History

History

In 1917, Melvin Jones, a 38-year-old Chicago business leader, told members of his local business club they should reach beyond business issues and address the betterment of their communities and the world. Jones’ group, the Business Circle of Chicago, agreed.

After contacting similar groups around the United States, an organizational meeting was held on June 7, 1917, in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The new group took the name of one of the invited groups, the “Association of Lions Clubs,” and a national convention was held in Dallas, Texas, USA in October of that year. A constitution, by-laws, objects and a code of ethics were approved.

Within three years, Lions became an international organization. Since then, we’ve earned high marks for both integrity and transparency. We’re a well-run organization with a steady vision, a clear mission, and a long – and proud – history.

1996-97 - Eagle Lion Dexter Badinger - District 27-A1 Governor

Past Presidents of the Eagle Lions Club

  • 1964-65 - Frank Fleet (Charter President)

  • 1965-66 - Frank Fleet

  • 1966-67 - Donald Jones

  • 1967-68 - Richard Loerke

  • 1968-69 - Walter Pett

  • 1969-70 - Kenneth Mealy

  • 1970-71 - Thomas Burton

  • 1971-72 - Dexter Badinger

  • 1972-73 - Russel Chapman

  • 1973-74 - Robert Hafner

  • 1974-75 - Warren Arndorfer

  • 1975-76 - Paul Williams

  • 1976-77 - Robert Curran

  • 1977-78 - Roger Kussmann

  • 1978-79 - Robert Simonson

  • 1979-80 - Richard Searing

  • 1980-81 - Max T. Von Dahlen

  • 1981-82 - Harlan Schultz

  • 1982-83 - Ed Fisher

  • 1983-84 - Dexter Badinger

  • 1984-85 - Norman Marks

  • 1985-86 - Mel Kugel

  • 1986-87 - Gary Payne

  • 1987-88 - Gregory Freiberg

  • 1988-89 - Roger Kussmann

  • 1989-90 - Jack Thiel

  • 1990-91 - Charlie Reeves

  • 1991-92 - Gene Wilber

  • 1992-93 - Roger Couch

  • 1993-94 - Larry Nau

  • 1994-95 - Jeff Houk

  • 1995-96 - Jerry Tranchita

  • 1996-97 - Jerry Tranchita

  • 1997-98 - Al Koss

  • 1998-99 - Al Koss

  • 1999-00 - Ken Anderson

  • 2000-01 - Tom Burton

  • 2001-02 - Roger Couch

  • 2002-03 - Mark Matheus

  • 2003-04 - Roger Kussmann

  • 2004-05 - Keith Pine

  • 2005-06 - Al Koss

  • 2006-07 - Gary Phinney

  • 2007-08 - Bob Deering

  • 2008-09 - Bryan Menning

  • 2009-10 - Bryan Menning

  • 2010-11 - Gary Payne

  • 2011-12 - Dexter Badinger

  • 2012-13 - Jeffery Burton

  • 2013-14 - Matthew Lepperd

  • 2014-15 - Dave Zemanovic

  • 2015-16 - Brian Derenne

  • 2016-17 - Mark Matheus

  • 2017-18 - Brian Derenne

  • 2018-19 - Brian Derenne

  • 2019-20 - Brian Derenne

  • 2020-21 - Wally Eckart

  • 2021-22 - Wally Eckart

  • 2022-23 - Brian Derenne