Region 2 Director: Kerry M. Kravik
Unopposed-Elected by Acclamation
I would like to announce my candidacy as Director for Region 2 of the Classic Thunderbird Club International.
Taking after my Dad, I developed a love affair with Fords and two-seat Thunderbirds at an early age. In junior high school I helped my Dad restore a 1963 Ford Falcon Futura convertible and was hooked on the classic car hobby for life.
I purchased my first Thunderbird in 1985 just out of college, a red 1955. Little did I know then that Thunderbirds would be a part of my life all these years later. I joined CTCI in 1988 and have been to many regional and national conventions either showing a car or just participating as an enthusiast. Over the years I have been fortunate to own and restore many Thunderbirds, including an early Gunmetal Gray E-Bird and even an F-Bird.
I have owned parts Thunderbirds to concours quality Thunderbirds and have loved and learned from each of them. My wife and I own a 1956 Peacock Blue Thunderbird that we’ve had for 20 years that holds a deep connection with my late Father.
My desire to serve as a Regional Director is to give back to the Thunderbird community that has afforded me many years of fun and fulfillment. It also allows me to help do my part to promote the Thunderbird hobby I so enjoy.
Thank you,
Kerry M. Kravik
Cross Plains, WI
CTCI#24090
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
Region 4 Director (in random order)
Charlie Hensley
Greetings Thunderbird friends. I am Charlie Hensley and I seek your support for the position of Director, Region 4. I am a retired mechanical engineer and enjoy owning and maintaining classic Thunderbirds.
I joined CTCI in the late 1970’s after purchasing a “basket-case” Bird in 1976 for which I performed a frame-off restoration, doing all the assembly myself. The CTCI’s Early Bird magazine provided my best source of guidance along with the clear impression that I was among friends who enjoyed this hobby as well. At that time there were no CTCI chapters in the Oak Ridge, TN area. I presently own a 1956 that was purchased in 2001. “Green Bird” was a winner in hoods up-touring at the Knoxville CTCI Convention in 2018.
I have restored two 1956 Thunderbirds, three classic Mustangs and have also restored 3 fabric airplanes. One aircraft I still fly, having been a private and acrobatic pilot for over 50yrs. My “drivers” are two Modern Classic Thunderbirds…a 2002 and a 2005.
My leadership experience includes 10 years on the Oak Ridge City Council and 20 years on the Planning Commission. I continue to be a technical advisor to the Oak Ridge schools. I currently serve as a chapter officer in the Smoky Mountain Classic Thunderbird Club and was an active participant in organizing the Knoxville CTCI Convention in 2018, where I also served as a judge. (If you attended, we may have met at the car wash. One birder stated it was the “best self-car wash” in CTCI history).
I continue to make friends through CTCI and strongly believe that CTCI should work to expand into areas where chapters do not exist and constantly strive to keep our organization a source of friendly exchanges. I remain active and energetic to preserve our classics.
Thank you, in advance, for your support.
Charlie Hensley CTCI #12421
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
Bill Brown
My name is Bill Brown, I am announcing my candidacy for Director, Region 4.
I am a retired Naval Officer and program manager for large technology defense contractor. I am a graduate of Auburn University and The Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA. My wife Linda and I have been involved in CTCI and the Virginia Classic Thunderbird Club (VCTC) Chapter #36 since 2004. I have served as President of VCTC (2016-18) and am currently serving as club advisor and activities chair. We currently own a 1955 Thunderbird that we restored in 2007, and are owners of a 2002 Retro Bird.
We have attended CTCI Conventions in Wichita, KS (2006) and Knoxville, TN (2018) and hosted, Richmond, VA (2011). We also entered our Birds in Touring Class. I have attended judges training at two conventions and found it very rewarding. We have made many new friends and enjoyed the camaraderie at the conventions. We are looking forward to the upcoming convention in Sarasota, FL in April 2021.
I firmly believe in the CTCI Charter which is to enjoy and preserve the classic (55-57) Thunderbirds and I look forward to serving our members in Region 4, the CTCI membership as a whole as well as building a positive working relationship with my fellow Board members.
