Both Rolling Acres and Brownwood shops CLOSED December 24 and 25 for Christmas AND December 31, 2024 and January 1, 2025 for New Years.
The Board of Directors is responsible for the overall operation of The Villages Woodworkers Club in accordance with the club By-Laws.
Board members serve for a term of three years. Members are elected as part of the first General Membership meeting each year from a list of nominations prepared by the Nominating Committee.
The Board of Directors meets on the fourth Thursday of each month, except November and possibly December when the meeting is held on the third Thursday. Meetings start at 2:00PM in the Brownwood Shop.
All VWC members are encouraged to attend the meetings as observers.
The Villages Woodworkers Club
2024 – 2025 Officers
John Keil Scott – President 2024 - 2025
First took woodshop in junior high school. Worked on a couple of dairy farms where we worked with wood plenty of times, built and repaired hay wagons, made shelves in the shop etc. All of this was working with wood but not real fine furniture like stuff.
When we bought our first home, 1971, I made several pieces of furniture for it, kitchen table, end tables, bedroom dresser etc. Each piece got a little better in quality of workmanship. Also got a small wood lathe and turned some candle holders and table lamps. Begin to acquire equipment for the shop at the same time.
In 1978 bought some land in VT and began building a log home. I hired a contractor to rough it in so we could move in, then I did the finish work on the inside. Laid down the hardwood flooring, put up the interior walls, hung the doors and made the windows etc.
In the early 80s I took a 3-day wood turning course. By this time, I had a pretty well-equipped shop and began to turn bowls and salt and pepper shakers etc. and sold a few at a couple of craft shops in VT. When we moved to Florida and after seeing the Villages Woodshop I sold all the contents of my shop knowing the VWC would more than meet my needs.
For the past three years, John has been a member of the VWC Board of Directors and is a valuable member of the VWC IT staff.
Bill Pappas – Vice President 2024 - 2025
I joined the Villages Woodworking Club ten years ago just after we moved to The Villages. I have been the clubs IT department manager for about the last 7 years and a member of the EOC. The Woodworking Club was major selling point for moving to The Villages so I want to help keep it going and improve it for the members. I am a lifelong woodworking hobbyist with three years of training in woodworking industrial arts in Junior High School.
I spent 25 years in the United States Coast Guard in aviation maintenance and engineering. While in the service I maintained a home woodshop at most duty stations. Once retired from the USCG, I spent a couple years as a Director at a consulting firm managing multiple consulting teams and a P/L in the restaurant industry. From there I spent 14 years with a publicly traded company managing the company’s information technology systems around the world, retiring as the companies SVP – Chief Information Officer.
My woodworking obsession continued most weekends over those years in my home shop until we moved to The Villages. I have a BS in Professional Aeronautics and an MS in Management Information Systems. My education, business and club experience provide a solid framework to help manage the club.
Kerry Burnham – Treasurer 2024 - 2025
I took a semester of woodshop in 7th grade. I did not touch another lathe or band saw until I joined the VWC. My woodworking during the intervening 60 years consisted of a little bit of whittling and a few projects made of 2x4s and plywood using a skilsaw and a screwdriver.
I graduated from the University of Minnesota with an M.B.A. degree with a focus in accounting. My 40-year accounting career included time in companies of various sizes and industries, ranging from Fortune 100, publicly-traded companies to high-tech, privately-owned companies. I spent the last 25 years of my career in small, privately-owned companies in the positions of controller and chief financial officer. In these positions I was a hands-on supervisor of all financial operations from accounts payable to payroll to banking relations. I have expertise in budgets and analysis, process documentation, and process improvement.
I joined the VWC in March, 2023, with the intent to develop skills in woodworking. To date I have finished my orientations at both shops and completed the shelf project. I have also spent the past three months training with Ed Dietch in the responsibilities and procedures of the club treasurer.
I am favorably impressed with the VWC's excellent leaders and volunteers as well as its facilities and equipment. I anticipate maintaining the highest standards in fulfilling the treasurer's duties, as Ed Dietch has done. I am pleased to offer my financial skills and experience for the benefit of the VWC.
Cindy Bloecher - Secretary 2024 – 2025
In 2012 we purchased our home and moved to The Villages in 2014. I have been a member of The Villages Woodworkers Club for about 5 years. Taking classes and learning a great deal from all the wonderful members. I have tried turning and attended the monthly meetings. Recently I joined the front desk staff and enjoy working with Kathy and all the other members. I have been secretary for my quilt guild chapter for a 2-year term. I am organized and dedicated and feel confident that I could be an asset to the club.
