June 2004
The 2004 election of FMCA National Officers will be held August 16, 2004, at FMCA’s 72nd International Convention in Redmond, Oregon.
This year’s Nominating Committee was elected by the Governing Board in accordance with FMCA Bylaws. Its members are Chairman Verne Roland, F73154; Billie Blythe, F70340; Leonard Davis, F158928; Bill Hohmann, F221258; Bruce Holcomb, F54442.
FMCA’s Nominating Committee has submitted its slate of candidates recommended for national office for the 2004-2005 term.
Although balloting is restricted to National Directors and National Officers, we invite all FMCA members to review the candidates’ resumes and to communicate their preferences to their respective National Director. Doing so will help him or her better serve you on election day. Also, nominations can be made from the floor of the Governing Board meeting; however, committee members ask that this be done only with prior consent from the proposed nominee.
CANDIDATE FOR NATIONAL PRESIDENT
R.G. Wilson, F21025
Objective: I am a candidate for a second term for the office of National President of Family Motor Coach Association. I want to continue to use my business experience and skills to improve FMCA so our membership can enjoy traveling in their motorhomes and receive the good benefits FMCA offers.
FMCA History: My wife, Jeri, and I joined FMCA in the seventies. We have been very active in the Rollin’ Okies chapter and the South Central Area. My wife and I have served on many committees in our local chapters and the South Central Area. We have been very active on the national level, attending area rallies and international conventions of FMCA through the years. I served on the Finance Committee of FMCA four years and as chairman of the Finance Committee three years. I was elected National Treasurer at the International FMCA Convention in Ogden, Utah, in August 1998 and re-elected in 1999 and 2000. During that three-year period the cash reserves and net assets of FMCA increased over $3 million. My first year as National Treasurer I designed our monthly financial statements that have permitted us to measure our financial progress by department. I was elected to the office of National Senior Vice President of FMCA in Redmond, Oregon, in 2001 and re-elected in 2002. As chairman of the Convention Committee I worked closely with convention director Jerry Yeatts in making improvements in our conventions. We started offering electricity to family members at our international conventions. We are negotiating better rental contracts for facilities, electric services for vendors, golf cart rentals, and other outside services required at our conventions. Our commercial members are very important to FMCA and we are working more closely with them. As President I have worked closely with Don Moore, current Senior VP, in setting up an organizational structure for convention activities. This new plan will save thousands of dollars in member staff personnel costs.
Work History: From July 1, 1964, to April 1, 1996, I was managing partner of my own public accounting practice in Clinton, Oklahoma. After my retirement from my practice in 1996, I was asked and accepted an appointment to serve on the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. I serve on the finance committee of that organization, which oversees the annual operating budget for over 5,000 missionaries throughout the world. I have also served on the Clinton Integris Hospital Board and the Integris Rural Hospital Board of Oklahoma. I have been a deacon in my church over thirty years and have served many terms on the finance committee. From 1981 to 1986 I served a five-year term on the Oklahoma State Board of Public Accountancy. Prior to my public accounting career I worked as an accountant for Williams Companies in Tulsa, Oklahoma, from 1957 to 1964, rising to the position of chief accountant.
Education: I received my BS degree from Southwestern State College in Weatherford, Oklahoma, in 1956. I received my MBA degree from Oklahoma University in Norman, Oklahoma, in 1957. I received my Certified Public Accountant Certificate in 1960. I still maintain and keep my CPA license current by completing in excess of the required forty hours of continuing education each year.
Interests: I have been married to my wife, Jeri, for fifty-one years. We have two daughters and four grandchildren. My wife and I are both in good health. We enjoy traveling, meeting people and have a strong interest in FMCA activities and serving others.
Summary: I have enjoyed serving FMCA as Treasurer for three years, as Senior Vice President for two years, and I am currently serving my first year as National President. These nationally elected positions have allowed me the opportunity to work closely with our Cincinnati staff, which has given me a good understanding of our organization. While Treasurer, I believe I did a good job in watching over our family finances and reporting the results to you. As Senior VP I brought good, sound business management to our convention activities. I want to continue to serve FMCA as your National President and continue to improve the overall operations of our family organization. My primary goals are to stay informed, seek the truth, share the information, and do what is right and best for our great organization. Together we can accomplish greatness for Family Motor Coach Association. If you are a national director, alternate national director, or voting delegate, I ask for your vote in August.
