Election of Incoming Board Members
  • Number of board director positions open: 4.
  • Dates of election: October 24 – November 21.
  • An email with voting instructions will be sent to all active members.
  • Voting can also be done in-person at the November 21 meeting.
  • Questions or comments, email: election@w7tbc.org

Candidates

Bruce Kabana WB7SRC

Hello, my name is Bruce Kabana. I am WB7SRC, an Extra class, first licensed in 1977. I am running for the Board of Directors for the Thunderbird Amateur Radio Club.

I am one of the eight original charter members of the resurrected Honeywell amateur radio club, now the Thunderbird ARC, which was started in 1994. I was one of the first Board of Directors of the Club and was the sixth president for three years, and I am the only continuous member left.

I have always said that everyone should participate in their clubs. After many years on the sideline, I still feel that I can contribute to this Club.

Dan Varner KK7MGS

Greetings TBARC Members. My name is Dan Varner, my callsign is KK7MGS. I am running for the 2025 TBARC Board of Directors.

I was born in Montana and lived in the Bitterroot Valley until my Dad’s health forced a move to Arizona when I was 13, thus ending my cowboy dreams. I joined the Army 11 days after my High School Graduation. I spent nearly two years in Vietnam, got out of Army, and went to Glendale Community College and U of A. During my Senior year at U of A, I took 3rd and 4th year ROTC concurrently. I went back to the Army as an Infantry officer for several years.

I got involved in computer programming and computer systems management for several years. My last job was with the Arizona Division of Emergency Management as an exercise coordinator and worked in the Emergency Operations Center in various capacities. I became familiar with amateur radio working with ARES and RACES in exercises and actual emergencies like the Wallow Fire and various flooding emergencies.

A couple of years ago my wife’s cousin got me interested in GMRS radio, so I purchased a GMRS radio I have never used but that got me thinking why not go all the way and become a HAM? A few of my Fly-Fishing Club buddies use HAM radios while convoying to fishing locations and on the water. I bought a 4-band mobile and started studying for license exams. In April of 2024, I passed the Tech exam and started studying for General and Extra. I was not in town during May so in June passed the General and also managed to pass the Extra the same night. Wanting to know more about HAM radio I decided to join TBARC.

Alex Vrenios KX9I

I am a retired computer scientist with a doctorate in the field, with many technical publications, including a book on Linux-based distributed computing, to my credit. I am a Life Senior Member of the IEEE.

I am a Vietnam veteran who specialized in automatic flight control, and electronic compass systems maintenance. While many of my friends and co-workers were hams, it wasn’t until much later when I noticed an associate’s amateur radio license plates, that I finally got into the hobby. Jeff, my Elmer, gave me the Novice written and 5 wpm code tests, graded them, and sent them in to the FCC.

First licensed as KA9JFR in 1980, it took me three more years to make Extra Class. I took the Technician, General, Advanced, and Extra Class written, and each of their corresponding CW copy-by-hand tests in the Federal Building, in downtown Chicago. I finally passed the 20 word-per-minute exam, receiving a 2-by-1 call sign KX9I in 1983. I became an ARRL Life member soon afterward.

I currently serve as TBARC’s club Secretary, so I understand the process. I also know how much work is involved. I will continue to do it, if only to give something back to a hobby that has been so interesting, educational, and rewarding to me for so many years.

Mike Willmoth KJ7OPD

I started out in high school in the early 1970s with CB radio. In the early 1980s I tested for Novice class, then upgraded to Technician. I was dormant after getting married until the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to TBARC, I successfully tested for Technician in June 2000, then General in August 2000, leading up to Extra in June 2001. Since then I have joined TBARC as a member, was elected to the board, helped keep the club running during the 2023 board resignations, was Treasurer for one year, and remained on the board through 2024. I would like to remain on the board for the 2025-2026 term. I have experience with several local non-profit groups and helped them run their events for about 30 years, have been on their Board of Directors for about 30 years, and have chaired several regional and international events held in the Phoenix Metro Area. I was also on the board of an international non-profit for almost ten years, serving as President, Vice President, and Regional Director. I am now the newsletter editor for TBARC after being inspired by an article in QST.

