The South Portland-Cape Elizabeth Rotary Club recently elected John Eliassen as its new president.

Eliassen, a Windham resident with a family dental practice in Cape Elizabeth, succeeds Peter Cotter and will serve a one-year term.

During his term as Rotary president, Eliassen says his emphasis will be “Lead the Way,” which is the theme for Rotary International this year. “My goal this year is to be active not only in our local communities, but in the global community as well,” he said.

Eliassen’s volunteer experience includes providing dental services in a dental clinic in Brazil for a summer.

Among his goals while Rotary president will be working on a project to provide clean water to the Honduran people. He hopes to engage young people in this project as well.

This year’s Rotary Board of Directors includes Vice President Tony Wagner, Treasurer Nancy Hawes, Secretary Paul Butler and Directors Fawn Dunfey, Joan Frustaci, Phil Dube, Dave Bagdasarian and Peter Cotter.

For more information, visit the club’s Web site at www.sp-ce-rotary.org, or www.rotary.org, or e-mail Eliassen at drjohnel@maine.rr.com.

John Eliassen