the club
fromtheboard
Meet the 2016 MOA Board candidates
Rudy Baumann #107916 My name is Rudy Baumann, and I’ve been a BMW rider for only about 30 years. Before that I cut my teeth on Hondas, Bridgestones and yes, even an old Zundapp. I have always loved to ride, and as
the years go by and the amount of traf- fic and number of nonchalant drivers
increases, I have taken a keen interest in driver education and awareness, both for cars and bikes. I have written many letters and have even spoken with lawmakers in different states to help educate and motivate those who sometimes have no idea what responsible riding is. Seven years ago I became a volunteer first responder in my
local EMS and have seen firsthand the sometimes irreparable damage caused by both irresponsible drivers of cars and care- less motorcycle riders. I want to continue to use all of my knowledge and exper-
tise both on and off the road to further educate others. P.S.—I was born in a taxi in Chicago!
Sam Garst #103463 My name is Sam Garst, and I am run- ning for a director position on the BMW MOA Board of Directors. I am a member of the MOA, the RA, the Airheads and the Madison BMW Club #7. I have been a volunteer for almost as long as I have been a mem- ber of my local club, serving as the
newsletter editor, a rally co-chair and the Rally Pharaoh. I have worked with Gates, with Safe and Sanitary, as a shuttle driver and as the Shuttle Chair at our national rallies. I con- sider becoming a director to be my chance to volunteer at a whole new level. I believe that we need to encourage more interaction
between the MOA and its Chartered Clubs. After all, the Chartered Clubs form the foundation of our national club. The MOA can help strengthen the Chartered Clubs by offer- ing more resources and opportunities in the areas of safety training and club development. Additionally, the MOA should offer leadership development and training through- out the year to any interested members of our clubs. I believe that the MOA needs to become more sustainable in the long haul. That means we need to find and retain new
20 BMW OWNERS NEWS April 2016
members from all of our diverse demographics. That means we need to make financial decisions that will benefit our club well into its future. I believe that our club is more than just a gathering point for renew-
ing friendships and telling tall tales. It is a place where we can share our collective wisdom gleaned from the millions of miles that we have traveled with our beloved Bavarian beasts across this planet of ours. My goals as a director on our board will be to reach out to you, to act as a sounding board for your ideas and concerns, and to ensure that our club remains responsive to all of its members. I believe that the MOA is the premiere destination for individuals
looking to experience all aspects of BMW motorcycle ownership. I believe that our past and present boards have done an outstanding job of guiding our club. I would like to continue that legacy as a director on our BMW MOA board, and I am asking for your vote. Thank you for your consideration.
James Gebhardt #79025 My motorcycling history runs the gamut from Spanish and Japanese two-strokes in the 1960s– 70s to a BSA and two Meridan Triumphs in the 1980s. I discovered BMWs in the mid-1990s, beginning with a 1976 R 90 S, then a 1988 K 75 S, and a 2002 K 1200 GT, all pre-owned. My first new BMW was an F 800 ST in 2012, and I added a 2007 R 1200 RT with a new Hannigan
Bandito sidecar in 2013. My average annual mileage as a BMW owner was in the 8,000-mile range, mostly across the Northern Plains and the Pacific Northwest, until March 2014, when I was diagnosed with leukemia. I am in remission now, have a good prognosis and am rid- ing again. I have been a member of the MOA since 1997. On the professional side, I am a retired U.S. Army officer, having
served 20-plus years in both enlisted and commissioned officer ranks. My 12-month Vietnam tour in 1967–68 was as a combat infantryman. I received my BA and MA degrees at the University of Idaho in 1974 and University of Washington in 1976, respectively. I graduated from the Defense Language Institute, Monterey, in 1984, and the U.S. Army Russian Institute, Garmisch, in 1986. After retirement from active duty in early 1992, I worked as a government contractor for the Army and the State Department for 13 years total, followed by an eight-year stint as an Army civilian. Since 1985, I have authored, translated from Russian, and edited a large number of works, from article to book length, on a wide range of military subjects, for the Army and for commercial, academic, and Internet publication. From February 2011–July 2014, I was the paid copy editor of Owners News and worked in succession for Vince Winkel, Mary Baker,
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