Rotarian: Jess Gutzwiler

 

Jess grew up on a registered Angus beef farm in Eastern South Dakota. As a farmer's daughter, she learned a strong work ethic, love for the land, and the desire to get out of South Dakota. Jess went to college at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD where she was very active in their broadcasting and theatre program as well as a full-time volunteer at Spirit of the Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. After graduation, Jess worked in broadcasting until the opportunity to take a job in Alaska presented itself. In July of 2007, Jess packed up her 4Runner and hit the Alcan. Jess worked for Wells Fargo Financial until 2010, when at Wells Jess met her husband, Aaron. Jess moved directions in her career and worked for the American Cancer Society and managed most of their largest fundraising efforts for 8 years. During that time Jess became involved in Rotary and found her Alaskan Family. Jess was Club President in 2016-17 for Anchorage South Rotary Club and became a ShelterBox Ambassador in 2018. She went on to become a Pacific Northwest Training Leader from 2017 to 2020, District Sponsorship Chair for PDG Diane Fejes conference as well as DG Chery's conference. In 2018, Jess made the career change to Advanced Oncology Associates where she is the Practice Representative. Her day-to-day varies wildly, but that is what Jess loves most about her job, it's always changing and presents new challenges. In 2021 Jess, Aaron, and their beloved micro mini-pig, Spank, moved to Clam Gulch, a long-term dream of theirs. In July of 2021, Jess became a member of the Soldotna Rotary Club and the Assistant Governor for the Kenai Peninsula/Kodiak Area Rotary Club.