rotary Youth Exchange, which inspired a lifelong commitment to the program.
A Rotarian since 1980, de Camargo served as his club’s Youth Exchange officer in 1981, at age 24, and its president in 1992-93. He was governor of District 4420 (part of Brazil’s São Paulo state) in 1999-2000, Rotary Foundation trustee in 2015-19, and Rotary International director in 2019-21. He has also served Rotary as an RI learning facilitator, committee member and chair, and task force member. De Camargo and his wife, Denise, also a Rotarian, are Major Donors and Benefactors of The Rotary Foundation.
Welcome to Presidents-Elect and Rotary Leaders
As your Chair for this event I want everyone to know how excited I have been for the opportunity to serve in this capacity.
I want to thank everyone for attending this years President Elect Training (PETS), This marks our 46th year of Southwest Pets, we started in 1978 with six Rotary Districts. Today we have grown to 9 Rotary Districts and are adding 2 additional Districts next year.
We have planned a full weekend of fellowship, education and inspirational speakers for you.
For your fellowship opportunities I encourage you to visit all the District Hospitality rooms throughout the weekend. You will have the opportunity to meet with your fellow presidents-elect from District 5000 (Hawaii), District 5240 (Bakersfield Area), District 5280 (Los Angeles Area), District 5300 (Pasadena, High Desert & Las Vegas Area), District 5340 (Orange Country), District 5330 (Inland Empire & Low Desert), District 5340 (San Diego), District 5495 (Central & Northern Arizona) & District 5500 (Tucson & Southern Arizona) as well as your District leadership.
Our Education team has prepared classes that will provide you with the information you will need to lead your clubs. Courses ranging from welcome to the Digital Age, Budget, Conflict Resolution, Diversity, Membership, Fundraising, Partnerships and so much more.
We have assembled an incredible lineup of speakers for you starting with Our MC Jason Browne a fellow Rotarian from District 7360 located in Philadelphia. Mary Lathrum from New Jersey. RI Foundation Chair and Past Rotary International President Barry Rassin from Nassau, Bahamas. Jean Irwin-Hatfield A Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar from Sacramento. Our Zone Director Dan Himelspach form Denver. Stephanie Urchick our incoming Rotary International President from Pennsylvania. Lex Gillette from Chula Vista. As you see we have reached out to the Rotary World to bring you the very best speakers to inform you and motivate you.
We have worked hard with the Marriott to provide you with a comfortable and welcoming experience this weekend. It is my hope to be able to meet as many of you as I can this weekend.
Don’t forget to have your picture taken for your district directory. Please visit our Vendors and Exhibitors booths this weekend. This is a very unique experience.
Again your job for the weekend is to enjoy and have fun. Welcome to PETS 2024
Thank you,
Barry Valdez, Chair
2024 Southwest PETS
Connect In Calgary
Embark on an exhilarating journey of connection and inspiration at the 2025 Rotary International Convention in Calgary! Engage in riveting discussions, learn from distinguished speakers, and explore enlightening breakout sessions against the backdrop of Calgary’s picturesque beauty nestled amid the Canadian Rockies.
Fueled by friendship and a spirit of collaboration, exchange best practices, ignite innovative projects, and form lifelong connections with fellow changemakers from around the world.
Take part in this transformative, one-of-a-kind event and experience the Magic All Around at the 2025 Rotary International Convention in Calgary, Canada 21-25 June 2025.
