As some members will not receive the Pennant in time to mail their ballot in by the 25th I will email it to any member that requests it. If you know of any member that is not hooked into the electronic side of the hobby that has not gotten the ballot please request one for them so that they may participate as well. I have retyped the candidate profiles (Boy, I wish I could type faster!) so that you will have their information as they presented it in the Pennant and you can make an informed decision.
Regards,
Roger E. Wooten, CPA
PCA Treasurer
rwolfhound@hughes.net
Melinda Adams
I have read the conditions related to becoming a Board member, and I have no problem with them. I understand that the position is voluntary, and I would be happy to work with any member in a committee or Board position.
I have been a pen collector/accumulator for over 25 years. I have thousands of pens but my joy beyond collecting them is related to the stories that always arise from a find or a purchase. I have made so many good friends.
I am currently editing articles and issues of the Pennant, and I am quite comfortable with getting the work finished on time. I know that was a serious issue in the past. I am hoping to remedy that.
I am, or was, an assistant professor of English at Ball State University. My doctorate is Twentieth Century British Literature. I earned it in 1991. I taught there for 14 years, mostly freshman comp and rhetoric and 101 Literature. My skills are editing and writing, and I think I may have some ideas for focusing the Pennant. Having worked at a university, I am familiar with committees. I can be outspoken, but never mean. If I have ideas that will help make the PCA outstanding, I will speak them.
I am familiar with most of the current Board members, and I enjoy them all and their ideas. I would hope that they feel the same about me. Thank you for considering me.
Linda Bauer
I am delighted to be considered for the Board of the Pen Collectors of America. I believe I could make a contribution to the organization by helping to promote pen collecting and cultivate new collectors.
I have been collecting fountain pens for more than 20 years, but my love of fountain pens dates back to the 1960’s. I used a fountain pen in high school because ballpoint pens of the time skipped and blobbed. I love the smooth, even flow of ink from my fountain pen on paper. I always had ink stains on my middle finger.
In the 1980s I got a couple of new pens as gifts. I started buying new pens. Eventually I had about 14, so I guess that was the start of my collection. Then one day I saw some old pens in an antique store. I didn’t know such things existed. That did it – I began to collect vintage pens. I primarily focus on Parker and Esterbrook, though I have representative models of other brands of pens, such as Sheaffer PFM, Wahl Doric and Conklin Crescent. I love Parker ephemera – I have items that range from a 1930s art deco Parker display case to a slab of Parker Pen chocolate. My pens come from every era, from eyedroppers to modern pens. I attend two pen shows each year, and may be able to attend more.
I am married with two grown children and a granddaughter. I live in Illinois and work as Technical Support Manager for a software company. I previously worked in media and public relations for 30 years, including 18 years with the local newspaper. I implemented their Newspaper in Education program for the public schools. I have experience coordinating events and working with volunteers. My experience includes teaching, fundraising, sales, and serving in public office.
As you can see I have a variety of experience to bring to the PCA Board. I look forward to filling whatever role best fits my own interests and the needs of the organization. I am especially interested in the Pens for Kids program. Earlier this year, I was showing my six-year-old granddaughter pens from my collection and was thrilled when she asked to write with one of them. We need to grow our future collectors, and this is a great way to start.
Dennis Bowden
I like to describe myself as retired (U.S. Postal Inspector); Semi-retired (Criminal Defense Attorney); and just plain tired (owner/operator of Parkville Pen on the web selling fountain pens).
I have long been a fountain pen lover and user, but only became involved in collecting about 4 years ago. My collecting interest centers around vintage hard rubber pens, primarily Waterman, and more recently Kraker pens and the history of the Kraker Pen Company and the life of George M. Kraker. I recently authored an article on my favorite model pen, the Sheaffer Connaisseur (included in this issue of the Pennant). I have been a member of the PCA for 3 years.
My wife and I live in Parkville, MO, a Kansas City suburb, where I run Parkville Pen from our home.
My reason for agreeing to stand for the Board is to be able to give back to the hobby and hopefully to aid in the growth and development of the PCA.
Dan Carmell
Member of the Pan Pacific Pen Club since 2002, Club President in 2005 and 2006. Volunteer at the San Francisco Pen Show in 2003 and 2004. I’ve worked Susan Worth’s tables at two San Francisco shows and 2006 in Los Angeles, so I am battle hardened! While I love hard rubber eyedroppers, my main collecting focus seems to be on post-WWII Parkers, especially the Parker 45, which is the only model I’m currently systematically collecting. I live in San Leandro, in the San Francisco Bay Area and am an office worker, a database administrator, by profession, but I am also responsible for some volunteer and fundraising coordination. I have a background of involvement with volunteer and non-profit organizations.
Stephen H. Corn
I have been a collector all my life from stamps and coins starting at six years old to fountain pens starting in the fifties.
