OHV PROGRAM MANAGERS AND NOHVCC CONFERENCE PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS

Over 150 registered attendees enjoy seminars, training programs, and awards

Friday nights welcome dinner found the OHV Program Managers and the NOHVCC group all under one roof. Thirty three states were represented by NOHVCC reps and associates.

The first six inductees into the NOHVCC Hall of Fame were given plaques on Saturday night. The award is given to the folks who have been involved in the organization the longest and will continue to be given in the coming years. (Left to right) Jim Pilon, Paul Slavik , Steve Gunderson and Tom Crimmins. Not in attendance was Bill Chapin and Ron Morganthaler.

The folks who were involved in the formation of Minooka OHV Park gave a fine presentation on the details of the project. The group above includes architect Bobby Bledsoe, contractor/builder Gene Martin, Glenda Strength from the Chilton County Commissioners, and Brooke Beazly and Glenn Meyers from the Cheaha Trail Riders.

Some more of the group who helped form Minooka Park receive accolades for their excellent work.

NOHVCC Senior Project Coordinator Dana Bell is well-known for keeping everyone and everything organized during the NOHVCC workshops throughout the year. For this she was made to parade around in a Little Bo Peep outfit. Some recognition, huh?

The NOHVCC Auction raised over $5200 for the distribution of the new Adventure Trail CD-Roms. Some of the items were donated by NOHVCC folks as well as generous corporate donations from Tucker Rocky, Kolpin, Troy Lee Designs, K&N Filters, Leovinci pipes, Honda, Arctic Cat, and Polaris.

An additional $1000 was raised for this unique quilt that was bought by Nevada's Ron Loomis last year as a charity item for a cancer victim. Loomis donated the quilt back as a fundraiser for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and promptly bought it back again. The patterns on the quilt are cut from OHV-oriented T-shirts.

Carol Smith and Bobby Beamer from the Texas Motorized Trail Coalition (TMTC)were honored for their work in the development of a new OHV park on private lands. The TMTC was awarded the NOHVCC Association of the Year. Executive Director of NOHVCC Russ Ehnes (middle) was the presenter.

Bill Kaeppner (OH) (left) and Harold Soens (CA) both received the Never, Never, Never Quitting Award for their extra hard work as OHV activists during the past year. Alex Bub (WI) was also a recipient of the award. Sadly, Harold suddenly passed away at his home in California just days after receiving his award.

Colorado resident Jim Cooper was awarded with the NOHVCC Land Manager of the Year 2005 along with Rick Schuler of Wyoming. Jim was instrumental in increasing Colorado's riding opportunities considerably during the past year while Schuler developed a very sharp youth OHV education display and program based on the NOHVCC Adventure Trail concept.

Richard Goudarzi (NH) shows off his NOHVCC State Representative of the Year Award which was given for his tireless efforts in the Granite State. In the past year, a new OHV park was established and opened in New Hampshire with the help of Richard.

Over five years ago NOHVCC President Dan Kleen attended an AMA Eagles Training Course given by Terry Lee Cook (left). The course was designed to give OHV folks the lowdown on how to become more politically active in their area, and at the conclusion of the course attendees vowed to accomplish a specific goal when they got home. They received one-half of an Eagle patch when they completed the course and would get the other half when they attained their goal. Even though it took a while, Dan stuck in there and finally achieved his goal of getting all the motorized user groups in his state together in one organization. On March 16 of this year, the Iowa Motorcycle Dealers Association, Iowa State Snowmobile Association, Iowa OHV Association, ABATE of Iowa, Iowa Enduro Riders Association, and the Iowa ATV Hare Scramble Series met as one for the first time under the banner of the Iowa Motorsports Coalition. Dan got the second half of his patch from Terry.

Brian Sears (NC) enjoyed his last session with the NOHVCC Board of Directors as he announced his resignation at the end of the conference to devote more time to touring on his motorcycle with his wife. Brian was a great guy to have on board and we'll miss his participation in the NOHVCC executive proceedings. Above he enjoys a look at the secret backroom area of the Barber Vintage Museum.

The two newest members of the NOHVCC Board of Directors enjoy a laugh just before departure on Sunday. Bill Kaeppner (OH) was elected to replace outgoing At-Large member Brian Sears (NC), while Tom Umphress (MN) was elected to the position of Secretary. Steve Gunderson (ID), who had been serving as BOD Secretary for several years now, has now taken the position of Treasurer. The NOHVCC Board gets together twice a year with the next meeting taking place in Pennsylvania this September.

NOHVCC Executive Director Russ Ehnes (right) received a surprise award from the Board of Directors for his work since taking that position in 1998. The plaque reads "To Russ Ehnes With Thanks From the NOHVCC for Your Outstanding Vision for the Organization". Many significant changes have occurred since Ehnes took the reigns, to the point where the NOHVCC is now a much respected and very influential organization within the OHV industry, much of which is attributed to Ehnes' focus and vision.

Saturday afternoon was devoted to "Team Time" for the NOHVCC Representatives and Associates (the name for the second state member has been changed from Alternate to Associate). The Network Development, Education, Youth, Resource and External Relations Teams met to set the agenda for the NOHVCC for the next year and reported their plans and suggestions to the rest of the group on Sunday morning.

Bet you didn't know that Saturday, March 25 2006 was National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council Day in Alabama, did you? Zoa White, Special Projects Coordinator for the Alabama Department and Economic and Community Affairs, Recreation Trails, delivers the document signed by the Governor proclaiming just that to NOHVCC President Dan Kleen.

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