Rotarian of the Year (RY2019-20) Jose G. Velasco – and newly named District Governor Nominee-designate (RY2022-23) – has a heart for volunteering!
Jose became a Rotarian in 2010 when he joined the Hispano Latino club. In 2011, he transferred his membership to the Midvale Rotary club (now known as Midvalley Rotary) to be closer to his office. He served as president in RY2015-17.
On a district level, he served as a Positive Peace Rotary mentor and coach as part of a U.S.-Columbia Global Grant; chaired the Pan-American Rotaract conference (postponed this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic), and for the last year served as Assistant Governor in Utah Rotary’s Area 6 providing support to Midvalley, Glendale, Valley West, West Jordan and to the Utah eClub.
A native son of Guadalajara, MX, Jose has a degree in Health and Safety, served as a trainer in Industrial Safety and Accident Prevention in the workplace. After relocating to the United States in 1986, Jose worked more than 30 years in retail business management and developed his entrepreneurial experience managing single and multiple locations in several Western States. In 2012, he was part of the management team for Easter Seals-Goodwill Northern Rocky Mountain Retail Division, based in Utah.
He was certified in nursing; founded the first Urban Rescue Squad and co-founded the first School of Paramedics with federal certification, all accomplishments in Mexico.
He is currently licensed by the State of Utah as a realtor with IMPower Real Estate. In his spare time, the Rotarian of the Year and DGN-D enjoys being outdoors, whether its camping, fishing, hiking, or golfing and shares a passion for other hobbies with his wife Martha (D5420’s Rotaract Chair) and his daughter Stephanie (District Rotaract Representative).