I joined the BMW MOA in the early 70's and attended my first MOA National Rally was Colorado Springs in 1977. I seem to remember something about camping on cactus. I still have the R75/5 I rode there (and eventually took on my first Honeymoon), but it has some more stable mates now: an R100RS, two K75s (standard & S), a K100RT, and a K1. I enjoy and ride them all in a mix of commuting, day rides, and long distance touring. I'll take whatever I can get...

In the interim years I developed a career as a technology manager for a national business services company, helped start the Idaho BMW club, (Bavarian Mountain West MOA #50), and served several terms as Newsletter Editor. I've also been involved in legislative and regulatory issues involving motorcycles on the state level.

During the same time I've seen the BMW MOA grow far beyond what must have been the wildest dreams of the founders. Motorcycling in the United States has had good and bad times, and now enjoys it's greatest popularity ever. This growth provides both challenges and opportunities to organizations like the BMW MOA. Our family of BMW riders is more diverse in backgrounds, experience, philosophies, and expectations than ever before. The challenge before us, both as individuals and as an organization, is to keep our eye on the ball of common values and the joy of riding BMWs. Further, we must not forget how we are a part of the larger motorcycling community, and while co-existing with the larger non-riding public we still must do our part to protect and promote our sport and our rights.

We have a great organization in the BMW MOA, with an excellent balance between efficiency and informality, with the feel and intimacy of a local club even as our membership grows toward 40,000! The Board of Directors shoulders the responsibility to provide the larger framework the Club must have to take it into a future filled with growth and challenges. But, it is the individual members who pay dues, attend events, and volunteer for thousands of unsung jobs who make us what we are, and for which the BMW MOA exists. The Board will do it's best to represent you, but don't ever be shy about giving us your feedback and suggestions.

I was first introduced to BMW motorcycles in 1994, the same year I met my husband, Chris. After being a passenger for a year, I decided I wanted to ride myself and I got my license in 1995. The following summer I took my first solo trip, on a 1975 R90/6, logging 2600 miles in five days.

Although I was already a member, my first true introduction to the MOA came as a result of a chance encounter with Larry Stonestreet at the Chief Joseph Rally in Oregon. I spent a little more than a year convincing him and the Board that Spokane would make a great rally location. That ultimately led to being the rally chair. Talk about jumping in with both feet! At that time I had only attended one National (Missoula, '98). But it was a wonderful experience and made me appreciate this great organization even more. I have made many new friends being a part of the MOA and truly value those relationships.

Today I ride a K75 and while real life restricts the amount of time I get to spend in the saddle, my love of the ride does not waiver. While a grand tour doesn't quite fit into my schedule at the moment, I have to satisfy myself with trips to the National, a few regional rallies and a couple of weekend get-aways every year. Some day I hope to travel cross-country at my leisure.

I live in Washington State with my husband and the youngest two of my four children. I earn a living as a loan specialist for a mortgage company. I am an Ambassador and serve as a member of the Rally Site Selection Committee. Aside from my involvement with the MOA, I am Vice President of our local club, an active member of the National Ski Patrol, a certified ski instructor, a 4-H leader and I work with the local Blood Center on their annual fundraiser.

I am very excited to be on the Board and look forward to the next three years as we work toward achieving the goals set forth in the Strategic Plan.

I was introduced to motorcycles as a child when my uncle gave me rides around the area. Although he had many motorcycles over time, it was his wife who had the BMW. When I was about 15, he let me drive his Cushman motor scooter around the tobacco fields, and about 25 years later I rode pillion on a couple friends' BMWs. I got my license in 1999, started riding my own bike in early 2000, and I have my eye on an upcoming 100,000 Mile Award on my two BMW F650s - hopefully this year. I often ride solo, including trips to Ontario, Nova Scotia and the Blue Ridge Parkway, sometimes camping along the way. These past years have been some of the best years of my life to date.

I moved to White River Junction, Vermont in 1978, after 18 years traveling the country as an Army wife. Much of my life has been lived backwards - motherhood preceded undergraduate and graduate degrees. I work in software sales and am now approaching retirement. I have been active in both the military and civilian communities for years.

Since joining the BMW MOA seven years ago, I've attended National rallies in Trenton, Charleston, Lima, Vermont and West Bend. I spent many hours volunteering in setup, registration, 50/50, and even took a turn at bike judging. I was Publicity Chair for the MOA International Rally in Vermont, submitting numerous articles and photographs for the January through July issues of Owners News, and preparing numerous route sheets and descriptions for day rides from the MOA rally in Vermont. I contributed additional articles to ON before and after the rally.

Active in BMW Motorcycles Owners of Vermont #115 since 2000, I volunteered for Newsletter Editor in late 2001, a job I still hold. I served four years as Secretary and am now serving my second term as President. I have co-chaired the Green Mountain Rally for four years and co-chaired Vermont's Puppy Dog Ride. I am a member and past Director of the Yankee Beemers and belong to the BMW Riders of Southern Maine, the Chain Gang, and the AMA.

These next three years will be exciting, and I look forward to contributing more to the MOA.

Tom “Bullit” Buttars is known by many as the Beer Garden Co-Chair, but he is a lot more than that. Tom recently retired as Associate Professor of Accounting at the University of South Dakota. He has a BA in Zoology, a BBA in Accounting, has passed the CPA exam, earned an MBA, and capped his education with a PhD in Business Accounting.

As a motorcyclist, Tom has been riding since his early 20’s and joined the BMW MOA in 1989. He still has the 1978 R100RS he’s ridden 110,000 miles since buying it in 1989. He rode a 1991 K100RS for over 132,000 miles, and currently rides a 2001 RED(!) R1100RSA with over 72,000 miles on the clock. He figures he’s accumulated over 300,000 BMW miles – so far. He’s been active in local clubs, and is the current President of the Big Sioux Riders (#308). As a BMW MOA volunteer, Tom has worked in several different functions since 1990, but took on Beer Garden duties in 1995, and since 2003 has served as Co-Chair. Not surprisingly, Tom’s work for the organization resulted in him being nominated as a BMW MOA Ambassador.

Lastly, Vince says he's a great guy.

Like you, I'm a BMW motorcycle enthusiast. I was on the back of a Beemer when I was 15, my first boyfriend had an R65. I wish someone had mentioned to me back then that I could be riding the darn thing! It took a couple of decades for me to figure that one out. I've been riding since 1999. My activity with MOA started with the inception of the online forum. For an introvert like me, it was a great way to get meet kindred spirits. In 2004 I rode clear across the country to attend the rally in Spokane, WA. That trip solidified for me my desire to travel and explore this great country via motorcycle.

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