2024 Election Bio's
Our 4 Board members below are running unopposed, however we have 5 members running for the director at large positions, of which there are only 4 slots.
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SSR President
Andy Zimmerman
SSRPrez@NMRA.org
Greetings, I am Andy Zimmerman, proud to call Tallahassee, FL, and SSR Northern Division my home. Today, I come before you seeking your vote for the esteemed position of Sunshine Region President. With over two decades of honorable service in the US Navy, rising to the rank of Senior Chief, I bring a wealth of leadership experience to this role.
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Currently, I serve as the Assistant Director for IT at Florida State University, where my expertise in advanced electronics and computer systems is matched only by my lifelong passion for model railroading. This love affair with trains began at the tender age of nine, amidst the Lionel trains in my father's basement.
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As my life journey unfolded across various corners of the globe, my devotion to trains remained steadfast, evolving to encompass the intricate world of N-Scale and T-TRAK modular model railroading. Beyond mere personal interest, I am deeply committed to this hobby, evident in my active participation in multiple organizations and leadership capacities.
At the core of my involvement lies my presidency at the Big Bend Model Railroad Association, where I have nurtured a thriving community of enthusiasts in Tallahassee. Furthermore, I proudly serve as the NMRA Standards and Conformance Manager, guiding an 82-member volunteer team in upholding the industry's highest standards.
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My dedication to the NMRA and model railroading extends to my current role as President of the NMRA Sunshine Region. Here, I have championed excellence and collaboration, spearheading initiatives focused on mentorship, fellowship, and community enrichment for enthusiasts across the region.
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Beyond regional boundaries, I also hold the position of Vice President at NRail, an organization committed to advancing our hobby through innovation and community engagement. My memberships in esteemed groups like the North Raleigh Model Railroad Club and the N-Gauge Society underscore my profound connection to the model railroading community.
In my bid for Sunshine Region President, I offer a unique blend of leadership, expertise, and passion. My national connections promise to forge new pathways for the region's growth and development. With your support, I envision a future brimming with innovation, collaboration, and an enduring love for model railroading.
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I humbly ask for your vote as Sunshine Region President. Together, let us embark on a journey towards new horizons in model railroading excellence.

SSR Vice President
Mark Lewalski
vwtrainsailor@gmail.com
I joined the NMRA as a Life member in 1998. In 2013 I actively joined the Sunshine Region and became Treasurer the following year. I ran for SSR Vice President a few years later, was elected, and served in that position. During my tenure as a Board Officer, I reestablished the SSR website by creating a new site from scratch and served as webmaster. I also created a new design and reestablished the monthly Telegraph Key email.
I took on the Region IT aspects and conducted the first purchases of new laptops and accessories with funds from our SSR sponsored NMRA 2017 National Convention in Orlando. I started a Facebook page for the SSR and appointed an administrator. As my duties became more hectic, I passed on the Webmaster and IT Chair duties to other capable individuals, and I kept the Telegraph Key and VP duties. For personal reasons at the time, I stepped down from SSR VP and Telegraph Key duties after passing all my responsibilities to other members. I have recently been appointed SSR Vice President again and would like your vote to continue in that role.

