NewsThank You Thursday - Volunteers11.24.2016 Today we have many things to be thankful for as our nation celebrates Thanksgiving Day. We would like to say thank you to a group of individuals who are the “Spirit of the Derby.” More than 700 volunteers lend their time and talents to the staging of the All-American Soap Box Derby program and the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship race. In big ways, and small, the volunteers are the backbone of the program and we cannot thank them enough. In the words of Oscar Wilde, “the smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.” The program is administered by a volunteer Board of Directors. Technical aspects of the entire racing program are the responsibility of the Racing Commission. The Commission includes members from across the country, and all members work to provide safe and fair rules and regulations for racing. The Rally Commission, like the Racing Commission, is a recommending body to the Board of Directors. The Rally Commission oversees the Rally program and is also made up of volunteers across the country. A Board of 13 Regional Directors and Assistant Regional Directors spread across the country to volunteer their time to serve as liaisons between the International Soap Box Derby organization in Akron and the local Derby programs throughout the United States and around the world. Regional Directors work year-round to recruit new race cities and to assist with current programs. Various boards are assembled at the national level to organize the AASBD program, but it all starts at the local level with hundreds of volunteers throughout the country. They are involved in the Stock, Super Stock, and Masters Divisions race programs, which are run as qualifiers for the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship race. Without the volunteer efforts of those who are dedicated to the program, the All-American Soap Box Derby would not have grown into the success that it is today. As champs arrive in Akron for the World Championship race, volunteers inspect cars, register champs, organize, answer questions, and acts as mentors through the week. Volunteers calm champs in the starting blocks, help load cars on the trucks, and transport champs to the top of the world famous Derby Downs Track. You’ll find volunteers on the finish-line bridge making sure heats are timed and photographed. Volunteers also judge winners, record results, and supply information to the media. Volunteers are the heart of the Derby. Our sincere thanks go out to our volunteers, who truly are the “Spirit of the Derby.” The Derby would like to say THANK YOU to all of the volunteers, who truly are the “Spirit of the Derby.” Below please find the respective leaders of each volunteer group and a list of race city partners from the 2015-2016 season including the President, Race Director and Co-Directors from each organization. We thank you for helping us continue our mission of building knowledge and character, and creating meaningful experiences through collaboration and fair and honest competition. This is the ninth installment of our weekly “Thank You Thursday” feature. Each week we will offer a heartfelt “Thank You” to a corporation, civic or community leader, volunteer, foundation or an individual who has helped us continue our mission. To view previous features please click below. Kevin Thomas Bobby Cooper Brian Graham Marty Sullivan Board of Directors Racing Commission Rally Commission Regional Directors Chair Chair Chair Chair Race City State Position Name Akron OH Co-Director Bill Atchison Akron OH Director Wayne Rathbun Akron OH President Jeff Iula Alpine CA Co-Director Steve Blake Alpine CA Director Greg Fox Amarillo TX Co-Director Wayne Osteen Amarillo TX Director Richard L. Hanna Amarillo TX President