I collect Parker Vacumatics and button fillers, coral colored Mont Blancs and Pelikans. Plus a smattering of whatever else hits my fancy. I have over 500 pens in my collection plus many “mistakes” that are for sale.
My profession is a General Contractor which I have been since I got out of the Navy. I also, on the side, designed jewelry, had a retail jewelry business, cabinet business and have been a director on many local and some state and national Boards such as an insurance company, building associations and hospital board. I feel my experiences in life will allow me to assist in guiding the PCA to even more success.
Joel R. Hamilton
EDUCATION
B.A. Psychology
M.A. Psychology, Counseling and Guidance
EXPERIENCE
I worked for the State of New Mexico in corrections, criminal and juvenal justice for 25 years. During that time, I was a probation/parole officer, deputy warden of an adult facility, and deputy director of operations for juvenile justice services in the state, and managed the daily operations for 33 probation/parole offices and 10 facilities.
Since retiring from state government in 1999, I’ve been operating, along with sister Sherrell, Inkpen (and its Eastern Subsidiary). In addition to fountain pens, my interests include model trains, bridge, pocket billiards, poker, auto cross and rallies.
Why do I want to serve on the PCA Board? It seems to be a part of my make-up to pitch in where and when I can and a part of this is serving on boards and committees. I have no illusions that this is a plush position that will bring fame and accolades. All boards are work, and I feel I can contribute energy and a background that incorporates the ability to hear and be heard while representing the interests of others. I intend to be active and hear the membership and translate the wishes of the collective body into doable projects. The PCA Board has done a great job of moving the organization forward since I began my term of office and I’d like to lend a hand and continue promoting and executing its goals.
I’ve served on nonprofit local, state and national boards and committees throughout my adult life, holding offices in most of them. I continue to be active with the Associated Marine Institute, a national nonprofit organization that operates rehabilitative facilities throughout the U.S. I have also served as a consultant to the National Institute of Justice. In addition to running Inkpen, Sherrell and I also consult in human resources and small agency management.
Annmarie Hautaniemi
I strongly believe that you should give back to the community that supports (or has supported!) you. Although I have closed Ink Palette, the pen community is still near and dear to me. The PCA is an integral part of that community.
In November of 2004 when we were “sworn in” as it were as the current Board, I volunteered to take over the responsibility for the PCA table at the pen shows. Since I am no longer attending all of the shows, Terry Mawhorter has taken on the “on the ground” responsibilities, and I continue to coordinate with him. I have also been working with Roger Wooten (Treasurer) on the maintenance of the membership list. Both of these areas are works in progress, although a great deal of progress has been made, I think continuity is important until we have easily transferable systems firmly in place.
I worked for Art Brown and then Koenigs in the late 80’s, then Michaels in San Francisco through most of the 90’s (where I picked your brain for vintage knowledge). In 1997 we started Ink Palette, closing it in 2005 due to personal reasons. As a retailer and collector dealing with both vintage and modern pens, I think I have a broad view of the interests of our community. I would be honored to continue to serve on the PCA Board of Directors.
Stuart Hawkinson
Stuart Hawkinson, Portland, Oregon, has been a PCA member for 14 years, attending his first pen show n Los Angeles in 1992. Stuart is a regular exhibitor at many of the US pen shows. Besides restoring and selling vintage pens and pencils, his collecting interests include Eagle Pencil Company writing instruments and related products, R. Esterbrook pens of any sort, demonstrator pens and pencils, pens with interesting filling mechanisms, and early ball point pens. Stuart has been active in the local Portland PDX pen group, teaching informal pen-repair classes, and supporting the Portland Pen Show each year.
Bill Hong
With respect to qualifications, I’ve been an active vintage pen collector/user for more than a decade, and a modern pen collector/ user for more than twice that many years – though in fact I’ve used fountain pens since grade school days with no real interruption. So they are truly a habit as well as a hobby!
With regard to the PCA, I’ve been a member since the late 90’s, and have contributed a couple of short articles in that time to the Pennant. I’m also a regular (if not always active) member of internet mailing groups such as the Zosslist, and have also written for online magazines such as Stylophiles. I’ve done some behind the scenes repair work over the years, and still do, though mostly for myself and for friends rather than as a money-making enterprise.
As a materials engineer by training, I’ve always been interested in the decisions companies make in what materials to use to craft their pens, and how that effects a pen’s characteristics and writing qualities. Nevertheless, I don’t consider myself a pen “collector” in the classic sense, in that I have not concentrated on completing arrays of a specific make, model or type of fountain pen. Perhaps the term “accumulator” still applies – I buy what I like at the time, whether or not it fills a certain niche in my pen holdings. And I have always gravitated toward the less expensive to moderately priced (and sized) pen lines, whether vintage or modern. So I think of myself as someone who is typical of a segment of the pen community that isn’t always immersed in pen Arcanum, and doesn’t have big bucks to spend on fancy limited editions of Waterman 58’s.