SSR Secretary
Eric Menger
emenger@gmail.com
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Eric has been an NMRA and SSR member for many years, joining initially when he was a teenager. At that time, he used the NMRA Directory (a printed book mailed to members at the time) to contact local model railroaders. He was a founding member and newsletter editor (while in high school) of the Treasure Coast Model Railroad Club, which is still active in St. Lucie County, Florida. Eric graduated from high school and was appointed to the United States Naval Academy, so the model railroading came to an emergency stop. During his time in the US Navy, and then while serving as an airport manager, Eric started three HO layouts. However, he never completed them due to career moves, completing several tours as a Naval Reservist, raising 4 children, and concurrently running a busy airport (VRB). After retirement, Eric switched to O scale (On30) and joined Al Sohl’s Western Bay Railroad Club in Port St Lucie, where he started working on his MMR certifications. He is currently serving the NMRA and SSR as Regional Secretary and the Eastern Division Achievement Program Chair. He has served as a contest judge and has given clinics on scenery using resin hardshell and rock molds.
Eric spent his active-duty career as a naval aviator and transitioned to the naval reserve in 1989. In the reserve, he served as a pilot and a naval intelligence officer, retiring from the Navy in 2007. He now works part-time as an aviation business development manager for a national civil engineering firm. Outside the NMRA, he has served as treasurer for the Veterans Council of Indian River County, treasurer for the local chapter of the Military Officer’s Association of America, and Director, Secretary, Vice-President, and President of the Florida District of the National Exchange Club, a 501c(3) organization whose main focus is the prevention of child abuse. He and his family live in Vero Beach, Florida
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SSR Treasurer
Glenn Kopriva
glennkopriva@yahoo.com
Glenn has worn many hats during his career, starting off with a stint in law enforcement with the US Army. He completed his education with an AAS in Law Enforcement and BBA and MBA, he may finish his PhD one of these days.
Some of the positions held during his career have been Controller of two large pharmaceutical firms, Director of Business Intelligence, and Sr Associate with New York Life Insurance dealing with Fraud and data analysis for the US and Canada based out of the Tampa office.
Glenn joined the NMRA back in 1976 when the NMRA bulletin was all black and white. He built the HO Railroad that Grows based on Lynn Wescott’s instructions in his parents’ basement. A career ensued and the train was put into storage. Four children later and nearing retirement he has moved to N scale and has begun construction of an island layout (7x10) in half of his garage.
He has taken on numerous roles with the Sunshine Region (currently Treasurer, Convention Chair, and Webmaster and created the current website. He previously was the Telegraph Key Editor and Membership Coordinator. He has also authored a few articles and was a clinician at the last convention.
As the current Treasurer, Glenn has opened up the books of the Region for full transparency and delivers full details to the Board each month along with a rolling three year budget. Glenn has also invested the Regions monies generating the region 1/3 of its annual budget. He has also re-envisioned the Regions advertising practices, lowering advertising costs and enhancing ad revenue which adds to the dollars needed to meet our fiscal requirements. These actions change how the region operates and allows us to focus on trains not fund raising. This benefits all our members.

At Large Director
Paul Beckstrom
pablobecks@comcast.net
For Director-At-Large NMRA Sunshine Region. Currently serving as incumbent since 2022.
Model railroader for 60+ years. Have modeled in O, On3 & On30. Currently Protype Modeling in HO; Western Pacific RR – 1960’s/70’s
Published author: Co-author, Swayne Lumber Company, Narrow Gauge Logger in the Merrimac Forest, PFM 1992; author numerous articles Timberbeast and Timber Times.
Co-Chair 39th National Narrow Gauge Convention, Sacramento. Clinic Presenter numerous Narrow Gauge Conventions and West Side Reunions. Model Contest winner at same conventions.
Retired California fire fighter. Assistant Fire Chief Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Fire & Rescue Division. 48 years total service.
Instructor, California Community College System, Lifetime Credential - Fire Technology, 38 years.
I am a team player. I am interested in providing whatever services are necessary to improve and assist in NMRA proceedings and ventures in the Sunshine Region.

