Meet the 2004/2005 BOD Candidates

[Chef]

Hey everybody! Welcome to the tlca bod "meet the candidates" thread. In the coming weeks prior to tlca bod elections, nominees for the various tlca bod positions that are opening this year can post bios and introductions etc here for your perusal. If you're a voting member of the board you probably know these folks already but may not know their goals for each position. If you're a Regular Joe TLCA member and you have an opinion on who you'd like to see in office, please express that to the TLCA Individual Rep for your area, their phone numbers and emails are in the front of every Toyota Trails. I hope this helps everyone make an informed decision.
Read and enjoy...
Thanks, Alan

[Kaderabek]

For now, can we see a complete list of the nominations?

Thanks,

TJK

[Chef]

Yessir, you may. I've pinged our fine Secretary, who should be posting a list up soon-ish...

[Kaderabek]

Tap tap tap....



TJK

[tornadoalleycruiser]

Nominations that I have right now are as follows:

Kurt Williams for Central Representative
Alan Loshbaugh for President
Nick Stone, AVP
Nolan Grogan, MSVP
Peter Straub, President
Charla Downey M/C Rep
Alan Loshbaugh M/C Rep
David Gibbs Treasurer
Park Owens Treasurer
Joe Sommerville Western Rep

Sorry I'm slow.. was working on my 40!

[Chef]

Hey everyone;
Alan Loshbaugh here to re-introduce myself, give you a brief bio, and let you know what my goals for the TLCA are should you choose to elect me president.

I got started with Land Cruisers at age 5 or 6 when my grandfather bought one for use at his farm in Napa Valley. For him it was a sturdy little work truck, and a fun way to take us kids to the mountains or the beach. Of course, I always wanted one of my own. I ended up with 8: an FJ45 lwb p/u, and FJ45LV wagon, two 1976 FJ40's (one factory soft top, and trail rig), and FJ60, and an FJ62. I have a pretty and understanding wife I'm a long time TLCA member, pretty long time TLCA board member, and I'm a founding member and VP of TornadoAlleyCruisers in the midwest. I go by the handle Chef at most of the internet places you might have seen me. My club gave me that handle since I usually come to trail rides with a full kitchen, and a fairly involved menu.

I work in my home town at the local NBC television station as the Senior Producer; my latest project was to wire the University of Missouri football and basketball stadiums to a control room 25 miles away via fiber optics so we can produce the telecasts back at our home station instead of renting a remote production truck. We got done two days before the first game-whew!

Tony Twiddy approached me to run for this position back at the Lone Star Roundup this year, and since then I've given a lot of thought to it. He's done a fine job the last two years, and I was reluctant to follow in his footsteps. His goal was to get membership to 4,000 or better, at which point Trails is more or less paid for by membership dues, and advertising money becomes something we can use for other fun things! I've been thinking about what goals I might have if I took the job that might help keep Tony's vision moving forward, and these are some:

*website upgrade: This is probably the most important thing. Our website is sorely outdated, and needs to be upgraded to become a much better recruitment tool. I'd like to see the website include TT articles, perhaps in a "Wayback Machine" section of really old stuff, and more current stuff. As you know most folks join for TT, why not showcase that in select bits on the site? I'd like to get the bod meeting minutes on the site. The bod daily grind should be more visible, and we voted and approved that some years ago...I'd like to get secure e commerce done so online renewal and merchandise can really tie into the website. Jackie, our fine Admin, could really use the help secure e-commerce will provide-right now she's entering all credit card stuff by hand-ick! I know her time could be well spent doing other things.

*Merchandise: I want new merchandise, and I'd like it to be updated fairly regularly. We all already have the same hats, t's, sweats and mugs. Tony has already started in on this. I'd also like to see "chapter merchandise" available at the website. I know there's lots of "chapter wear" out there I'd buy if I knew where to get it. This is a "cheap way" for TLCA to get new merchandise, and benefit our chapters as well.

*Membership: I'd like to see the membership drive work a little harder. The phone follow ups seem to have a positive effect, and I'd like to work with Jackie to automate an emailed list every other month that would go to the three IR's, and then follow up with them every other week or so.


*make sure insurance sticks around as that is apparently getting tricky. BIG EDIT HERE:
Jennifer has assured me that there are no current problems with our insurance the K&K, so we can all rest easy on this. Thanks Jennifer!!!


*Marketing: We need to get the TLCA "out there a little more." I feel we could improve membership thru advertising in select media outlets, such as the 1/16th page ads in the prime media/petersen mags "marketplace sections." I think Nolan Grogan, our potential new Marketing Guy, has some pretty specific ideas of what he wants out of that position as well, and I look forward to hearing them.

