For only the fourth time in the past 20 years or so, a D-5240 Rotarian has been named to a Zone-level Coordinator position.  Past District Governor Jim Bell (Bakersfield Twilight) has accepted a three-year appointment as Zone 26 Public Image Coordinator (RPIC) for the 2018-2021 Rotary years.  

Jim received news of his appointment from RI President Elect Barry Rassin, who has indicated his interest in strengthening Rotary’s use of digital tools to increase public recognition of the breadth and scope of the good Rotary is actively doing in the world.

Jim will be taking over the job from another D-5240 Rotarian - Michael Boyer (Pismo Beach-Five Cities) who has held the zone’s RPIC post for the past three years.  Rtn. Brenda Cressey (Paso Robles) is currently serving as Trustee for The Rotary Foundation and previously served as Zone 26 Endowment/Major Gifts Advisor.

As Zone 26 Public Image Coordinator, Jim is expected to increase Rotary's public profile by assisting club and district leaders to gain the skills that will allow them to effectively share Rotary’s stories with the media, their communities, and with local civic and governmental leaders.  He will also be developing training to improve local clubs’ ability to tell and visually communicate their stories using all the tools - print, broadcast and digital social media - at their disposal.

Jim comes highly qualified to the position of RPIC.  A Past President of the Kern County (CA) Broadcasters Association, he holds a BA in telecommunications from Kent State University (OH) and has more than thirty years' experience in television and radio broadcasting, including having operated six radio stations in Bakersfield, CA, for Clear Channel Media and Entertainment.  

As RPIC, Jim will be working closely with others on the Zone 25/26 team.  He will be attending a training institute in Evanston in March along with 40 other RPIC’s from around the world in preparation for stepping into the position.