2018 Campaign Statements
Note: Candidate statements reflect the opinion of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Academy of Model Aeronautics. Candidate statements are published word-for-word as submitted by the candidate and are not edited by the Academy of Model Aeronautics’ staff for grammar, punctuation, or spelling. The Academy of Model Aeronautics reserves the right to remove any portion of any statement which it determines, in its sole discretion, may contain potentially defamatory remarks.
District II Vice President
Eric Williams (Incumbent)
Schenectady NY
Visit: https://www.facebook.com/EricWilliamsAMA
Email: rcpilot@nycap.rr.com
It has been my privilege to serve as AMA Vice President for District II, representing New Jersey, New York and Europe. I ask for your vote to continue to represent you and your fellow modelers.
AMA shall always be an organization of and for its members. As your Vice President, I have worked on numerous AMA committees including the Bylaws Committee, the Leader Member Committee, the Advanced Flight Systems Committee, and the Executive Director Review Committee. It has also been my privilege to serve as Chairman of the Nominations Committee, the National Model Aviation Museum, the Marketing Committee, and the Legislation and Regulation Review Committee.
Improving AMA programs and services must be a continuous effort. My Executive Council proposals have resulted in improvements for AMA’s Flying Site Assistance program, the Take-off And Grow (TAG) program, and for AMA’s competition rules. My proposals have also led to both greater assistance to clubs during natural disasters and increasing AMA’s help in funding club flying site safety equipment. I will always seek new and better ways to help members.
We must vigilantly protect our hobby from government regulation. I have visited Congress in Washington, DC and worked with the FAA on behalf of modelers. I represent model aviation before numerous federal, state, county, and municipal officials on a regular basis. I will always defend your right to fly.
The interests of AMA members is my first priority. I travel throughout the District regularly, visiting events, supporting clubs, and listening to you, the AMA members. I look forward to seeing more of you and working by your side.
Thank you, and thanks for being an involved AMA member.
District IV
Jay Marsh (Incumbent)
High Point NC
Has it been three years since the last District IV election? It has been a term marked with many successes, a few failures, and sometimes very trying times. With many things still as work-in-progress I hope you have seen and benefitted from some of the accomplishments made and above all had lots of fun enjoying our hobby.
The District Associate Vice Presidents have doubled to 12 since taking office and I have made sure we all have been getting out to your clubs and events—to be with you, our members. We have an awesome presence on the internet with our Facebook page growing faster than others and a Website that contains a lot of information chocked full of up to date news and info. Go see what you have been missing at www.facebook.com/amadistrictiv and www.amadistrict-iv.org.
The number of clubs and fields has remained consistent, adding some but unfortunately losing some primarily due to changes in ownership of landowners. I would like to see that grow and increase the number of chartered chapters, clubs banding together for a common cause, as well as grow our events.
One of the most trying times has been inside the Washington DC, Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA). I want to thank all of the clubs and members inside the SFRA and the surrounding areas for the cooperation and compliance with the special rules.
Most members know me as a lifelong AMA member so I won’t elaborate. These days, I don’t get to fly much at all but enjoy seeing everyone at fly-ins and still have some time for building scale models.
I appreciate the opportunity you have given me to serve you all but there are many items still left to be accomplished. I will continue to work for you with my full time, best representation and service. Please show your support by voting for me as your District IV Vice President for a second term.
District VI Vice President
Gary Himes (Incumbent)
Kansas City MO
I was honored to have been appointed to fulfill the last year of Randy Cameron’s term as District VI Vice President! Now, with your blessing and your vote, I am ready to serve as District VI Vice President for a full term.
I started modeling at age 10, flying .049 size control line aircraft. At a young age I assembled tons of plastic models before becoming interested in building the Guillows and Comet kits being manufactured at the time. I have remained primarily a Sport Flyer, and have flown everything from indoor foamies to giant scale aircraft. I belong to multiple clubs and have been active in my primary club for more than 30 years, holding every available office.
I feel that the largest problem currently facing the AMA is the increasing government regulation being forced upon model aircraft and modeling hobyists. We must continue to keep a strong presence and voice in Washington, DC in order to achieve our goal. While the AMA has always fought for the modeling public, we as members are not always aware of its efforts to keep us flying. Therefore, some members believe the AMA is sitting on its hands doing nothing, and this simply is not the case!
