OUR MEMBERS
Russ Richards
Club President 2023-2024
Russ Richards was born and raised on a farm in Hope, North Dakota with his four brothers and three sisters. He graduated from North Dakota College of Science with a Business Management degree but more importantly this is where he met his wife, Beverly. Russ and Bev have been married since 1976 and have two children and three grandchildren. Their son Derek lives in Berlin, Germany and their daughter Megan lives in Millcreek, Utah.
Russ had several careers before retiring in 2021, Sales Manager for Holiday Inn, Restaurant Manager, Executive Director for Medcenter One Hospital Foundation, Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity and Executive Director for Rebuilding Together. Plus, he owned and operated an awards and ad specialty business for over 20 years.
Over the years, Russ was very active with service organizations. Some of the leadership roles he had were:
-Chapter President, Bismarck Jaycees
-Regional Director, North Dakota Jaycees
-State President, North Dakota Jaycees
-Founder and Board President, Missouri Valley Historical Society
-Campaign Chairman, Missouri Valley United Way
-Board President, Missouri Valley United Way
-Club President, Fargo Moorhead AM Rotary Club
Russ truly believes in Rotary’s motto “Service above Self”.
Diana Rosenkrantz
2019-20 & 21-22 President
2012-13 Past President
Sandy Rotary Member since 2010
Diana is a Mortgage Loan Officer for Academy Mortgage Corporation. She has worked in the mortgage industry for over 35 years and has originated loans for the past 23. Diana loves helping her clients realize the dream of home ownership. She enjoys working with people and loves to serve. Diana has been married to Don for 42 years and she enjoys being a mother to their 4 sons and 7 grandchildren. Diana loves to travel, camp, read and cook but most of all she loves to spend time spoiling her Grandchildren. She loves to serve and volunteer and help those less fortunate. Being a Rotarian is something she really loves to do.
She grew up in Sandy and even though not currently living in Sandy, she will always call Sandy “home”.
You can contact her at: diana.rosenkrantz@comcast.net
Ken Kraudy
2023-2024 Membership Committee Chair
Charter Member
Ken presently works for the Utah Department of Public Safety in the Division of Emergency Management as the State Voluntary Agency Liaison and the State Coordinator for People with Disabilities and Access and Functional Needs.
He is a Charter Member of the Sandy Rotary Club since it was organized in 1986, and has served as past-president of the club as well as in other club positions.
Ken served five years in the U.S. Marine Corps, and is a Vietnam veteran. He and his wife Marsha are the proud parents of 4 children and 17 grandchildren. His favorite activity is hiking the Zion Narrows and just being outdoors!
Pat Casaday
2023-2024 Assistant District Governor
2022-2023 Past President
2012-2015 Assistant Governor
2011-2012 Past President
Pat is a retired Air Force pilot. He flew combat support missions during the First Gulf War. He was also involved in Vietnam, the Bosnia Conflict, and the Cold War with the Soviet Union. After retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel he went to work for Sandy City, first as Deputy Mayor and then as Senior City Attorney. In between, he served as an LDS Mission President in Argentina. In addition to his Rotary assignments (he currently serves as an Assistant Governor) he writes books, composes music, plays with his grand-kids, competes in triathlons, and much more. He also serves on Sandy City’s Public Utilities Advisory Board, Community Development Block Grant Committee, and the City’s Master Plan Revision Committee.
Duncan Wright
Club Treasurer
Duncan Wright worked for Wells Fargo Bank since he graduated from Brigham Young University with a BA in Finance in August of 1985. He was a Branch Manager of several branches prior to working in his current position as a Relationship Manager in the Wells Fargo Business Banking Group. In 2022 Duncan left Wells Fargo to join Alta Bank as a Treasury Sales Officer based out of their Riverton, Utah branch. He has served as Chairman of the Board of the Sandy Chamber of Commerce and currently serves on the Chamber Finance Committee. He has served as the Sandy Rotary Club President and currently serves as the Club Treasurer. He is also a member of the Sandy Honorary Colonels.
