Written AMA Staff (05/1994); Transcribed by JS (07/2011)
And By Way of Announcement!
The Academy of Model Aeronautics welcomes Mr. Jerry Rouillard as the Executive Director! Culminating a search involving over sixty applicants, Jerry was selected to serve as the head administrative employee of the AMA. Arriving in Muncie on April 20, he will have assumed full duties as of the April 23 Executive Council meeting.
Jerry brings a background of business and association leadership activities to the Academy. Originally hailing from Minnesota he and his wife hope to move from Manassas, Virginia within the next three months. He has spent much of his life in California and earned his Master’s degree in public history from California State in Sacramento. A commercial pilot since 1974, the onetime stuntman and skydiver worked in the movie Gypsy Moth. He also was the project manager for a PBS series involving area historical sites and events.
While he is not a modeler (yet!), aviation activities have played an important role in his life, having served both as a member of the Board of Directors as well as the Executive Director of the NAA-affiliated National Parachute Association. He expressed a great interest in model aviation and has plans to devote a few lunch hours to learning to fly out at the site! Jerry feels that the Academy of Model Aeronautics has tremendous potential. He is very impressed by many of the community and school programs already in place around the country. The dedication of modelers in general to the education of children and the public was a strong plus in his decision to join the Academy. It is a hobby/sport that is more accessible to participation by people than many other hobbies. “There is room for all within this hobby,” he said, “and that is one of the things that impressed me about the organization.” Jerry strongly believes that as a membership organization, we at the AMA are here to provide professional services to the membership. “Our job is to serve the members,” he says. He also has a strong interest in seeing the National Flying Site develop into a source of enjoyment for all members. He feels that the site has the potential to become a highly visible showpiece for the sport of model aviation and hopes to see the site and the museum develop into an accomplishment that all members can refer to with pride.
While acknowledging that some problems do exist, Jerry has solutions that will begin with teamwork, both within the staff and the membership. As Jerry does not come from a modeling background, he feels that he will bring a different perspective to the organization as a whole.
Grateful that he will still have the assistance and services of Bob Underwood, who will resume the Technical Director’s responsibilities on a part-time basis from the St. Louis area, Jerry stressed his appreciation of the job the interim Executive Director has performed during the last year. Bob stepped into the position and smoothed the way for Jerry and will continue to play a strong advisory role within AMA.
We know the board, staff, and members of the Academy of Model Aeronautics will work hard to welcome Jerry Rouillard to the wonderful world of aeromodeling.
This page is a text transcription of the original document, made automatically and may contain errors. .