CANDIDATE FOR NATIONAL SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
Donald E. Moore, F154921
I’m a candidate for the office of National Senior Vice President of Family Motor Coach Association. Currently I’m serving on the Executive Board as National Senior Vice President and Chairman of Convention Committee. Previous to this office I served as National Vice President of the Midwest Area for four years. Committees I have served on include Membership/Member Services, Education, and Insurance and Risk Management. I served as Chairman for two years of the Membership/Member Services Committee. I worked with the National Parking Layout Crew for two years. I have assisted with Member Benefit Seminars at the Western Area and International Area and conducted the same seminar for the Midwest Area Rally.
I was born and raised on a farm in Missouri with two older brothers. Darlene and I have been married for 52 years. We raised three boys, one deceased in 1996. We have two grandsons and three granddaughters, also two great-granddaughters. I have been a deacon in our church for several years. Darlene and I have been active volunteers in our community. I served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. I belong to the American Legion and served as an officer of the local Legion. I served as Boy Scout Master for six years and 4-H Club Leader when our children were involved in those activities. I also belong to the Masonic Lodge in Springfield, Illinois. I attended the University of Kansas and Chicago Institute of Technology.
Darlene and I joined FMCA in the early 1990s. We both have been active in chapters, at the area and national level. We belong to several chapters: Cenois Prairielanders, Coaches for Christ, Coaches for Christ Midwest, Coaches for Christ Southeast, Foothills Fire Side, Frustrated Maestros Midwest Noteables, Lincolnland Coachmen, Lincoln Landers, Midwest Good-Timers, Newmar International of FMCA, Pioneers, Snowbirds S.W., Spartan Chassis International, and We’Come. I worked with several Midwest Area members to form the Midwest Area Co-op (MAC). I served as Security Chairman for MAC for two years and was serving as Vice President of MAC when I was elected as Midwest Area National Vice President.
I worked for Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Company for 38 years as supervisor of technical services. After retiring I owned and operated my own business, where I was U.S. Government Certified to test and calibrate industrial gas meters in six states: Iowa, Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Missouri, and Indiana.
From 1981 through 1985 I served as a City Councilman; I also served as Mayor of Chatham, Illinois, for four years, 1985 through 1989. When I took office the city was in financial trouble; when I finished my term there was a surplus of over $1 million.
During my four-year term as National Midwest Area Vice President, and President of MAC, I have been responsible for four Area Rallies, in Madison, Wisconsin; Forest City, Iowa; Henry, Illinois; and Elkhorn, Wisconsin. I have also assisted with Chapter Rallies and with our International Conventions. I understand what “bottom line” means. I will continue to use my business experience and skills to improve the operations of FMCA as your National Senior Vice President. I will continue to work for the best benefits for you, the owners of Family Motor Coach Association. Darlene and I both have been blessed with good health, and have the time and energy to serve as your Senior Vice President of FMCA. I would appreciate your support and most of all your vote.
CANDIDATE FOR NATIONAL SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
Connie Pool, F140306
FMCA Experience: Re-elected as National Treasurer for my third and final year in Buffalo, New York, in July 2003. As National Treasurer, I serve as chairperson of the Finance Committee. I wrote and published the “Chapter Treasurer Guidelines” and have conducted numerous Chapter Treasurer forums at area rallies and at the International Conventions. My husband, Corbett, and I have served a total of nine years on the Youth Activities Committee and are currently in our fourth year as committee co-chairmen.
Prior to my election as National Treasurer I served one year on the Finance Committee. I also served two years as National Director for the Friends of Children chapter. Corbett and I are members of the Travelin’ Tarheels, Colonial Virginians, Tennessee Ridge Runners, Happy Tennessee Travelers, Foretravel International, and Parking Layout chapters. We are charter members of the Friends of Children, Roamin’ Catholics, and FMCA Chapter: Habitat for Humanity® chapters.
