Governor's Visit and Presentation

Bill Palko is a native Houstonian and a proud veteran of the US Army where he served as an Infantry Sergeant from 1973-77.  After receiving his honorable discharge from the Army, Bill earned his Associate of Arts Degree in Business Administration from San Jacinto Junior College North and then his BBA in Accounting from the University of Houston Central Campus. Bill has been a Houston banker for 34 years and is currently a Senior Vice President and Community Development Manager with Amegy Bank, where he has been employed for 20 years. He remains an active member of his local community and currently serves as a board member for both the Wendel D. Ley Y and the North Channel Area Chamber of Commerce.  Bill served as Board Chairman for the Ley Y in 2003-04 and has twice been named its Volunteer of the Year.  In 2014 he was named the Chamber’s Board Member of the Year and in 2016 the organization presented him the Ed Lehr Chairman’s Award for his exemplary service in support of the North Channel Area. Rotary has played a major role in Bill’s life since he became a member of the Rotary Club of North Shore in June, 2005.  He served as club President in 2010-11 and was awarded Rotarian of the Year by the club in 2011-12.  Continuing his commitment to RI, Bill was an Assistant District Governor for the years 2013-15 and was awarded Assistant Governor of the Year in 2013-14.  He has been a host of a Youth Exchange Student, a VTT Team and a Friendship Exchange Host.  He and wife Debbie are Major Donors and Bequest Society Members and Bill is a member of the Paul Harris, Polio Plus and White Hat Societies. Bill has been married to the love of his life Debbie for 38 years.  They have two wonderful children, Steven and Michelle.