Cast Your Ballot Now!
The nominations are in! Now it’s your turn!
Actually, it’s gotten a little easier for you to decide who’ll be behind the wheel of your club chapter by casting your ballot for the club officers. That’s because we have one nomination for President, one for Treasurer, and eight for the eight Director positions. Not exactly a hotly-contested election, but by casting your vote you’re confirming your support for those officers who donate their time and energy to make our club the active, vital one that it is.
Last month, a Call For Nominations solicited submissions from all members interested in taking on a leadership role in AONE. Below, you will find a list of the nominees (in Alfabetical order) along with their phone numbers and/or email address in case you’d like to contact any of them to get to know them better, and short biographies that they have taken the time to submit along with their nominations. Select one name for President, one for Treasurer, and up to eight names for Directors. For each office, there is a space for a write-in candidate if you choose. Ballots must be received by May 25. Results will be tabulated and reported in the June issue of Velocissima, and the newly elected officers will assume their duties as of July 1.This election determines how your club is led for the next two years, so please
submit your ballot now! And don't forget to check the box on the online ballot to enroll yourself as an AONE Online-Only Member, save the world's trees and the club's money by not mailing you the newsletter, and reserve yourself a coffee mug!
For President
Tom Lesko, Hingham, MA — 781-749-9132, tmlesko@mediaone.net
As President for the past two years, I have tried to get new members involved and build a new "core" of interested Alfa owners. In that time, our membership has grown from under 200 to over 260 present members. It looks like things are heading in the right direction. Our events for the past two years have been interesting, varied and well-attended. We have many interesting events already planned for this year, including a rally. Our recent annual winter party had the highest turnout in recent memory, a good indication that things are going well (or maybe it’s just the "door prizes"? ;). In an effort to continue the work that has been successful in rebuilding the club, I am running for the office of President for another term and hereby solicit your support.
I will listen to suggestions from all club members and try to improve the involvement of all associated with the Alfa Owners of New England. We have begun discussions aimed at hosting the annual National Convention in one of the upcoming years and I will work toward that end as well.
For the record, I have been an Alfa owner since 1970 when I bought my first ’65 Giulia Spider Veloce. Last year I acquired a second ’65 Spider Veloce— I now have twins! I have been an AONE member since the 1980s and a member of other Alfa clubs since the 1970s. I have been a Director of AONE for many of my membership years. I have organized many club events and as President I will continue to do the things that have made our club one of the best in the country.
For Treasurer
Dave Pratt, Dedham, MA — 781-320-8208, dave@dvpratt.com
I’ve owned Alfas since 1977, which have
included a ’72 Montreal, two ’74 Spiders, two three ’74
GTVs, an ’84 GTV6 and a ’91 164L. I’m the current AONE Treasurer (not a
huge job) and also serve as the editor of Velocissima,
the New England chapter newsletter, and as webmaster for our AONE Web Site. I’m
encouraged by the extent that our club has gotten active again, organizing and running
various types of competitive, technical and social events, and by the fact that our
membership has actually grown by over 20% in the last couple of years. And yes, ask anyone
who knows me, I am Always Looking For Another.
For Director
Bill Anderson, S. Berwick, ME — 207-748-1709, wha164@email.msn.com
I’m a longtime Alfa owner and member of AONE, serving as a Director for much of that time. I own several Alfas, including a Calloway GTV6. For many years, I was the guy that got Velocissima to you from the print shop to your mailbox (well, OK, my son helped a little). My plan is to organize at least one AONE Road Rallye each year, and I already have courses prepared for the first couple of events. Thanks for your support.
Tom Ducibella, Beverly, MA — 978-921-0125, nanduce@worldnet.att.net
I stand on my past record of sponsoring and hosting events, writing articles for the newsletter, and will continue to do so. For many of the events at Glynn Motorsports, I do the planning and bring the real food. Like other club members, I not only drive my Alfas but do routine maintenance. In addition, I have undertaken some full restoration projects, including a 2600, ’74 GTV, and ’69 spider. I urge all Directors to sponsor an event or the equivalent in terms of participation, and urge members to come out for at least one event of their choice each year.
Jonathan Kirshtein, Framingham, MA — 508-877-6801, JKirshtein@aol.com
Again I request nomination to the board of AONE. I have had over 25 Alfas, own 3 presently, and understand what drives the club and what the membership is looking for. I have judged Alfas at Larz, handled the club tool program, and have been in the club since 1984. My devotion to the marque carries on directly to my concern for AONE and its members.
Frank Maldari, Andover, MA — 978-475-2846, mbellatrix@aol.com
My Alfa Owner membership is now 20 years old and I have been an Alfa owner ever since, first with an Alfetta GT and now with my GTV-6. I believe that Alfas in the United States are special cars which need to be driven; personally I drive my GTV-6 as a commuter car from April through November and have enjoyed every minute. We need to keep the club active with as much participation as possible and I look forward to continuing my involvement
Jim Miga, Winchester, MA — 781-729-7567, jmiga@gis.net
I have been an active member of AONE since 1972 and a "25 Year Member" of AROC. I have been an Alfa enthusiast since the age of 6, and bought my current Alfa in 1971, which is a 1966 Duetto. I have served the club in the roles of Treasurer, Director, Newsletter Art Director, Convention Committee, and with Concours and show planning. I also volunteer as event chairman with the Museum of Transportation for Italian Car Day. Professionally, I have worked in the auto industry as an art director for BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Jaguar. I am currently working for Autosite.com as a photography coordinator.
Brian Shorey, Boxborough, MA — 978-266-2795, bshorey@cisco.com
Certified Alfa Romeo lunatic. I have been involved with Alfas and AONE for almost as long as I’ve been driving. I own a number of Alfas that range from daily summer drivers to time trialers to restoration projects. I’ve completed a shrine to the marque that I’ve been building in the form of a garage, where a Tech Session was held last year. Known for saving many California gross polluters from the crusher. If elected I’ll focus on technical sessions and competition events. If not elected I’ll focus on technical sessions and competition events.
Steve Silverstein, Marlborough, MA — 508-303-3391, milano164@mediaone.net
As a member of the Board of Directors for the last few years we have accomplished many goals, but most important has been a wide range of meetings which I feel have worked well to get Alfa owners involved. As stated in my last nomination, "In New England I would like to see more gatherings which draw in members who aren’t on the technical edge but really enjoy their Alfas. One of the best aspects of the owner’s club is the support and experience that can be passed amongst the members." I still feel that this direction has merit.
Peter Walker, Beverly, MA — 978-524-8102, pwalker@salemstate.edu
I have been a member of AROC and the owner of a California 1977
Spider since 1991. Before moving back to the east coast and joining AONE, I was a member
of the Minnesota, Western Michigan, and Detroit chapters of the Owners’ Club (I still
maintain my affiliations with the Minnesota and Western Michigan clubs, out of loyalty).
The rejuvenation of AONE, under the current "administration" has been one of the
great pleasures of my relocation to New England, and were I elected to the board, I would
do all I can to keep our chapter thriving. One specific event I’d like to try
organizing is a driving tour in the Berkshires; I lived out there during my college years
(and my parents and other family still live there), and I’m very familiar with some
wonderful sports car roads. 