Richard Hanna Arlington MA Co-Director Bob Barnes Arlington MA Director Cary Conrad Arlington MA President Cary Conrad Ashtabula County OH Co-Director Kelly Welton Ashtabula County OH Director Tracy Welton Ashtabula County OH President Tracy Welton Athens TN Co-Director Jody Boggess Athens TN Director Austin Fesmire Blue Ridge Classic VA Co-Director Anthony Marshall Blue Ridge Classic VA Director Joe Kiminski Blue Ridge Classic VA President Anthony Marshall Bowling Green KY Co-Director Don Ritter Bowling Green KY Director Jacqueline Peterson Bowling Green KY President Chad Godman Bristol CT Co-Director Brian Zukowski Bristol CT Director Kyle Wentland Bristol CT President Chris Jones Bucks County PA Co-Director Ray Mongillo Bucks County PA Director Kim McCauley Bucks County PA President Kim McCauley Cape Girardeau MO Co-Director Mike Rushing Cape Girardeau MO Director John Grimm Cape Girardeau MO President Ken Heischmidt Capital District NY Co-Director Joe Miller Capital District NY Director Ginger Miller Capital District NY President Ginger Miller Central Florida FL Co-Director Sam Brewer Central Florida FL Director Eric Griffin Central Florida FL President Terry Lindsey Chattanooga Area TN Co-Director Ray Johnson Chattanooga Area TN Director Michael Stewart Chattanooga Area TN President Michael Stewart Chicago Metro IL Co-Director Fred Barnes Chicago Metro IL Director Ralph Campagna Chicago Metro IL President Ralph Campagna Cincinnati OH Co-Director Stan kokotajlo Cincinnati OH Director Trevor Griffith Cincinnati OH President Doug Newberry Cleveland Area OH Co-Director Dick Thornton Cleveland Area OH Director Chris Dyer Cleveland Area OH President Chris Dyer Clovis NM Co-Director Brian Chambers Clovis NM Director Larry Erwin Clovis NM President Gail Tarson Columbus OH Co-Director Danny Hughes Columbus OH Director Alan Howe Columbus OH President Alan Howe Conshohocken PA Co-Director Leo Costello Conshohocken PA Director Mark C Marine Conshohocken PA President Mark Marine Cookeville TN Co-Director Anthony Leonard Cookeville TN Director Mitch Harrington Cookeville TN President Randy Evans Danbury CT Co-Director Michael Corson Danbury CT Director John Strand Danbury CT President John Strand Delmerva MD Co-Director Elliott Frazier Delmerva MD Director Danny Phillips Drummond Regional (NB) CAN Co-Director Marc Laforest Drummond Regional (NB) CAN Director Gilles Beaulieu Drummond Regional (NB) CAN President Gilles Beaulieu DuBois PA Co-Director David Duncan DuBois PA Director Alan Uhler, Jr. DuBois PA President Alan Uhler Dunwoody GA Co-Director Mark Hodges Dunwoody GA Director Nancy Mooney Dunwoody GA President Norman Collins Erie PA Co-Director Kim Rounds Erie PA Director Jerry Dobmeier Flushing Meadow NYC NY Co-Director Larinda Hooks Flushing Meadow NYC NY Director Henry Foster Flushing Meadow NYC NY President Stephen Stafford Fredericksburg VA Co-Director Tiffany Capehart Fredericksburg VA Director Alvin Staples Glens Falls NY Co-Director Lynn Hayes Glens Falls NY Director Lisa Wells Glens Falls NY President Lisa Wells Greater Chicago IL Co-Director Darryl Witte Greater Chicago IL Director Stan Iglehart Greater Chicago IL President Chris Witte Greater Des Moines IA Co-Director Andy Crump Greater Des Moines IA Director Mark Artwein Greater Des Moines IA President Craig Lankford Greater Houston TX Co-Director Harry Harwood Greater Houston TX Director Rick Higginbotham Greater Houston TX President Rick Higginbotham Greater Lafayette IN Co-Director John Jones Greater Lafayette IN Director Dr. Thomas Burns Greater Lafayette IN President Thomas Burns Greater Pittsburgh PA Co-Director Chuck Freyer Greater Pittsburgh PA Director Bryan Brain Greater Pittsburgh PA President John Wagner Greater Washington DC Co-Director Christopher Slawinski Greater Washington DC Director Jim