2026 Speakers
Michael Caruso
Michael Angelo Caruso teaches people how to be better speakers and presenters so they can help more people and amp up their careers.
He utilizes his unique background in the technology sector and a separate career in the entertainment business to deliver keynote speeches that feel like a combination of your best teacher and your favorite comedian.
Michael delivers about 70 presentations and keynote speeches a year. He has spoken on six continents and in 49 states.
Michael is known for getting extremely fast results with his clients. He can make anyone a better communicator and regularly demonstrates his effective communication strategies by helping audience members improve during his presentation.
Caruso is founder and President of Edison House, an international consulting firm specializing in corporate and personal improvement. Edison House clients include Hallmark, Bank of America, Verizon Wireless, Rayovac, Citgo, Nissan, and the United States Navy.
Michael has authored Work Hacks, the How to Grow Your Service Club book and Hmmm: Little Ideas With Big Results. He also has a highly-rated online speaker coaching system titled, Present Like a Pro. Michael is a two-time TEDx speaker.
Michael loves giving back. A lifetime Rotarian, his seminar fundraiser for Rotary Clubs has raised over a quarter of a million dollars for Rotary Clubs all over North America. Ask him about it after his keynote!
MAC enjoys exercise, movies, non-fiction books, and travel.
P.S. Here's a quick funny bit for you. (Recorded in Syracuse, NY.)
Please check out Michael's Facebook group for marketing tips on how to grow your club, raise more money, and get attention for Rotary: https://www.facebook.com/
Brian Hall
Brian is a member of the Rotary Club of Covington, LA. He has served his club and district in many positions, including as District 6840 Governor in the 2014-2015 Rotary year. Brian was active with the Host Organizing Committee of the 2011 Rotary International Convention, where he served as the chair of the Technology Committee, and as a member the RI Promotions Committee for the 2019 Honolulu convention. He served Rotary Zone 31 as Assistant Regional Rotary Public Image Coordinator in the 2013-2014 year, as an Assistant Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator in the 2016-2019 years, and as End Polio Now Coordinator from 2019 to 2022. Brian served as a Training Leader at the International Assembly in both 2018 and 2019 and a Training Leader Support in 2021 and 2022. Brian is currently serving as the Chair of the Board of the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Rotary Action Group and is serving as Board Liaison to the Joint Rotary International/Rotary Foundation Technology committee. Brian received Rotary’s Service Above Self award in the 2021-2022 Rotary year. He will be serving as a member of the Board of Directors of Rotary International in the 2025-2027 Rotary years from Zones 30 and 31.
Brian has been married to his wife, Lynn, for 31 years. They currently reside in Madisonville, Louisiana. They have two children, Keely and Patrick.
Brian was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. Brian worked as a CPA for several years before changing careers to become a computer programmer. In 1998 he and Lynn relocated to New Orleans, where Brian decided to merge his backgrounds and begin consulting with companies regarding business and financial systems.
Patrick A. Longano
Patrick is a passionate advocate for modernizing and expanding Rotary through innovative club models. As the creator of the Companion Club concept and the founder of the IMPACT model, the most successful Companion Club in Rotary, Patrick has helped clubs worldwide attract and retain members by offering flexible and inclusive options for service. His work has led to Companion Clubs accounting for one-third of all new satellite/companion clubs in North America last year. Recognized for his expertise in club growth, Patrick has been selected to present at four consecutive Rotary International Conventions—Houston (2022), Melbourne (2023), Singapore (2024), and Calgary (2025).
As part of his commitment to sustainable club expansion, Patrick proposed the creation of the North American Club Creation Team to Rotary International, an initiative aimed at streamlining and supporting new club development across North America. Rotary accepted his proposal, and he was chosen to co-lead this initiative. This team will work directly with clubs, districts, and all 10 Zones in North America to remove barriers to new club formation, ensuring that Rotary remains accessible and relevant to future generations.
Patrick believes that growing Rotary isn’t just about increasing numbers—it’s about offering choices when people join Rotary and providing options before they leave. He understands that this is vital to ensuring that everyone who wants to serve has a place to do so. This work will continue to shape the future of membership, proving that innovation and impact go hand in hand. Patrick lives in Lenoir NC with his wife Angela and his son Harrison. He is the Co-owner of DACdb.
Vicki Puliz
Vicki is honored to serve as a trustee of The Rotary Foundation 2025-2029, and Vice Chair in 2026-2027. She will chair the Executive Committee, and serves on the TRF Finance Committee, Investment Committee, Rotary Peace Centers and International Polio Plus Committee. She is a past Rotary International Director, serving 2021-2023, along with other Rotary positions International Assembly facilitator, Rotary Public Image Coordinator, Governor of Rotary District 5190 in 2013-2014, and participation in many Governor-elect, Governor-nominee and president-elect education and learning events. She has been a proud member of the Rotary Club of Sparks, Nevada, USA since 1992.
Of particular focus for Vicki is developing leaders, empowering youth, eradicating polio, and building bridges to peace in our communities and around the world. She is a Positive Peace Activator, trained through the partnership of Rotary with the Institute for Economics and Peace.
A graduate of the University of Utah with both a Marketing degree and Master of Business Administration, Vicki owned a successful commercial electrical contracting firm in northern Nevada for 19 years before merging it into a public traded entity.
Vicki and her husband, Tim, live in Reno, Nevada, at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Their blended family includes seven adult children, twelve grandchildren, and three Rotary Youth Exchange daughters. Their interests include outdoor activities and general aviation. Vicki and Pilot Tim are members of the International Fellowship of Flying Rotarians. They support Our Rotary Foundation as members of the Arch Klumph Society, the Paul Harris Society, Polio Plus Society, and the Bequest Society.