Johnny Ahern has been selected as District 7910's District Governor Nominee Designate (2025-2026). He is a native of Lowell, MA and completed two combat tours (Kuwait and Iraq) in the United States Army during his ten years of active-duty service. After completing his military service, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Deaf Studies Specialization from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., the world’s only university in which all programs and services are specifically designed for Deaf or Hard of Hearing Students. In late 2017, Johnny returned to Massachusetts to open the first Aroma Joe’s franchise in the state along with his business partners, Kevin Ahern and Brad Pacheco. The trio opened their second location in Tewksbury in July of 2021 and are looking forward to expanding the company throughout North Central Massachusetts.
While operating as the managing partner, Johnny also makes time to get involved within his community. He has been a Rotarian with the Leominster Rotary Club since 2018 and is currently serving as Club President for the 2022-2023 rotary year. He is also a member of the American Legion Post 151, is actively involved with multiple chambers of commerce, volunteers his time with veteran organizations or sponsors numerous events throughout multiple towns across the state, and recently became a “Big” with Big Brothers Big Sisters. He is always looking for a way to give back to the communities that have supported him and the things that he loves.
Since joining Rotary, Johnny was selected as the Rotarian of the Year (2019-2020) in this home club of Leominster, he was awarded the Helen Hill Patriotic Award from the City of Leominster (2020) and received a Distinguished Young Professional Award from the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce (2022). In addition to his role as club president, he is also a member of the District Public Image Committee, member of the District Rotary Day of Service Committee, member of the Rotary Fellowship of Military Veterans, and member of the Rotary LGBT+ Fellowship.
Johnny has been with his husband, Dr. Eric Stanford, since 2008 and they currently live in Marlborough, MA. He is truly honored to have been selected as the first Leominster Rotary Club member to serve as District Governor for District 7910 in 2025 and looks forward to the impact they can have on their communities.
While operating as the managing partner, Johnny also makes time to get involved within his community. He has been a Rotarian with the Leominster Rotary Club since 2018 and is currently serving as Club President for the 2022-2023 rotary year. He is also a member of the American Legion Post 151, is actively involved with multiple chambers of commerce, volunteers his time with veteran organizations or sponsors numerous events throughout multiple towns across the state, and recently became a “Big” with Big Brothers Big Sisters. He is always looking for a way to give back to the communities that have supported him and the things that he loves.
Since joining Rotary, Johnny was selected as the Rotarian of the Year (2019-2020) in this home club of Leominster, he was awarded the Helen Hill Patriotic Award from the City of Leominster (2020) and received a Distinguished Young Professional Award from the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce (2022). In addition to his role as club president, he is also a member of the District Public Image Committee, member of the District Rotary Day of Service Committee, member of the Rotary Fellowship of Military Veterans, and member of the Rotary LGBT+ Fellowship.
Johnny has been with his husband, Dr. Eric Stanford, since 2008 and they currently live in Marlborough, MA. He is truly honored to have been selected as the first Leominster Rotary Club member to serve as District Governor for District 7910 in 2025 and looks forward to the impact they can have on their communities.