This Week: Where, Why, and How Data Centers Exist and Persist with Ryan Geister
Ryan Geister joined Trane over 30 years ago and currently is the North American Sales Leader for Trane’s Equipment Business. Within Trane Technologies, Ryan maintains strategic roles, including serving on the Global Refrigerant Council that directly serves the corporate and customer sustainability initiatives. Ryan has served in many roles, including the business leader for the products manufactured and shipped globally from La Crosse, WI and its sister plant in Taicang China. These roles offered opportunities to collaborate with the broader Trane organization and customers around the world.
Throughout Ryan’s career, he has served in industry organizations to influence legislative and regulatory issues. Ryan earned his engineering degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his MBA from the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse. Ryan has served on the Salvation Army Board, the Rotary of La Crosse-Downtown Board, and most recently, the Children’s Museum of La Crosse Board. Ryan is proud to be a member of Downtown Rotary for over 11 years.
Today, Ryan will attempt to provide an overview of the mission-critical infrastructure (aka “data centers”) that are being discussed around the state and how Trane, a Wisconsin-born company, brings its innovations and ideas to help shape more sustainable solutions in climate control for these systems. Specifically, Ryan will share the high-level elements of data center developments - key terms, metrics, design & layout - and explain how the heat rejection process and various technologies affect resources (such as water and power) that occur for all of us to enjoy our phones…and AI.
Next Week: Rusty Cunningham and Lee Rasch
A Call for Civil Discourse in Complex Times
Civil discourse lies at the heart of our democratic republic. Our system was not designed for uniform agreement, but for principled disagreement—expressed with respect, dignity, and a shared commitment to the common good. This nonpartisan session will explore the essential elements of civil discourse, examine its role as a cornerstone of a healthy democracy, and identify practical steps we can take to strengthen and promote civil discourse in today’s complex and polarized political environment. They will share information about the LeaderEthics initiative—A Call for Civil Discourse.
Presenters:
Rusty Cunningham: Member of the LeaderEthics board and President in 2023 and 2024, Rusty is the former Executive Editor of the River Valley News, the La Crosse Tribune, Winona Daily News and the Chippewa Herald.
Lee Rasch: Executive Director of LeaderEthics. He is the founder of the organization, established in March of 2018. He has published numerous articles on civility and principles of ethical leadership among elected officials.
Meal for This Week
Lunch this week: Turkey Croissant Sandwich, with spinach, provolone, tomato, dijonnaise, side of kettle chips.
Coffee, ice tea, and water available.
Guests are ALWAYS welcome! RSVP in advance to Niki Pohnl if know you are bringing guests but last minute invites are also welcome!
Weekly Rotary Meeting Venue
We are excited to announce that beginning March 19th, our weekly Rotary meetings will be held at the Radisson. Thank you all for your venue suggestions. All were reached out to with very specific questions, then taken to the Executive Team and the Board of Directors for discussion. More specific details will follow in the weeks to come.
March Club Social - Thursday March 19th, 5pm
Come by for a behind the scenes look at the La Crosse Community Theatre, including a presentation by Eric Vose.
This will be followed by drinks and snacks provided by LCT.
“Our meetings are dull, dull, dull! Our club never does anything interesting! And why are you and I the only two members left?”
These are common complaints. Okay, they’re not exactly common. But your Rotary Club is probably looking for ways to grow, or ways to make your meetings more engaging, or ways to make your club more active and more visible.
What better way is there than to share ideas and learn from other clubs? And what better time and place than TriCon 2026? The heart of TriCon is ideas, ideas, ideas!
Past attendees have called TriCon “inspiring,” “energizing,” "transforming," and “simply amazing.” And that is no exaggeration.
Built around Rotary’s 2026 theme, Unite for Good, this year’s conference will show you how to increase Rotary’s impact at your club, in your community, and worldwide. TriCon 2026 will offer practical learning and a celebration of all that Rotary and Rotarians can do and can be to build a better world. And as a bonus, it offers a chance bring the family and enjoy the Kalahari’s waterpark.
NOW is the time to register and book your room at Kalahari. Click the link on the bottom of this email to register.
FOUNDATION MINUTE: MARCH 2, 2026
Welcome to Week ONE of RI’s Month of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene.
The statistics are staggering: Approximately 2 billion people worldwide lack access to safely managed drinking water, and almost 4.4 billion do not have access to safe, uncontaminated water at home. In sub-Saharan Africa, over 770 million people lack basic water services. Over 1,000 children under age 5 die daily from diseases caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation. Basic health and hygiene are unattainable without the constant supply of clean and potable water. When people have access to clean water and sanitation, waterborne diseases decrease, children stay healthier and attend school more regularly, and mothers can spend less time carrying water and more time helping their families. Rotary International, through its foundation, mobilizes resources, forms partnerships, and invest in infrastructure and training that yield long-term change:
Since 2013, TRF has invested in more than $130 million (USD) in over 2000 projects worldwide.
Until recently, Rotary and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) assisted communities and governments to plan, finance and deliver safe water, sanitation and hygiene services, while sustainably managing water resources.
$24 is all it takes to provide one person with safe water.
123 schools in Ghana have gained access to basic sanitation and hygiene services due to the Rotary-USAID partnership.
$148 million has been invested by TRF in water, sanitation, hygiene and water resource management interventions globally.
The Rotary Club of La Crosse Board of Directors meets the second Monday of each month from 11:30am-1:00pm.
All club members are welcome to submit agenda items, project proposals, new member proposals, and project updates by the first Monday of the month to the Club Administrator.
Mar. 20, 2026 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time (UTC-05:00)
Spring Egg Roll Sale!
Our team of Rotarians will work beside the Hmong Culture and Community volunteers on their exciting Eggroll Fundraiser. We can volunteer to prepare eggrolls or assist with sales. (You can also help the fundraiser by purchasing the eggrolls!
Several shifts available to prep and sell through out the day.
This fundraiser will help the Hmong community fund community projects. Let's come together for great food and positive changes!
Wear your Rotary volunteer shirt! If you don't have one already, reach out to Niki Pohnl to get one.
428 Front Street South
