District Governor Dan Steele’s official visit

Dan Steele

Rotary Club of Mineral Wells

District Governor 2022-23, District 5790

Dan was born in Graham, Texas and grew up on his family's cattle ranch. He was active in 4-H showing steers, heifers, and goats. He and his family were active members of the First United Methodist Church where he participated in the youth group and sang in the Chancel Choir. In high school he was a member of the Band, including Jazz Stage Band which was a favorite activity of his. He also participated in school musicals and the thespian group. He served as president of the Student Council in his senior year.

After graduating from college Dan returned to Graham in January 1975 and took a position with Graham Savings & Loan Association. The Rotary Club of Graham immediately recruited him to be a member and to sing in their "Rotary Follies" variety show fundraiser. He was a member of the Graham club through 1983.

In 1984, he began his new career as an optician and practice administrator for his wife's optometry practice, Cary S. Labbe, O.D. in Mineral Wells, Texas. In March of 1991, he joined the Rotary Club of Mineral Wells and in 1993 became secretary for the club. Dan was honored to serve as president of his club in 1995-96 – the same Rotary year that his fellow club member and friend, PDG Janet Holland, became one of the first eight women to serve as Rotary district governors He has since served as Foundation Chair for many years and the Treasurer since March 2000. PDG Jerry Parr presented him the Rotary Builder Award for his club in 2008. He became a Paul Harris Fellow June 1995 and remained a Sustaining Member of The Rotary Foundation. He reached the Major Donor Level in March 2014 and joined the Paul Harris Society in August 2014. He continues to be an active member of the Rotary Club of Mineral Wells.

In District 5790, Dan served as Assistant Governor for four years and as Lieutenant Governor under PDG Mary Ann McDuff in 2016-17. He completed the Rotary Institute for Leadership training in February 2009 and the District Vision Facilitation Training in June 2016. Dan served as the District Grant Sub-Committee Chair in 2019-20 and 2020-21.  He participated in Wheelchair Projects to the Dominican Republic in 2014 and Costa Rica in 2016.  Dan and Cary have attended Rotary International Conventions in Chicago, Salt Lake City, New Orleans and Birmingham, England and Houston.

Dan says, "Rotary is my passion!"