At Large Director
Jeff (Ski) Guzowski
jguzowski@bellsouth.net
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I grew up in Dania Beach, FL, where only 4 blocks from our house were the Florida East Coast Railway, double track mainline (with our own passenger station/freight house). Also, about a mile away, was the Atlantic Coastline, (then the Seaboard Airline / Seaboard Coastline) all within bike riding distance, (1950’s &1960’s). As a kid, I have always been interested in model railroading since I was 6 years old and I loved spending a lot of time with the Station Agent, watching trains that came through our town, and built 2 HO model layouts.
I rediscovered Model Railroading as a hobby in 2006, before I retired in 2009 (from AT&T as a Service Repair Technician). My newly built 30’ x 40’ outbuilding (my “new” train room) will be completed any day now. I can’t wait to start building my new layout, modeling the Norfolk and Western Steam Era (1943) Shenandoah Division (Roanoke, VA to Hagerstown, MD) in HO.
I am currently a member of the Operations Special Interest Group (OPSIG), Layout Design Special Interest Group (LDSIG), Echoes Train Club (Cutler Bay, FL), Citrus Model Railroad Club (Inverness, FL), Norfolk Western Historical Society, and Florida East Coast Railway Society.
I joined the NMRA in 2007 and was appointed to the positions of Southern Division Asst Superintendent (mid 2008-2010) and Southern Division Achievement Program Coordinator (2010-2019). I was elected as Southern Division Superintendent (2010-2014) termed out, Sunshine Region Secretary (2014-2020), Sunshine Region President (2020-2022), Immediate Past President (Oct 2022-June2023), Director at Large (June 2023- Present 2024. For the past 3 years, I have been involved in the SSR Annual Conventions, as Clinician Chair, finding the Clinicians and Scheduling 32 Clinics for the 2022-2024 SSR Annual Conventions. In 2023-2024, I was also Convention Co-Chair in which my other responsibilities involved getting a speaker for the Banquets, along with searching for a new venue location, for the upcoming 2024 SSR Annual Convention, which will be in Ocala.
I have been involved in the Region since 2008, working with the Board of Directors/Superintendents, to bring new ideas to the “Best Region Under the Sun”. I would appreciate your vote to serve another term (2024-2026), as your Sunshine Region, Director at Large.

At Large Director
Ken Hoot
hootk@bellsouth.com
I am Ken Hoot of Jacksonville Beach, FL, seeking your vote for Sunshine Region Board of Directors at Large Member.
My background includes 23 years in the US Navy, retiring as a Chief (E7). I subsequently worked in technical programs as an instructor guiding young people through mechanical training as they prepared for apprenticeships. In both cases I attempted to nurture a sense of craftsmanship, critical self-analysis, and feedback designed to help the person grow. I feel that this three-pronged approach yields sustained growth and increased work satisfaction. I believe this approach will advance our hobby and enable us to serve members as they develop their skills and insights.
I have engaged in model railroading for five decades; each with its special challenges and rewards. Currently, I model in On30 with a western orientation, and support the development of the First Coast Model Railroad Club in the construction and refinement of its multideck HO scale layout. I am actively pursuing various Achievement Program certifications which are truly raising my appreciation for craftsman level modeling and model railroad operations. I have been active in the Northern Division of the Sunshine Region for about a decade and have increased my participation in direct support of the Region itself. I am currently serving on the Sunshine Regions Board of Directors as Director at Large and as Region Achievement Program Chairperson.
Recognizing the options and limitations of people at different stages of life will enable our organization to expand membership. We need to move beyond the mass gatherings and contests as our core activities as these emphasize people with experience and only to a lesser degree the novice member who is looking for guidance and mentoring. We need to expand service to clubs and divisions and encourage both to implement exposure and outreach activities as gateways to the social network that enriches our hobby.
I look forward to the opportunity for service in elected office.

At Large Director
Robert Leonard
leonardstrait@gmail.com
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I am Robert Leonard, and most of the membership do not know me personally, but you might know me from my picture that leads the Southern Superintendent report in the Telegraph Key. It has been said the mustache enters the room before I do. I have been the Southern super for the past five years and a member of the NMRA and the SSR for the past 24 years. Most recently you may see my name attached with the title of Editor to the SSR Journal Box. I am running for the position of Director At Large and would appreciate your confidence and vote.
My background in the hobby dates back to the late 1940s, with five family members working for the railroad, my father one of them. Plus, my father used me as an excuse to buy Lionel trains, the interest was there, let’s call it destiny, I had no choice. As the interest went on the normal series of life events took place, I got older, got a driver’s license, graduated high school, joined the military, and with a marriage, or two, the inevitable hiatus from “trains” took place. After all of those diversions were behind me, I became active again in the 1980s and have been a member of a few organizations over the years, from Orlando, to Kissimmee / St Cloud, to Boston and back again to Florida.
Other than five years in Boston, most of my time has been in Florida, but a bit of history. I really got back into train modeling when I was up north in the late 80s, I joined the BayState Society of Model Engineers in Boston, in which I was an officer on their Board of Directors. My move back to Florida put me in Ft Lauderdale at the Big Pine & Sawgrass in Hallandale, I held positions of secretary, director, and president. In the year 2000 I joined the South Florida Railway Museum in Deerfield Beach, I have been a board member 14 of those years and held positions of Treasurer, Secretary, and the past seven years as President. At the SFRM I have been an organizer in one way or the other with the 2004 and 2008 SSR regional conventions hosted by the SFRM. With the more recent conventions I have become involved as a clinician, a judge, or a helping hand.
My reason for seeking the position of Director. I see the current leadership moving in a positive and progressive direction, visioning a different outlook for the region, I believe I have something to offer, I want to be part of that. I have followed the premise of, if you accept the role of leadership, you must be willing to be misunderstood, criticized, opposed, accused, and rejected. I know that I have the qualifications for the position, therefore I ask for your vote.

