By Brandy Centolanza

Contributing writer

 

For the first time in more than four decades, a Smithfield resident is set to serve as district governor for Rotary District 7600.

Tracy D. Lego was recently elected to head up District 7600, which encompasses more than 60 Rotary clubs in Central and Southeastern Virginia. Lego will succeed Joy Kline as district governor when he takes the reins in 2027, which coincidentally is the same year that the Rotary Club of Smithfield will celebrate its centennial. The last time someone from Smithfield served as district governor was in 1980.

Rotary is an international organization whose members work toward improving their communities through seven causes: promoting peace; fighting disease; providing clean water, sanitation and hygiene; saving mothers and children; supporting education; growing local economies; and protecting the environment. More than 1.2 million people belong to Rotary worldwide. 

Lego first joined the local club in 2013 as a way to network and grew to love the service aspect of Rotary.

“I found myself getting more and more involved,” he said. “There is so much that we do. I take such satisfaction in helping others through our service projects.”

Among the projects that Smithfield Rotary participates in or supports are Boy Scouts Troop 3 programs; the annual Cuts for Kids back-to-school event; Smithfield High School’s Interact Club; honorariums, which are awarded to high school seniors graduating from one of Isle of Wight County Public Schools’ Career Academies; the Vibrant Emotional Health Expo, which emphasizes mental health well-being; roadside cleanups; and other community service projects and fundraising initiatives.

Lego served as president of Smithfield Rotary from 2016 to 2019, during which he was instrumental in increasing the membership of the club, particularly among younger professionals, through a happy hour chapter and other events. Since 2017, Smithfield Rotary has grown from just 17 members to 68. Men and women comprise the local Rotary, with the youngest member being 24 and the oldest 93.

Lego went on to serve as president of Area 10 (which includes Smithfield, Franklin, Suffolk and North Suffolk) and later membership chair of District 7600. His innovative ways of attracting the younger generation to Rotary is one of the reasons Lego was elected unanimously as district governor his first time ever being nominated.

“It’s very humbling,” he said. “It’s still very surreal. Rotary is a passion for me, not just a job. It’s such a great organization and I want to share that passion with others. My goal now is to support all of our clubs in any way that I can so that they will have even more of an impact on the community.”

Lego’s favorite aspect of Rotary has been the relationships he’s made with other members, as well as members of the community through the club’s dedication to helping others.

“It’s all about the connections and being able to see the difference that we make,” he said. “Something as simple as providing school supplies, for example, and free haircuts to kids can change lives. It’s the reason I do it.”

Lego, a Smithfield resident since 2004, works in commercial real estate with Countryside Real Estate Group. Lego and his wife, also Tracy, own and operate Fuzion Salon, one of the sponsors of the Cuts for Kids event. They have a blended family of three children, along with six grandchildren.

Lego will spend the next few years in extensive training before he officially becomes Rotary district governor for the 2027-28 term. 

“Rotary is an amazing organization and I am just doing my part to help spread the word and grow our clubs and make the community a better place across the district,” he said.

In addition to continuing to expand membership throughout District 7600 and support up-and-coming Rotarians, Lego plans to honor Smithfield Rotary’s legacy during its 100th anniversary with various commemorations focusing on its history, its partnership with Boy Scouts Troop 3, and its lasting impact on the community.

“It will be a year-long celebration,” he said. “We are going to have a really good time in Smithfield.”

For information on Smithfield Rotary, visit https://smithfieldvarotary.org/.