AMA Committees
The AMA Executive Council and/or the president have developed committees to address certain issues pertaining to the Academy of Model Aeronautics. Members of these committees concentrate their expertise in these areas to improve the involvement and operation of the organization.
The following is a summarization of the mission statements for each of these committees, and the Executive Council members and/or AMA Headquarters personnel who work with the committee. Generally, one or more AMA members-at-large also serve as members of these committees.
If you have a subject that you would like one of the committees below to address, it is recommended that you mail your request to the chairperson of the committee, along with one to the Headquarters employee to be sure that it is distributed to the balance of the committee.
*Note: Committee chairman to decide if HQ Staff person has vote on issue.
Committee Name/Members
P = President Appointed
C = Executive Council Appointed (vacancies to be replaced by EC)
The AMA President is ex officio on all committees.
Air Show Team Leadership Committee: Cal Tenhet (Program Director), Jeff Phillips, Mike Harrington, Rich Hanson
Bylaws Committee (C) (10/86):
Chair: Andy Argenio
Mission Statement: “Shall be responsible for reviewing Bylaws, recommending changes that would coincide with the mission and goals of the Academy.”
Committee Members: Gary Fitch, Frank Ponteri, Jim Cherry, Felix Gora
Contest Coordinator and Event Sanctioning Review Committee (ad hoc):
Chair: Andy Argenio
Committee Members: Gary Fitch, Tony Stillman, Jim Wallen
ED Review Committee:
Chair: Rich Hanson
Committee Members: Andy Argenio, Jim Rice
Education Committee (P) (7/95):
Chair: Gordon Schimmel
Mission Statement: “To provide the Academy guidance and assistance in the formulation, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of education programs and policies. This guidance and assistance should help AMA realize the ideals outlined in its vision and mission statements and assist the Executive Council in its effort to further the educational role of the Academy.”
Committee Members: Art Ellis, Jack Frost, David Gee, Jim Rice, Tom Sanders, Michael Smith, Bob Underwood, April Hathaway
Election Process Review Committee (ad hoc):
Chair: Bruce Nelson
Mission Statement: “To investigate ways and means to encourage more participation by the AMA membership in the officer election process.”
Committee Members: Andy Argenio, Gary Fitch
Electronic Technology Committee (ETC): (4/06)
Chair: Peter Young
Mission Statement: “To support the Academy by monitoring, maintaining, and developing electronic areas of modeling through liaison with government, industry, and membership groups.”
Committee Members: Tony Stillman, Tom Hunt, Sid Kauffman, Tim Marks, Cal Orr, Red Scholefield, Keith Shaw, Pete Waters, Mel Duval
Emeritus Advisors Council: Bob Aberle, Jack Albrecht, Fred Marks, Warren Plohr, George Steiner, Bob Underwood, John Worth
ETC Industry Advisors: John Adams - Horizon/Spektrum, Neil Cloud – Hobbico, Mike Greenshields - Global Hobby/Airtronics, Steve Helms – Futaba, Jeff Holsinger – Spektrum, Bob Novak - Team Novak, Lewis Polk - Polk's Hobby, Mark Williams – Hobbico, Jim Drew – Xtreme Power Systems, Bryan Shaw – HiTec RCD
FAI Executive Committee (P) (1/87):
Chair: Dave Brown
Mission Statement: “To review and recommend current procedures concerning FAI matters to the Executive Council.”
Committee Members: Bob Brown, Bob Underwood
FAI Exemptions Committee:
Chair: Dave Brown
Mission Statement: “To review and approve exemptions for World Records.”
Committee Members: Bob Brown, Bob Underwood, Greg Hahn
Finance Committee (C) (1/97):
Chair: Russ Miller
Mission Statement: “To present a budget to the Executive Council for review and approval that will assist the AMA in performance of its mission statement.”
Committee Members: EC member Doug Holland, Jim Wallen, Dave Brown, Jim Cherry
Flying Site Grant Committee (P) (2/02):
Chair: Tony Stillman
Mission Statement: “To manage AMA’s Flying Site Assistance Grant Program. To review applications submitted by AMA Chartered Clubs that request grant assistance and make recommendations to the Executive Council.”
Committee Members: Gary Fitch, Jerry Neuberger, Erin Dobbs, Arvin Van Ry, John Kaiser, Richard Whitely, Larry Drake, George Terwilliger
Hall of Fame Selection Committee
Chair: Jerry Neuberger
Committee Members: Past and present AMA presidents and one individual selected from each of the 11 districts.