Alan Jones
Founding Member Since 1986
I was invited to join the Sandy Rotary Club in 1986. We were just a new club being formed and some of the leaders were Al Mansell, Brent Cook and Tim Howells. We met Wednesdays at the Willow Creek Country Club on Willow Creek Drive in Sandy for lunch.
The club grew very well and reached a total of 34-36 members. It was always enjoyable to see new members get involved. We did service projects and other activities. The members were usually business owners, or officers in their companies.
I met bankers and others with whom I did business from time to time. Rotary was a great connection point for service and friends.
After a few years we moved the meetings to Carver’s Restaurant in Sandy. We stayed there until the Covid Shut down.
I find that I am a joiner, not a quitter and I enjoy still being involved in Rotary.
Brenda Suta
2024-25 President Elect
2014-15 Past President
Brenda Suta has recently retired but had previously worked in the insurance industry in Utah for over 20 years in various roles including Vice President, Products Development, Customer Technology and Customer Services. Brenda is past president of the Sandy Rotary Club and will be President of the Club again in 2024. She is currently on the Board of the Canyons Education Foundation and The Sandy Boys and Girls Club. Previously she worked in California where she held such positions as Broker Relations Manager, Claims Manager, and Sales Representative. Brenda received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from California University, in Fresno. When Brenda is not at work or volunteering her time, you can find her hiking one of Utah’s scenic trails.
David Mecham
2019-20 Club Secretary
2018-19 Club Secretary
Sandy Rotary Club Member since 2016
David is a retired information technology professional with 36+ years’ in customer liaison, computer software analysis, design, development, installation, maintenance, and deskside technical support.
He graduated from Brigham Young University (BYU) in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree, taught released-time seminary in the Church Education System of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) for two years, and got a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree at Utah State University (USU) in 1974.
He worked for Electronic Data Systems Corporation (EDS) and Planned Marketing Associates in Ohio and Texas before working at LDS Church headquarters in Salt Lake City, UT for 33+ years, retiring in 2011.
David married “Tisha” Sorensen from Dietrich, ID in 1969. They have 11 children and 36 grandchildren. They have resided in Sandy, UT since 1979, enjoy traveling and developing investment properties, served a full-time LDS mission from January 2014 to June 2015 in the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, UT and continue to do family history research and temple work. David enjoys running, hiking, and camping. Tisha is a former nurse, a master herbalist, consultant, counselor, and talented problem solver.
Chris Howells
2019-20 & 21-24 Social Media/PR Chair
2018-19 Past President
2015-16 Past President
Chris assists in the operation and management of a family real estate development, management and investment company; Terramerica Corporation, located in Salt Lake City. Terramerica is a real estate brokerage established to manage and lease the Horman’s retail and office property as well as oversee the development and investment activities of the Horman Family. Prior to joining Terramerica, Chris worked many years for the Utah Jazz and the Larry H. Miller Sports and Entertainment Group. Chris graduated from the University of Utah with a B.S. in Economics.
Currently, he serves as the PR Chair of the Sandy Rotary Club.
He was raised in Sandy and attended Alta High School. He has known his wife Katherine since they were children and are now the proud parents of three kids. Chris loves to travel, ski, and play golf. He is a big fan of the University of Utah and the Utah Jazz.
Steve Edmonds
I am an attorney in Sandy, Utah and I represent individuals and businesses in all types of legal disputes including insurance coverage, bad faith, professional liability, appellate work, estate planning, and litigation.
I am a family man and have a wife (Analisa) and three kids. I’m proud to live and work in the Sandy community. Service is one of my core values and I’m excited to provide meaningful service to the community.
Brent Thomson
Brent Thomson has been a member of the Rotary Club of Sandy for 16 years. He worked for Prudential for 41 years as a Financial Professional. He was honored to be Rotarian of the year 2009-2010. He served as Club President in 2013-2014. He was involved in the dictionary project for around 12 years. This is where dictionaries were given to all Third Graders in the Canyons School District. He has supported the Boys and Girls Club of Sandy with healthy treats. He has helped maintain the benches at the Bell Canyon Reservoir. He is an advocate for the homeless shelter.
Brent supports the Salvation Army by ringing the bell at Christmas time. He enjoys helping wherever needed.
