Meet Our New Members

Robin DeRock

Robin is a Nursing preceptor, Staff educator, Rehab Admissions Coordinator, and Case manager at Confluence Health-Wenatchee Valley Hospital.  Her hobbies include HOCKEY, playing bad golf, crafting, hockey, sleeping in, travel, wine tasting, hockey.  After 24 years of floor nursing, she’s gone back to school, so homework is now a "hobby".  Oh, and Rotary. ;)  One thing that is unique about her is that she used to be shy, and she detest peas.

Her husband, Richard, is President Elect of the North Club, and director of Link Transportation.  He likes playing golf even worse than Robin, reading, yelling at the TV, yardwork, watching bad sci-fi, spending every waking moment thinking how lucky he is to be married to Robin.

Kids: 1) Birthed children:  Alicia - 28 yrs old, married, teacher, lives in East Wenatchee has their only 2 grandchildren.  Alex- 26 yrs old, single (taking applications), lives in Wenatchee, is an EMT with Ballard.

         2) Foreign born (AKA: Imports):  They have hosted 16 (maybe 39 or 74) exchange students

         3) Domestic brand: (AKA: Athletes who eat A LOT): They’ve hosted 12 athletes between the Wild and the Applesox.

Chris McDarment

Chris grew up in Wenatchee, and went to Harvey Mudd College in Los Angeles, where he graduated with an Engineering degree.  He has worked for Chelan PUD for over 20 years and is now the System Operations Manager for the PUD. 

Chris enjoys puzzles, traveling, and mysteries like astronomy.  He is a dog lover and his family has fostered many puppies from the humane society.  He is an Eagle Scout and is active in the Boy Scouts at the Troop and Council levels.  Chris learned "service above self" at an early age through Scouting, as well as through the example of his wonderful parents, John & Betsy.

Chris’ wife, Holly, was born and raised in Iowa, and she served overseas in the U.S. Army.  After she completed her tour in the Army, she followed her parents out to this area, finding a job at Central Washington Hospital as a unit secretary.  She is now a stay at home mom who doesn't know what stay at home means, as she is active in their Church, the Scouts, and the community.  

Chris and Holly met in Leavenworth on a blind date.  Holly likes to read books and cook, but is an avid sports fan as well.  They also enjoy playing cards with friends.

They have two boys, Braden is an Eagle Scout and is at the University of Washington, and Brian is a Life Scout, the step before Eagle, is a junior at Wenatchee High School.  He is in the high school band and on the swim team.  They also have two dogs (Grace, a German Shepherd and Jack, a Jack Russell/Chihuahua mix, a Humane Society rescue).

Laura Singletary

Laura is new to the Wenatchee area and during her free time, loves exploring her new surroundings.  She moved here in May and is paving the way for her family to follow.  Her husband, Michael, is the registrar at Watcom Community College.  They are the proud parent of two beautiful daughters.

Laura is the Director of Student Programs at Wenatchee Valley College.  She is passionate and honored for the opportunity to work with student leaders and supports Student Government, Clubs, Residence Life, and Campus Activities.  After finishing her transfer degree from Tacoma Community College, Laura earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington in Society, Ethics, and Human Behavior.  She worked in the court system for seven years and has since completed her M.Ed. in Adult Education from Western Washington University.  Laura plans to pursue her Doctorate of Ed. in Organizational Leadership beginning Fall 2017.  Until then, she plans to spend every ounce of her free time with family and friends, and serving her new community!

Joel Banken

Joel and Julie met in college at Pacific Lutheran University and got married 26 years ago here in Wenatchee where Julie grew up.  They spent two years in Ecuador as Peace Corps Volunteers before Joel went to medical school at WSU and UW.  They lived in Yakima for three years while Joel did his residency in Family Medicine.  In 2001, they moved home to Wenatchee, where Joel is a family physician at the clinic in East Wenatchee.  He and Julie have two boys.  Zachary is 15 and is a sophomore at Wenatchee High School.  Isaiah is 17 and is finishing his senior year of high school and will graduate from the Running Start program in June.  They were all very excited to find out on Sunday that Isaiah was chosen to go be a Rotary exchange student next year.  They have had a wonderful time hosting Lucas this year, and are looking forward to being part of the Rotary Exchange Program.  Joel has loved traveling ever since he was a high school exchange student himself in Mexico.  He also loves hiking and biking around Wenatchee, and is a huge fan of electric cars.