Melissa Stewart: FLORENCE — Billy Santos, 33, of Park Hills has many titles. At The Bank of Kentucky he’s vice president and regional manager. At home, he’s dad, and most recently at the Florence Rotary Club he’s president.
It may sound like a lot to juggle, but the Boone County businessman wouldn’t have it another way. Santos recently sat down with the Florence Recorder to talk about his new role within the club and what he enjoys most about the organization.
Q: How did you get involved in Rotary?
A: I was initially invited to the Campbell County Club by the superintendent of the schools in 2006. I was managing a (Bank of Kentucky) office in Fort Thomas at the time. I joined the Florence club when I transferred to one of the bank’s branches located in Florence; I was invited to join by longtime Florence Rotarian Willard Rusk.
Q: What about Rotary piqued your interest?
A: For me it was the combination of the altruistic goals of the organization in helping the community while having the opportunity to get to know great people who are leaders in our community.
Q: What do you enjoy most about the Florence Rotary Club?
A: Our club has over 100 members. We are a very active club and I can see that through the results of our efforts. There’s also a good sense of fellowship in the club.
Another thing that is really unique about Rotary International is that it’s one of the few organizations where you can be in Florence, but have projects that impact places like Kenya. Rotary has a broad reach.
Q: How does it feel to be named president?
A: It’s humbling to think they would entrust me with a club with such a rich history as ours has. Previously, I served as treasurer several years and I’ve gotten to understand the nuts and bolts of the operations of the club, I’m looking forward to the new responsibilities and the challenge of serving as the club’s president.
Q: What are your goals for the organization?
A: The theme for Rotary International in the coming year is “Engage Rotary, Change Lives.” My goals mirror this theme in that I want to engage our community and our members to be even more involved with our projects in this coming year. When we give of our time, talent and treasure, we as the giver gain as much if not more satisfaction as the recipient. By getting involved, we can change others’ lives as well as our own. Another primary goal I have is to get more young professionals involved in Rotary.
A: I’m looking forward to kicking off our shoe drive for Shoes for Orphan Souls in July. Thirty percent of the shoes collected will go to U.S. children, the rest will be dispersed internationally. It will be my first order of business as president.
Q: What do you do when you’re not taking care of Rotary or bank business?
A: I have three kids who keep me very active and I enjoy their activities very much. I also like to read whenever I can.
Q: What is your greatest accomplishment?
A: Oh man. I’d have to say that what I want to be the best at is being a good father. And just as I take that very seriously as well as my duties at The Bank of Kentucky as regional manager, I take my position as president for Rotary very seriously and am proud and honored to serve in that role.
Q: What do you do for fun?
A: Although half of my family roots are here in Kentucky, I was born and raised in the Dominican Republic and music is a big part of that culture. My wife and I like to dance to the traditional music of the DR such as Merengue and Bachata.
Q: Are you a good dancer?
A: (Laughs) I grew up doing it, so I guess so. I showed my wife how to dance and we like teaching it to the kids.
Q: What do you enjoy most about living in Northern Kentucky?
A: It’s an ideal place to raise a family. This is more about America, but growing up in the Dominican Republic so much of your success is dictated by who you know and what connections you have. Here, I appreciate that you can work hard and do the right thing and you can be successful.
FYI
For more information about the Rotary Club’s shoe drive for Shoes for Orphan Souls, visit www.florencerotary.org.