Hagan Greater Washington DC President Jim Hagan Green Bay WI Co-Director Susan Hardtke Green Bay WI Director Mark Miszewski Green Bay WI President Dennis VanGruwnsven Harrisonburg VA Co-Director Andy Myers Harrisonburg VA Director Matt Findley Harrisonburg VA President Matt Findley Hazard KY Co-Director Tom Cravens Hazard KY Director Sam Collins Hazard KY President Brandon Robinson Henderson NV Co-Director Gene Blackwell Henderson NV Director Jerry Gresko Henderson NV President Dave Knapp Hopkinsville KY Co-Director Spencer Warren Hopkinsville KY Director James (Chuck) Cummins Hopkinsville KY President Dave Fernandez Indian Valley PA Director James Pike Indian Valley PA President James Pike Indianapolis IN Co-Director Cleo Wells Indianapolis IN Director Bob Getts Indianapolis IN President Bob Getts Jamestown Area NY Co-Director John R. Williams Jr. Jamestown Area NY Director John R. Williams Sr. Jamestown Area NY President Tony Purpura Japan Co-Director Akio Sato Japan Director Noriko Yamamoto Kanawha Valley WV Co-Director Eddie Peck Kanawha Valley WV Director Nathan Garnes Kanawha Valley WV President Nathan Garnes Kansas City MO Co-Director Paul Meara Kansas City MO Director Jeremy Darling Kansas City MO President Sarah Darling Kenai AK Director Scott Hamann Kenai AK President Scott Hamann Kitsap WA Co-Director Michael Barry Kitsap WA Director Brian Stuart Kitsap WA President Michael Barry Lancaster OH Co-Director TJ Clark Lancaster OH Director Jamey Allen Lancaster OH President Tom Clark Lima OH Co-Director Greg Skinner Lima OH Director Steve Skinner Lima OH President Steve Skinner Mahoning Valley OH Co-Director Jeff Davis Mahoning Valley OH Director Brooke Kaschak Mahoning Valley OH President Patty Postlethwait McHenry IL Co-Director Brian Cunat McHenry IL Director James Marinangel McHenry IL President Patrick Letizia Mid Missouri MO Co-Director Rick McKernan Morganton NC Co-Director Tommy Waters Morganton NC Director Marylin Waters Morganton NC President Marylin Waters Moss Point MS Co-Director Susan Stachowski Moss Point MS Director Bob Donald Moss Point MS President Ralph Griffin New Brunswick NJ Co-Director Sonny Keeles New Brunswick NJ Director Michael Blackwell New Brunswick NJ President Michael Blackwell New Hampshire NH Co-Director David Borden New Hampshire NH Director Richard Behan New Hampshire NH President Michelle Chasse New Rochelle NY Co-Director Byron Gray New Rochelle NY Director Richard Bongiorni New Rochelle NY President Richard Bongiorni New York City NY Co-Director Deborah Klingele New York City NY Director Patricia Lockhart New York City NY President Chris Gale New Zealand Co-Director Shawn Dyer New Zealand Director Terry Clarkson New Zealand President Alan Pattison Newport VT Co-Director Scott Stevens Newport VT Director Dr. Normand P. Turcotte Newport VT President Normand Turcitte North Central Ohio OH Co-Director Kerry Rich North Central Ohio OH Director Brian Smith North Central Ohio OH President Eric Sayers Northern Maine ME Co-Director Chris Holmes Northern Maine ME Director Edward W. Rand Northern Maine ME President Ed Rand Northwest Indiana IN Co-Director Joe Baczynski Northwest Indiana IN Director Mike Bottom Northwest Indiana IN President Mike Bottom Norwalk WV Co-Director Dina Edwards Norwalk WV Director Trey Knepper Norwalk WV President Dina Edwards Ocala FL Co-Director Roger Soucey Ocala FL Director Alan Cummings Ocala FL President Nick Gajraj Ogallala NE Co-Director Bob Collins Ogallala NE Director Dave Barrett Ogallala NE President Melissa Skalsky Ohio Valley WV Co-Director Craig White Ohio Valley WV Director Steven Jumper Ohio Valley WV President Craig White Omaha NE Co-Director Dusty Brand Omaha NE Director Greg Roseland Omaha NE President Jim Kunkle Oregon OR Co-Director Paul Sadler Oregon OR Director Dana Campbell