All these things really tie together to support membership. Website, merchandise, marketing, they can all support each other, and lead to an improved TLCA. That's about it for my "limited visions of tlca moving forward."

I want you all to think about these goals, and if they meet with your vision of what TLCA should be doing. Obviously, I can't do any of this by myself. Your co-operation, support and help will be *required* to realise any of these goals. If these don't sound like things you want to actively be involved in supporting and implementing, then I'm probably not your guy. If this stuff seems to make sense to you, and you want to be involved in bringing it to fruition...well then, Giddy-up!

Thanks for your time, Alan Loshbaugh

[Kaderabek]

Originally Posted by tornadoalleycruiser

Nominations that I have right now are as follows:

Kurt Williams for Central Representative
Alan Loshbaugh for President
Nick Stone, AVP
Nolan Grogan, MSVP
Peter Straub, President
Charla Downey M/C Rep
Alan Loshbaugh M/C Rep
David Gibbs Treasurer
Park Owens Treasurer
Joe Sommerville Western Rep

Sorry I'm slow.. was working on my 40!

Thanks.

TJK

[Behemoth60]

Greetings

It is my turn to introduce myself. I am Peter Straub, and I have been nominated for TLCA President.

For starters, I'll present my resume in brief.

I have a B.Sc from the University of Alberta, 1993, Physics Major, Chemistry Minor.

I've been employed sine 1993 in the IT industry, specifically focused in the area of 'Document Management', mostly working in management, leadership and or 'subject matter expert' positions.

I currently work for Xerox Global Services, and they call me a 'Principal', which I assure you is a consulting term, not to be confused with what you knew when you were in school. In this current role, I work with Xerox's 'Global' teams across North America to win new business, and ensure successful projects. These days, I always work with a virtual team crossing nationalities, borders, times zones, and of course, ideas and opinions. I draw many similarities to the way the TLCA BOD operates.

On the Land Cruiser front, I've been a TLCA member for about 6 years. I userped and resurrected the dying Rocky Mountain Land Cruiser association in 1999, and since then, I have been unable to convince the membership that a more suitable president might be amongst them. This coming February, our club will be hosting the Coolest TLCA event, our 6th annual winter camp that we've named the "River Shiver". I am leading the food committee for this fully catered event, so come cold and hungry, and you'll be very happy you did. Alas, this February, I will be resigning my despotic reign over the RMLCA.

To testify to my Cruiser passion, I can tell you about my small fleet. The flagship is TippyR, which was a former playmate in the Trails, Miss May in the 2002 Calendar, a TTC candidate in 4Wheeler in March (sadly, I had to voluntarily withdraw) and is responsible for my reputation as the MIBS poster boy. I also have an '88 BJ74 on 38's that I refer to as my 'Emergency Wheeling' rig. Rounding out the fleet is my posh Japanese import HJ61, and the unkillable Zippo, the truck that bursts into flames, my 590,000 km '86 BJ70. I am pretty sure that I am on record as being a Diesel bigot, and my passion is focused solely on Cruisers that are greater than or equal to 60. (i.e. 60, 61, 70, 74, 80, etc.)

My 'special skills' that I continue to nurture and may be of interest and assistance to the TLCA in a Presidential capacity include my problem solving abilities, my team building knowledge, my communication skills, and my leadership panache. I believe in a 'Manage by Fact' model which eliminates personality, opinion, and innuendo from side tracking the teams from the real issues.

I must confess that other than the monthly reports from the RMCLA BOD representative, Bruce Loewen, I am unaware of the inner workings, politics, or current agenda of the existing BOD. Maybe that's a good thing. What I do know is that Tony has whipped the TLCA into shape such that there are no longer any imminent problems, and the BOD is able to focus on some productive projects.

In that vein, I would bring two projects to challenge the BOD. The first would be to break the TLCA outside of North America. I know that we need a large and stable membership to financially support the Trails. And I know that we need it to be larger. I also know the challenge of trying to be a TLCA member from a forign land - albeit Canada. With the exchange and the surcharge for Trails shipping, it meant for a long time that to get 6 copies of the Trails cost me $75. Through the good work of our BOD rep, Bruce, our club members now get trails bulk mail, often before members in the USA get their copies. Our cost is half of what it used to be and instead of just 4-5 members form our Chapter renewing their TLCA membership every year, now it's 25! All by just bulk shipping the trails! If we can make it easier for our World friends to become members, I am sure they will. I've always been impressed by the quality and efforts the Trails has made to have an international focus. This is a product of value to many overseas, and we should find ways to spread this good work outside of North America. Imagine if we could promise our advertisers a global audience!

