PAUL LAROCQUE

DISTRICT GOVERNOR

DISTRICT A-16

2026-2027

Mark S. Lyon, from Brookfield, Connecticut, USA, was elected to serve as International President of Lions Clubs International at the association’s 108th international convention held in Hong Kong, China from July 3 through July 7, 2026.

Prior to his retirement in March 2024, International President Lyon has worked in corporate legal administration and financial services with several major corporations and banks for over 40 years.

As a long-time resident of Brookfield and an active volunteer in his community, church and local government, his connection with Lions was already well established before he became a member of the Brookfield Lions Club in 1996. Since then, he has held a number of offices within the association, including international director, multiple district council chairperson and multiple district GLT coordinator.

He was also appointed as a member of the LCI Forward project team, a Global Action Team area leader, a District Governor-Elect Seminar group leader and board liaison to the 2019 USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum Executive Committee. International President Lyon has also served as presenter, faculty and participant at countless training events and leadership forums throughout the years.

In recognition of his service, he has received multiple International President’s Awards and International President’s Certificates of Appreciation, as well as an International President’s Leadership Award. International President Lyon is also a recipient of the Ambassador of Good Will Award, the highest honor the association bestows upon its members. Additionally, he has been recognized as a Connecticut Knight of the Blind and a Connecticut Ambassador of Sight and is the recipient of a number of project and service-related certificates.

In addition to his Lion activities, International President Lyon has been active in numerous professional and community organizations. He has served on the board of directors for the Silver Lake Conference Center and Wide Horizons for Children. He was an associate member of the American Bar Association and a past member of the Association of Legal Administrators, the Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals and the Shareholder Services Association.

International President Lyon is a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow. His wife, Lyn Lyon, is also a long-time Lion and Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow. They are the proud parents of three incredible daughters.

Lion Paul hails from Lindsay, ON but was raised across Canada having lived, however briefly, from Vancouver, BC to Digby, NS. Currently Lion Paul is an Asphalt Paving Foreman. Lion Paul is also a licensed Paralegal and holds a BA in English and Psychology.

Lion Paul was participating in Lions activities long before joining in 2011. Often found assisting with Bingos, Eyeglasses and Camp Kirk projects with his father Lion Roger. Since joining Oakwood & District Lions Club in 2011 Lion Paul has fulfilled many duties, stepping up as required and filling several key roles within the club. He has served as LEO Advisor, Treasurer, Secretary-Treasurer, and President. Most recently Lion Paul has served the district first as Eyeglass collection Chairperson (2022-2023), as Zone Chairperson 52S (2023-2024), LEO chairperson (2023 – 2025), Second Vice District Governor (2024-2025) and most recently as First Vice District Governor 2025-2026.

A voracious learner Lion Paul has attended all trainings offered for the First and Second Vice District Governor either in person or via the Lions Learning Center including a RLLI, Lions University and most recently the Guiding Lion Program which was successfully completed. Lion Paul also aspires to attend a Lions Certified Instructor Program in the future.

During his time Lion Paul also started and maintains the Ride for Youth motorcycle poker run to help raise money for LCCKF and was instrumental in the formation of the Oakwood Leo’s Club and the Kawartha Riders Lions Club Branch. Thanks to Oakwood & District Lions Club Lion Paul is also a Melvin Jones Fellow, Helen Keller Fellow and a LFC Judge Brian Stevenson Fellow.

An avid motorcyclist, when not enjoying the open road on his Harley Lion Paul enjoys his time with his family, his wife Aimee, 4 children, 2 Stepchildren and 3 grandchildren.