District A-9 Lions Voting Cabinet 2023 - 2024
Immediate Past District Governor
CC Larry Irwin
Ripley and District Lions Club
Marianne and I have two grown children, daughter-in-law, and two wonderful granddaughters. Together we enjoy golf, curling and travelling.
I grew up in the Ripley area and spent the majority of my career with Ontario Hydro/Ontario Power Generation. Work took Marianne and I to Courtice in Durham Region for 11 years returning to the Ripley area after retirement. Most of my time was with the Supply Chain and Training departments. Outside of work and Lions, I have been part of the local Recreation scene, coaching and sitting on the recreation board when called upon. Many hours went into the work of Chair of the Old Boys Reunion a few years ago. Upon retirement I volunteered at the new Cancer Clinic at Oshawa and since moving back home, I volunteer as a driver with the Cancer Society taking clients to their treatments. Until recently I have been a Steward for our church so getting used to this volunteer role.
I joined the Ripley and District Lions for the 2nd time in 2011 having previously belonged for 5 years 1995 – 2000 prior to moving for work. Returned to the club when we moved back home in 2011. I have been active within the Ripley club executive becoming President in 2017-2018 after serving as 1st and 2nd VP for two years. I was been bulletin Editor twice and also served as Director twice. I was Co-Director of the Christmas hamper Program for three years and currently on the committee starting a Lions Memorial Grove in Ripley. I I I served as Zone 3 Chair in 2019-2020. I am a Certified Guiding Lion and also committee chair of the A9 Organ Donor and Cancer awareness committee.
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1st Vice District Governor
Tim Meyers
Palmerston Lions Club
Tim joined the Palmerston Lions Club in 2007 in order to become a part of an organization that believes in serving and building a better community for all to live in. Tim has been active within the Palmerston Lions Club serving as 2nd Vice, 1st Vice and served as President twice. He has also served as a Tail Twister and Co-Membership Chairperson and has served on multiple committees. Tim served as Zone Chairperson for District A-9 Zone 39 West in 2011-12. Tim served as a Guiding Lion for the Hanover Lions Club and is a Melvin Jones Fellowship Recipient. He and his wife Lion Helen have three grown children and eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Tim works full time as a Manager for a large International Building Products Manufacturer. Tim enjoys camping, singing, and spending time helping his fellow lions build a better community.
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2nd Vice District Governor
Zoellyn Onn
Brussels Lions Club
Zoey joined the Brussels Lions Club in 2017, quickly loving the people and activities. Her passion project is the Brussels Leo Club which has become a very well-known community group, participating in projects ranging from playgrounds to murder mysteries. Zoey is excited to pursue this avenue of Lions and hopes it will help her show more people how wonderful it is to be a Lion.
In her spare time (which she has very little of) Zoey and her husband Thom run two funeral homes, play in the garden or work on home renovations. They enjoy their dogs Peppercorn and Wendill and their three ginger cats Catso, Douro and newest edition Cobb (oh and don’t forget their corn snake Ba’al). Zoey loves to be crafty, plays baseball and soccer and volunteers with many other community groups.
Cabinet Secretary
Dave Wilson
Palmerston Lions Club
Lion Dave joined the Palmerston Lions Club in 1986 and has served as President four times as well as Secretary for ten terms. He has been deeply involved in the construction of the Palmerston Lions Heritage Park. Dave has previously served as District Secretary and Governor’s Bulletin Editor. Lion Dave has been married to Kathy for almost 40 years and they have two sons, Mike and Chris. He is employed by the Town of Minto as the Deputy Chief Building Official.
Cabinet Treasurer
John Kelly
John was born in Kincardine and when he finished school he worked in the bank for five years and then for his father in law for four years. At that time he started working in the cheese industry, making cheese and managing cheese plants. John and his wife, Nancy, have four children and six grandchildren. They have been married for 52 years. When John retired, they moved from Woodstock back to the Ripley area, where they have many family and friends. John currently manages four chicken broiler barns to keep himself busy. John joined the Ripley Lions six years ago, was club president for two years, Zone 3 Chairman for a year and he has just completed a term as Cabinet Treasurer.
Zone 1 Chairpersons
Katie and Tom Gillespie
Owen Sound Scenic CityLions Club
We are looking forward to our second year as Zone 1Chairpersons.
We are a married couple of 39 years and have two grown married children and one granddaughter. We are looking forward to retirement at the end of this year.
We will keep our clubs updated on District A9 activities and assist our clubs in any way that is needed to promote “ WE SERVE”.
Zone 2 Chairperson
Lion Paul Kozma
Paul was born in Maidstone, ON. He joined the Essex & Scottish Infantry Regiment from January 24, 1973 to December 1, 1978. Paul was employed at the University of Windsor, Diffracto Ltd., Ontario Hydro, Ontario Power Generation, and Bruce Power.
Paul first joined the Kincardine & District Lions Club in 1982 until 1987. He rejoined on January 15, 2013, and was President in 2019-2020. Paul was instrumental in getting all 5 clubs in Zone 3 to donate to the Chemo Care Program. In 2020-2021 he became the Zone 3 Chairperson, 2021-2022 he became the Zone 4 Chairperson, 2022-2023 he became Zone 2 Chairperson. Paul is now looking forward to a fourth term as Chairperson for Zone 2 in 2023-2024.
He has been granted a “Life Membership” into the “Lions Foundation of Canada”.
Awarded the “2021-2022 Zone Chairperson Excellence Award”
Paul has accepted the role of District A9 Accessibility Chair in December 2022.
Awarded the “International President’s Award” on April 29, 2023
Paul is married to Lion Kathy.
Zone 3 Chairperson
Kevin Raszmann
Hanover Lions Club
Currently the President of The Hanover Lions Club for my second term. Into my 10th year as a Lion. Work on a beef feedlot. Currently host a Country show and also News Director at Bluewater Radio. Have been a director for Grey County Federation of Agriculture for 9 years. Provide Race Commentary at Full Throttle Motor Speedway @ Varney.
Hanover Lions Club was charted in 2008. I transferred from Atwood Lions Club in 2018. Have been a 2 term Director, 2 term Vice President and going into 2nd term of President.
Zone 4 Chairperson
Kelly Dimick
Mount Forest Lions Club
My Name is Lion Kelly. I joined The Mount Forest Lions Club in 2018 looking for fellowship. My club has certainly offered what I was looking for. I have served as Membership Chair & been involved with several committees. I have also worked my way up The Presidents chain currently serving as 1st Vice & Zone 4 Chair.I am Married to Lion Dave Sanders and have 2 incredible Daughters, Lion Emma & Lion Shana. My husband & I are avid car enthusiasts & love to travel. We are counting down (6.5year) until we retire.
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Zonne 5 Chairperson
Bruce Blears
Orangeville Lions Club
For the past year, I have been a member of the Orangeville Lions Club. I was with the Amaranth Lions for 24 years. I served that club as President numerous times. I am a Past Region Chair and I have served on the A-9 Cabinet twice as Zone Chair and several times as Sight Chair and Peace Poster Chair. Presently, I am Zone Chair as well as Peace Poster Chair.
Zone 6 Chairperson
Travis Teed
Lions Club
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Zone 7 Chairperson
Bruce Bettles
Dublin & District Lions Club
Llion Bruce Bettles.Lion member of Dublin & District Lions Club for approximately 22 yrs.
Wife Jennifer of 33 years.
1 son, Ryan. 1 daughter Alyssa & 2 grandchildren.
I am a Tooling Technician for Cooper Standard Automotive in Strafford for 28 years.