I would appreciate your vote and will use my experience in leadership and management to seek solutions to CTCI’s dwindling membership, improve financial accountability and Board transparency.
Thank you,
William “Bill” Brown CTCI # 33384
Williamsburg, Virginia
(301)-904-9083
Email: whbllb082069@gmail.com
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
Region 6 Director (in random order)
Jim Rodgers
I was asked to run for Region 6 Director in 2018 and while I did not know what being a Director included, I am a car guy and avid Thunderbird collector, and wanted to help CTCI continue grow. I was elected by acclamation and quickly learned the time and effort required by the Directorship is substantial. The board had several significant issues before it, but there were experienced and dedicated members leading the way. Our first goal was to return to profitable operations which was accomplished through the following actions:
- Contracted Attaché International LLC for administrative duties and Early Bird publication.
- Elimination of all CTCI employees, thus removing CTCI from burdensome California employment laws.
- Worked with the Investment Committee, which will put our financial future in qualified hands.
- Worked to select CBRE real estate agreement to sell the CTCI owned building in Signal Hill presently used for storage.
- Updated OP&P manual and proposed a bylaw change for CTCI membership to include married couples.
- Introduced electronic ballots, which increased voting from 10% to more than 50% in the most recent election.
- Adding recreational family-friendly driving tours at regionals.
- CTCI membership and sales have grown over the last two years.
- Working on a proposal to move all corporate entities out of California to a more business-friendly state with membership approval.
- Worked on the committee regarding retro-bird membership vote, and while the vote fell short of the 66.7% required to pass, I did note the voice of 61% of our members.
I believe communication is crucial for directors and I am always available for conversations with members. If I have come to a position on an issue, I will share it with you. I ask for your vote so I may continue to help move CTCI forward in the 21st century.
Jim Rodgers
Director Region 6
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
Sue Smith
The past few years the CTCI Boards have accepted little or no input from the membership. I am running to change this “culture”. I believe members should have a say in important changes such as the sale of the building, incorporation, balloting and require full disclosure of all Board actions in the EarlyBird.
My position on current issues:
Financials: As of 6/30/2020 we have $398,062 . in cash assets. CTCI functions were slightly positive last year and a profit is predicted for this year. Is the sale of the building required?
Minutes: Actual approved minutes should be available upon request and a summary of minutes should be in each EarlyBird.
Building: Sale of building should be decided by a vote of the membership after a full discussion of pros and cons. The building value represents over ½ of our assets. How will the proceeds be invested or spent?
WY Incorporation: Much more info required. Costs? Legal representation required in both CA & WY. CTCI’s assets could be in jeopardy if not handled correctly.
Balloting: All members should receive a ballot without having to “ask”. Members without email on file should not be disenfranchised by having to “ask” for a paper ballot.
Competitive bids: Require competitive bidding for printing, management, and website development. CTCI should provide a list of requirements when seeking bids. Accountability of vendors should be required.
Advisory Council: Board should consider reinstating Advisory Council to improve communications and access to and from the Board.
I am in favor of full disclosure of Board actions. I do respect all members ideas. I will acknowledge and reply to all inquiries. We need to return to giving our full attention to the job of running a great car club. Thank you.
Sue Smith #1492
Ventura, CA
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
Director at Large (in random order)
John Smith
Greetings! I am John Smith, President of the Heart of American Classic Thunderbird Club of Kansas City and I am pleased to announce my candidacy for CTCI Director-at-Large.
I have been a member since 1980 and active in my local chapter since 1983. I purchased my first classic Thunderbird in 1984 and now have a total of nine, covering all three years of production.
I have been an active participant in both Regional and International Conventions beginning with our local chapter’s sponsorship of the 1983 Region 5 Convention. I subsequently served as event chairman of the 1993 and 2003 Region 5 Conventions. I am also actively involved in the CTCI judging process and have attained the level of Senior Master Judge III. I previously served as CTCI Director-at-Large during the years 2003-2005, 2010-2012, and 2015-2017. I also served as CTCI President in 2005 and 2012.