At Large Director
Chip Pecere
chippecere@gmail.com
I first joined the NMRA in my early 20’s, and after moving to Florida I rejoined. Upon my move I became a member of the Vero Beach Model Railroaders. Assisting in the growth of that group, I designed a modular HO display that we built and displayed. In 2023 I was asked to be the webmaster for the Sunshine Region. I rebuilt the website and added an E-commerce account enabling us to accept online registration for our convention.This saw a substantial increase over the previous year’s convention. In the last year I earned 4 AP’s toward my masters (MMR), Scenery, Electrical, Chief Dispatcher, and Civil Engineering. I’ve been published numerous times in our Journal Box Magazine with upcoming articles in N Scale Magazine. I’ve taken clinics on judging and have judged at our last 2 conventions.
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My interest in model railroading started at a very early age when I received a 4x8 Lionel train set. I was and still am hooked. By trade I have been a NY professional photographer since my teens. I opened a photo/video studio in my 20’s and have been self employed my whole life. Sponsored by Canon Camera, I also traveled the country teaching professionals how to improve their skills. Here in Florida I started building an N-scale railroad. After being close to completion, (LOL) I’m now rewiring it for full dispatcher control for OP sessions.
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I believe my business, organizational, and marketing skills can help move our Sunshine Region forward. I’m extremely motivated, not afraid of hard work and am a good multitasker. I want to be helpful to all members and serve as your voice for improvements. I would welcome the opportunity to be one of your At Large Directors.

Superintendent Division 1 (Northern)
Bob Feuerstein
photobob@gmail.com
I am seeking election as a Northern Division Superintendent for the Sunshine Region.
I am a member of the Big Bend Model Railroading Association group in Tallahassee FL, and currently on the NMRA.org Calendar Website Support (link calendar@nmra.org.)
In the past, I was a member of the NMRA and the Short Track Railroad Club in Vista CA since April of 2015 and after a move to Tallahassee Florida in May 2018, am now with Big Bend Model Railroad Association. With the guidance of the many wonderful members of the Sunshine Region and Big Bend Model Railroad Association, I am currently working on the Achievements to become a Master Model Railroader. I have been active at a regional level participating in Regional Conventions. I’ve taught clinics at the 2016 Culver City Convention, 2017 Ontario Convention, CA, Sunshine Region 2018 and National NMRA in Salt Lake City, Utah 2019.
For many years I was very active in leadership positions in the City of Torrance where I was a member of the Cable TV Advisory Board, then Transportation Commissioner for 8 years and Water Commissioner also for an 8-year term. Working in city politics and making decisions while leading those groups gave me invaluable experience in working with committees and counsel to accomplish results. I believe I could utilize that experience to help our division meet the goals it sets and further the enjoyment of Model Railroading.
On a personal level, I have loved trains and modeling since I was a child. I am married and my wife is fully supportive of my interest and goals with model railroading. I currently retired. I enjoy being active and involved and would give the time and effort necessary to support the needs of our division.