Board of Directors The Villages Woodworkers Club
Joe Benkowski Board of Directors Chair 2022 - 2025
Community service • Habitat for Humanity House Project. Project Manager 1999 • Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Wildwood FL • Member St. Vincent de Paul choir • Member Villages Woodshop since 2013
Woodworking Experiences - Three Major remodeling Projects: • Appleton WI Home addition 14' x32" did all work except basement cement work • New Berlin WI. Remodeled kitchen, built new cabinets • The Villages FL. Removed lanai and enclosed area • Personally designed and completed all work except concrete and windows.
Some of the other wood Projects • Took First woodworking class, Night school 1970, built a grandfather clock. • Built sons bed and dresser Built granddaughter's bed and several dressers • Built entertainment cabinet, end tables and a dining room sideboard Wood Classes taken Villages Woodworkers Club • Basic Lathe Turning Instructor John Herega Segmented Bowl Turning Instructor Steven Yovan • Ring Master Turning Instructor Tom Miller • Certified on CNC Router Instructor Lowell Sundermann Certification Instructor Villages Woodworkers Club
Over my career I have always been involved with various organizations, my teaching and business experience can help continue the direction the woodshop has done over the years. The board has to make many decisions in the selection of equipment, customer service, public relations, safety, budgets, etc. Being a board member will allow me the opportunity to use the skills developed over my career.
Voytek Kulesza 2022 - 2025
I was born in 1962 in Poland, where I was raised and got a diploma in Machine Tools Design and application from Technical School in Krakow. I immigrated to US in 1987 and was employed by Scot Forge Co. in Spring Grove IL, where I worked until the end of 2014. I studied at McHenry County College and received Certificate in Manufacturing Supervision in 2003, Certificate in Manufacturing Processes in 2004, and Associate degree in Applied Science/Manufacturing Management in 2005. In 2017 I moved to The Villages, Florida where I joined the VWC and that became my hobby for which I commit most of my free time.
Chuck Murphy 2023 – 2026
Entrepreneur, Business owner, Score mentor, Woodworker, Woodshop Instructor.
I have started and sold two different businesses during my working career. During this time, I have served on many boards both professionally and in community organizations.
I started a PIP Printing franchise in Cedar Rapids Iowa and grew it in size to be in the top 10% nationally out of 1200 stores. I served on numerous boards in the printing business and owned this business for 25 years.
Later I developed a college entrance exam company, TEST PREP SEMINARS, teaching high school students how to take the ACT and SAT college entrance exams. I did this for 9 years.
I then volunteered for SCORE, a subdivision of the Small Business Administration, for 10 years helping people start new businesses.
I worked for Alcoa Aluminum for two years as an engineer
I have a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Iowa.
During the Vietnam period I was an Instructor in the Air Force and taught the last two weeks of a 32-week course called AUTOPILOT, the guidance systems on aircraft.
Prior to moving to The Villages in 2018 I had a full woodworking shop at my home for 15 years. Building furniture is my passion followed by artistic wood projects. Even though I spent my life as a businessperson, my lifelong hobby has always been woodworking. Since joining the Villages Woodworkers Club in 2018 I have worked at the front desk for a two-year period and also teach a woodworking class called “How to Build a Picture Frame”.
Gary Musch 2023 – 2026
First, I'd like to express my interest in playing a more active role in our Club. I have found it to be a very worthwhile organization allowing members to continue and/or expand what may have been a hobby, an interest, or even a profession in their prior lives. l, personally have been involved in working with wood although not necessarily woodworking specifically, but have become much more avid due to the opportunities afforded me through exposure to wide ranging tools, techniques, experts, etc. Additionally, the access to equipment I don't own and couldn't house even if I did own, gives me almost unlimited options in woodworking.
My work life began early when I worked in my father's construction company. My role at first was being the "go-fer", but I eventually co-managed the company and was instrumental in introducing more modern methods of managing the company and expanding the style of home to attract a wider market. I finally struck out on my own and built my company into an $8M per year business. When the housing market crashed, I was able to keep things going since I had the benefit of being hands-on enough to have certifications in Plumbing and Electrical. These licenses served me well throughout my working life and have come in handy doing volunteer work after retiring and moving to The Villages in 2009. I have done everything associated with building a home, from digging foundations to turn-key possession. I am a Heavy Equipment Operator, Completed Stihl's Chainsaw school in Orlando, Fl.
In 1995, I became an electrician for a large bank. Within a few years, I was promoted to Project
Management Officer. In this role, I did less of the hands-on work, but oversaw all infrastructure projects in their 35-story headquarters building in Cleveland, OH. The largest project was a "restack" which moved and upgraded entire departments to accommodate their growth and new technology or reconfigured workspace to allow for synergy between departments with whom they shared resources, information and/or systems.
I have had other jobs and experiences: Honda Dealership Owner, volunteer Police Officer, Manufacturing Plant Superintendent for Berkley Small, a Scripts Howard Company, building coin operated vending machines where I oversaw fabrication, welding, painting and final assembly, shipping and receiving.