We need to continue embracing new technologies as they evolve. This should get the attention of our younger people and pull them into the hobby! We need to make all members aware of the existing programs to help get model aviation into our schools, thus encouraging even more young people to fly.
With your vote, I will do my best to make this “Your AMA!”
District VIII
Lawrence Harville (Incumbent)
Hurst TX
I am Lawrence Harville from Hurst, Texas. I am running for re-election for District 8 Vice President. You probably know me by now, I’m going to make this quick and simple—If you like what I have been doing for the past three years—vote for me. Don’t just sit there and let someone else pick who represents you in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. Fill out that ballot.
I have traveled all over our District and you guys are having a great time in our hobby. I have tried to represent what you want—ask the questions you want ask—and been to as many places as possible. Thank goodness we have Google Maps, because some of our airfields are very hard to find. I was in Arkansas trying to get to an event and took a lot of turns on a gravel road and I just knew I was lost—till I was met with 6 police cars searching the area for an escapee—The police passed me through and told me where the airfield was. So glad the escapee was not and AMA member! The event was a great success and worth the escort.
There are troubled times approaching and we need a strong AMA, I have done my best to represent District VIII as you have told me on my outings and meetings. We don’t always agree but we are in the 99% range. I try to explain what is going on in AMA, It is most important that we keep talking and advocating for what is best for all of us.
I said three years ago, “I will do my best to represent you and be your “go to” guy in the AMA and keep you involved and informed with the actions and decision that affect District VIII.” I don’t have all the answers, but there is a lot of expertise in our District and in AMA. I have never been shy about asking questions and getting answers.
I think I have fulfilled that pledge and am asking you to vote for me. Yes—You get up mail in that ballot—now go vote.
District X
Greg Stone
Laguna Nigel CA
I’m Greg Stone from Southern California and I’m asking for your vote for District X Vice President. I pledge to visit and bring awareness to clubs and club events as I have for the past few years as a District X AMA Associate VP. I enjoy meeting our members and participating in all types of events.
I want to raise visibility across the district about our clubs, events, and fun fly’s as well as AMA resources. I want to establish a district website for everyone to share about events and happenings at their fields as well as further representation in Model Aviation. I want to establish an open communication channel for all members. I will also work to build effective working and personal relationships with the AMA’s professional staff and other District Vice Presidents. As your District X VP, I will communicate the issues and concerns of our District to the Executive Council and ensure our voices are heard on national matters.
I have been flying radio control for over 40 years and have been involved with many clubs as both a member and club leader. I started in control line and model rocketry and since then have been involved across all aspects of R/C. I have also been active in supporting various educational STEM programs from Science Olympiad to collegiate design, build, fly competitions. Participating in these events has given me the chance to visit flying fields and members in other District X states. I’m committed to ensuring future generations will be able to enjoy modeling as we do today.
Lawrence Tougas (Incumbent)
Fairfield CA
Elect Lawrence Tougas AMA District X Vice President
It has been an honor to serve as your District VP for the last eight years. I have enjoyed meeting the many varied, devoted and wonderful modelers from D10.
I am proud of the job I have done since being elected. I recently updated and remodeled our District website, and will continue to use the power of social media to bring you news from the local and national level.
I have always wanted to have a District X Fly-In. This year we will have one in Las Vegas October 26-28. I hope you can attend we’ll have 3 full days of flying and socializing it will be a great benefit to District X modelers.
Choosing a representative for the District is an important decision. There are troubling issues facing the AMA. The FAA continues to come up with misguided, “one size fits all” restrictions that threaten the sport that we love so much. The FAA’s tactics are not new to me; I have spent 27 years working as an Engineer with a major U.S. airline and have dealt with the FAA many times. I will continue to fight on your behalf to ensure that our membership is free to pursue modeling safely and freely.
As has been the case throughout my term, my top priority will remain traveling the District and visiting as many of our clubs as possible to understand how I can support you. Vote for me and I will continue to speak up and protect your rights as a modeler.
Please follow my campaign at, www.tougas4president.com
Sincerely,
Lawrence Tougas
AMA 232
P.S. Please elect Lawrence Tougas for AMA District X Vice President