Josh Whyte W9JJW

Hi, my name is Josh W9JJW. I’m a very technologically inclined. I’m good at electronic repair. I’m very computer savvy. I was an IT technician for 20 years then decided to become a Honda/Acura Certified Technician. Now I work at Honda’s for a living. I’m an out-of-the-box kind of thinker. I like to do the things people say can’t be done. I can usually find a solution for almost any problem I encounter.

I like playing on the radio! Currently, I’m studying for my General. Then I can play more radio. I’m interested in the digital modes and FT8. I currently use only 2M/70CM. I’m just now getting into Fusion.

I want to help out in Thunderbird Radio Club where I can. Currently, I’m assisting Brandon KN6SEU in the A/V Department for our monthly club meetings. I have many ideas for the club and would love to serve more. I want to be on the Board in a role that best helps the club. If I’m elected to the Board, I will give my 100% to always helping to improve the club where I can.

Below are the sections of the By-Laws and Constitution that describe how the election occurs.

From By-laws

Article III. ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS 

Section 3.01 

Any active member in good standing which is at least 18 years of age, shall be eligible for a seat on the Board of Directors. 

Section 3.02 

Any member of the Board of Directors which is at least 21 years of age shall be eligible for an Officer position. 

Section 3.03 

Election of Directors shall be held annually in the month of November. Bylaws of the Thunderbird Amateur Radio Club (TBARC) Revision Date: December 31, 2022 4 

Section 3.04 

At the October general meeting and with ample notice, the Nominating Committee shall present its slate of directors for the ensuing calendar year; additional nominations may be taken from the floor. Members may nominate either in person at the October meeting or by secure electronic means provided the nomination is received by a Nominating Committee member up to 24 hours prior to start of the October meeting. Members cannot nominate by telephone or means other than stated herein. 

Section 3.05 

From the nominations received, the Nominating Committee shall prepare a ballot which will be distributed to the membership together with the November general meeting Notice. Members may vote either in person at the November meeting or secure electronic means provided the ballot is received by a Nominating Committee member up to 24 hours prior to the start of the November meeting. At the November general meeting the Nominating Committee will preside over the vote, tabulate the vote, and prepare a report of the results to be confirmed with the current Board of Directors at the December Board meeting. Section 3.06 The term of office for the newly elected directors shall begin on January 1st of the following year.

From Constitution

Article III. BOARD 

Section 3.01 

Officers of this Organization shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The Board of Directors shall consist of the Officers, Directors, Club License Trustee and the immediate past President, and shall serve without compensation. 

(a) Directors shall be elected with a simple majority of the members in attendance at the November general meeting of the membership each year. A plurality of the voting membership present in the meeting shall constitute a quorum and determine the outcome. Constitution of the Thunderbird Amateur Radio Club (TBARC) Revision Date: December 31, 2022 3 

(b) Newly elected directors shall take office on January 1st. 

(c) Director terms shall end on December 31st of their final year of their term. 

(d) The voting members of the board shall be composed of the Club License Trustee, past president and the duly elected officers and directors (Minimum of 10). 

(e) The President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be elected for an Officer term of one year beginning January 1st. 

(f) Officer terms shall end on December 31st or when replace by a newly elected officer, which ever is later. 

(g) The Incoming Officers shall be elected at a special Board Meeting prior to January Board of Directors meeting, or the first meeting of the year for the incoming Board of Directors. 

(h) The incoming board may not convene for normal business until all officer positions have been filled. The only exception is to convene to approve the appointees for vacant director seats. 

(i) Officers shall be elected by a simple majority of the incoming Board of Directors. 

(j) A minimum of eight (8) Directors shall be elected by the membership at the annual election meeting for a term of two years. 

(k) Should more than fifty percent of the director positions be vacant, the top vote getters shall fill fifty percent of the total director seats and receive two-year terms. Remaining open director seats shall be filled with one-year terms. 

(l) The number of directors elected to the board may be expanded. 

(i) At the time of nominations and election, the Directors may be expanded in increments of two (2) Directors for every 250 members. The decision must be approved by a two-third (2/3) majority of the general membership present at a general meeting and must be prior to the beginning of the nomination process. 

(ii) As part of the nomination and election process, half of the newly added Director positions shall be limited to a one-year term for the Constitution of the Thunderbird Amateur Radio Club (TBARC) Revision Date: December 31, 2022 4 first election cycle. Subsequent election cycles, all director terms shall be for two years.