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Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset inducts Kristy and Monte Gund

By Staff | Mar 19, 2020

Pictured at the induction are (from left): Joanne Laird, Judy Bishop, Kristy and Monte Gund and Heidi Dollinger.

LAHAINA – At a recent meeting of the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset, Kristy and Monte Gund were inducted as the club’s newest members.

They were inducted by Past Assistant Governor Joanne Laird and sponsored by member and neighbor Judy Bishop.

Kristy grew up in Salem, Oregon and moved to the big city of Portland after high school. Her professional life included a variety of industries, from retail to dental, academic, accounting, headhunting, medical technology, auto glass and finally healthcare.

“In most of these fields, I was providing support in some manner, whether it was for a customer, patient, client or an executive. I loved being able to work with other people to achieve something positive,” she said.

Kristy retired in 2013 and helped her mom navigate her final years as independently as possible.

In 2017, she realized a dream by moving to Maui with her husband, Monte, where they both have found a love for the island climate, the ocean, the people and a quieter lifestyle. She enjoys volunteering her time with various organizations here on Maui, making time for morning walks around the neighborhood, Tai Chi, kayaking, snorkeling, reading and playing word puzzles.

Fun fact: Kristy spent a day in a mall as a clown’s assistant, inflating balloons to give to passersby. She was the one without the red nose and big shoes.

Monte was born in Germany and immigrated to the U.S. at an early age. He grew up in a small town on the front range of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.

His interest in science and math eventually led to a degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

After graduation, Monte moved to Portland, Oregon and worked at a series of large and small (startup) companies, eventually narrowing his focus to healthcare.

In the mid-1990s, he helped to develop one of the first Electronic Medical Record applications at MedicaLogic, where he also met Kristy.

In 2008, he and two colleagues started their own company to develop software that streamlines how doctors order lab work for their patients.

EMR-Link is now used by thousands of doctors at outpatient clinics all over the country, including Hawaii. Their 25-person company was eventually bought up by a larger firm, which prompted Monte to start thinking about retirement.

2020 is the year Monte plans to transition from work to retirement, and as part of that transition is hoping to create new social circles and use the new-found non-work time to do some meaningful volunteer work.

Rotary has a great reputation for addressing both of those niches, which brings us to where we are today.

Fun fact: Monte ran away from home at the age of nine, which ultimately resulted in a night in jail in Rock Springs, Wyoming.

To this day, he probably has the youngest mugshot hanging in their police station.

For more information on the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset, contact President Heidi Dollinger at Heidi.LahainaSunset@gmail.com or go to the club’s Facebook Page.