We purchased our first coach in June 1990, joined FMCA in January 1991, and attended our first International Convention that summer at the University of Notre Dame. Since joining FMCA we have attended a total of 23 International Conventions and 26 area rallies, at least one in each of the ten areas.
Personal Background: Born in Lakeland, Florida, and graduated from the University of South Florida in 1970. I entered the United States Marine Corps in June 1971 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in August 1971. I continued to serve on active duty until July 1993 when I retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Corbett, who is also a retired Marine Corps Officer, and I met while stationed in Hawaii and have been married for 24 years. We have five children and four grandchildren. Our youngest daughter, Kelly, served as an FMCA TATS officer for five years during her teen years, twice as President.
Education and Work Experience: I received my BA (Accounting) degree from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida, in 1970. I became a Certified Public Accountant in 1981. My Masters of Accounting degree was completed at the University of Hawaii, in 1988. During my 22-year Marine Corps career I served as a Personnel Officer, Area Auditor, Analysis and Review Officer, Camp (base) Comptroller, Budget Officer, and Deputy Comptroller. My last assignment was Assistant Chief of Staff, Comptroller, Fleet Marine Forces, Atlantic, and with a staff of fourteen, controlled an annual operating budget of over $450 million. My responsibilities included advising the Commanding General and the General Staff of fiscal restraints during operational planning, including Desert Storm in 1990-91. Additionally, I oversaw the operations of six subordinate comptroller offices on the East Coast and in England. As a Marine Officer, I served in many challenging leadership roles including that as the Executive Officer of a 600-man Headquarters Battalion. Upon retirement from the Marine Corps I established an accounting practice in York County, Virginia, where I specialized in small, not-for-profit organizations.
After retirement, Corbett and I pursued a ministry of working with and feeding the homeless (during the winter months) with an organization called Hampton Ecumenical Lodging and Provisioning (H.E.L.P.), an interfaith group of over 60 churches in Hampton, Virginia. We also spent 19 months serving as general contractors and volunteer coordinators for the rebuilding of the H.E.L.P. Center, which received Hampton, Virginia’s 1999 Mayor’s Civic Improvement Award. The formation of the FMCA Chapter: Habitat for Humanity® presented an entirely new opportunity for us to share our talents. Since joining the chapter we have participated in 14 builds, six as build team leaders.
FMCA Goals: Work for the furtherance of FMCA’s mission and long-range goals; assume greater responsibilities; and continue fiduciary review of all aspects of FMCA’s operations.
Strive for efficiency and effectiveness in all aspects of FMCA. Work closely with FMCA’s President and our staff, especially the Executive Director and Commercial Services Department. I firmly believe we can provide the type of International Conventions our members desire while managing convention expenses within budget.
Devote the time, energy, and travel required of the Senior Vice President. Attend as many area rallies as possible, and make myself available for members to express their thoughts and ideas. As a member of the Executive Board, I will continue my policy of openness and accessibility and to represent the membership’s desires.
CANDIDATE FOR NATIONAL SECRETARY
Ginger Painter, F23514
My name is Ginger Painter and I am seeking the office of FMCA National Secretary. My husband, Charlie, and I joined FMCA in 1978. Our first convention we attended was held in Syracuse, New York, and since then we have attended over 50 conventions. It has been an honor to have served this past year as your National Secretary. It has added an understanding of the thought, preparation, and hard work that our Staff from the National Office contributes to our Association. During the time I served as International Area Vice President, I was able to establish the International Area Organization. This organization will be a help to all of the future Area Vice Presidents. We held the 1st International Area Rally during my first year in that office. Altogether we had 3 very successful Area Rallies, 2 in the United States and 1 in Canada. Our INTO Board, although new to this, was a great help.
Charlie and I have been active in 15 FMCA chapters. We were the founding President, Secretary, and Treasurer of the Snowbirds SE, and charter members of the Parking Layout chapter. I was an officer in the Parking Layout chapter at the time I was elected to the office of Area Vice President. I have also served as President of Coaches for Christ International. This past year I have been able to help establish 3 more area chapters for Coaches for Christ. At the present time as your Secretary I have been able to attend Area Rallies to give an informational seminar for chapter officers and chapter secretaries.
