ARMS OFFICERS
There are three elected officers in ARMS, each serving a three-year term. These are the president,
vice-president, and secretary-treasurer. In addition there are several appointed national officers. They
include the 20-meter net manager, The BEAM editor and the tape editor. Section directors may be appointed
by the president or elected by members of their respective sections.
President
The president, Gerald Brunk, K4RBZ, is responsible for the overall operation of the
organization. He recruits the appointed officers as well as the section directors (see below), if necessary.
Gerry was elected president in June, 2003. He is a retired history professor at Eastern Mennonite University
in Harrisonburg, Virginia. In addition to his teaching duties at EMU, he served for two years as a representative
of the Mennonite Church in Cairo, Egypt during the 1970's. He and his wife, Shirley, continue to make their home
in Harrisonburg, in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.
President Emeritus
Charlie Cox, K7AQ, served as president of
ARMS for 24 years, almost half the time ARMS has existed. During
that time he endeared himself to ARMS members, and faithfully gave effective leadership to the organization.
In 2003, newly elected ARMS president Gerry Brunk, K4RBZ, wrote in the Fall 2003 edition of The Beam: "In
recognition of this term of service, and as in-coming president I hereby confer upon Charlie Cox, K7AQ, the title of
President Emeritus of the Amateur Radio Missionary Service, with all the rights, privileges and honor appertaining
thereunto. Thanks, Charlie, for all you have done for ARMS."
Vice-President
The vice-president, Mike Rafferty, K7PTL,
serves as a backup for the president as well as a general good-will
embassador for ARMS. Should the president be unable to continue in that capacity, the vice-president would
assume that responsibility. Mike was elected vice-president in June, 2003. Mike is a pilot with Continental
Airlines, operating out of Newark, New Jersey. Mike is one of the few people who is able to check into the
20-meter ARMS Net while on the job. Often he will check in from 30-some thousand feet as he wings his way
across the U.S. With an antenna that high he manages a pretty good signal. Mike and his wife, Mary, make
their home in Easton, Pennsylvania, just across the Delaware River from New Jersey.
Secretary-Treasurer
Secretary-treasurer Ora Gifford, KE7BF,
takes care of the membership applications and rolls as well as all
the financial aspects of ARMS. Ora is a retired metereologist, having spent 41+ years at the Hanford Nuclear
Site as a weather forecaster and computer manager. Ora and his wife, Connie, make their home in Grandview,
Washington, in the beautiful Yakama Valley where orchards abound. Ora's experience as a bookkeeper for their
son's orchards serves him well as he brings a real professional touch to his position in ARMS.
20-meter Net Manager
The ARMS net manager is responsible for seeing that the 20-meter ARMS Net operates smoothly and efficiently.
He recruits net control stations, and is generally available during the operation of the net, providing relays
to those unable to hear the net control station. Our current net manager is Boyce Guffey, K5VSP.
Before his retirement, Boyce ran a radio/TV shop for many years. He and his wife, Thelma Lou, live in Cash Arkansas.
The Beam Editor
The Beam editor, Chuck Winter, N7AAG,
is responsible for the publications of ARMS. Primary is the production and mailing of The Beam, the official
newsletter of the organization. He maintains a mailing roster of the members and is responsible for publishing
the ARMS Directory every two years. He also keeps track of members' e-mail addresses. Chuck and his wife, Marilyn,
live in Sunnyside, Washington, where he serves as Associate Pastor of Senior Adult Ministries at Grace Brethren
Church.
Tape Editor
The tape editor, Denis Parker, WD4ACH, tape records the text of The Beam when it is published and sends the
tapes to several of our members who are blind. Denis is also director for the Southeast Section of ARMS.
Denis and his wife, Andra, KD4CLF, live in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Section Directors
Eastern Section - Larry Hodge, W2PT, Conklin, New York
Central Section - Vacant
Southeast Section - Denis Parker, WD4ACH, Knoxville, Tennessee
Midwest Section - Arnie Kopischke, WAØDFT, Mankato, Minnesota
South Central Section - Duane Stradley, KM5O, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Rocky Mountain Section - Geno McGahay, AL7GQ, Thornton, Colorado
Northwest Section - Bob Hambly, WA7BYD, Grants Pass, Oregon
Southwest Section - Charlie Cox, K7AQ, Glendale, Arizona
Canada Section - Jim McAuley, VE4ID, Brandon, Manatoba
In addition to these directors, some of the sections have additional officers who take care
of various section activities.
Webmaster
The webmaster is not a net officer. His or her responsibility, however, is to design and maintain the ARMS
Web site, and to assure the integrity of its content. Dale Holloway,
K4EQ, a pastor in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and former missionary in Honduras, is the current webmaster. In case
there's any doubt, Dale is the one on the far right. I befriended Tonilo on one of my medical missions trips to
Honduras.
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