Riding into History recently formed a community council, a group that will serve as a sounding board for new ideas and bring event-specific expertise and best practices to the nonprofit. The new council will tackle long-term plans for the organization for continuous improvement and will be helmed by current RIH stalwarts. Internal RIH representatives of the council will include current Chairman Jennifer Samioglou, past Chairman Marina Alley and multi-term Concours Chairman Alan Singer. They will be joined by four additional members.
Mark Becker, an Amelia Island Concours Board of Directors member of 11 years, will act as a council member. As vice chairman of the board for the past three years, a former motocross and formula car racer, the collector and restorer’s collection spans the spectrum from motorcycles to full classic autos. Becker is currently a vice president of the Town and County Chapter of the National Woodie Club, and he has served multiple terms as president of the local chapter of the BMW Club of America.
Chris Brewer, a local automotive writer, photographer and newly appointed director of public relations for the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, will also serve as a member of the newly formed council. He brings an extensive background of working with nonprofits, a passion for vintage sports and GT cars and co-runs Jacksonville’s Florida’s Cars & Coffee. Brewer is the senior editor of Automotive Addicts, writes a weekly blog for CarFax and is a frequent contributor to Hemmings Motor News, The Florida Times-Union and numerous other publications.
The new council will also include Clare Frost, treasurer of the AMCA Everglades Chapter and a board member of the Sunshine Chapter. With her husband Clive, she has run Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show for 11 years, acting as the main promoter, organizer and event planner. She and Clive currently own 17 motorcycles.
Retired lawyer and historian Harris Turner will also join the new council. A collector and appraiser of the British marque, Turner will contribute the perspective of a serious hobbyist. Having attended every RIH event, Turner and his self-restored BSAs have been a fixture since RIH’s inception.
