The La Cañada Kiwanis Club installed Tom Passanisi as its 66th president recently at a gala affair at the Oakmont Country Club. Jim Phillips, residing president, called the gathering of members and guests to order. Tyler Wright emceed the ceremony and the night’s entertainment. Vocalist Jamie Cunanan, accompanied by pianist Jim Celoni, provided entertainment.

Passanisi joined Kiwanis in 2009 and served in several lead capacities including Travel Adventure chairman, vice president, and president elect. He was raised in San Francisco and graduated from the University of San Francisco. After a short semi-pro football career, he joined the insurance industry and retired after 37 years as vice president of AIG Global Marine and Energy in Los Angeles. Passanisi and his wife Dulce moved to the area in 1990. They have been married 38 years and have two grown children, Sebastian and Mercedes.

Since his retirement in 2009, Passanisi’s life has been filled with volunteerism and giving back to the community.

Kiwanis Lt. Governor Ron Baker installed Passanisi as president; new club directors which included directors Diane DellaValle, Matt Regan, Bryan Swartz and Peggy Touchstone. Formal installations of the new officers moving to new positions include now President-elect Fred Schooley, Vice President Kyle Hara, Secretary Skip Boyd, and Treasurer Bob Wallace.

Special honors were awarded by Jim Phillips to Bill Koury for Rookie of the Year and Melinda Thompson received the Gil Smith Award for her dedication and hard work for the club. Pat Liddell received award recognition for his work with Pediatric Trauma Care Program and Howard Backer was recognized for his work with the Eliminate Project to eradicate maternal and neonatal tetanus worldwide.

Past president Phillips was then honored for his work from U.S Congressman Adam Schiff, State Senator Carol Liu, State Assemblyman Mike Gatto, L.A. County Supervisor Michael Antonovich and La Cañada Flintridge City Manager Mark Alexander with certificates of recognition, accommodations and appreciation for his tenure as president.