October 2003
FMCA’s Executive Board is made up of the national president, senior vice president, secretary, and treasurer, along with the 10 area vice presidents. FMCA members were able to learn more about the four nationally elected officers when their resumes were published in the May 2003 issue prior to the election at FMCA’s 70th International Convention in Buffalo, New York. This is not the case for the national area vice presidents, who were each elected by their respective areas. So, in an effort to help FMCA members become acquainted with the national vice presidents, we have provided brief information about each of them below.
William P. Conway, F99081 Northeast Area
Bill and his wife, Pat, joined FMCA in 1988. Bill volunteered on the parking layout crew for the 1989 FMCA convention in Richmond, Virginia. He worked at the FMCA membership information booth during an RV show in 2000 in Syracuse, New York, and at an RV show in West Springfield, Massachusetts, in 2001 and 2002.
Bill and Pat belong to the Mt. Laurel Travelers and Northeast Pacers chapters. Bill has served as wagon master for several chapter meets and on the chapter board of directors. In 1998 he served on the Northeast Motorhome Association audit committee and was elected treasurer of the Northeast Motorhome Association at the annual meeting. After four years as treasurer, he was elected as second vice president of the Northeast Motorhome Association. He also was selected to fill in the position of national director for the Northeast Pacers chapter during the Hutchinson, Kansas, convention in 2002.
Bill has a degree in industrial engineering from Western New England College in Springfield, Massachusetts. He worked for Pratt & Whitney and United Technologies and retired in 1997 after 34 years of service. He was a member of the volunteer fire brigade in Agawam, Massachusetts, for 20 years, and was a baseball and basketball coach for youth leagues for six years while his children were growing up. He also served as treasurer of the Polish American Club of Agawam and the bingo bookkeeper for 13 years prior to his retirement.
Bill and Pat will be celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary this November. They have two children and three grandchildren.
Max A. Durbin, F76454 International Area
Max and his wife, Joanne, joined FMCA in 1986. In 1998 Max was appointed to the Legislative Advisory Committee (now called the Governmental and Legislative Affairs Committee), and he has chaired that committee since 1999. Max has participated in the seminars that committee members have conducted at numerous FMCA conventions and area rallies. Max authored a legislative lobbying handbook and created a “Government Lesson Plan” handout for Parking Rights Subcommittee volunteers.
Max and Joanne belong to 13 chapters. They have been wagon masters and assistant wagon masters for two International Area rallies, as well as for chapter rallies. They have assisted in the formation of four new chapters, two of which Max served as chartering president.
Max received a bachelor of science degree from St. Louis University and worked for 31 years in local government in various capacities: as police chief and city administrator in Kirkwood, Missouri; as police chief in Flint, Michigan; and as police commissioner in Warren, Michigan. He has attended the FBI’s National Academy and the Department of Justice’s National Police Executive Institute. In addition, he has served in a leadership capacity for many professional and civic organizations. He and Joanne have been married for 52 years and have five grown children who are now raising their own families.
Tony Innocenti, F56315 South Central Area
Tony and his wife, Geri, joined FMCA in 1984 and have attended 34 FMCA conventions. Tony was a security volunteer at the 1994 FMCA convention in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; assisted with the parade at the 1998 convention in Las Cruces, New Mexico; served as technical seminar volunteer captain at the 2001 convention in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and worked security during the 2002 convention in Hutchinson, Kansas.
His involvement in the South Central Area has included attendance at 28 Six State rallies, serving as senior vice president of the Six State Rally Association in 2002-2003, and serving as rally master of the Six State Rally in 2002 and 2003. He was the outdoor exhibits captain for that rally from 1998 to 2001. He helped the area vice president to establish the Six State Rally Association and to write its bylaws.
Tony and Geri joined the Thousand Trails of Texas chapter in 1992. Tony served as the chapter’s national director from 1999 to 2003 and as alternate national director from 1994 to 1998. The Innocentis joined the Foretravel International chapter in 1987.
Tony attended Victoria College in Victoria, Texas, and was the owner and manager of a local glass company for 23 years. During that time he worked with architects and engineers designing storefronts on commercial buildings. He is a member of the National Home Builders Association and served as national director for six years.
Tony retired in 1985 and currently is active in farming and ranching in Victoria County. He has served as an officer in the local chapter and on the state level of the Independent Cattleman’s Association. He also is a member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and serves as chairman of the committee that awards scholarships to Victoria County students through the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and Go-Texan Committee.
Tony and Geri have been married for 48 years and have a daughter, a son, and five grandchildren.
Ginny McGrath, F87335 Great Lakes Area
Ginny and her husband, Don, joined FMCA in 1987. They are members of the Midwest Coachmen, Ohio Nomads, Ontario Overlanders, National RV Great Lakers, and Frustrated Maestros Great Lakes chapters, and honorary members of the Achievers International chapter. Ginny and Don assisted with security at the 1990 and 1991 Great Lakes Area Spring Spree (G.L.A.S.S.) rallies, and were registration captains at the 1991 FMCA international convention in South Bend, Indiana. They have attended 22 international conventions and 45 area rallies in their 16 years with FMCA.