At grave risk of being repetitive with what Alan has already suggested, I would concur that the web site must be renovated. It's a telling sign that for TLCA members to communicate with one another, we go anywhere EXCEPT tlca.org. Frankly, I never go to tlca.org except to use the gear ratio calculator. There's no content there of value like there is here at ih8mud or on birfield.com. I am not suggesting that we usurp or challenge brifield or ih8mud for content, rather, we need to integrate tlca.org into this community of information. I would like TLCA.org to be the one url that anyone needs to know to learn anything about Land Cruisers.

Thanks for your time

Peter Straub

[Kaderabek]

If possible (and acceptable) I'd like to run these nominations in the November/December Trails, even though it will print before the nominations officially close. Is this alright with everyone?

If so, if you have a lingering nomination, get it out there. Layout for the magazine was final on Monday, so time is of the essence (and space is limited).

Thanks,

TJK

[tornadoalleycruiser]

Another nomination arrived..
Eric Vogt for TLCA Treasurer

[tornadoalleycruiser]

"If possible (and acceptable) I'd like to run these nominations in the November/December Trails, even though it will print before the nominations officially close. Is this alright with everyone?

If so, if you have a lingering nomination, get it out there. Layout for the magazine was final on Monday, so time is of the essence (and space is limited)."

Todd.. I for one say go for it.. Don't think anyone will say any different at all, get the info out to the whole TLCA. If possible could you also include the positions open at the same time and if they are interested in running to let an EXEC BOD member know so we can get them on the list please?
I'll try to get any nominations on this list as they roll in..
Erik Christiansen, TLCA secretary

[Kaderabek]

Yeah, we printed the open positions last time but I'll include it again. And a link to this thread for updates.

TJK

[Kaderabek]

Well, since all the open positions are mentioned as nominations and I don't have room to restate them I'm going to have to recant on that earlier statement. I'll list the nominations and a link to the forum.

TJK

[wngrog]

Hey Guys,

Nolen Grogan here and I am running for Marketing VP.

I am a member of the best damn Land Cruiser club in the world, the Lone Star land Cruisers. I have been into Cruisers since Dr Roger Collins (my ex-brother-in-law) took me into his garage in 1989 and showed me his two killer Land Cruisers. Before that, I was a Mini Truck/4Runner guy.

I got my first Toyota in 1984, the first Xtra Cab sold in Jackson Mississippi. I proptly tore it up and graduated to a 1987 Turbo 4Runner to a 1989 V6 4 Runner.

Kate, my FJ-whateveritis, was my first Land Cruiser and she has been accompanied by 4 60 series, 4 55 series, 1 80 series and an FJ-45 over the past 7 years. Presently I have a gnarly FJ062 and an FJ-55 waiting the knife so others may live.

When I am not taking care of my beautiful wife and 2 kids or wheeling, I sell pharmaceuticals for Pfizer here in Ft Worth Texas.

Membership is my reason for existance if I am elected to TLCA. Tony has taken it on himself to grow the membership during his rein to over 4000 members and I would like to take it beyond his great work. We need to grow this great club, but to do that we need to give something in return to our members.

If elected, I look forward to working with the other elected officers to push the TLCA into the future with things such as new merchandise, a website and the use of PayPal for transactions. Toyota Trails is the finest automotive club magazine in the world and we need to bring its editorial budget up to speed with the market. I want to work with the officers to increase the Trails budget so we can lure new and exciting writers to the table for the good of our members.

It is time this organization stepped into the 21st century and I want to help.

One thing I love about the Lone Star Cruisers and that makes it one of the premier clubs in the US is the fact that WE KEEP IT FUN! Gone should be the days of banging gavels during meetings and making membership/officership in the TLCA a job. This is a HOBBY and I love it and the organization, so let's keep it light, let's keep it fun and let's grow this great organization beyond 5000 members.

[Kaderabek]

Woody, can I link this thread in Trails?

TJK

[woody]

yes

http://forum.ih8mud.com/tlca-discussion-forum/22637-meet-2004-2005-bod-candidates.html#post226816 would be direct, however, it might be easiest to just point them to the forum and to the TLCA corner...but that's yer call....

[cruiseroutfit]

Let me introduce myself,

My name is Kurt Williams and I have been nominated as the Central Region Representative for the TLCA.

I started my Landcruiser addiction at 15 years old. At the time, I was completely clueless to the popularity and tight bond between the owners of such vehicles. I gladly chatted for hours with fellow Cruiser owners, whether it was on the phone, over the Internet, or in the parking lot of the grocery store. Since that time, I have owned more than a dozen Landcruisers, many of which were sacrificed to build my current FJ40. At this time, I wheel a 72’ FJ40, daily drive a Tacoma, and am starting to build a 76’ FJ55.

