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AMA Executive Director Jim Cherry instructs
Cameron Bretsen
while Mark Smith holds the trainer button.
Since the
Academy's new Executive Director, Jim
Cherry, came onboard in December, people
from AMA's insurance broker, Koch, have
wanted him to visit their offices in Omaha,
Nebraska. In addition, a newly chartered
club—the Omahawks—recently earned AMA's Gold
Leader Club award, which is a big
accomplishment.
The easiest (and most
affordable) way to get to Omaha is to fly
into Kansas City, Kansas, and then drive
north. I worked out the logistics and the
meeting dates were set for May 26-27!
Dave Mathewson, AMA's Insurance Committee chair
and District II's vice president, had not
met with the Koch personnel either, so he
accompanied us. I also serve on the
Insurance Committee.
Not wanting to miss an
opportunity for Kansas City modelers to meet
Jim and Dave, I arranged a meet-and-greet
for them, hosted by the Shawnee Mission
Radio Control Club. Jim and Dave met many
modelers, discussed their vision for AMA,
and answered several questions from the
audience.
We left for Omaha early the next
morning. When we arrived at the Koch
building we went on a tour of the facility
and met several key employees who handle our
account. Then we were treated to lunch by
Koch President Scott Trofholz.
That
afternoon Dave, Jim, and I headed to the
Omahawks' field and enjoyed the day flying
my models. We even had the opportunity to
put our insurance agent and his son, Paul
and Cameron Bretsen, on my trainer so they
could get some stick time. I was the
instructor pilot and Jim did a great job of
talking the students through the maneuvers.
The Omahawks' normal monthly meeting began
at 7 p.m., and the club president, Steve
Culver, dispensed with much of the normal
business to allow time for Dave and Jim to
talk about current "happenings" at AMA and
the new and exciting activities that are
planned.
Jim began the awards ceremony by
expressing his pride in being the former
president of his club in Florida, which is
also a Gold Leader Club. Then I had the
honor of pinning the Leader Club pin on
Steve. We asked the Omahawks to stand in
line so we could hand out the pins and
congratulate each member individually.
I am
aware of the long hours Jim Cherry puts in
for AMA. On behalf of District IX and the Omahawks, I thank him sincerely for taking
the time to make this award presentation.
I
also want to announce how pleased I am with
what the Omahawks has accomplished. It is a
club by which others can be measured. MA
Jim Cherry presents Omahawks President Steve
Culver
with a Gold Leader Club award.
—Mark
Smith
District IX Vice President
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