I have served on several committees while in office: 5 years on the Policy and Procedure Committee and am presently a member of the Constitution and Bylaws/Policy and Procedure Committee, and the Membership/Member Services Committee. Last year I was Vice Chairman of the Member Recruitment Committee during FMCA’s 40th Anniversary promotion. I was able to successfully complete this promotion with a PT Cruiser as the grand prize and to add several other prizes.
I have with Charlie spent several years in the business world, many as a Corporate Secretary. We owned and operated a fleet of 100 buses, having 125 employees. Coordinating, bidding, setting up routes, along with payroll, payroll taxes, and bookkeeping were part of my job description. At this time I served on our local zoning board. This board helped plan local land development. In 1978 we purchased an RV park in Florida and continued to develop a 300-space park. During this time I also had a successful real estate career.
Charlie and I are members of the Asbury Methodist Church. We have 3 children and 7 grandchildren, with the blessing of a very special great-grandchild. We have made our home on the west coast of Florida for the past 26 years.
For over 40 years FMCA has been a viable member-owned association, an association that has grown to over 300,000 members with an active count of 129,000. With the leadership of the Executive Board and the help of a very remarkable and efficient staff, we can continue to grow in these difficult times. We need the voice of an informed Governing Board, and trust on all sides, directing this organization to a successful future, that we may attain the goals as set out for us in our Long-Range Plan. It is my desire to work for the established goals of our Long Range Plan. It would be an honor to serve this organization for a second year as your Secretary.
CANDIDATE FOR NATIONAL TREASURER
James (Jim) Kern, F63208
I am seeking the 2004-2005 office of National Treasurer because I have had a lifelong interest in finance. Because FMCA is a volunteer organization funded by dues, we all have a vested interest in the organization’s financial future.
FMCA Experience: I have been a member of FMCA for over 20 years, and I have served on the National Finance Committee since August 2002. We have been fortunate enough to attend nearly all of the international conventions since the early nineties where we served as volunteers for security, trams, registration, welcome, and parking.
Presently we are members of the Parking Layout, Western Bus Nuts, and Coaches for Christ chapters. We are past members of the Golden Gate and Thousand Trails West chapters. In my local chapter of Western Bus Nuts I served as Assistant Wagon Master (1988-89), Wagon Master (1989-90), Vice President (2001-02), and President (2002-03).
Personal Background: Jo Ann and I have been married for over 50 years. We have three children and eight grandchildren.
I earned an Associate of Arts degree in business and accounting from California State University Chico and subsequently obtained a California Real Estate License. I also completed four Dale Carnegie courses relating to sales, business administration, and people skills.
I am retired from a forty-year career with one of the nation’s largest baking industries. I started in route sales, was promoted to route supervision, then to Branch Manager, and retired as Manager of Sales. As Manager of Sales my responsibilities included personnel supervision; sales promotion and projection; and budget preparation, accounting, and operation. I also owned and managed a drive-in restaurant for two years. My interest in finance and business developed early. At the age of fourteen, due to a circumstance of WWII, I was granted a special driver’s license in order to distribute 600 papers to four bicycle carriers, 600 papers to newsstands, and to personally deliver 1,100 papers over a seventy-five-mile route. I did this every day from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. (2 a.m. to 10 a.m. on weekends) for twenty-seven months without a day off.
My primary personal interest has been Christian service. Under appointment from our church district, I served as chairman of the board and business manager on two occasions. One of my primary responsibilities was to restructure the financial budget of the church and subsequently establish the budget and constitution of a kindergarten through 8th grade private school. Another personal interest has been Bible study and Bible teaching. This interest led me to complete a Berean Bible course in order to receive a minister’s license. After retirement Jo Ann and I served as pastors to the seniors in our local church. I also accepted an appointment as the treasurer and business manager of a family and children’s camp that had suffered mismanagement, resulting in a severe lack of funds and possibility of closure. During my tenure with the camp, I established an operational budget and made over $90,000 worth of improvements on 88 buildings. At the end of our four-year term we had $175,000 in savings, CDs, and checking accounts for future operation and improvements.
