Rotarians Larry Strober and Mike Caruso, both members of the Newberg Noon Rotary Club, will share their research and reflections on the role Rotary has played in promoting peace and service throughout our region and beyond.
Larry currently serves as the District 5100 Peace Committee Chair and is known for his passionate leadership in peacebuilding and civic engagement. Alongside him, Mike Caruso brings additional insight as a long-time Rotarian and fellow member of the Peace Committee. Together, they’ll explore Rotary’s long-standing commitment to creating positive change and building bridges—both globally and locally.
This presentation will highlight historical milestones, inspiring stories, and the unique ways Rotary clubs have worked to foster peace, strengthen communities, and uphold the values of service above self. Attendees will walk away with a deeper understanding of Rotary’s impact and a renewed sense of what it means to be a Rotarian today.
The Rotary Club of Wilsonville meets weekly Thursdays at noon to carry out its purpose of providing service and fellowship to members and the Wilsonville community. Guests are welcome. Lunch is available off the menu; please arrive and order by 11:45 a.m. if you are ordering lunch. For more information, email president@wilsonvillerotary.com.
Official bios:
Larry Strober
Brooklyn born, Larry has always loved the challenge of making an impact sometimes under very challenging circumstances. It started after college, when as a 1st Lieutenant, Signal Corps, with the Satellite Communications Agency, he helped in the establishment of the Defense Communications Satellite Program earning the Army Commendation Medal for his efforts.
That started a 35-year career assisting startups and small technology companies in Silicon Valley to adapt to new and ever-changing market opportunities. That effort moved to Oregon in 2007 but continued in its focus on making an impact. The focus expanded in definition about 15 years ago to assisting non-profits and providing community service as well as serving the business community.
Larry is currently involved in a number of initiatives mentoring small businesses and advising several non-profits. He is also serving as the Executive Director for the City of Lafayette tasked with forming and growing a Downtown Association. Larry has been a Rotarian for over fourteen years and has held office as club president and assistant governor. He is the current Director of the Rotary Peace Pole Project working with Rotary clubs around the world to install Peace Poles dedicated to promoting world peace. That initiative is currently working in the United States and Canada, Europe, Australia, India, Russia, Africa and Latin America.
He has been a board member at Peace Village Global for 9 years, at Elevate Him for three years and provides mentoring services as part of the Portland Peace Initiative. Larry is a co-founder of Willamette Valley Consultants providing management services to entrepreneurs and young businesses in the Willamette Valley. Larry is also the co-founder of the Oregon Peace Trail with David Gershon Larry holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Bucknell University and an MBA in Finance and Management from Hofstra University.
Larry is married to Glenda for over 57 years and they have 5 grandchildren currently in Bend, Bellingham, Corvallis and Denver.
PDG Mike Caruso
Mike joined the Newberg noon Rotary club in 2001 having his daughter Amelia as his sponsor. He retired as senior vice-president of Caruso Produce Inc. in Jan. of 2005.
Mike is the founder of Rotary Peacebuilder Clubs, founded in 2011, in District 5100 and now established in over 450 Rotary Clubs around the world and growing.
Mike has also participated in the Rotary Foundation’s Major Matching Grant process and helped organize 10 hands-on projects sponsored by the Rotary Club of Newberg in Guatemala consisting of Dental, Medical, Water, Education, Electrical, Construction and Micro-Finance groups beginning in 2004 and continuing to this day.
He served as District Governor in District 5100 during the 2011-12 Rotary year and served for 11 years as the District Rotary Peace Fellowships Sub-Committee Chair and is chair of District 5100 Peacebuilder Clubs committee.
In April of 2016, he represented District 5100 as their delegate at Rotary’s Council on Legislation. Mike is the recipient of the Rotary International Service Above Self award as well as the Citation for Meritorious Service. In addition to Guatemala, he has travelled on Rotary business and/or projects to Turkey, Israel, Palestine, Cyprus and Lebanon
Mike and his wife Amelia have lived in Dundee for the past 48+ years and have five children, three daughters and two sons and ten beautiful grandchildren.
