District II—New Jersey, New York, Europe
Eric Williams
Vice President
rcpilot@nycap.rr.com
4242 Amanda Ln., Schenectady NY 12303
Tel.: (518) 356-2057
The heart of any membership organization is its volunteers. It takes volunteers to accomplish everything AMA does. Of course, the volunteerism of club officers, AMA Leader Members, and hard-working club members is invaluable too. District II is fortunate to announce volunteers who are stepping into various new positions.
After serving 17 years as one of the district’s longest-tenured Associate Vice Presidents (AVPs), Peter Seiffert of Baldwinsville, New York, is retiring from the post to enjoy more time flying and with his family. Herb Ziegler, also from Baldwinsville, will replace Peter as the AVP, serving clubs and members in Syracuse and the surrounding area. A longtime AMA member, Herb has served in various club positions and is noted for his work with Peter in various Syracuse area events. We look forward to great things continuing in Syracuse.
Marguerite Gargiulo of Flanders, New Jersey, is a sparkplug for promoting our hobby and community outreach. She’s also an accomplished aerobatics pilot and an RC Combat contestant. I’ve had the pleasure of flying RC Combat with Marguerite and other members of the Roxbury Area Model Airplane Club. Marguerite
New York AVP Herb Ziegler.
will serve as the new District II representative to the AMA RC Combat Contest Board.
AMA’s contest boards represent 15 specific flying disciplines. Contest board members are tasked with enabling rules revisions, setting procedures, and striving to maintain high competitive standards, good sportsmanship, and safe operations. We’re fortunate to have Marguerite on our team!
Advanced technology aircraft have certainly changed the shape of our hobby. Frank Costello, of Somerset, New Jersey, is president of Safety Third Racing, a nationally known multirotor racing group, and he will serve a key role as District II’s first advanced technology advisor and as an AVP. Frank has worked extensively to demonstrate the safe operations of multirotor racing at numerous events including the District II Fly-In and at AMA Expo East. Frank serves as a great role model for safe and fun advanced systems flying.
Michael Wong of Mahwah, New
New Jersey AVP Michael Wong (L) and District II technology advisor and AVP, Frank Costello (R).
District II representative to the AMA RC Combat Contest Board, Marguerite Gargiulo.
FF/CL Contest Coordinator and AVP Ed Barry.
Jersey, serves as District II’s web server administer, assisting various clubs that utilize the district’s internet server space. Michael is also a club president and a highly involved member. District II is pleased that Michael will be assuming the added responsibility of an AVP, serving clubs in northern New Jersey. Michael brings many talents to his new position.
District contest coordinators are integral to club contests and events. Coordinators work to facilitate the AMA sanctioning process and help ensure that event dates are protected. After many years of dedicated service, District II’s Free Flight (FF) and Control Line (CL) Contest Coordinator, Dave King, is stepping down to enjoy retirement and some well-deserved flying time.
Ed Barry of Hillsborough, New Jersey, a dedicated member and avid flier who flies with his son, is stepping up to serve as District II’s new FF/CL Contest Coordinator and a District II AVP. Ed has some big shoes to fill, but I’m certain he’s up to the task.
Remember, it’s not about what you fly, it’s about the people and the friends you make!
Associate Vice Presidents: Dennis Andreas, Freeport NY; (516) 379-0135; danandreasdhqhsd@juno.com; Fred Backhaus, Medford NY; (631) 289-6964; motoderf@optonline.net; Ed Barry, Hillsborough NJ; (908) 359-0288; ekbarry@comcast.net; Reid Condon, Greenville NY; (518) 966-8329; rcairforce@live.com; Frank Costello, Somerset NJ; teams3fpv@gmail.com; Chuck Davis, Sayville NY; (631) 589-7690; arcdivas@verizon.com; Gene Gavin, Staten Island NY; (718) 967-0598; Gavin1957@aol.com; Jon Gerber, Staten Island NY; (718) 984-5013; taxman846@aol.com. Frank Granelli, Rockaway NJ; (973) 625-4995; granellif@aol.com; Bill Hauth, Hamburg NY; (716) 649-8582; toolmkr2000@msn.com; Thomas Murray, Basking Ridge NJ; (908) 766-5656; Anthony Rossi, Somerset NJ; (917) 320-2665; p510851@gmail.com; Joe Sarbello, Woolwich Township NJ; (856) 491-8481; donnajoe244@msn.com; Leonard Max Smart, Morrisonville NY; (518) 563-6878; hotrodsbymax@charter.net; Alexander Szemere, Kendall Park NJ; (732) 821-5641; drszemere@aol.com; Michael Wong, Mahwah NJ; kingmeow@verizon.net; Herb Ziegler, Baldwinsville NY; (315) 857-6266; herbz1957@yahoo.com. CL/FF Event Sanction Coordinator/AVP: David King, South Plainfield NJ; (732) 672-1783; clmodelpilot@comcast.net. Safety Coordinator/RC Event Sanction Coordinator/AVP: Al Kanser, New Lisbon NY; (607) 293-7974; akanser@hughes.net. Webmaster: Chuck Levine, webmaster@amadistrictii.org.