Ginny and Don have hosted many rallies with the Midwest Coachmen chapter, and she has held craft seminars at G.L.A.S.S., Southeast Area, and Eastern Area rallies for many years. She currently serves as treasurer of the On-Road Quilters group.
From 1996 to 2000 Ginny served on FMCA’s Membership/Member Services Committee while Don served as national vice president, Great Lakes Area. For four years the McGraths assisted with handicapped parking and transportation at FMCA conventions. Ginny and Don will serve in this capacity again for 2003-2004, and Ginny also will serve as a member of the Convention Subcommittee.
Ginny majored in elementary education and minored in art at Kent State University in Ohio. She has taught severely and profoundly retarded children for nearly 40 years and currently is teaching early intervention children as well. She has served as president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer of high school, middle school, and elementary school PTAs. She also has held the office of president and secretary in various other service organizations in the Cleveland and Mansfield, Ohio, areas. Ginny and Don are ordained elders in their church, and Ginny is an ordained deacon as well.
Ginny and Don have been married for 51 years and have three sons and eight grandchildren.
Jim Phillips, F158824 Northwest Area
Jim and his wife, Ann, joined FMCA in 1992. They are members of seven chapters in the Northwest Area and two chapters in the International Area. Jim has served as president and first vice president of the Monaco Northwest chapter, as co-rally master of the chapter’s spring rally in 1996, and as the chapter’s prize and gift chairman from 1995 to 1998. He also rewrote the chapter’s bylaws and standing rules. He served on the bingo committee for the Northwest Area Rally in 1997 and 1998, and was chairman of that committee in 1999. Jim also served on the Northwest Area Rally treasurer’s ad hoc committee in 2000.
Jim is currently serving his third term as national vice president, Northwest Area. He served on the FMCA Finance Committee in 1999-2000. He was co-chairman of the Constitution and Bylaws/Policy and Procedure Committee in 2002-2003 and is serving as chairman of that committee for 2003-2004. He also is a member of the 2003-2004 Convention Committee.
Jim is the owner/broker of a commercial real estate brokerage firm in Oregon and Washington. He was a regional director for American Life Insurance Company in the Mediterranean, and formerly owned an insurance brokerage firm in Seattle, Washington. Jim spent five years on active duty with the U.S. Army and 30 years in the Army Reserve, and retired with the rank of colonel. He is a graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and attended the University of Washington in Seattle and Reed College in Portland.
Jim and Ann have seven children, 15 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Duane Pindell, F105443 Rocky Mountain Area
Duane and his wife, Rosalie, joined FMCA and the Cowboy Ambassadors chapter in 1988. In 1992 Duane and fellow FMCA members formed a chapter in southern Wyoming and northern Colorado called the High Plains Drifters, which received its charter in January 1993. Duane served as the chapter’s founding president. He also served for the past five years as either national director or alternate national director for that chapter and participated in most of the FMCA Governing Board meetings during that time. Duane’s first experience as rally master of the Rocky Mountain Ramble came in 1997 when the High Plains Drifters hosted the event in Laramie, Wyoming.
Duane helped to form the Rocky Mountain Motorcoach Association (RMMA), which came into being in July 2001. As senior vice president of the RMMA, Duane was the rally master for the Rocky Mountain Ramble rally held in Brighton, Colorado, in 2002, and for the rally held in Tucson, Arizona, in 2003.
In 2000-2001 Duane was a member of the national Nominating Committee, and he is currently serving a third year on the Governmental and Legislative Affairs Committee. During the 15 years that he and Rosalie have been members of FMCA, they have attended 11 international conventions, most of the Rocky Mountain Rambles, and area rallies in the South Central and Western areas.
Duane worked for 15 years as chief of maintenance of the Laramie County School District, where he supervised 50 employees. He also served in supervisory capacities many times during the 30 years that he worked as a plumber and pipe fitter in the heavy construction industry. He has served in leadership positions in his church; his union; and various clubs in the Cheyenne, Wyoming, area.
Duane and Rosalie have been married for 49 years and have three children, four grandchildren, and two great-grandsons.
George M. Schipper, F17603 Southeast Area
George and his wife, Ann, joined FMCA in 1976. George is currently serving on the Parking Layout Crew and has assisted in that capacity at the past five international conventions. He served on the national President’s Council in 2002 and the Nominating Committee for 2000-2001. George was captain of the registration volunteers at the 1996 convention in Perry, Georgia.
George and Ann are members of five FMCA chapters and have served as officers in four of them. The Schippers were involved with the formation of the Southeast Area Association (SEA). They have served as captains of opening ceremonies for the Southeast Area Rally, and George has served as worship leader for the rally’s Sunday morning services for nine years. George and Ann volunteered for years in rally registration and served as registration captains for three years. They have served as volunteers (and volunteer captains) at the rally for many years and continue to do so every year. Ann served as SEA secretary for three years.
George and Ann helped to found the GMC Great Lakers chapter in 1976 and served as chapter officers. They have introduced more than 65 new members to FMCA.