For these reasons, I do see a need for the PCA to reemphasize its value to the “middling” or even the budget pen person, one who enjoys using them and may or may not have an interest in classic vintage pens as we know them, but is potentially open to widening their horizons. The PCA might find it worthwhile to support those who purchase modern pens (which will eventually become ‘vintage’) and to continue to encourage those of the younger generations that pens are “cool” in their own way, even if they lack an embedded IC chip! Hence, I would be interested in serving on the Education and Pen Shows committees as a part of Director duties for a period of the next year or two, but would welcome suggestions for further activities and ideas to pursue.
Bruce Mindrup
I am truly flattered and honored to have been asked to submit my name as a candidate for the P.C.A. Board of Directors. I have been a PCA Member since 1997. Two years ago, with the help of other ‘pen enthusiasts’, helped to form the St. Louis Pen Club. The Club meets four times a year to promote the social and collecting aspect of both new and vintage pens. I regularly attend the Chicago and Ohio Pen Shows, and hope to attend more shows in the future.
My initial introduction to ‘pens’ were those 1960’s era “cartridge” pens. My first ‘real pen’ was a ‘dinged’ and well used Parker ’51 that saw action during World War II with the 8th Airforce in England. The pen was a gift from a very special friend on my 16th birthday. It continues to be one of my most special pens. When not talking pens, I spend time with my wife Kathy and my children. I am in private practice and provide Counseling, Evaluation, and Mediation services to children, families and adults. I also serve as an adjunct Professor for The Union Institute and University where I teach course in Psychology and Social Work.
If elected to the Board, I will work to promote ‘service’ to all Members of the pen community. In addition, I will work to continue to promote school and community activities that will help to promote a new generation of people who love and appreciate pens.
Rick Propas
I am honored to have been nominated to the Board of Directors of the Pen Collectors of America.
I have used fountain pens for more than forty years and have collected pens since 1984. My collection focuses primarily on vintage Parkers and Pelikans. I have been active in the pen community since the 1990’s, having helped found the Pan Pacific Pen Club. I also served as editor of the Pennant and am proprietor of The PENguin, selling new and used fountain pens. When not collecting, I teach American history at San Jose State University. I have written on pens at both the popular and scholarly levels.
I believe that the PCA should play the leading role in our community. In addition to the publication of the Pennant and the maintenance of the Library, PCA should actively serve the common interests of all who love pens, from seriously committed collectors to casual hobbyists, as well as those who buy, sell, and trade pens at all levels. Acting with balance and perspective PCA can and should be all things to all people.
To do this, PCA needs an activist Board, one that is willing to put aside personalities to work in harmony for the good of the hobby. In addition, the organization should in all aspects be open and transparent.
If elected to the Board, I will operate in accord with these principles on behalf of those who have entrusted me and my fellow Board members with the present and future of our hobby.
Dan Reppert
Dan Reppert, current Vice President of Pen Collectors of America, is seeking one last one-year term. It is his hope to really get the Pens for Kids program up and running. Dan collects off-brand Sheaffer products such as Craig, Univer and WASP. In addition to his duties on the Board and as Vice President, he is Librarian for the PCA. In a previous life he worked for Sheaffer Pen Company for 12 years, ending his career as Manager of Sales/Marketing Support Services. A plodder more than a spark plug, Dan wants to stay around this one last year to help establish a full fledged program for Pens for Kids.
Chuck Stoops
Whenever I join a club or organization I usually volunteer to be on a committee or run for office. I do not have a “let George do it” attitude.
Particulars. I am a 73 year old retired Chicago police officer. My wonderful wife, Rosie and I have been married for 50 years (anniversary occurred in middle of the Chicago Pen Show May 6th) she insisted that I attend the party rather than the pen show on Saturday only.
We have seven great kids and fourteen grandchildren.
As to qualifications. I have been the president and treasurer of a Chicago area fly tying and fly fishing club, an affiliate of the international Fly Fishing Federation(F.F.F.) I do believe that this experience will be very useful to the PCA, should I become elected.
I get along with the computer, but sometimes it is recalcitrant, seems to have a mind of it’s own.
I have been a pen accumulator for a couple of years now but I find my interest turning to pencils. I would like to be able to repair them. Good instruction books on pencil repair are almost non-existent. I will keep after the pencil work as they are what started a life long love affair with all things writing related back in the 40s when I was a high school student.
I have never joined a club that I did not eventually become an officer, usually president. I have experience I running things, serving on committees, organizing shows, speaking before an audience, making reports etc. at an international level.
I have found that if you look at it as fun, it usually is. If you can use me I am here to help.