Oregon OR President Dana Campbell Owensboro KY Co-Director Chris Settles Owensboro KY Director John Austin Owensboro KY President Howard Burton Pennyrile KY Co-Director Brien Terry Pennyrile KY Director William Farrell Pennyrile KY President William Farrell Piedmont Area VA Co-Director Tony Troilo Piedmont Area VA Director Frankie Gilmore Piedmont Area VA President Tony Troilo Pikes Peak CO Co-Director Duane Gritzmaker Pikes Peak CO Director Jody Shanklin Pikes Peak CO President Dave Gritzmaker Port Jervis NY Co-Director William McKerrell Port Jervis NY Director Wayne Addy Port Jervis NY President Wayne D Addy Portage County OH Co-Director Kelly Heritage Portage County OH Director Bill Atchison Portage County OH President David Adkins Pottstown PA Co-Director Michael Benner Pottstown PA Director Michael McKain Pottsville PA Co-Director Donald Ditzler Pottsville PA Director Robert Womer Pottsville PA President Barbara Carrol Rochester NY Director Mark Scuderi Rochester NY President Mark Scuderi Rochester NY Co-Director Jeff Bartocci Saint John NB Co-Director Shyla Arsenault Saint John NB Director Deborah Lawton San Diego CA Co-Director Paul Jones San Diego CA Director James Justus San Diego CA President James Justus Sertoma Mile High CO Co-Director Bob Stander Sertoma Mile High CO Director John P. "Buzz" Pankoff Sertoma Mile High CO President Buzz Pankoff Sheyenne Valley ND Co-Director Wes King Sheyenne Valley ND Director Scott Miller Sheyenne Valley ND President Natalie Sayler Silicon Valley CA Co-Director David Stagnaro Silicon Valley CA Director Chris Harris Silicon Valley CA President Chris Harris Southeast Georgia GA Co-Director Anita Hooper Southeast Georgia GA Director Michael Williamson Southeast Texas TX Co-Director Susie Fontenot Southeast Texas TX Director Bobby Chapman Southeast Texas TX President Paul Andrues St. Louis MO Co-Director Lia Adams St. Louis MO Director John Dabrowski St. Louis MO President Kristen McVey Stanwood Camano Island WA Co-Director Randy Heagle Stanwood Camano Island WA Director Christie J. Connors Stanwood Camano Island WA President Kevin Burham Star City VA Co-Director Larry Waldron Star City VA Director Del Waldron Star City VA President Del Waldron Stuart FL Co-Director Bob Harding Stuart FL Director JD Geisler Stuart FL President Jeff Carson Sullivan County NY Co-Director Daniel VanDenberg Sullivan County NY Director Carol VanDenberg Sullivan County NY President Dale VanDenberg Syracuse NY Co-Director David Bordonaro Syracuse NY Director David Butchko Tullahoma TN Co-Director JP Kraft Tullahoma TN Director Kurt Glick Tuscarawas County OH Co-Director Ashley Hiller Tuscarawas County OH Director Tim Hiller Tuscarawas County OH President Mark Renner Tyne Valley (PE) CAN Co-Director Stacy MacWilliams Tyne Valley (PE) CAN Director Rod MacNeill Tyne Valley (PE) CAN President Rod Macneil Wayne-Holmes County OH Co-Director Leon Hershberger Wayne-Holmes County OH Director Robert Lucci Wayne-Holmes County OH President Tim Dever Western Pennsylvania PA Co-Director Bob Gallaher Western Pennsylvania PA Director Gregg Galbreath Western Pennsylvania PA President Gregg Galbreath Williamsport PA Co-Director Donald Noviello Williamsport PA Director James Campbell Williamsport PA President James Campbell Wisconsin WI Co-Director Bill Liimatainen Wisconsin WI Director Paul Ganshert Wisconsin WI President Paul Ganshert Thank You Thursday Thursday, September 29, 2016 - FirstEnergy Corp.Thursday, October 6, 2016 - Don PlusquellicThursday, October 13, 2016 - Bill GinterThursday, October 20, 2016 - Marous Brothers ConstructionThursday, October 27, 2016 - Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems Thursday, November 3, 2016 - Myers IndustriesThursday, November 10, 2016 - Outgoing Board MembersThursday, November 17, 2016 - New Board Members