Collette awarded top Rotary honor
There were 256 nominations from around the world vying for 80 awards. The criteria is based on three main items: involvement in Rotary, professional contributions and community efforts.
Collette has strong ties to the community, having served as general manager of McMinnville Electric System for 27 years. He is past president of the American Public Power Association and the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association. He received the Distinguished Service Award from both associations. Presently he serves as president of Collette and Associates, an executive search and meeting planning firm.
A Rotarian since 1974, Collette has served Rotary International in many roles. His special interests at the district level have been Interact and the Rotary Foundation. His extensive list of service to the organization includes serving District 6780 as governor in 1993-94.
Since that time he has chaired such committees as the Nominating, Finance, Scholarship, Permanent Fund and the Rotary Foundation committees. Collette also served as district trainer for several years.
In the area of community service, Collette is a past president of the Chamber of Commerce and former vice chairman of the Economic Development Committee. He serves on the Board of Directors of Security Federal Savings Bank and Accu-Router, Inc.
Collette and his wife, Mary, are Paul Harris Fellows, Benefactors and Major Donors. Both have a strong commitment to the programs of The Rotary Foundation. He is a communicant of St. Matthews Episcopal Church, having served as senior warden, and other leadership roles. The Collettes have two married children and three grandchildren.
Rotary is a worldwide civic organization with 1.2 million members promoting world peace and understanding. Rotarians are involved in numerous humanitarian, educational and cultural programs around the globe. Rotary’s major thrust over the past 20 years has been the eradication of polio.