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Hollister Rotary, a local nonprofit that takes on community service projects and provides scholarships, announced Bill Baker as its new president this summer.
Former president Larry Barr stepped down but will continue as Youth Service chairman, leading a committee that works on youth scholarships.
The volunteer organization holds well-known fundraising events like the Mission-10 race and operates the bar at the San Benito Horse Show and Rodeo. Through volunteer work, members generate funds for youth scholarships and support for non-profit efforts locally.
Rotary is a large organization with members around the world. Rotarians say that some of their most meaningful experiences have come through trips abroad helping youth. Barr has traveled to Mexico, Panama and the Philippines to deliver wheelchairs. At a “changing of the guard” gathering in June at Crave, he spoke about what one Rotary experience in Panama meant to him.
“We saw this father and son. The father was—his kid was holding on around his neck and dragging his feet. That’s how he got anywhere—to school, anywhere—because he had clubbed feet and no correction. So I said, ‘That’s the kid I want to give a wheelchair to.’
“He sat down next to me and they had a ceremony and we gave him a Mission 10 T-shirt and a medal. And I leaned over to him and said, ‘I’m gonna spend some time with you and teach you how to use a wheelchair.’
“And the kid says, ‘I know how to use a wheelchair. But I am happy this is my own personal wheelchair now. And I wish you had one because I wanna race.’”
Reflecting on his time with the club Barr said, “Rotary has been terrific to me. It has been a major part of my life. The last 30 years have been a lot of fun.”
Several speakers repeated their appreciation for the chance to help their community and the depth of relationships that resulted from working together for others.
New president Baker also is not new to Rotary. He joined the Pacific Grove Rotary in 2000 and joined the Hollister club in 2005 after moving to San Benito County.
In an email, Baker said his key objectives for the next term are to increase membership and to improve the quality of the programs at Rotary meetings. “I believe that if the meetings are beneficial and interesting, our members will want to invite potential members to our meetings. We have set a goal of 10 net new members this year so that our total membership will exceed 60 by the end of our term.”
Baker’s professional experience was with IBM and Control Data for over 30 years in various management positions, and as a founder of Baker Cadence Solutions in 1995. BCS provides data services and application support to law firms and corporate legal departments throughout the western U.S. and western Canada.
Rotarians give time to their community and through volunteering, build close friendships with fellow rotary members. “I think being a part of Rotary allows me to give back to the community,” Baker said. “I am proud of the scholarships we can provide graduating students from Hollister High School, and also the financial aid we provide to CASA, United San Benito, BenitoLink, and other local organizations.”
In 2024, members went to the Philippines to hand out dental products and another group went to Mexico City to provide wheelchairs for youth.
2025 Hollister Rotary officers
President: Bill Baker
Community Service Alex Kingman (Marketing the Club and Social Media are a priority for Alex)
Membership: Phil Fortino, Kyle Sharp, and Larry Shaw
Rotary Foundation: Kyle Sharp (Member Giving and attract younger members)
International Service: Esther Curtice
Youth Service: Larry Barr
Club Administration
Secretary: Larry Barr
Treasurer: Bruce Beetz
Past president: Larry Barr
Baker said, “For new members of the Hollister Rotary, we provide them with a way to meet other business and civic leaders in the community, the opportunity to do some public speaking, and give some of their time to help the club generate the funds for the scholarships like the Mission 10 races, the San Benito Saddle Horse and Rodeo. In doing this you become part of the Hollister community and you can make a difference in the lives of others in our community.”
To learn more about Hollister Rotary, contact Bill Baker at bbaker@bakercadence.com.
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