George spent 30 years as a municipal administrator in Michigan, beginning with the city of Zeeland. In Pontiac he was director of community programs and served as the city liaison for the host committee for Superbowl XVI, which was played at the Pontiac Silverdome.
George’s community service included eight years on the Pontiac Board of Education, as well as serving on the local Salvation Army board of directors, including three years as chairperson, and on local and state United Way boards. He is active in his local church, having served as chairperson of the board and church treasurer.
George and Ann have been married for 45 years, and have five children and 15 grandchildren.
M.C. “Skip” Skipper, F119793 Eastern Area
Skip and his wife, Helen, joined FMCA in 1989 and became members of the Coastal Tarheels chapter soon thereafter. They are also members of the American Coach, Penn Coachmen, Eastern Area Volunteers, and Frustrated Maestros Eastern Sharps and Flats chapters, and are honorary members of the Koala Knockabouts. They are charter members of the Carolina Cardinals chapter, having formed the group in April 1998. They also were charter members of the Mid-Atlantic Pals and are former members of the Freightliner Chassis chapter. Skip served as alternate national director and president of the Coastal Tarheels chapter and as president of the Eastern Area Volunteers chapter.
Skip is serving his fourth year as national vice president, Eastern Area. He served as chairman, or co-chairman, of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee for 2-1/2 years. For the latter 18 months of the 2-1/2-year tenure, he chaired the initiative to rewrite the FMCA Bylaws and the Constitution. Skip is serving as a member of the 2003-2004 Membership/Member Services Committee.
Skip and Helen worked as security volunteers for the Great Eastern Area Rally (G.E.A.R.) in Nashville, Tennessee, from 1995 through 1998. Skip was chief of security for the 1997 and 1998 rallies. He and Helen served as rally masters for G.E.A.R. 1999, 2000, and 2002 and will again serve as rally masters for the 2003 rally.
Skip served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 35-1/2 years, retiring in 1991 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He is active in The Retired Officers Association (TROA) and has held several offices in his local TROA chapter. Until recently Skip was a member of the board of directors of the Federal Retiree Tax Equity Task Force in North Carolina.
Skip and Helen have been married for 46 years and have two children, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Nelson K. Stubbs, F107765 Midwest Area
Nelson and his wife, Janet, joined FMCA in 1989. They belong to several chapters, including Parking Layout, We’come, American Coach Chapter of FMCA, and the Midwest Pacers (formerly Midwest Pace Arrows). Nelson served two terms as the Midwest Pacers’ vice president and also was the chapter’s alternate delegate to the Midwest Area Cooperative (MAC). He served on and/or chaired the Budget and Audit Committee since the inception of MAC. He has been co-captain of the MAC’s Parking Layout Committee since the first MAC rally in 1997 and was a member of the Site Selection Committee.
Nelson has served on the parking layout crew at FMCA international conventions since 1998 and became a crew leader in 2000. Nelson served as chairman of the 2002-2003 Nominating Committee. He is chairman of the 2003-2004 Membership/Member Services Committee.
Nelson has a bachelor’s degree in music education and received a master’s degree in 1966. He taught for nearly 30 years in elementary and secondary schools in Illinois. During that time he also held part-time positions as a city police officer, truck driver, and professional musician, among others.
Nelson also has served as a volunteer fireman on departments in two of the communities where his family resided. As a Shriner he performed with the brass band of the Mohammed Temple in Peoria, Illinois. He is a member of Modern Music Masters, the Illinois Education Association, and the Beta Nu chapter of the Kappa Kappa Psi honorary music fraternity, for which he served as president. He is past commodore of the Henry Yacht Club and the Illinois River Basin Boating Association.
Nelson and Janet are members of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lacon, Illinois. They also are charter members of the Henry Community Volunteer Ambulance Service, in which they have served for 25 years. In addition to his duties as an emergency medical technician and driver, Nelson has served as executive director and operations officer as well as vice president and president of the board of directors. He continues to serve on the board of directors and volunteers as a crew member when home.
Nelson and Janet have been married for nearly 44 years and have a daughter, three sons, and seven grandchildren.
Tony M. Vincent, F161584 Western Area
Tony and his wife, Betty, joined FMCA in 1992. Tony spent three years as the central area vice president for the Western Motor Home Association; was president of the California Heartland chapter; and served as director and trail boss for many chapter rallies. Tony and Betty also are members of the Elk International, Golden Gate, Apollo Amigos, Beat the Odds, and Southwestern Bus Nuts chapters.
In 1997 Tony was captain of the information volunteers at the FMCA international convention in Pomona, California, and served in that capacity again in 2000.
Tony is serving his second term as national vice president, Western Area. He served on the 2002-2003 Convention Committee and currently is serving as chairman of the Long-Range and Development Committee.
Tony grew up on a dairy farm in Dos Palos, California. After receiving a college degree in the 1950s, he went to work for Borden’s Dairy, which later was purchased by Knudsen Dairy. In 1977 the Vincents purchased Sierra View Creamery Inc., and Tony served as company president until he retired in 1995. His eldest son, Gregory, now manages the business. Tony and Betty have been married for 49 years and have four sons and nine grandchildren.