Ardi Arian
Ardi was born in Iran during the Iran/Iraq war, left at age six, and was raised in Germany, where he earned his degree in Management Information Systems. A spontaneous 2008 vacation to Los Angeles turned into a business opportunity when a self-written energy concept caught the attention of the German Chamber of Commerce, leading to a delegation trip to Berlin and a fateful meeting with Thomas Chen of Crystal Windows — a partnership that launched Ardi's first U.S. company in 2009. He went on to develop solar farms across the East Coast, then in 2014 launched a holding company in Switzerland, where he lived for four years building an award-winning business installing solar and battery storage in high-end homes, while also co-investing in a solar panel factory in the Czech Republic and gaining experience across the entire solar manufacturing chain. In 2017, Ardi settled in San Jose, drawn by community as much as opportunity. In 2019, he founded Renewable America, an end-to-end solar developer focused on bringing community-scale benefits to California — with seven projects now in operation, including the largest solar-plus-storage project on the North Coast and two projects delivering discounted electricity to over 3,400 low-income households in Merced County. He now works with several organizations to support Assembly Bill 1813, expanding affordable electricity access for low-income Californians.

Dr. Simone Lundquist
Dr. Simone Lundquist is an accomplished philosopher, educator, and counselor, internationally recognized as a thought leader in trauma recovery and human resilience. Inspired by a deep desire to understand human nature, she has spent decades helping thousands of individuals and families overcome life’s most profound challenges. Early in her career, she worked with the United Nations and the Red Cross, supporting military troops and survivors of war, torture, and violence. She later operated three safe houses in San Jose over a five-year period, sheltering hundreds of women and children escaping domestic violence.
Her formal education includes master’s degrees in Literature, Linguistics, and Psychology, alongside a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. With over 40 years of teaching experience both nationally and internationally, she has spent the last 11 years serving as a professor at San Jose State University.
In 2019, she founded a nonprofit - Open Doors to Future Possibilities - fulfilling her mission to support and empower veterans and low-income community members. Facing dark nights of the soul with gratitude and determination, including surviving a brain tumor, breast cancer, and the loss of her eyesight, she persevered to expand her organization from one small office to seven Bay Area locations, and eventually across the nation to help millions heal and create more meaningful lives.
Her extensive travels, academic foundation, and studies in quantum physics and spirituality led her to create the Tri-Axis Narrative Theory, an innovative approach to counseling that she has used to heal lives for the past 25 years. Her upcoming book, Unraveling the Echoes: A Journey Through Trauma and Healing, will be released in December. As a prolific writer, speaker, and researcher, she continues to pioneer new ideas in mental well-being through her teaching, publications, and leadership.

 

2026-27 Community Grants application window is open until September 30.

Marie is now working full-time, while continuing to work remotely on Fridays. Her schedule is 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Mon-Th, and 7 am to 1 pm on Fridays.

Leslee shifted to a Monday–Thursday schedule on Sept. 1. President-Elect Kathleen and Leslee are in Kentucky next week for the Large Club Conference.

Lisa will continue to work from 1:00–3:30 pm on Mondays and 9 am to 3 pm Tuesday–Thursday.

The Gordon House is closed on Fridays. 

Jaws were dropping yesterday as members and guests got a first look at the completed bar.

General Manager/Managing Partner Sammy Reyes spoke at the meeting and said that the patio project will start next month. The folding window that will replace the glass wall should arrive from Germany soon. 

Several members hadn't heard about Scott's Social Club at the Rotary Summit Center; it offers some of the amenities of the now-closed Capital Club. 

Just a reminder, Scott's operates the Rotary Summit Center, so all event bookings go through them - contact is kremo.bibi@scottsseafoodsj.com 

Please don't ask for a Rotary discount. 

 

The 2027 convention is being held June 26–30 in beautiful Barcelona.


Register here 

Stepping off the elevator, the Summit Center was abuzz. Rotarians and guests filled the foyer to shmooze (mingle) and nosh (eat) on mooncakes provided by Catherine Tompkison while entertained by lion dancers.  The Leigh Weimers Committee led by the fabulous Stephanie Bielanski-Fehr was out in full force to handle this week’s greeting line duties. Their annual Emerging Artists Awards show will be held in the evening this year on Oct. 21.  Mark your calendar. 

 

Past President Karyn Sinunu-Towery then returned to the podium with a history highlight on the Sainte Claire Hotel (now the Westin Sainte Claire). Opened in 1926 and dubbed the “million?dollar hotel,” rooms went for just $2.50 a night. As always, Karyn sprinkled in great tidbits, including a roll call of famous guests. She quizzed the crowd on William E. Miller’s claim to fame (Barry Goldwater’s 1964 running mate), but the room went silent; not exactly the right audience for that one.   Karyn wrapped up by noting that in its early years the hotel hosted service clubs like Rotary, and with four name changes over the decades, perhaps we should’ve locked down naming rights early. Always a good idea.

Sponsored by Hal Hendrickson

Ben Jordan is a lifelong South Bay resident who was born in San Jose and graduated from San Benito High School before earning his Engineering degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Today, he lives in Campbell near his mother, brothers, and sister, and treasures time spent with his four nephews and one niece, who know him affectionately as “Funcle Ben.”
Service to others has been a defining part of Ben’s life. While living in San Luis Obispo, he participated in the Leadership SLO Class XV thru the SLO Chamber of Commerce, gaining insight into community challenges, opportunities for positive civic impact, and friendships that remain some of his closest today. He later served in leadership roles with the San Jose Elks Lodge, including as Club President, and remains active through volunteer work at Valley Medical Center and Elmwood Correctional Facility. Community involvement and helping others are values he strives to live every day, making Rotary a natural fit for his continued service journey.
Outside of volunteering, Ben is an aspiring powerlifter, a determined runner, a cautious motorcycle rider and a distracted student of meditation. When he's not pushing himself with exercise, you'll likely find him embracing his inner beach bum in Santa Cruz splashing around in the ocean and soaking up the sun. Ben is a self-proclaimed connoisseur of all things ice cream.
Professionally, Ben works as a financial advisor at Merrill in Palo Alto, helping clients pursue their financial goals and build confidence in their future.