Speaker Date Topic
Joseph E. La Rue President, Sun Health Feb 18, 2025
Healthcare in the Valley

Joe La Rue is the president and CEO of Sun Health, a local nonprofit organization that champions healthy living, research and superior health care through community partnerships. Prior to his position as CEO, Joe was Sun Health’s Executive Vice President.

Before joining Sun Health in 2005, Joe practiced law in the Sun Cities area for 16 years with an emphasis in real estate, finance, development and health care, working closely with Sun Health. Since 1988, Joe has served in many elected and appointed positions including the Peoria City Council, WESTMARC, Arizona State Transportation Board, Maricopa Association of Governments, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, Maricopa County Transportation Board and other Peoria and City of Surprise committees.

In 2012, Joe was appointed to the Arizona State Transportation Board to represent Maricopa County, and still serves as Vice Chairman of the Board. La Rue is also a member of the WESTMARC Board of Directors. Previously, he was a member of the Maricopa County Transportation Advisory Board, representing District 4. From 1997 to 2001, La Rue was on the Peoria City Council.

Joe received a Bachelor of Science degree in business in 1985 and earned his Juris Doctorate degree from Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University in 1988. Joe has lived in Maricopa County for approximately 40 years and currently resides in Peoria with his wife Suzy. They have five daughters and three grandchildren.

 

 

Chief Bob Sanders, Buckeye Police Department Feb 25, 2025
Police Department Update

We are excited to announce that Chief Bob Sanders of the Buckeye Police Department will be our distinguished speaker at the Rotary Club of Verrado on February 25, 2025. Chief Sanders has been leading the Buckeye Police Department since March 2024, following a distinguished carrer in law enforcement including 14 years as Deputy Police Chief.

Chief Sanders holds a master's degree in education leadership from Northern Arizona University and a bachelor's degree in administration of justice from Arizona State University. His extensive training includes graduating from the Senior Management Institute for Policing, the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, and the California Police Chiefs Executive Leadership Institute Program. Additionally, he serves as a CALEA assessor for law enforcement agency accreditation.

Join us for an insightful session with Chief Sanders as he shares his experiences and vision for the future of law enforcement in our community.

Cynthia Zbiegien Mar 04, 2025
The Verrado Community Association Update
The Verrado Community Association Update

Ms  Zbiegien is one of two homeowner representatives on the 5 member Verrado Community Association Board of Directors.

Greg Vogel, Founder and CEO, Land Advisors Mar 11, 2025
What's What In Valley Land
What's What In Valley Land

Since founding the company in 1987, Greg has applied his unique knowledge in the areas of land economics, land use and market trends to become a trusted advisor to a broad spectrum of clients including financial institutions, investors, homebuilders and masterplanned community developers. As Chief Executive Officer of Land Advisors Organization, he has led the expansion of the company into 30 markets across the United States launching it to the largest land company in the US.. Over the past 36 years he has been involved in over 1,000 transactions including dozens of the highest valued land transactions in the country. He has developed an extreme level of expertise in large scale community development and the representation of large land owners in unique structured transactions. Mr. Vogel received his B.S. in Real Estate from Arizona State University in 1985. Within the Urban Land Institute he has served over 25 years in many national and local leadership positions. Mr. Vogel focuses his philanthropic and civic involvement on the Arizona State University Real Estate Programs now Chairing the Real Estate Council and is a Board member of University Realty. He also serves on the board of Valley Partnership and is serving on the Valley Wise Hospital System current capital campaign

Donovan Neese Mar 18, 2025
Roosevelt Irrigation District

Mr. Neese is the Superintendent of the Roosevelt Irrigation Distirct.  The RID has been providing power and water to the west valley since 1923.

By the early 1920s many farmers had purchased land west of the Agua Fria River. The promised supply of water that they had counted on was not going to be delivered. These landowners organized their own irrigation district. In March 1923 the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors tentatively approved creation of the Roosevelt Irrigation District No. 1, named for the former president, Theodore Roosevelt, who had been the biggest supporter of national reclamation and dam building. The first leaders of this effort—W.J. Burns, G.C. Rubel, and T.J. Roberts— carried petitions to every landowner in the area. They obtained signatures from 115 individuals who owned 20,000 acres and agreed to create the Roosevelt Irrigation District (RID).

Janene VanLeeuwen Mar 25, 2025
Buckeye Neighborhood Services
PDG David Simmer Apr 01, 2025
Rotary International Foundation
Adam Heflin, EVP and Chief Nuclear Officer Apr 29, 2025
Palo Verde Generating Station
Palo Verde Generating Station

Adam Heflin is Executive Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer of Palo Verde Generating Station.

Heflin previously served as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and CNO of the Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation in Kansas until his retirement in 2019. Prior to that, he was the CNO at Ameren’s Callaway Energy Center in Missouri. Heflin worked with Palo Verde this year as part of its Offsite Safety Review Committee and has served on the board of the STARS Alliance, a collaborative alliance of four western U.S. utilities who operate nuclear generating stations.  Heflin began his nuclear career in the United States Navy, followed by positions at Entergy’s Arkansas Nuclear One. Heflin holds a B.S. in Mechanical and General Engineering from Arkansas Tech University and has previously served on the boards of both the Nuclear Energy Institute and the Institute for Nuclear Power Operations.

Mark Yslas, Supt. Agua Fria UHS May 13, 2025
Something New Coming the Agua Fria High School District
Something New Coming the Agua Fria High School District

Agua Fria High School District is excited to announce the opening of its new Arts Academy and Performing Arts Center in August 2026, a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to fostering creativity and talent in students. This innovative academy in Litchfield Park will offer specialized programs in music, theater, dance, and visual arts, providing students with unparalleled opportunities to hone their skills and showcase their work. The Performing Arts Center will serve as a hub for community events, performances, and exhibitions, reinforcing the district's commitment to arts education and cultural enrichment. Hear from education leaders about this project.