Currently, I am a full-time Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Since 2001, I have owned and operated a small Landcruiser specialty business called Cruiser Outfitters. I have been serving as the President of the Utah 4 Wheel Drive Association for the past 10 months along with holding the position of Land-Use Officer in our local TLCA chapter, The Wasatch Cruiser Club. I also enjoy a membership with the Wild Yoats 4x4 Association, and the Red Rock 4-Wheelers.

For the last two seasons, I have been spotting for Carl Whitmore in the Super-Modified class of the United Rockcrawling & Off-Road Challenge (UROC). We finished last season in 17th, and currently sit in 12th for the 2004 regular season.

As President of the U4WDA, my duties have included various types of responsibilities, from organizing Association runs to conducting and planning board of director meetings. We have a board of directors very similar in nature to the TLCA, with the exception being the great geographic distances between members. We plan and execute four major events each year for our Association members clubs and individual members. Many of these events include coordination with the land management agency such as the BLM, US Forest Service, and State Parks & Recreation.

The Wasatch Cruisers provided me with an excellent opportunity as the Land-Use Coordinator. Highlights have included planning service projects, as well as keeping our members informed regarding local and national land-use topics. Along with my passion for keeping trails open, the Wasatch Cruisers have given me the opportunity to participate in officer meetings, lead trail runs, and take last place in the Winter Rally, two years running.

If elected, I plan to do everything and anything that needs doing. I look forward to the possibility of serving such a wonderful group of individuals, and meeting more Landcruiser enthusiasts along the way.

Thanks for your consideration,

Kurt Williams

[Texican]

[quote=cruiseroutfit
Thanks for your consideration,
Kurt Williams[/QUOTE]

You forgot, "Is always up for a good practical joke."

Kurt and an associate installed the Lone Star Land Cruiser W/S banner to Tony's truck during the raffle at CM 04 for me.............

Great candidates.....all

Butch

[cruiseroutfit]

Originally Posted by Texican

...Kurt and an associate installed the Lone Star Land Cruiser W/S banner to Tony's truck during the raffle at CM 04 for me............. ...

Sshhhh!

Tony isn't supposed to know about that

PS... Pink does look good on Tony's ride...

[Texican]

Originally Posted by cruiseroutfit

Sshhhh!

Tony isn't supposed to know about that

PS... Pink does look good on Tony's ride...

He already knows. I had to tell him in order to convince I was not lying when I said I did not do it.........
Tony's a pink kind of guy......

[Junk]

If ya'll are fixin to publish a link to this thread in TT, then perhaps it makes sense to list all the open positions?

BTW, great to see so many good folks getting involved. I think that is a testament to the excellent job the current crew is doing.

[Kaderabek]

It's in the latest issue of Trails. Guess you don't read Tony's column....

Central Representative
President
AVP
MSVP
M/C Rep
Treasurer
Western Rep

Someone correct me if this is inaccurate and I'll amend the post.

TJK

[Junk]

Originally Posted by Kaderabek

It's in the latest issue of Trails. Guess you don't read Tony's column....

Since there is usually a pic of him, it temporarily blinds me and it takes a few pages to recover.

Besides, who would read a magazine that sports a Lexus on the cover kidding of course.

[Green Lantern]

I'm Nick Stone and I want your vote for AVP.

I don't hang out on bulletin boards, so many of you may not know me. I have served as the AVP for the last two years and I am very proud of the work TLCA has done to increase membership. I agree we must make it easy to be a member of TLCA and I want to promote membership to anyone that drives a Toyota 4WD vehicle.

The show piece of TLCA is Toyota Trails. I want to promote the Trails everywhere possible. The other important part of TLCA is promoting events. Other clubs envy TLCA because we successfully promote unique events from our chapters. For example, if you've gone to one Mustang show, you've seen them all. While, Cruise Moab is completely different than GSMTR. Each of our events reflect the best and most important qualities of the host club and local surroundings. TLCA events are one of a kind.

I have driven Land Cruisers since 1978 when I had a '75 FJ40 factory soft top. That mustard truck was called Ol' Yeller (like so many others). I believe one should seek balance, so I now drive an FJ60 named Sparrow and a BJ42 named BJ. Both are stock with a little lift to accomodate the 33 inch tires.

I try to attend at least one event a year. I don't wheel. I drive my rigs to the event and back home again. For me, the joy of land cruisers is in the journey.

When I started this job, TLCA had a hard time filling the ballot. Tony has done a great job promoting TLCA and I am proud of the work our elected officers have done. This upcoming ballot has more than one person running which shows the interest and participation we have achieved. No matter who wins, TLCA is growing and improving. I look forward to meeting everyone on the trail. Y'all drop by the Lone Star tent and you'll always find some grub, something to drink, and lots of land cruiser talk.

Happy Trails! N