Leadership Bios
About Our Leadership
The leadership of the Minneapolis Uptown Rotary Club plays a key role in shaping our mission and ensuring our community impact. Our president, treasurer, and committee chairs work together to lead and inspire the club’s efforts year after year.
Recent Presidents:
2026-2027: Adam C. Kooyer (Current)
2024-2025: Charmaine Dwyer
2024-2025: Guy Johnson
2026/2027 Leadership Roles:
Uptown Rotary is excited to announce its leadership team for the upcoming year, featuring a mix of dedicated members stepping into new or updated roles. This dynamic group is poised to drive the club's mission forward with renewed energy, focusing on impactful community service, engaging programs, and robust fundraising efforts.
President (2026-2027) : Adam C. Kooyer
Adam Kooyer steps into the role of President for 2026/2027, bringing fresh energy and a builder's mindset to club leadership. Since joining Uptown Rotary, he has served as Public Image Chair, overhauling the club's web presence and communications to better reflect its mission. By day he's a Cloud Engineer at an identity services company; outside of work, he's mid-restoration on a 1967 Honda CT90. Adam continues in his role as club Editor for 2026/2027.
Immediate Past President (2025-2026) : Charmaine Dwyer
Charmaine Dwyer, founder of the Tamarack Group in Minneapolis, transitions to Immediate Past President after leading the club through 2025/2026. She brings strong organizational instincts and steady leadership to the board, and is currently serving as JUFS Coordinator while working to transition that role to a newer club member. Charmaine also lends her talents to the Secretary and Public Image Committee. Outside of Rotary, she enjoys cooking, traveling, and nature photography.
Secretary: Joshua Hillger
Joshua Hillger brings both legal precision and genuine enthusiasm to the Secretary role. An attorney at Best & Flanagan in Minneapolis, Josh has a background spanning estates and trusts, with earlier roles at Messerli & Kramer and Felhaber Larson, and prior experience in estate management at Wells Fargo's Private Bank. He's energetic, always willing to pitch in, and brings a sense of fun to everything he touches. When he's not in the office or at a Rotary meeting, you might find him in Palm Springs or Hawaii.
Treasurer: Seth Tenpenny
Seth Tenpenny keeps the club's finances on track with meticulous attention to detail. He manages funds responsibly, ensuring resources are allocated effectively for operational expenses and charitable projects. Known for his calm demeanor and solid financial expertise, Seth plays a key role in the club's continued financial health.
Events Chair: Steph Swanson
Steph Swanson is a State Farm agent by day and a Rotary powerhouse the rest of the time. As Events Chair, Steph is the hub for all club events, currently leading the fundraising effort for this year and coordinating a major bash planned for 2026. Members looking to organize anything go through Steph. Her sharp wit, joyful personality, and bear hugs make her indispensable.
Community Service Chair: Kwame Owusu-Acheampong
Kwame Owusu-Acheampong is leading the charge in Community Service, with a focus on projects benefiting both local and global communities. He plays a key role in the club's close relationship with Ella Baker School, including annual author visits, field trips, and in-room libraries, while working to build partnerships that maximize the club's service impact.
Programs Co-Chair: Guy Johnson
A two-time club president, Guy Johnson has cultivated long roots in Rotary alongside a career spent at the intersection of nutrition science and public health, including stints at Pillsbury and Kellogg, his own consultancy Johnson Nutrition Solutions, and an ongoing adjunct professorship at the University of Illinois. Club members know him best for closing each meeting with his signature "Nutrition Nugget," delivered in dulcet tones that could narrate a nature documentary. He also has an encyclopedic love of "Rip Van Winkle" by The Devotions and will perform it on request.
Programs Co-Chair: Dale Snyder (co-chair; seeking partner)
A past president known for sharp wit and a talent for keeping meetings lively, Dale Snyder returns as Programs Co-Chair. He keeps programs well-coordinated and guest experiences smooth and is reliably fun to have in the room. The club is actively seeking a second co-chair to round out the Programs team.
Membership Chair: Bill Sweatt
Bill Sweatt, one of the club's most welcoming members, serves as Membership Chair and Ready Set Smile Liaison. Bill's genuine approach to conversation and love for community are contagious. He hosts events like his annual block party and solstice celebrations, building the kind of relationships that keep the club vibrant.
Rotary Foundation Chair: Magdeline Aagard
A veteran Uptown Rotarian and past president, Magdeline Aagard continues as Foundation Chair, managing fundraising and resources to support Rotary's humanitarian programs. She has been instrumental in deepening the club's relationship with the Bakken Museum and its community impact.
Meeting Greeter: Thomas H. Sopoci
A veteran club member and former Ella Baker liaison, Tom Sopoci ensures a warm welcome for everyone who walks through the door at our weekly gatherings.
Meeting Venue Coordinator: Laurie Kottke
Laurie Kottke, co-founder of the SubClub and owner of Kottke Fine Jewelers, brings her characteristic warmth and attention to detail to Meeting Venue Coordinator. She handles all meeting logistics, including space, food, beverage, and everything in between.
Public Image Chair / Editor: Adam C. Kooyer (interim)
Adam continues to oversee club communications, editorial content, and web presence while the Public Image role transitions to a shared structure with the new Social Media Chair.
Social Media Chair / President-Elect Delegate (2028-2029): Katherine Voelkers
Katherine Voelkers came to us through the club website and hit the ground running from her very first meeting. A South Minneapolis native and current Uptown resident, she's a Gifts Officer at People Incorporated Mental Health Services, supporting community-strengthening and mental health access initiatives that align closely with Rotary's mission. No stranger to Rotary, she has previously presented at Chanhassen, St. Paul, and Eagan clubs. Katherine has chosen Uptown as her home. We're glad she did.