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Protecting
Your Rights In Our Nation's Capital!
Officers,
Directors & Employees
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is very proud of its
team of Officers, Directors and Employees. Their combined
experience in motorcyclists' rights adds up to centuries
of hard work and dedication from coast to coast across
the United States. Together with the MRF membership and
supporting motorcyclists' rights organizations, they have
been very successful in fighting for our rights and freedoms
for many years. They are all listed below, linked to their
individual biographies. Please take a few minutes to scroll
down the page to get to know this very diverse group and
learn more about their roles in our organization.
President - Kirk "Hardtail" Willard
Vice President - Jay Jackson
Government Relations & Public Affairs - Jeff
Hennie
Secretary - Paulette Korte
Treasurer - Frank Carbone
Asst. Treasurer - Chuc Coulter
Webmaster - Michael McGuire
Director of Communications and Information - Eric
Hampton
Conference Director - Carol Downs
Director of Member Relations - John Pierce
Assistant to the Director of Member Relations - Sarah
Muckenhoupt
Assistant to Director of Member Relations - Polly
Schoeller
Assistant to the Board for Product and Procurement - Helen
Wesson
Assistant to the Board for Marketing - Miles
France
Assistant to the Director of Events and Conferences -
Mary Berger
Director of Motorcycle Safety - Jay
Jackson
Director of State Representative Program - Todd
Riba
Assistant to the State Representative
Program Director - Dave Condon
Member Representative Board Member - Cindy
Hodges
Member Representative Board Member - Wayne
Wierson
State Representative Board Member -
Graydon Wheeler
State Representative Board Member - Jim
"Legs" Korte
Supporting SMRO Board Member - Dave Dwyer
Supporting SMRO Board Member - Larry
Nielson
MRFPac Director - Steve Zimmer
Editor of MRF Reports - Eric Hampton
Editorial Assistant - Mike Berger
Office Manager - Tiffany
Latimer
Ex-Officio Board Member - Mark Buckner
Ex-Officio Board Member - Deborah Butitta
Ex-Officio Board Member - Chuc
Coulter
President Emeritus - Nathan "Buck"
Kittredge
Sustaining Member Motorcycle Club Representative - "Still
Ray" Fitzgerald
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Kirk
"Hardtail" Willard - President |
Wisconsin
email: kirk@mrf.org
phone: 715-204-0799 |
Photo © Ken Olash
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Responsibilities:
The President of the MRF Board is the chief executive officer
of the corporation. Presides over all meetings of the Board
of Directors, and subject to the approval of the Board of
Directors, directs the policies and management of the corporation.
Prepares an annual report on the work of the MRF that is
presented at the annual meeting. The President discharges
all the duties inherent to a presiding officer. Ensures
that all books, reports and certificates as required are
appropriately kept on file, and appoints all committees,
temporary or permanent. Sets the agenda, meeting place,
date and time of all Board of Directors meetings unless
a special meeting is called by the membership of the Board. |
Jay
Jackson - Vice President
Executive Director for ABATE of Indiana. He was recently
inducted into the Sturgis Museum Freedom Fighters'
Hall of Fame (2009). |
Indiana
email: jay@mrf.org
phone: 765-426-0048
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Photo © Susan
Buck |
| Responsibilities:
The Vice President serves in the role of the President
in the President's absence at a meeting or if the
office of the President becomes vacant. In the case
of vacancy in the office of the President, the Vice
President shall serve as President until the next
regularly scheduled meeting or until a successor is
elected. |
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Dave Condon -
Asst. to the State Reps Program Director |
Massachusetts
email:davec@mrf.org |
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| Responsibilities:
I have been involved in motorcyclist's rights since 2000. I
started with ABATE of Massachusetts as their Essex County
Representative and then became the Executive Director of ABATE
and Chairman of ABATE of MA PAC before ABATE'S merger with the
MMA in 2002. Since becoming involved with the MMA, I
have served as the Essex County Representative, District One
Representative, District One Manager and was just elected as
the Chairman or the Board. I am also the Assistant State
Representative of Massachusetts for the Motorcycle Riders
Foundation |
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Graydon Wheeler - Member Representative |
Wyoming
phone: 307-575-0011
e-mail:
grayman61@mrf.org |
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| Responsibilities:
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Jeff
Hennie - Government Relations & Public Affairs |
Washington,
DC
email: jeff@mrf.org
phone: 202-546-0983
fax: 202-546-0986
cell: 202-725-5471 |
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Responsibilities:
The Vice President of Government Relations serves as the MRF's
employed lobbyist, working on behalf of and in the interests
of the MRF. He is responsible to inform and coordinate action
with regard to legislation, executive action or judicial decisions
affecting motorcyclists on the state and national levels.