For over a decade, I have been collecting rare Ford factory photographs. I have included many of these images in articles I have written about the design, testing, and assembly of the 1955-1957 Thunderbird that appeared in EarlyBird issues in the years 2004 thru 2008 and 2020.
I believe my career as a bank examiner in my home state and my knowledge of finance would once again be beneficial to the Board. Furthermore, I have recently received many member complaints regarding the current Board’s lack of timely communication of important actions to the membership. If elected, I would work to improve open communication between CTCI directors, officers, and the membership. I would also seek ways to increase both our membership and merchandise sales.
I ask you for your vote and support so that together, we can deal effectively with the challenges that face our club!
John M. Smith
CTCI #17947
Liberty, Missouri
E-mail: tbird57@socket.net
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
Fred Artus
My name is Fred Artus and am announcing my candidacy for the position of Director-At-Large. My wife and I live in Phoenix, Arizona. I am a retired (CPA) 20+ years ago.
Thunderbirds first caught my eye in 1956 with the sighting of a turquoise 56 with a white top. Finally in 1983 I bought a 56 and been enjoying working on it ever since. Just about every year we have driven it from Phoenix to our cabin in Maine.
Over the years I have attended 7 International and Regional conventions, was a founding member of CTCI chapter 103 and served for a term on the board of CTCI chapter 35 where I facilitated their 501c7 status.
I am running because of the June 12th board meeting, at the end of which there were only 6 members’ vs 9 the month before. To me this was a significant failure of management not anticipating members’ feelings and potential responses. The board simply could have deferred action for a week to allow the board member in question to resolve her “member in good standing issue” and simultaneously verify with the runner up that did not wish to return to the board.
As a Director-At-Large I would work towards transparency in all matters financial and otherwise with online publications and disclosures, a responsive board that answers communications, assists local chapters with planning conventions or driving tours, easy voting for all members, growing the membership, judicious use of outside vendors and seek input from members not just before elections.
I believe with a calm level headed disposition I can, with input from an Advisory Council composed of chapter representatives (per By Laws), help bringing members together, by working towards common goals.
Your vote would be appreciated.
Fred Artus #20411 Phoenix, Arizona
Phone: #602-395-9022 Email: artusfred@gmail.com
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
Ron McCloud
I am Ron McCloud and I would like to announce my candidacy for Director-at-Large. I began my Thunderbird adventure in 1965 at the age of twenty-two, when I purchased a 1956. I joined CTCI and became member # 1056. In 1968 my love for Thunderbirds landed me a job with Ford. I spent twenty-two years in Engineering in Atlanta and Dearborn. The last nine years of my career were in production. Building Thunderbirds renewed my interest in Thunderbirds and in 1991 I bought and restored a 1955 Torch Red.
I am the past president of the local Thunderbird club. I have held Thunderbird events at my shop with as many as seventy-five cars attending. These events have not involved judging but concentrated on having fun and enjoying the fellowship. CTCI has a tremendous organization and tradition for holding events with judging, which I fully support.
I am involved with Thunderbirds from 2002-2005 and know many people from CTCI who own both Thunderbirds. I think the time has come for CTCI to embrace the people who want both versions of the Thunderbirds in the club. I know Ford spent a lot of money and effort in creating a new Thunderbird and the natural heritage of the 2002-2005 Thunderbirds is unmistakable. I made a motion at the 2018 national meeting to ask the membership to vote on admitting the 2002-2005 Thunderbirds to CTCI and sixty plus percent of the membership voted yes.
I own two businesses and have learned many lessons on budgets while working at Ford. I would never be for changing any of the existing traditions for the Classic Thunderbirds. I do believe the 2002-2005 Thunderbirds can become an integral part of our club and still continue the legacy of the 1955-1957 Thunderbirds. Your vote will help make this possible.
Ron McCloud CTCI #1056
Ph. # 423-342-7443 Email: rmccloud@earthlink.net
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #