At our August 17 meeting, the Rotary Club of Davenport welcomed guest speaker Tony Knobbe for a program titled "Leaders to Sea."
Tony delivered an engaging presentation on his visit aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), sharing photos and video that gave members an inside look at daily life on a United States Navy aircraft carrier. The Roosevelt, nicknamed "The Big Stick," is a nuclear-powered Nimitz-class carrier commissioned in October 1986 and homeported in San Diego, California. The ship carries more than 5,000 personnel and 60 to 90 aircraft. Members enjoyed watching Navy FA-18 Super Hornet jets take off from and land on the flight deck, a firsthand view of the scale and precision that define carrier operations.
About the Speaker
Tony Knobbe is the current President of the North Scott Rotary Club and serves as Scott County Treasurer. He served as a Scott County Supervisor for six years, from 2017 through 2022, including three years as its chairman. Prior to that, he served the county on its Planning and Zoning Commission and as a condemnation juror.
Tony worked for 33 years in the banking industry, including roles in retail branch management and commercial banking management, and retired in 2015 as Market President for Wells Fargo Bank in the Quad Cities. He has served on numerous nonprofit, service club, and faith-based boards throughout the region.
Tony and his wife, Lorene, live in rural Scott County. Their two grown children and two grandchildren live in Davenport and in Seattle, Washington. Tony also farms part-time, including growing grain for a local distillery. He enjoys building teams, coaching for superior performance, and serving the public.
A Note of Gratitude
The Rotary Club of Davenport extends its heartfelt thanks to the men and women of our armed forces. Your service and sacrifice safeguard the freedoms and the way of life we cherish, and we are deeply grateful for all you do.