COMMUNITY PROFILE: North Shore Rotarian picked to lead city’s District 5890

Bill Palko
Bill Palko
Bill Palko

A member of the North Shore Rotary Club has been chosen District Governor Nominee, to lead the area’s District 5890 for a year, starting in July 2017. The announcement was made last week by the current District Governor Lisa Faith Massey.

Bill Palko has been a Rotarian since 2005, and will be the second club member to hold this important position. Previously, John Painter was the District Governor from 1999 to 2000.

Rotary District 5890 encompasses the greater Houston area, with over 63 clubs and 3500 members. The District Governor is responsible for organizing and supervising these clubs and members for his year in office.

Bill Palko is a native Houstonian. Upon graduation from High School Bill joined the US Army where he served on active duty from 1973-1977. After his honorable discharge from the Army, Bill earned his Associate of Arts Degree in Business Administration from San Jacinto Junior College North Campus. He then earned his BBA in Accounting from the University of Houston Central Campus.

Bill has been a Houston Banker for 33 years. He is currently a Senior Vice President and Community Development Manager with Amegy Bank where he’s been employed for 17+ years.

Bill is active in his local community. He serves as a Board Member for the Wendel D. Ley Y as well as for the North Channel Area Chamber of Commerce. He has twice been named Volunteer of the Year at the Ley Y. He was also named Board Member of the Year by the Chamber.

Bill has been a Rotarian with the Rotary Club of North Shore since June, 2005. He is Past President 2010-11 and was Rotarian of the Year for the club in 2011-2012. Bill is an Assistant Governor for the years 2013-2015. He was awarded AG of the Year in 2013-2014. Bill is a Major Donor as well as a multiple Paul Harris Fellow. He is a member of the Bequest, Paul Harris, Polio Plus and White Hat Societies.

Bill has been married for 36 years to Debbie and they have two wonderful children, Steven and Michelle.