Walker County Commissioner sworn in as 2025–2026 president during Elkins Lake ceremony
HUNTSVILLE, Texas — The Huntsville Rotary Club ushered in new leadership on the evening of Wednesday, June 25, as Walker County Precinct 3 Commissioner Bill Daugette was formally installed as club president for the 2025–2026 year. The installation took place at the Elkins Lake Clubhouse before a full crowd of Rotarians, community partners, and family members. The evening was a celebration of service, legacy, and future vision for one of Huntsville’s longest-standing civic institutions.
A Legacy of Leadership
Outgoing president Michelle Spencer was honored for her dynamic term leading the club. Spencer, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Walker County, was praised for her energy, service, and leadership.
“This has been a full year of purpose, service, fun, and connection,” Spencer said during her final address. “I’m walking away with a deeper love for this club and the people who make it what it is. Thank you for the honor of serving as your president. It has been one of the most fulfilling roles I’ve ever held, and I will treasure this year always”.
During her term, Spencer led the club through impactful service initiatives, record-breaking fundraising, and creative fellowship events. She attended 44 meetings, organized eight board sessions, and introduced 20 new speakers to the club. “I met 20 new people through speakers this year... I was really surprised,” she said.
Celebrating a Year of Impact
Under Spencer’s leadership, the club welcomed six new members—JC Hearne, Doug Haude, Karen Jones, Jeff Powers, Joel Starkey, and Ruth Webb—and recognized five Paul Harris Fellows: Lydia Montgomery, Karen Jones, Michelle Lyons, Bill Daugette, and Marcus Gillespie.
Major service projects included the Park Road 40 clean-up, Safety Town’s 20th anniversary, a successful tree planting initiative, and 45 handwritten thank-you cards delivered to first responders. A highlight of the year was the club’s annual fundraiser, Wine Quest, which raised an unprecedented $102,000, allowing Rotary to support 15 local nonprofit organizations. “That’s an incredible accomplishment for our community,” Spencer said.
She also led the club in hosting distinguished guests, including Rotary District Governor Leon Willhite, international guest Clive Castle from South Africa, U.S. Representative Trey Wharton, Senator Pete Sessions, and Jean Becker, former chief of staff to President George H.W. Bush.
Recognition from Fellow Rotarians
Following Spencer’s remarks, longtime member David Standlee addressed the audience, reflecting on the club’s long history and the legacy of its past presidents. Founded in 1923, the Rotary Club of Huntsville has seen nearly 100 presidents serve at its helm.
“There’s quite a legacy here,” Standlee said. “It feels good when you finish, but it’s kind of intimidating when you start.” He named many historic figures, and the club’s first female president, Jane Monday, who served in 1997.
Standlee noted that the club has seen a significant increase in female leadership in recent decades, praising the contributions of leaders like Rhonda Ellisor, Marjolein Lemmon, Lydia Montgomery, Michelle Lyons, and now Michelle Spencer.
“Bill, you’ve got some shoes to fill,” Standlee said, nodding toward the incoming president.
Official Induction of Bill Daugette
Daugette, who has been an active Rotarian since 2017, accepted the gavel during a formal oath administered in front of club members and his wife, Debra Daugette.
“You’ve been entrusted with an important responsibility that will help shape your club’s future,” Standlee said as he led the swearing-in. Daugette then took the oath to “faithfully execute the office of the President of the Rotary Club of Huntsville... and uphold the Constitution and bylaws of this club.”
Following his installation, Daugette thanked Spencer for her mentorship and tireless work. “You led our club an awesome year. I had a blast working with you,” he said. “Thank you for answering the texts at all kinds of crazy times.”
Rotary’s Global and Local Mission
Daugette emphasized that while Rotary’s global footprint is vast, it’s the local impact that makes the work feel personal. “I love our community,” said Daugette, a 44-year Huntsville resident. “Being a part of Rotary makes that a whole lot easier.”
He referenced Rotary International’s historic fight against polio, noting that cases dropped from 350,000 globally in 1985 to just 12 in 2023. “Last year alone, Rotary helped vaccinate 400 million children. That’s something we’re all a part of, and it’s something we can be proud of,” he said.
Locally, the club made a strong impact this past year by distributing approximately $71,000 to community nonprofits. Daugette highlighted support for programs such as:
- A Time to Read
- The Boys and Girls Club of Walker County
- HISD’s housing-insecure youth services
- Domestic violence and sexual assault services
- Foster youth outreach and hygiene kit distributions
“We provide opportunities for students who may not have had them otherwise,” he said of Rotary’s $12,000 scholarship initiative. “We target kids who are under the radar of other scholarships. Ours might be the one that helps them get in the door.”
Looking Ahead
Daugette acknowledged the creativity and passion of the incoming board members, which includes:
- Vice President: Brad Sherman
- Secretary: Ashley Horton
- Treasurer: Monica Criswell
- Directors: John Burnett, Marcus Gillespie, and others
“I’m not a super artistic guy,” Daugette joked, “but our board has some dreams and visions they want to see happen. I’m going to open the book for that.”
As he concluded his remarks, he expressed his commitment to leading with the Rotary motto, Service Above Self. “It’s easy not to do anything. But when we can write $71,000 worth of checks and reinvest in our community—that’s something to be proud of,” he said.
A New Chapter Begins
As the meeting closed, Daugette offered a simple reflection: “June 25th—day one for me, and day one for all of you on the other side of the fence,” he said with a smile.
With a year of new service projects, scholarships, and civic partnerships ahead, Daugette’s presidency promises to build upon the Rotary Club of Huntsville’s strong foundation and continue to shape a brighter future for the community.
About Rotary
The Rotary Club of Huntsville is a vibrant local chapter of Rotary International, dedicated to service both globally and within the community. The club meets every Wednesday at 12 p.m. in the lower level of the SHSU Walker Education Center at 1400–1402 19th Street in Huntsville. Its mission includes promoting integrity, advancing goodwill, and supporting causes such as literacy, youth programs, and public safety. For those interested in joining or learning more, the club can be contacted through the Huntsville–Walker County Chamber of Commerce at (936) 294‑1582 or by mail at P.O. Box 186, Huntsville, TX 77342. More information is available at www.rotaryclubofhuntsvilletx.org and www.winequestrotary.org. The Chamber directory listing can be found at business.huntsvillewalkerchamber.com.