My Fellow Rotarians,

Having received no objections to the Selection Committee’s decision, I am delighted to inform you that John Burns, Rotary Club of Bowmanville, has been selected as the RI District 7070 District Governor for 2023-24. John will be a great addition to our District Governor Team joining me, PDG Beth Selby, DGE Ron Dick and DGN Iosif Ciosa.  

Congratulations John!

Please join me in congratulating our new District Governor Nominee Designate (DGND), John, in his new role

Yours in Rotary, 

Mark Chipman       District Governor 2020-21   Rotary International District 7070

Let's meet John Burns .......

John Burns, District 7070 Governor 2023-24

John Burns has been involved in Rotary since 2007, volunteering in Rotary Club of Bowmanville Club projects as often as his working life permitted.  Once he retired in 2014, John was able to dedicate more time and a greater commitment to Rotary and became a member. John has held many positions in the Rotary Club: Chair of New Member Committee ; Director of International Service; Vice President; President Elect; President in 2018-19 ; Assistant Governor in 2019-2020 for the Rotary Clubs of  Bowmanville – Oshawa – Oshawa Parkwood and Assistant Governor in 2020-21 for the Rotary Clubs of  Courtice - Oshawa – Oshawa Parkwood. 

Born in Scotland, John emigrated to Canada and became a new Canadian Citizen. He is married to Pauline Calvert, a long time Rotarian and Past President of Rotary Club of Bowmanville in 2000-2001.  John is the current Club Secretary. His daughter Rachel Boyd is also a member of Rotary Club of Bowmanville.  They also have a son Adam and 4 Grandchildren. John and Pauline lived in Newcastle, since retiring from their respective careers in 2014.  They enjoy travel and golfing.   As part of the Wilmot Creek Homeowners Association, a group of more than 1600 residents, they are both involved in many activities and volunteering.  Pauline is currently the Association Entertainment Director.

His career expanded a 40-year time frame and his work was worldwide. Here is a small list : Engineer   M.I. Plant E., Wood Based Panel Board Industry, Falkirk College of Technology, Cogent Negotiator and diagnostic Problem solver. John's second language is German and he is also a self employed consultant. His typical projects included: Engineering Division Management with staffing average of 150 individuals , Management of Production of Wood Based Panel Boards with work force of 400 people, and Project Management with contracts in the range of $650,000,000. 

John is delighted to have been chosen to lead our District 7070 Family in the 2023-24 Rotary year.