Meet the USA Team

We would like to thank Rotary District 6960, District Governor Steve Schlueter, District 7030, our local Rotary clubs and our host families for this amazing opportunity! 

We look forward to posting pictures and keeping you updated. We will be in each country for one week - Suriname, Barbados, St. Lucia and Grenada. We depart on Thursday, March 21 and return on April 22.

 
Bob Knight - Team Leader

My name is Bob Knight and I am the team leader. I live in Cape Coral, Florida. I am a member of the Rotary Club of Cape Coral Goldcoast since 1988, located on the Southwest side of Florida. I am a Past President of my club, and currently serve on my club’s Board of Directors. I am also a Paul Harris plus two. I have been involved in the Rotary Group Study Exchange program for over 20 years in our District 6960.

I enjoy many hobbies that include boating, golf, snorkeling, sailing, hiking, exploring, traveling all around the world, and the best is making home brew beer.

My vocation is a Financial Officer (Accountant) for a construction company that builds residential homes. I am one of the owners of the company. I specialize in company operations in the office and also in the field.  

 Kendra Hoefs - Team Member

My name is Kendra Hoefs, I was born and raised in Wisconsin, attended college in Arizona where I studied Criminal Justice and Public Administration. After graduation I worked in Phoenix, Arizona as an Academic Advisor. About two years ago I moved to Bonita Springs, Florida and began my career as a Real Estate Agent.

As a Licensed Realtor in Florida, I work primarily in residential real estate with individuals who would like to buy or sell property.  As part of my Real Estate business we have a property management division. I work with about 300 property owners that rent out their investment properties to tenants. 

I am the youngest of 4 girls; I love spending time with family and friends and enjoy a good glass of wine, beer, or coffee! I lead a very active lifestyle, which includes spending time outdoors lounging on the beach, boating, or hiking. I want to express my gratitude to you for hosting us on this amazing adventure!    

Sara Kane - Team Member 

My name is Sara Kane and I live in Sarasota, Florida. I am originally from Lincoln, Nebraska and I have also lived in Galveston, Texas. I am a graduate of Texas A&M University where my studies focused on ocean and coastal resources, environmental policy, and scientific diving research. Prior to my current job I worked at Mote Marine Laboratory where I was part of the scientific diving team for projects including coral spawning in the Florida Keys, offshore deep water blue holes, and fish surveys for artificial reef systems. 

Currently, I am the Public Outreach and Education Manager for the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program. I am responsible for developing and implementing programs to encourage the local community to restore and protect our local estuary – Sarasota Bay. I manage numerous projects including grants, kayak tours, volunteer programs, teacher training workshops, education programs, climate change and sea level rise projects, economic value studies and the Citizens Advisory Committee for Sarasota Bay. Scuba diving is my passion and I am a PADI open water scuba dive instructor. I also enjoy other water activities like snorkeling, sailing, boating, and kayaking.

Suriya Khong - Team Member

My name is Suriya Khong and I moved to Sarasota, Florida from my hometown of Green Bay, Wisconsin only six months ago. I am a recent graduate of the University of Minnesota Law School, the sister school of the university where I completed my undergraduate degrees in Child Psychology & Sociology.  This February I finished the last step in the arduous process of becoming a licensed attorney by taking the Florida Bar Exam.  After receiving my examination scores, I plan to continue my previous work in the field of juvenile justice and represent youth in both dependency and delinquency matters.

 

I am the middle child of a moderately sized family: I have an older brother who resides in Wisconsin and a younger brother who attends college in Minnesota.  I'm a vegetarian with an addiction to caffeinated beverages, dark beer, and spicy foods, an avid runner, and an American football fanatic. I enjoy traveling to new places and taking part in crazy adventures, almost always have a book in my hand or headphones in my ear, and love spending time with my family and friends.  

We look forward to posting pictures and keeping you updated.

Thank you,

Bob, Kendra, Sara and Suriya