History Subcommittee:
Chair: John Worth
Committee Members: Dan Kane, Roland Friestad, Bob Aberle
Insurance Committee:
Chair: Keith Sievers
Mission Statement: “To ensure that the Academy’s insurance program meets the needs of its members and the organization. To meet with AMA’s insurance broker, the claims adjustment agency, and AMA staff on a regular basis to oversee the Academy’s insurance operation and recommend changes as required.”
Committee Members: Joan Liska, Gary Fitch, Doug Holland, Mark Smith, Jay Cox, Ilona Maine
Investment Management and Audit Oversight Committee
Chair: Mark Smith
Committee Members: Doug Holland, Craig Schroeder, Bill Payne, Steve Gershick
Leader Member Program Development Committee:
Chair: Jim Rice
Mission Statement: “The AMA Leader Member Committee is tasked with developing new and creative ways to communicate with, and utilize, the diverse education, motivation, and talents of our Leader Members. This potential volunteer force represents nearly 3,000 members that could benefit the Academy and the general membership.”
Committee Members: Greg Minch, Mike Brown
Marketing Committee (P) (4/05):
Chair: Mark Smith
Mission Statement: “Will advise the president and Executive Council on programs to attract and retain AMA Members.”
Committee Members: Don Anderson, Eric Meyers, Mark Cleveland
Muncie Site Usage: Bob Brown, Joyce Hager, Bill Shailor
Museum Steering Committee (P) (1/94):
Chair: Bliss Teague
Mission Statement: “To establish and continue the National Model Aviation Museum for the collection and exhibition of the historic, scientific, technical, and artistic legacy of model aviation.”
Committee Members: Gary Bussell, John Hunton, John Marsh, Mary Raggio, Norm Rosenstock, Karen Vincent, Jim Wachter, Michael Smith
Museum Acquisition Committee:
Coordinator: Michael Smith
Mission Statement: “To review items that are either donated or to be purchased for the museum.”
Committee Members: Bob Abernathy, Scott Cheslik, Jack Frost, Dick Kennison, Rich LaGrange, Dave McDonald
Nats Management Committee (85):
Chair: Ron Morgan
Mission Statement: “The AMA National Aeromodeling Championships (Nats) is an annual organized competition for the promotion, development, and technical advancement of model aviation. The Nats provides a venue to encourage competition, recognize achievement, further education, promote fellowship, and pursue scientific development for all phases of model aviation.”
Committee Members: Charlie Bauer, Al Williamson, RC Manager; Wayne Yeager; RC Director; Brenda Schuette, Control Line Manager; Phil Sullivan, Free Flight Manager (includes indoor); Joe Vislay (as needed); SIG representatives
Nats Review Committee:
Chair: Bob Brown
Mission Statement: “Will provide input to the Executive Council and the Nats Committee pertaining to the future of the AMA national competition philosophy and structure.”
Nominations Committee:
Chair Mark Smith. Executive Vice President, District Vice Presidents.
Property Development Committee (PADCOM):
Chair: Bob Brown
Mission Statement: “To plan for and facilitate the construction and management of AMA property.”
Committee Members: Bliss Teague, Mark Fadley
Publications Committee:
Chair: Bill Oberdieck
Mission Statement: “To establish and monitor the national communications policy of the AMA.”
Committee Members: Bob Brown, Liz Helms
Safety Committee (C) (1/88):
Chair: Jim Rice
Mission Statement: “To review new techniques, ideas, and guidelines that would affect the safety of our sport/hobby.”
Committee Members: Don Lowe, Mike Brown, Dave Gee, Ron Morgan, Terry Nitsch, Walt Throne, broker representative, Ilona Maine
Scholarship Committee (C) (10/86):
Chair: Bob Underwood
Mission Statement: “To review applications received and prepare for the Executive Council recommendations on individuals to receive the monetary award from the various AMA scholarships.”
Committee Members: Charlie Bauer, Jane Morgan, Dr. Gordon Schimmel
Special Interest Groups Committee:
Chair: Tony Stillman
Mission Statement: “To evaluate special modeling groups applying for status as an official AMA Special Interest Group, as well as provide a communication conduit between the Executive Council and SIGs.”
Committee Members: Ron Van Putte, Derek Koopowitz, Rex Henson
IRCHA—International RC Helicopter Association
NSRCA—National Society of RC Aerobatics
MACA—Model Aircraft Combat Association
RCCA—Radio Control Combat Association
NASA—National Association of Scale Aeromodelers
IMAC—International Miniature Aerobatic Club
NFFS—National Free Flight Society
NCS—Navy Carrier Society
NCLRA—National CL Racing Association
PAMPA—Precision Aerobatics Model Pilots Association
LSF—League of Silent Flight
NMPRA—National Miniature Pylon Racing Association
In addition to the above committees, there are times when special or ad hoc committees are formed to review one particular situation or item. When the objective has been met, the committee is dissolved.