Declared Candidates for the District Director Election

The following members have declared their candidacy for the 2016 ABATE of Wisconsin District Director election. Next month (in the June issue of the newsletter) our members will be asked to vote for one candidate in the District that they live in. For more information, see the Membership Report in the May newsletter.

DISTRICT 1

Name: No declared candidates 

DISTRICT 2

Name: Robert “Worm” Grasse

City: Plymouth

12 year member, Region 2A

I have been with ABATE of Wisconsin for 12 years, and the MRF for 8 years.

In the past, Area Rep for 5 years, currently Region Rep 2A for 3 years. District 2 Director and on the Board of Directors for 2 years. Summer Hummer Committee Co-Chair for the past 3 years. Goals are to bring Motorcycle friendly brothers and sisters into ABATE of WI family. Mentor the next generation of Enthusiasts.

I’ve worked with the Land Committee and Summer Hummer Committee for 8 years. I respond to Region Reps and Members with answers to questions or problems in a timely matter.

DISTRICT 3

Name: Bob Aprill Sr.

City: Oconto Falls

22 year member, Region 3C

My name is Bob Aprill, I am the current District 3 Director and am running for reelection.

I am a 22 year member of ABATE of Wisconsin. I am also a member of the MRF, St Croix Valley Riders and the Harley Owners Group.

Past positions I have held in ABATE were Regional Rep. and Legislative. I am currently the Legislative officer in region 3C and the District 3 Director.

I hope to be able to continue to represent the regions in District 3 on the Board of ABATE of Wisconsin.

Thank you.

 DISTRICT 4

Name: Tom Babbitt

City: Stanley

18 year member, Region 4C

18 year ABATE member – I have held the positions of 4A Area Rep, 4A Regional Rep which split when membership increased and became Region 4C and I became the Region 4C Regional Rep. Current Region 4C treasurer and current District 4 Director.

Goals: continue to open communication to our members on all aspects of riding.

DISTRICT 5

Name: No declared Candidates

DISTRICT 6

Name: Ken Nelson

City: Rice Lake

18 year member, Region 6A

My name is Ken Nelson and I’m declaring my candidacy for District 6 Director.

I have been a member of ABATE of Wisconsin for 18 years and am also a member of the MRF. In the past I have held the positions of Products Rep. and Regional Rep. I am currently the Region 6A Legislative Officer and the District 6 Director, I am also the Chairman for the Fundraising Committee.

My goals for ABATE are to be watchful of future legislation, to be fiscally responsible and to grow membership.

DISTRICT 7

Name: David Van Dyke

City: Necedah

23 year member, Region 7E

Hi everyone – I am a 23 year member and have always been active at the local level.

My first 4 years were in 2E Calumet Co., the last 19 years in 7E Juneau Co., also a member of MRF, so I hope everyone is signed up for the MRF and our ABATE of Wisconsin alerts and responds to our legislators.

I am the Region 7E Leg. Officer for more years than I can remember now and I am currently the 7th District Director.

It starts at the regional level to promote and build a stronger ABATE of Wisconsin and we have tools to do more through the programs we have at our disposal. One being the new Recruitment and Retention to engage new members and keep them interested long enough to get them actively involved.

Encourage regions to do some FUN events to help increase membership involvement, and to raise ABATE of Wisconsin awareness and recognition within our communities.

Also we need to start looking at different/unique/fun things we can do for fund raising to support the region, the state, our land and for donations.

Opportunities are out there, we just need to look (outside the box). Anything we do in a community will raise awareness, promote education & safety and legislation.

For the past 19 years I am a Tavern/Restaurant owner. Also in the past 19 years I have held positions in the Juneau Co. Tavern League of: President, Vice President, Director and Leg. Officer, not in that order.

If anyone has any questions feel free to contact me at roadhouse@tds.net or 920-450-2858 or my home has an answering machine- 608-565-2058.

DISTRICT 8

Name: Jerry Mann

City: Fennimore

7 year member, Region 8A

I have been a member of ABATE of Wisconsin for 7 years and a Lifetime member for the past 3 years. I am also a MRF member.

I am currently the Region 8A Treasurer, the past three years I have been the District 8 Director. The past year I have been the ABATE of Wisconsin Finance Committee Chair.

My goals for ABATE of Wisconsin are to grow our membership, with an emphasis on recruiting younger riders, retain these new members, motivate them to get involved and active in their regions, and mentor them with a goal of becoming the future leadership of ABATE. Continue to move the organization forward in a positive manner. We cannot accept complacency and expect the organization to continue to evolve. This would be a discredit to all the freedom fighters that came before us.

My additional qualifications include attending STEAM 2014, Meeting of the Minds 2015, Meeting of the Minds 2016, attending several ABATE Officers Training, and attending our Executive/Board Training the past 2 years. I am also a US Army veteran with 11 + years of service. During my time in service I had the opportunity to work with and lead a very diverse group of individuals. Which has benefited me when interacting with different groups of people. I have a strong passion for motorcycling and am a member of the Iron Butt Association. This passion for motorcycling has grown into a passion for our motorcyclist rights and the freedom of choice.

Thank you for taking the time to read my bio. I look forward to continue working with all the members of District 8 and the ABATE of Wisconsin Board of Directors and State Officers.