District Governor Nominee - Richard de Asis
Richard D. de Asis
District Governor Nominee - Bio
Driven by a passion for service and a belief in Rotary’s power to change lives, Richard D. de Asis has built a Rotary career rooted in action, fellowship, and global impact. Richard has been a Rotarian since 1998, when he first joined the Rotary Club of Dansville after being introduced to Rotary by James Culbertson, then Livingston County Clerk. What began as a first luncheon invitation soon grew into a lifelong commitment to Rotary’s ideals, service opportunities, and fellowship. Over the years, Richard’s involvement has expanded steadily, shaped by a deep appreciation for the impact Rotary can have both locally and around the world.
During his years in Dansville, Richard served as Club President twice, as a member of the Club Board of Directors, as Assistant District Governor for Area 4 for two terms, and as Area 4 Foundation Area Director. He later brought that same energy and commitment to Rochester Rotary, where he has served as International Service Chair, Vice President of International Service, a member of the Board of Directors, and Club President (2025-26). He is also a Paul Harris Fellow +7, a Benefactor, a Sustaining Member and a Polio Plus Society member reflecting his longstanding commitment to The Rotary Foundation and Rotary service.
Richard’s Rotary story is especially marked by international service. He has helped lead multiple Matching Grants (precursor to Global Grants), including projects involving a medical mission to the Philippines, microcredit enterprise work in the Philippines, and a water project in Honduras. He has also supported numerous District Simplified Grants and has been involved in international service projects across Southeast Asia, Central and South America, the Caribbean basin, and Africa. Among his proudest accomplishments is a large WASH project in Uganda that started in June 2026. This project will impact more than 12,500 lives.
His passion for Rotary is centered on international service, particularly projects related to water, education, and maternal and children’s health. He believes Rotary’s greatest strength lies in its ability to mobilize people, resources, and partnerships to create lasting change. His leadership has also extended to club culture, where he emphasized fellowship, inclusivity, and membership growth by introducing the “fifth test” of the Rotary 4-Way Test: Will it be FUN?
Outside of Rotary, Richard has continued to serve through leadership roles as Treasurer of GVC SHRM, a former Advisory Board Member of Five Star Bank (Dansville), and a longtime leader within the Porsche Club of America’s Niagara Region, where he has served as president, board member, and chief driving instructor. His professional and volunteer leadership reflect the same philosophy he brings to Rotary: leading by example, building trust through action, and inspiring others through steady commitment.
He and his partner, Sally DeCarolis, live in Pittsford, New York. Richard is an avid racing fan, amateur club racer, and part owner of a hobby business focused on high-performance driver education. He also enjoys travel, especially when it connects to Rotary service and fellowship.
As District Governor, Richard’s focus will be on membership recruitment and retention, strengthening awareness of what Rotary stands for, and encouraging more clubs to engage in international service. He hopes Rotarians will remember that Service Above Self is more than a motto — it is a way of living with purpose, humility, and determination to make a lasting difference in the lives of others.
