Club Officers
President - John A Laurents, Sr.
Past president 10 times
Past Lt. Governor 6 times
Past District GovernorJohn joined the Charlotte Optimist Club in 1968 and has served as President 10 times. The first time was 1972 when the Club was the largest service organization in Charlotte with over 200 members. John served as District Governor 2016-17. John is married to Sara of 62 years and has four children and three grandchildren. John has had a colorful career most noteworthy he was the founder and executive director of the North Carolina Affiliate of the American Diabetes Association as a full-time volunteer for eight years. Retail store management with Montgomery Wards and J C Penney; WBT Radio; Land developer and General Contractor 150 homes; Mergers and acquisitions: retired MetLife 23 years; currently Independent Financial Practitioner; Member of the board of Directors, Hornet’s Nest Region Antique Automobile Club of America 10 years: collects antique automobiles; Former Choir director 15 years; Golf Tournament chair 26 years; Oratorical Chair since 1968.
Vice President - Dean Devillers
Immediate Past President
Member since 2018 and President 2022-2023 and 2024-2025).
Married for 54 years to Marilee Paider DeVillers
Three grown and married children, all located in charlotte area along with six grandchildren ranging in age from 19 to as young as six months old.
Retired with 50-year career in real estate investment, development and management. Graduate of University of Wisconsin- Green Bay and graduate studies at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. Received MAI designation from American Institute of Real Estate Appraisal and valuation.
Joined to help with the Oratorical Contest. What a pleasure working with these eighth-grade students. Also enjoy helping with the Center of Hope.
Secretary/Treasurer and Club Historian - Ralph Dougherty
Past President
Past Lt. governor
Past International Vice President
Past Lt. GovernorRalph joined the Charlotte Optimist club in 1976. Ralph served as District Governor and as an International Vice President.
Ralph and his wife, Troyann, have 2 daughters, 4 grandsons, and two great granddaughters, with another on the way. He is a metallurgical engineer and a patent attorney, retiring in 2022. Ralph and Troyann are enthusiastic travelers, having visited all 50 states, over 80 countries, and all seven continents. They went trekking and white-water rafting in Nepal to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in 2013.
Directors
Phil Duggins
Roman Davis
Jim Lipcamon
Lewis (Ed) Kale
Optimist International Foundation Representative
Lewis (Ed) Kale