Superintendent Division 2 (Eastern)
Jim Moore
Jim@moore-associates.net
Am writing to introduce myself, and to request your vote as the NMRA Sunshine Region’s Superintendant – Eastern Division.
In January, I was appointed to fill this position following the retirement of Benita Jameson. During my short tenure I have represented the Division’s members at each month’s SSR Board meeting, organized a meet-and-greet at my home in Winter Springs, laid the foundation for a 2024 Eastern Division meet, and met with past and current NMRA region and division officeholders to learn more about NMRA organizational practices as well as identify opportunities for future activities for Eastern Division members.
By way of introduction, Sharon (my wife) and I moved to the Orlando area in Summer 2020 from Southern California. Soon thereafter, I took up HO scale model railroading and joined the NMRA Sunshine Region. When SSR President Andy Zimmerman issued a call for volunteers, I responded and was soon thereafter appointed to fill the remaining term of Benita Jameson.
As the founder and managing partner of a successful public transportation consulting firm, I have embraced three guiding principles: transparency, collaboration, and creation of value. If elected as your representative, I will bring these three guideposts to the position of Division Superintendant.
Model railroading enthusiasts enjoy many choices. One of my goals is to enhance the value of NMRA membership. And in doing so, help position the Sunshine Region as one of the NMRA’s leading regions.
Each Sunshine Region member is eligible to vote in this important upcoming election. It would be an honor to serve as your Superintendant - Eastern Division for the next two years.

Superintendent Division 3 (Western)
Don Wetmore
stjoeterminal@gmail.com
I will be running for reelection as NMRA Sunshine Region Western Division Superintendent, a position I have held for the last 4 years. I moved to Florida 6 years ago after retiring from a 35 year career with Union Pacific Railroad.
I have been active in the NMRA since high school which is now almost 50 years. The two things I value most over those years are fellowship and education. I have made many lifelong friends through the NMRA and hope to make many more. Clinics, contests and the Achievement Program have all helped me to become a better modeler.
I have enjoyed meeting many of you at Division Meets and Region Conventions over the last few years. I look forward to meeting more of you and getting to know you better in the coming years. I would like to expand Division Meets into other parts of the Division so more of you can participate. I would also like to encourage active participation in the AP program which will make all of us better modelers.
I hope that together we can continue to help each other improve our skills and share our enjoyment of model railroading.

Superintendent Division 4 (Southern)
Richard Berger
rwberger@comcast.net
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Richard has been a model railroader since 1960, when he received a gift of Lionel trains at the age of five. The Lionel trains were sold in the early 1970s to help fund a college education. After graduation and living in a small apartment, Richard returned to the hobby in the late 1970s by purchasing an N scale train.
Richard has continuously collected and run N scale trains since that time, eventually joining Northern Virginia NTRAK (NVNTRAK) when he resided in that area. He also attended a number of national N scale and NMRA conventions around the country, helping to assemble and run on the NTRAK layouts at the convention shows and interfacing with manufacturers to lobby for improved N scale products.
Richard has built multiple layouts in N scale, working in code 55 for years once turnouts were offered. But his current layout uses Kato Unitrak for ease of use and high reliability controlled with a wireless version of the NCE DCC system. Richard’s primary interest in the hobby is in railroad operations, and his home layouts have usually consisted of a point-to-loop configuration with a multi-track stub yard and wye for engine terminal operations at one end and a multi-track staging loop at the opposite end.
Beyond modeling, Richard has been an avid and active member of the Union Pacific Historical Society (UPHS) for decades even though he has always lived on the East coast. It was the Union Pacific railroad’s decision to never retire the FEF #844 steam locomotive that drove his decision and he has never regretted it. Richard has visited the steam restoration and maintenance facility in Cheyenne, Wyoming and was privileged to ride on a UP steam excursion with both the 844 FEF and 4014 Big Boy in 2019 following his attendance at the 150th anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad at Promontory, Utah.
Richard has ridden on many other trains over the years, both on historical excursions and modern transportation in the US and other countries. In 2023, he rode the privately owned and operated Rocky Mountaineer through the Colorado rockies and also the famous Grand Canyon train. Earlier in 2024, Richard traveled to Orlando, Florida on the newly initiated Brightline high-speed rail service.
Richard has been a member of the board of the South Florida Railway Museum (SFRM) since 2023, having joined the group in 2022. He also leads efforts to maintain and enhance the club’s N scale layout and has organized several evening operating sessions on the club layout. Richard also organizes the club’s annual home layout tours which occur during April-June.