Lion Craig is a life long North Dakota resident who grew up in Harvey North Dakota and now lives in Rugby North Dakota. He attended school in Harvey for 12 years and graduated from Harvey high School in 1972. He continued his education at the University of North Dakota, graduating in 1977 with Honors. Following graduation he taught elementary and secondary music for the Unity Public and Rugby Public School systems for 10 years. In 1987 he began working in the financial services industry and has been working as a money manager for the past 21 years.

Craig joined the Rugby Lions Club in 1997 and is currently Vice-District Governor of District 5NC. He has served the Rugby Lions as a board member, Vice President, and as President in 2003-2004. District Governor Craig has also served as the Zone Chairman for Zone 3B, Region Chairman for Zone 3, and is currently the Chairman of the District 5NC MERL team. Craig has received two International Certificates of Appreciation, the International Leadership Award for his work with the North Dakota Lions Tsunami Relief effort, was named the Rugby Lion of the Year in 2004, and most recently he was honored with a Melvin Jones Fellow in 2006.

Lion Craig has been active in his local community and has held many offices in various service clubs, his church, city government, and also participated in the local musical theatre. He has been with his partner Sandy Wurgler for 12 years and they have 5 daughters and 9 grandchildren which keep them both very busy! Craig enjoys hunting and fishing, golf with Sandy, singing with anybody, and spending time at the lake.

As DG, Lion Craig plans include following up on work started last year by PDG Brain Tinker, as well as improving retention in the district, and to further the growth of Lionism. He looks forward to a rewarding and exciting year serving District 5NC as their new governor.

Duane was born and raised on a farm in Sykeston, ND and graduated from Sykeston High School. He went on to college at Valley City State Teachers in Valley City, ND. Taught school (mathematics, Phy. Ed. & coach), then went on to get a Masters of Science Degree in Educational Administration from Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD. The last 13 years of his “formal” educational career were spent being Superintendent at Gackle-Streeter Public School in Gackle, ND. Duane retired in June of 1997. Since then he has worked in various aspects of education. The last official position being the High School Principal at Pingree-Buchanan in Pingree, ND. He will have a total of 44 years of work in a variety of educational positions after the 2007-08 school year..

Duane and Mary Ann have been married for 43 years and have three grown daughters; Deanna, Debbie & Kim. They have four grandchildren; Elena (8), Ellen (7), Alex (5) & Olivia (3). Duane enjoys sports very much including football, basketball & baseball. He enjoys the outdoor sports of fishing, hunting & golf. Another enjoyment is a good game of cards, almost any game. Duane and Mary Ann enjoy family, especially their grandchildren, traveling and musicals.

Duane first became a Lion in the fall of 1984 while at Gackle. Was a member there until the fall of 1999 where he joined the Carrington Lions Club. He has held many of the offices in these two clubs. Being President of Gackle (1988-89 & 1995-96) and Carrington (2003-06). He was honored with the President Excellence Award in 2006. During his years in Lionism Duane has chaired many projects such as the Carrington Lions golf tournament, Peace Poster Contest, Pass- Punt- Kick Contest and Relay for Life Breakfast. He has served as District 5NE Zone Chairman for Zone A-3 from 2005-2007. Duane was elected Vice District Governor Elect of 5NE in October 2006 and will serve as District Governor for 2008-2009.

Duane will continue some of PDG John Dobbs’ goals which will include working on extension of new Lions Clubs and getting all clubs of 5NE involved with the real meaning of Lionism. Hoping to use his motto for the year, “Step up to the plate in 2008” as the means to accomplish this goal. DG Duane will also place special emphasis on the Eye Bank of North Dakota, the North Dakota Lions Foundation, Leader Dogs for the Blind and Service Dogs of America.

Duane is an active member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Carrington. He is involved in various functions of the Church Mass and was a member of the parish council and has taught students in the religious education program. He is very active in the Knights of Columbus Council # 4951 of Carrington. Currently the District Deputy of District #13. Duane is also a member of the CrossRoads Golf Club and the Carrington “Cardinal” Booster Club.

Duane was honored by the Carrington Lions Club with being named a Melvin Jones Fellow in December of 2007. (Thanks, Carrington Lions, it is truly a great honor.) He is looking forward to his year as District Governor of 5NE with its many challenges and rewards and is asking for the support of all Lions of the District.

Governor Trotter was born on August 6, 1957 and was raised in Vancouver, Washington. He graduated from Evergreen High School in 1975. In 1976, he joined the U.S. Navy and was a Plank Owner (Commissioning Crew) on the USS Saipan. After leaving the Navy, Pat worked for over 30 years in sales. In September of 2001, after moving to Williston, North Dakota, Pat became a member of the Williston Korner Lions and of the American Legion, Edgar M. Boyd Post #37.

Since joining the Lions, he has served on the board of directors several years and was president of the Williston Korner Lions Club in 2005-2006. He was Zone 3-A Chairperson and Public Relations Chair for District 5NW in 2006-2007. He is serving on the boards of the Lions Foundation of North Dakota and the Lions Eye Bank of North Dakota. Pat has attended 4 District 5NW Spring Rallies, 5 State Conventions, 2 MD5 Conventions, One USA/Canada Forum. In July of 2007, he completed the Great Plains Lions Leadership Institute in Leavenworth, Kansas.

Pat received the Certificate of Appreciation from Lions International President Jimmy Ross in 2006 at the North Dakota State Lions Convention.

He has two sons, two granddaughters and twin grandsons. In his spare time Pat enjoys building computers and restoring old cars, he currently is restoring a 1965 Buick Riviera.