He serves as a liaison with the SMROs with respect to political
or technical advisors and speakers available through the MRF.
In addition, he coordinates with the Director of Communications
an informational flow to ensure timely press releases, brochures
and proper political content of all MRF publications. To ensure
consistent and professional standards, he coordinates all
legislative matters for the MRF. |
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Paulette
Korte-
Secretary
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Illinois
email: paulette@mrf.org
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Experience
and Qualifications:
Member of ABATE of IL, Inc., Currently
the State Secretary.
Postions held in the past for ABATE
of IL, Inc.: Safety & Education Coordinator
for 6 years.Was the Assistant to Safety & Education
for a year and a half before that. At the chapter
level held these offices: Safety & Education,
Treasurer, Secretary, Newsletter
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Frank Carbone - Treasurer |
Pennsylvania
email:
frank@mrf.org
phone:
412-760-7108
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Chuc
Coulter - Asst. Treasurer, Ex-Officio Board Member |
Idaho
email: chuc@mrf.org
phone: 208-343-7452
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Photo © Susan Buck |
Experience
and Qualifications: Assist the Treasurer in
maintaining a correct and complete record of the
MRF's accounts, showing at all times the financial
condition of the Corporation. |
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Carol
Downs - Conference Director |
Colorado
email: downs@mrf.org
phone: 303-204-6939
720.748.0743 fax |
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Experience
and Qualifications: Past Positions with ABATE of CO:
Products Manager, District 8 Toy Run Coordinator, Southwest
Regional Director, State Treasurer |
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John
Pierce - Director of Member Relations |
Tennessee
email: john@mrf.org
phone: 901-409-7170 |
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| Experience
and Qualifications: I belonged to ABATE of Kansas back
in the federal blackmail days. In 1989, I moved to Tennessee
and joined CMT/ABATE in 1997. I became the director of the
Memphis Charter in 2001 and still hold that position. I
was elected as Legislative Chairman of CMT/ABATE in late
2004. In 2005, we were successful with 7 pieces of legislation
and a $15,000 grant from the Tennessee Dept. of Safety to
be used by us to promote motorcycle awareness. We were honored
with the MRFs State Legislative Award at the 2005 Meeting
of the Minds. I joined the MRF in 2003 and became the designated
Representative for Tennessee that year. |
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Sarah
Muckenhoupt - Assistant
to the Director of Member Relations
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D.C.
email: sarah@mrf.org
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| Experience
and Qualifications:
I managed the DC office for 2.5 years beginning
in 2005. When moving on in another position in my
field. I offered to stay involved with the MRF as
a volunteer Assistant to the Director of Member
Relations. |
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Polly
Schoeller - Assistant to the Director of Member Relations |
Iowa
email: polly@mrf.org
phone: 515-223-2832
cell: 515-249-5786 |
Photo © Susan Buck
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| Experience
and Qualifications: Since the age of 13, I've been involved
as a volunteer, "championing" several good causes. I started
volunteering with the hospital, stuffing envelopes (a skill
I still use today!). I then spent ten years working with
the Junior League and nine more years with the National
Ski Patrol. I became active in motorcyclists' rights in
1997 when I bought my first bike and joined ABATE of Iowa
and the MRF. As a member of ABATE of Iowa, I have served
as a Share the Road Instructor since 2000, promoting motorcycle
safety and awareness to non-riders. After I spent a year
actively recruiting new members for the MRF, Buck Kittredge
asked me if I would consider taking over the position of
MRF Membership Director. Low and behold, I was "Bucked"
and "Bucknered" all in the same year! Since that time, I
have been actively involved in increasing the MRF membership
numbers, and have served as the MRF Representative for District
4 ABATE of Iowa for two years. I am also a member of ABATE
of Colorado. |
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Helen
Wesson -
Assistant to the Board for Product and
Procurement |
Arkansas
usa@seark.net |
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The Assistant to the Board for Product and Procurement
is responsible for all products to be sold by the MRF.
