AMA needs your leadership
Rich Hanson
richh@modelaircraft.org
On Wednesday, November 15, 2017, the 2018 AMA election results became final. This ended AMA’s annual cycle of electing a third of the Executive Council (EC) and, at times, one of the organization’s two national officers. This year, the vice presidents (VPs) for AMA Districts III, VII, and XI were up for reelection, as was the position of AMA’s Executive Vice President (EVP).
Incumbents District III VP Mark Radcliff and District VII VP Tim Jesky ran unopposed on the ballot and both were elected to another 3-year term. Bryan Wood, from Meridian, Idaho, ran to replace retiring District XI VP Chuck Bower. Bryan also ran unopposed in the election and has been elected to his first 3-year term representing District XI on the AMA EC.
Two candidates ran for the office of AMA EVP: District VI VP Randy Cameron, from Springfield, Missouri, and District X VP Lawrence Tougas, from Fairfield, California. In this election, Randy received 9,807 votes and Lawrence received 5,962. As a result, Randy has been elected as AMA’s EVP, replacing retiring EVP Gary Fitch. He will start his 3-year term on January 1, 2018. Randy’s VP position will be filled by an appointed District VI associate vice president (AVP) until an election for a new VP is conducted in the fall of 2018.
I would like to congratulate and thank everyone involved in this year’s election for their participation and, more importantly, for their willingness to serve.
I want to thank Gary Fitch and Chuck Bower for their service to the AMA and the aeromodeling community. I wish them both the best in their future endeavors and I hope that they will continue to remain involved in the work of the AMA.
The election process is one of AMA’s most important functions. The Academy of Model Aeronautics is a multimillion-dollar 501(c)(3) corporation, governed by its elected council members who serve as its board of directors. The AMA is a legacy organization with national standing in the aviation industry and influence on the international stage. It represents nearly 200,000 aeromodeling enthusiasts in all 50 states, the US territories, and at US military installations around the globe.
Your leadership is an important part of the AMA, whether it’s serving as an officer of a local club, a contest director, an AMA Leader Member, an AVP, or a member of the AMA EC. AMA needs strong, dedicated, and thoughtful leadership in dealing with today’s
complex social and political environment, and more importantly, for the future of the hobby. If you are not already involved, I encourage you to become involved. If you are already involved, I encourage you to step up and participate at a higher level.
The EC needs new blood. This is not to state that there is any reason why any of the existing EC members shouldn’t remain on the council, but the AMA needs new ideas, new enthusiasm, and a new generation of leaders to replace those of us who will someday need to move on.
If you’re interested in becoming involved, contact your district VP or call the AMA Membership department. I know that anyone you reach at AMA will be more than willing to head you in the right direction.
