Rotary Club of Savannah Announces Dale Critz as
2026-2027 President and Board Members
(SAVANNAH, Ga., June 29, 2026) — The Rotary Club of Savannah is proud to announce Dale
Critz as its 112th President.
The official gavel-passing ceremony took place Monday, June 29th, at The DeSoto Hotel, 15 E.
Liberty St., during the club’s weekly luncheon where outgoing President Col. Peter Hoffman (ret.)
formally handed over leadership to Critz.
“It is an honor to lead the Rotary Club of Savannah – a club that has such a strong, active
membership with a proud legacy of helping our community succeed,” Critz said. “I look forward to
working with community leaders and organizations who will help Savannah reach its full potential
of touching lives and improving situations. Special thanks to our outgoing Rotary Club of
Savannah President Col. Peter Hoffman (ret.) who has elevated the club’s impact here in
Savannah and internationally too.”
Also being installed at the ceremony were the 2026-2027 club officers: Secretary and Treasurer
Bill Kelso and Sergeant-at-Arms John Helmken. The board of directors were also announced:
Elizabeth Gobeil, Nina Gompels, Holden Hayes, William Mock, Lowell Kronowitz, Jay Melder,
Tammie Mosley, Paul Pressly, Gary Sanchez, Cecilia Russo Turner, Mike Traynor and Marjorie
Young.
As President and CEO of Critz Auto Group, Critz represents the third generation of a family-
owned dealership founded in 1938. The group operates a portfolio of automotive brands
including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Buick, GMC, and Sprinter Vans in Savannah, Georgia, and
Cadillac, Buick, and GMC in Florence, South Carolina.
A Savannah native, Critz has been a Rotary member since 1989 and held leadership roles within
the organization. He has served on numerous Savannah boards and chaired several
organizations, including The Telfair Academy, The United Way of the Coastal Empire, Savannah
Community Foundation, and Savannah Historic Board of Review. In 2009, he founded the Critz
Tybee Run Fest, a charitable race event that has since raised over $600,000 for local nonprofits
supporting education and healthy living.
A graduate of the University of Virginia with an MBA from the University of Texas, Critz is also an
alum of Leadership Savannah (Class of 1992).
Dale and his wife, Debbie, have four children and two grandchildren.
The Critz family has been active in the Savannah community through generations.
His mother, Lila Cay Williams Critz, was a member of the Junior League, serving as President
while also serving on the boards of Telfair Academy as President 1977-1981. She was an active
volunteer for Historic Savannah Foundation and co-chaired the capital campaign for Senior
Citizens. She and Dale Critz Sr. were honored with the Life Well Lived Award in 2020.
About the Rotary Club of Savannah
Founded in 1914, the Rotary Club of Savannah has a proud legacy of civic service, with 220
members leading efforts in education, infrastructure, health and equity across the region.
Landmark achievements include improving regional transportation systems, building bridges and
creating a fully accessible playground in Forsyth Park for the club’s 100th anniversary. The club
meets weekly on Mondays from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at The DeSoto Hotel. Learn more at
www.savrotary.org.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tom Boyd, Tboyd@gaports.com
912-964-3884