Evan Lam is a financial advisor with UBS in Pasadena with many connections in Hong Kong. He will be sharing some of his insights and opinions about the current events in Hong Kong

Robert Zellem

Rob is a scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory working on ground- and space-based observations of the atmospheres of exoplanets, planets outside of our Solar System. Specifically, Rob has been commissioning NESSI, a new multi-object spectrograph at Palomar Observatory that will study tens of these alien worlds, has been involved in benchmarking the performance through simulations of NASA and ESA exoplanet-dedicated missions, and leading citizen science projects to help aid in the characterization of exoplanets.

Rob was born just outside the Philadelphia city limits but grew up in Hendersonville, TN. He went to Villanova University where he graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Astronomy and Astrophysics, minoring in Physics, Mathematics, and Classics, and getting an Honors Concentration. HIs love of travel and learning about other cultures brought him to University College London in England where he got his MSc in Space Science. He then moved out west to Tucson, AZ, where he received his PhD in Planetary Sciences from the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory at the University of Arizona. He is currently a scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. When he’s not observing exoplanets, he enjoys jazz piano, cooking, trying not to kill all his plants, brewing beer, playing ice hockey, and fantasizing about retiring to work at Disney.

Education

• PhD in Planetary Science – Lunar & Planetary Laboratory – University of Arizona
• MSc with Distinction in Space Science – University College London
• BS in Astronomy & Astrophysics – Villanova University

District Governor Visit

Every successful Rotary district is comprised of strong people that are part of the district leadership team and it is no different in Rotary District 5300. This team includes the district governor, governor elect, and district governor nominee. These leaders along with past and future leaders that include assistant governors, district committee chairs, and past governors help our district thrive.

District Governor  2020-21, Greg Jones

Greg grew up in Southern Illinois and met his wife, Brenda, in high school. Both graduated from the University of Illinois with Greg earning a BS in accountancy and Brenda a BS in elementary education. They moved to Southern California in 1985 and to Pasadena in 1991.

Greg was a partner in a national accounting firm for 29 years. Along the way he earned an MS in taxation and an MS in financial planning. In 2010 he started his own CPA and Wealth Management practices in Pasadena.  Greg is a CPA, CFP, CLU (Certified Life Underwriter), PFS (Personal Financial Specialist) and ChFC (Charter Financial Consultant). Brenda is a librarian at Glendale Community College where she just finished her 26th year; she has an MS in library science and an MA in theology.

Greg has been very involved in the Pasadena community.  He has a total of 22 years of service on City of Pasadena commissions. During that time he was a member of the Recreation and Parks Commission, the Hahamongna Operating Company, the Library Commission, the Rose Bowl Operating Company, the Planning Commission, and the Board of Zoning Appeals. He helped found the Hastings Associates, a support group for the Hastings Branch Library in Pasadena. He has been a board member of Hastings Associates, the Friends of Pasadena Public Library, the Pasadena Recreation and Parks Foundation, and Pasadena Beautiful. In addition, Greg has served on many task forces and committees in the Pasadena community. Greg became a member of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses in 1998 and has served on many of its committees, including five years as a committee vice-chair.

Greg joined the Rotary Club of Pasadena Sunrise in 1997. He has served as club president twice and has held almost all club officer positions over the past 20 years. The club changed to evening meetings several years ago and is now the Rotary Club of Pasadena After Hours.  Greg began his District 5300 service on the PRLS committee in 2005 and was chair of that committee in 2006-07. He served as an assistant governor for two years.  He was the District Foundation Committee chair for 4 years and has served on several District Foundation subcommittees. He has been awarded the District Foundation Service award two times. He participated in the Corazon Superbuild project, traveled to India twice to participate in NIDs, to Mexico as part of a Wheelchair Foundation wheelchair distribution and to Liberia and Peru on Rotaplast missions. Greg is currently serving in his third year as district treasurer.

Greg is dedicated to the ideal of Service Above Self. He sees service as a means to make connections to others in our communities and around the world. He views the eradication of polio as an important milestone in the history of humanity and the advancement of world understanding as an important mission for Rotarians. Greg looks forward to serving District 5300 as its district governor for 2020-21.