In my retirement, I have had the opportunity to volunteer in several areas. I worked on 20+ of the 30 homes the Helping Hands ministry of New Covenant UMC provided to families in need. I served as a Trustee at both New Covenant and Wildwood UMC. I served on the committee formed to find property for the Bargains & Blessings thrift shop. I have been involved in ERT (Early Response Team) which provides recovery services for victims of natural disaster. I am now a Leader in that ministry and am a certified Trainer for new members. I've participated with Bob Thompson and Pete Nichols in special projects undertaken by the Woodworkers Club. I also built over 25 countertops for Lake Deaton Church and helped cut and build cabinet components.
Mike Niesen 2023 - 2026
Member of the management team that developed a professional 3 year apprenticeship program for Heidelberg Eastern
Avoided Union organization of Heidelberg USA Service Dept. in 2005.
Fought the organization efforts of the IAM in all 10 Heidelberg regions.
Wrote new job descriptions o Implemented yearly performance review process o Held regional management responsible for actions o Developed a serviceman's grading system
Member of the NPES Committee for Graphic Arts Safety Standards o Expert member of ISO/TC 130 WG 5 which wrote the ISO standard 12643 o Member of the ANSI safety committee that wrote B65.1
Corporate Witness for all Product cases of Heidelberg USA o I have been deposed over 30 times in various states, for both products cases and performance issues
Developed a training curriculum for all Heidelberg USA field service employees
Negotiated Union contracts for our East Region for the last 4 contracts
Project managed the largest sheet fed press installation in the IJS, 12 printing units, 3 coating units, 2 drying unit.
Complete technical responsibility for Graph Expo and PRINT show since 1995, including largest single booth trade show, PRINT 2001- 120,000 sf, 112 trailers of equipment, 120 technicians, equipment all installed within 18 days.
Developed a second level support group to include a "hot line" customer service group.
Guest speaker at the annual Field Service Conference for the last 3 years. Topics include, Heidelberg Apprenticeship program, Implementation of our escalation policy / program and "Hot line" and remote support.
Joined Heidelberg Eastern service department in Atlanta Ga. Performed new press installations for the SM 102 -72 products, S-line. Technical service including mechanical and print related registration issues in the Southeastern Region,
Mechanical lead technician. Performed field repairs on most all sheet-fed products sold at the time. Extensive experience on the SM perfector. Became electrically proficient in the contactor and relay machines.
Regional Service Manager for the South located in Atlanta Ga. Management responsibility for 60 field service reps and 5 service coordinators. Involved with the Apprenticeship Development program. Part of the regional management team in the South. Developed the pre-installation program still in effect today. Integrated web service for the Heidelberg Web division into the Regional Service office in 1989. First Heidelberg web installed at Geographic in Atlanta.
Vice President of Technical Support for Heidelberg LISA. Overall technical responsibility for all sheet fed & post press products. Developed a training program for the field service force. Product escalation to all Heidelberg factories via Research and Development. Responsible for collections for product performance and technical issues. Dotted line reporting responsibility to the service coordination group including hot line support, customer service, and billing.
Tony Torra 2022 - 2025
I have been a wood shop member for 3 years. Back in Massachusetts worked in the computer industry for a few years before starting a custom home and remodeling business which I ran for 30 years prior to moving to The Villages. I also served for many years on our youth Lacrosse BOD and our local 1000-member Shooting club BOD. I am currently on the WWC safety committee.
Valerie Pfundstein 2023 - 2025
Valerie Pfundstein’s extracurricular activities began in College when she was the first woman student manager for the St. John’s University Redmen sports teams. She was also elected President of the University Student Government. After graduating college, Valerie was a stockbroker and compensation specialist for several New York City investment banks. She “retired” from banking to spend time raising her family. After several years and three children later, Valerie earned her Master's degree in Education and became a Kindergarten teacher. During that time, her first children’s book was published - Veterans: Heroes in Our Neighborhood. She is still a children’s book publisher offering patriotic titles by several authors throughout the country. In her spare time, she was a Girl Scout leader for 12 years and Boy Scout Committee member for 8 years.
Valerie serves on several political state and national boards. In addition to the Woodworkers Club and volunteerism, Valerie enjoys other hobbies in The Villages including pottery, ceramics, and glass fusion.
Valerie and her husband Paul moved the The Villages in 2017 and have been members of the Woodworkers Club since 2020. They are proud parents of three (2 sons and a daughter) and one granddaughter.
Rob Zagst 2023 – 2025
Bob Becker 2024 – 2027
I have worked with wood since I was 12, helping my father build furniture from paraffin crates. In school I built a desk, a wall mounted bookshelf and a floor mounted bookshelf from Mahogany when I was 14 over 50 years ago, still used by my daughter to this day. In those days power tools were rare and all wood shaping was mandated to be done with hand tools including cutting, joining, sanding as well as chiseling dovetail joints.