She is responsible for soliciting and procuring bids
for products to ensure an open and competitive bidding
process for all purchases by the MRF. In addition, she
organizes and coordinates with other members of the
Board of Directors the activities of the MRF as they
relate to product sales and development
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Miles
France - Assistant to the Board for Marketing |
| Colorado
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Jay
Jackson - Director of Motorcycle Safety
Executive Director for ABATE of Illinois. He was recently
inducted into the Sturgis Museum Freedom Fighters'
Hall of Fame (2009). |
Indiana
email: jay@mrf.org
phone: 765-426-0048
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Photo © Susan Buck |
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Cindy
"Fre" Hodges -
Member Representative Board Member |
North
Carolina
email: cindy@mrf.org
919-630-8886 |
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Experience
and Qualifications:
Past positions held since 1979 - CBA/ABATE of NC Chapter Secretary,
Charlotte Chapter, CBA/ABATE of NC State Secretary, CBA/ABATE
of NC Chapter Legislative Coordinator - Charlotte Chapter,
Raleigh Chapter, CBA/ABATE of NC State Legislative Director.
Current: CBA/ABATE of NC, Director Emeritus, Member Legislative
Work Party of NC, State MRF Rep for NC. |
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Todd
Riba - Director
of State Representative Program |
Minnesota
MN MRF Representative
ABATE of MN Legislative Director
toddriba@comcast.net
952-239-0929 |
Photo © Ken Olash
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Experience
and Qualifications:
I am currently the Legislative Director for A.B.A.T.E.
of MN and the MRF State Rep for MN, I am a former
A.B.A.T.E. of MN Lake Chapter President and Sergeant
at Arms. I have served on the A.B.A.T.E. of MN Roadnoise
Committee (state news letter) and I am also a member
of the St. Croix Valley Riders. |
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Steve
Zimmer - MRFPAC Director |
Ohio
email: steve@mrf.org
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Experience
and Qualifications:
Past and current positions:
ABATE of Ohio, Inc.- Executive Director, Chairman
ABATE PAC.
Freedom of Road Riders, Inc.- State Legislative
Coordinator, State Newsletter Editor, Central Committee
Rep, Local #4 Vice President, Local Safety Officer.
MRF- Vice President of Government Relations, State
Sustaining Motorcyclist Rights Organization Representative,
MRFPAC Chairman, State Representative
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Dave
Dwyer - Supporting State Motorcyclists' Rights Organizations
(SMRO) Board Member |
Wisconsin
email: dad@mrf.org
phone: 608-742-0144
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| I have
been a member of ABATE of Wisconsin since 1990.
I joined ABATE’s Legislative Committee at
the same time. I have been chairman of that committee
since 1991. In 2002 I was elected to the Board of
Directors for ABATE of Wisconsin and have been re-elected
every two years since.
I have held the position of Sustaining
State Motorcyclist Rights Organization (SSMRO) Rep
on the MRF BOD since September 19, 2003.
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Mary
Berger
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Assistant to the Director of Events and Conferences
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Minnesota
email: mary@mrf.org
phone: 952-334-6424
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Responsibilities:
The Assistant to the Director of Events and Conferences
assists with the coordination of all events and conferences
sponsored by the MRF. |
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Michael McGuire |
Hawaii
email: Webmaster@mrf.org
phone: 808-344-2600
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Experience
and Qualifications: Webmaster
for Street Bikers United Hawaii and Maui. |
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Eric
Hampton - Director of Communications, Editor of the
MRF Reports |
Arizona
email: editor@mrf.org
phone: 602-367-9524
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| Experience
and Qualifications: Editor of ABATE of Arizona's
monthly publication 'The Masterlink' since October
2004, ABATE of Arizona State Communications Officer. |
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Tiffany
Latimer
- Office Manager
Assistant
to the Director of Communications - PR
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Washington
D.C.
email: mrfoffice@mrf.org
phone: 202-546-0983
fax: 202-546-0986
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| Responsibilities:
The MRF Office Manager handles all office procedures,
records all accounts receivable and payable, processes
MRF memberships and conference registrations, and
maintains the MRF's database and records in the MRF
Office in Washington, DC. |
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Mark
Buckner - Ex-Officio Board Member |
Colorado
email: buckner@mrf.org
phone: 303-833-3195 |
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MRF
Board Position Previously Held: MRF President, 1994-2000
Experience
and Qualifications: I have been actively involved in bikers'
rights since 1987. I served as State Coordinator for ABATE
of Colorado from 1991 to 1994, and currently serve as Executive
Director of BIKEPAC of Colorado. |
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Ex-Officio Board Member Deborah
Butitta |
Arizona
email: deb@mrf.org
phone: 928-308-1117
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President
Emeritus - Buck Kittredge |
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| Buck
Kittredge began his service on the Motorcycle Riders Foundation
Board of Directors as Supporting State Motorcyclists' Rights
Organization Board Member in 1995. Buck then served two
years as Vice President before taking over as MRF President
at the Meeting of the Minds in Lansing, Michigan in September
of 2002. Buck's life was tragically and unexpectedly taken
on April 20, 2003 in a single-vehicle motorcycle accident
less than 10 miles from his home in Wisconsin. The exact
cause of the accident remains unknown. Buck was 56 years
old and leaves behind his beloved wife Carolyn and his two
sons Jesse and Travis, as well as a worldwide family of
motorcyclists' rights activists with whom he had served
for many years.
