Carlos Franco Installed as President of the Buena Park Rotary Club

## Buena Park Rotary Club Installs New Officers, Welcomes Carlos Franco as President

**BUENA PARK, Calif. — July 2026** — The **Buena Park Rotary Club** celebrated a new chapter of leadership during its annual Officer Installation Ceremony, welcoming **Carlos Franco** as Club President for the 2026–2027 Rotary year.

Held at **Gaucho Grill in Buena Park**, the ceremony brought together Rotarians, community leaders, family members, and supporters to recognize the club’s continued commitment to “Service Above Self” while honoring the leadership of **Immediate Past President Shailesh Shah**, owner of Sohm Inc., whose year of service strengthened the club’s impact throughout the Buena Park community.

Newly installed **Buena Park Rotary Club President Carlos Franco** is joined by the 2026–2027 Board of Directors, club members, and community leaders during the club’s annual Officer Installation Ceremony at Gaucho Grill in Buena Park. The evening celebrated a new year of Rotary leadership focused on youth development, community service, cultural connection, and strengthening the tradition of **“Service Above Self.”**

**Photo Credit:** Marco Velarde (@vel\_art\_e)

The installation also introduced a diverse leadership team representing businesses, education, public service, and nonprofit leadership from across Buena Park.

The 2026–2027 Board of Directors includes:

- **President:** Carlos Franco, Founder of Culture-Fluent, Orange County’s Community-Driven Advertising Agency

- **Immediate Past President:** Shailesh Shah, Owner of Sohm Inc.

- **Treasurer:** Angel Hernandez, CEO of Center City Community Credit Union

- **Secretary:** Archie Holton, Co-Founder of Santa Maria BBQ

- **Fundraising Chair:** Brian Carver, Firefighter

- **Membership Chair:** Rosalind Henderson, Owner of Ignite Core Leadership

- **Public Image Chair:** Alesha Camacho, Owner of Minnie’s Market

- **Youth Service Chair:** Paulina Cortez, Buena Park High School Agriculture Teacher and Interact Club Advisor

- **Sergeant-at-Arms:** Chris Norby, (Ret.) CA State Assembly Member, Orange County Supervisor, and Mayor of Fullerton

During his inaugural remarks, Franco outlined a vision focused on preparing future leaders, celebrating Buena Park’s diverse community while defining its culture, and strengthening Rotary’s role as an organization known not only for service projects, but for meaningful relationships and civic leadership.

_“It is an incredible honor to serve as the next President of the Buena Park Rotary Club,”_ Franco said. _“As I look ahead, I believe we have a unique opportunity to define what the next chapter of Rotary in Buena Park can be.”_

Franco shared three priorities that will guide the club during the coming year.

The first is an expanded investment in youth leadership through the **Buena Park High School Interact Club**(an opportunity available to students outside Buena Park High School as well), where students will be encouraged not only to volunteer, but to develop the confidence and skills needed to become future community leaders.

_“Rotary should be a bridge between today’s leaders and tomorrow’s,”_ Franco said.

His second priority is celebrating Buena Park’s rich cultural diversity and helping define its culture by creating service opportunities that bring together residents, businesses, and organizations from every corner of the community.

Finally, Franco challenged members to redefine what it means to be a Buena Park Rotarian.

_“I want our club to become known for more than meetings,”_ he said. _“I want us to be known for showing up, building friendships, solving problems, and leading with humility. When someone says, ‘They’re a Buena Park Rotarian,’ it should immediately bring to mind service, integrity, optimism, and action.”_

The event also recognized Immediate Past President Shailesh Shah, who was also recognized the week before by Buena Park Mayor Connor Traut during a council meeting, for his dedicated leadership and commitment to expanding Rotary’s presence throughout Buena Park in the last two decades.

Under Shah’s leadership, the club continued supporting youth scholarships, community service initiatives, educational programs, and partnerships with local organizations while maintaining Rotary’s tradition of fellowship and service.

As the ceremonial gavel passed from Shah to Franco, the moment symbolized more than a leadership transition—it reflected Rotary’s enduring mission of developing leaders committed to improving their communities.

With a leadership team representing entrepreneurs, educators, financial professionals, former elected officials, and community advocates, the Buena Park Rotary Club enters the new Rotary year with a renewed commitment to serving Buena Park through collaboration, mentorship, and action.

_“Together,”_ Franco concluded, _“we’ll honor Rotary’s incredible legacy while creating a new one that future generations will be proud to carry forward. Let’s build something that lasts.”_

## About the Buena Park Rotary Club

Founded on Rotary International’s guiding principle of **“Service Above Self,”** the Buena Park Rotary Club celebrated 70 years of bringing together local business leaders, educators, nonprofit professionals, and community members dedicated to improving lives through volunteer service, youth development, scholarships, international humanitarian efforts, and local community partnerships. The club proudly sponsors the Buena Park High School Interact Club and supports projects that strengthen the Buena Park community throughout the year.

## About Rotary International

Rotary International is a global network of more than 1.2 million neighbors, friends, and leaders who work together to create lasting change in communities around the world through humanitarian service, peacebuilding, education, disease prevention, clean water initiatives, economic development, and youth leadership.

## About Culture-Fluent

Culture-Fluent is Orange County’s community-driven advertising and media agency, helping organizations, businesses, nonprofits, and public agencies connect authentically with the communities they serve through strategic storytelling, marketing, public relations, and community engagement.

**Media Contact**

Culture-Fluent

media@culture-fluent.com

(833) 892-5617

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