Goals: If I am elected as your treasurer, I will encourage FMCA to continue to be a strong volunteer organization. I will maintain unity between the Executive Board by encouraging the establishment of common goals beneficial to the membership as a whole. I will work in conjunction with the long-range and strategic plans currently in effect. I will continue to support our national office staff. It would be my personal responsibility to maintain a high standard of efficiency and accountability as treasurer and do my very best to get the most for every FMCA dollar.
CANDIDATE FOR NATIONAL TREASURER
Robb Steinheider, F200844
FMCA Experience: Currently serving on the FMCA Finance Committee and International Area Audit Committee. Elected as Treasurer, Wandering Winnies of FMCA chapter in March 1997, serving as Treasurer until 2000. Elected as President, Wandering Winnies of FMCA in 2000. Currently serving as President and Alternate National Director for the Wandering Winnies of FMCA. My wife, Sue, has served as Newsletter Editor for the Wandering Winnies of FMCA since March 1997 and as Treasurer since 2000. She is the Newsletter Editor for the International Area (INTO) of FMCA. We are also members of the California and the Parking Layout chapters.
We purchased our first coach in May 1989 and joined FMCA for the 1991 Pomona International Convention. We have attended the West Coast winter conventions since that time; most of the Western Area Rallies; and Ames 1999, Redmond 2001, Hutchinson 2002, and Buffalo 2003 summer conventions.
Personal Background: Born and raised in Auburn, Nebraska, and graduated from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln in 1960. I was a participant in the ROTC program at Nebraska and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in June 1960. I continued to serve on active duty until September 1980 when I retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Sue also served in the Air Force for three years as a Lieutenant. We have been married for 40 years. Our son, Fritz, lives in Indianapolis, Indiana, with his wife and four children. Sue and I are members of the Methodist Church.
Education and Work Experience: I received my BS (Business Administration) degree from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, in 1960. While in the Air Force, I received an MS in Systems Management (MSSM) from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles in 1978.
Following flight training in the Air Force as a navigator, I was trained as an Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO) at Keesler AFB, Mississippi. I served as a B-52 Electronic Warfare Officer, instructor Electronic Warfare Officer, and standardization officer for B-52s until 1972, and received the Distinguished Flying Cross and several Air Medals. In 1972, I was made Chief, Bomber Scheduling Branch, Castle AFB, California, coordinating B-52 training for new crewmembers. From 1975 until retirement, I served as Radar Bomb Scoring Site Coordinator, and later as Director of Operations Training for B-52s at 15th Air Force Headquarters, March AFB, California, coordinating training and evaluation for B-52 crews throughout the western U.S.
Upon retirement in 1980, I joined Kaiser Foundation Hospital in Fontana, California, as Business Office Manager. Primary duties included coordination of co-insurance, cash management for the facility, and Medicare billing. In 1985, I was chosen as Finance Administrator for the Southern California Permanente Medical Group for the new Kaiser Foundation Hospital that was being opened in Riverside, California. I maintained that position until 1994 when I became Finance Administrator for the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District in Indio, California, a position I held until retirement in March 2001. In this position I was responsible for establishing budgets, monitoring budgetary compliance, and investing several million in financial assets in a prudent and responsible manner. Sue retired in October 2003 as Assistant Public Affairs Representative for Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Riverside, California.
Since 1978, I have been an accountant for U.S. Figure Skating, having served as National Vice-Chair for Accountants for three years. I have served as an accountant at eight U.S. National Championships. Since Sue and I are both retired, we plan on traveling and will be able to attend international conventions, area rallies, and committee meetings as necessary.
FMCA Goals: I have the training and background to be Treasurer of FMCA, and I pledge to you I will continue to devote the time and energy to do the job to the best of my ability. I will continue to attend as many of the area rallies as possible and to provide in-person updates on FMCA’s financial status and be available to discuss your comments and concerns. I will continue to maintain openness of the financial records and provide the Governing Board the financial statements necessary for the fiscal management of FMCA.