Since
1966, Buck had ridden his various motorcycles through 49 states
from his home base in Wisconsin. He first became involved
with motorcyclists' rights when he became a life member of
the American Motorcyclist Association. He was heavily involved
with ABATE of Wisconsin starting in 1985, served as Executive
Director of ABATE of Wisconsin from 1994-2000, and was well
known for his lobbying efforts for motorcyclists' rights and
safety in Washington DC beginning in 1991.
Buck's
family was awarded a plaque at the 2003 Meeting of the Minds
in Green Bay, Wisconsin commemorating his years of service
to the Motorcycle Riders Foundation and naming him "President
Emeritus" of the MRF. |
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Members
Representative - Wayne Wierson |
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Iowa
email wayne@mrf.org
Home: 515-232-4104
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Wayne
Wierson is the Share The Road Coordinator for ABATE
of Iowa; he has been presenting the Share The Road
program since 2002.
In 2006 Wayne was a speaker at the National Transportation
Safety Board two-day forum on Motorcycle Safety held
in Washington DC.
Wayne was invited to become a permanent part of Slider
Gilmore’s Two Wheel Trauma faculty in 2005.
In addition to being the Share The Road Coordinator,
Wayne also serves on ABATE of Iowa’s Legislative
Committee.
He is a member of the Motorcycle Safety Taskforce
sponsored by the Iowa Governors Traffic Safety Bureau. |
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Supporting
SMRO Board Member - Larry Nielson |
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South
Dakota
email: larry@mrf.org
Home:
605-596-4339
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I have been a member of ABATE of South Dakota since
1994. I have served on the State Board of Directors
as my Chapter Representative. In 2003 I was appointed
to be the lead of our legislative committee. That
position subsequently became an elected state office
that I have held, and serve on to date, as Legislative
Officer for ABATE of South Dakota.
I joined the MRF BOD as one of the two Sustaining
State’s Motorcycle Rights Organization Representative
(SSMRO Rep) positions in January 2010.
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State
Representative Board Member - Jim "Legs" Korte |
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Illinois
Home: 618-973-9180
email: legs@mrf.org |
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State Coordinator
ABATE of Illinois 2005 to 2009
Assistant State Coordinator ABATE of Illinois 1998
to 2000 and 2004 to 2005
Southwest Region Coordinator ABATE of Illinois 1996
to 1998 and 2000 to 2004.
Founding member of ABATE of Illinois FED/PAC. Trustee
from 1995 until 2003
Re-appointed to FED/PAC December 2009.
Founding member ABATE for MO.
Founding member Illinois Off-Highway Vehicle Association.
MRF State Rep since 2005.
President of the Piasa-Gateway Chapter 1998 to 2004
ABATE of Illinois Board of Directors Rep. for Piasa-Gateway
Chapter 1993 to 1996
AMA Eagle.
Also member of FORR MO, ABATE of IN, IA, MO, NE, WI. |
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Sustaining Member Motorcycle Club Representative -
"Still Ray" Fitzgerald
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Arizona
email:
stillray@mrf.org
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Still Ray
has been involved in motorcycle rights for over 35
years..He has been riding motorcycles for over 40
years. He is very old. His bragging rights are topped
off by the receipt of the Farmers Award for lifetime
Achievement in M/C rights. He also was a charter member
of the NACM, in Nevada. A Charter member of ABATE
of AZ. Former Chairman of the Board of ABATE of AZ.
MMA member. AMA member. Arizona Ass’t Rep MRF.
Chairman of the Board - Arizona Confederation of Motorcycle
Clubs. Political Committee Chairman -Arizona Confederation
of Motorcycle Clubs. Managing editor-Arizona Spokesman.
Charter Member ,President Journeymen Motorcycle Club |
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