John Flaniken

Santa Cruz Sunrise

dg2027-28@rotarydistrict5170.org

John Flaniken is a dedicated Rotarian and leader in District 5170. He currently serves as District International Chair (2023–2025) and previously served as District Lieutenant Governor (2023–2024). A Leadership Academy graduate and District Governor’s Award recipient, he is Chair of the 2026 District Conference.

A member of the Rotary Club of Santa Cruz Sunrise since 2013, John was Club President in 2021–2022, earning the Distinguished Club President Award after achieving record growth in membership and Rotary Foundation giving. He now serves as TRF Chair and is active on key committees, including International, Charities & Grants, and Community Service.

John has led five water filtration projects in Guatemala, each providing up to 80,000 liters of clean water daily, and helped build a home for a family in Tecate, Mexico. He serves on the board of H2OpenDoors, promoting global clean water access.

Professionally, John owns Trade-In Real Estate and is a licensed California Broker focused on residential redevelopment. He is a Santa Cruz County Housing Advisory Commissioner and former Chair of the Santa Cruz County Association of Realtors, where he was named 2020 Realtor of the Year.

John lives in Capitola with his wife Jennifer and their children, Jack and Ella.