I am a retired chemical engineer and business owner, graduated from the University of Delaware with a PhD. I grew up in South Africa where I served in the Army as a combat engineer and served an apprenticeship on the gold mines who sponsored my undergraduate studies in Chemical Engineering. I spent years at Air Products and Chemicals, ARCO Chemical, and Johnson Matthey, principally in petrochemical research and developing catalytic converters for emission control from internal combustion engines and power plants. I also taught chemical reaction engineering at Lehigh University and the University of Pennsylvania. I taught many short courses in industrial emission control, ion exchange and mineral processing. I have several patents and am the editor of a book on Computer Aided Catalyst Design.
In 1990 1 founded Environex Inc., a consulting and research company for the development and testing of catalyst, mineral processing and refining of platinum group metals, nickel, and cobalt. As CEO of the company, I hired, trained, and managed engineers, chemists, and technicians for 25 years. We designed and built catalyst testing and catalyst fabrication facilities for safe handling of compressed gases, ceramic slurries, and chemicals.
Environex services power plants across the Untired States. Mineral processing consulting spanned operations in Australia, South Africa, Indonesia, Canada, and Madagascar. Automobile emission control research and consulting includes companies from the USA, Japan, Germany, France, and Finland.
I am divorced, have three adult children and one granddaughter.
When I'm not at the Wood Shop, I am in my own woodshop in Hadley Village. In the evenings I enjoy live music at the Savannah Center, the Sharon and various Rec centers. I like to travel, read, write, and garden.
Joe Cunningham 2024 – 2027
I would be happy to serve on the TV Woodshop's board of directors. I am very interested in continuing volunteering to help the members and club succeed.
Qualifications:
Past member on advisory boards for state technology education, college and high schools
Chris Faulhaber 2024 – 2027
I've been a member of the VWC since May, 2018. I have thoroughly enjoyed working the front desk at both Rolling Acres and Brownwood for the last 4 years!
I'm a graduate of Marquette University with a BS in Business Adm. with a major in Production and Inventory Control.
My work career has covered over 40 years, mostly in the senior level of private manufacturing, including 14 years in the public sector as the Administrator of the Workers Compensation Diva and as the Director of the Industries Programs for the Wisconsin's Dept. of Corrections where I was elected the President of the National Correctional Industries Assoc.
Other positions include the Division Mgr. of the largest
US paint applicator manufacturer, Accounting and Purchasing Mgr. for Schlitz Brewing, HR and Mfg. Director for a major metal fabricator, Gen Mgr. for a Point of Purchase manufacture and Dir. of HR and Safety for a significant Commercial Printer.
I believe my professional experience and volunteering for 20+ years with Special Olympics and several organizations for public health, wellness and education will serve me well as a member of the VWC Board of Directors.
Robert Lebkuecher
2024 - 2027
US Navy - Retired (8 Years, 9 Month Active - 12 Years Reserves) BOILER TECHNICIAN
ACTIVE DUTY — I was stationed on two ships and qualified for all levels of Boiler Operation as quickly as possible up to and including Top Watch which is responsible for all the personnel on watch as well and the boiler operations.
After about 6 months on my second ship, I was assigned as Space Supervisor for the Aft Boiler Room. I had 20 people working for me and I was also responsible for making sure both boilers and machinery were in top working condition.
In port I was responsible for all the personnel for one of 6 in-port duty sections. Some of the responsibilities were assigning everyone a watch station. If we needed to operate a boiler in port, I was so responsible for the proper water quality in the boiler.
During refueling I would assist the Oil Kings by running the refueling of the tanks, ensuring each tank was filled in the correct order to keep the ship level as well and ensuring personnel were sounding the tanks they were being filled.
My last assignment on my second ship was to develop the budget and supplies needed for the Boiler Rooms for an overhaul the ship was going into after I rotated off the ship.
My last active-duty assignment was 3 years as an instructor teaching Automatic Boiler Instrumentation.
As a 1 st Class Petty Officer, I was responsible for Training other enlisted personnel during drill weekends. As a Chief Petty Officer (E7) I was responsible for the management of the enlisted personnel as well as training Junior Officers. I was responsible for performing annual evaluations on enlisted personnel.
During annual active-duty assignments, I was responsible for the enlisted personnel on the same assignment. I would work with the appropriate active-duty personnel to ensure the reservist all had appropriate work assignments and resolve any issues they may have.
Post Navy Active Duty
Quality Control Inspector
NUCLEAR QUALITY CONTROL INSPECTOR - In the early years I was Level Il Inspector. I did Welding Inspection, Receipt Inspection and Vendor Shop Inspection. I was certified per National Code requirements. I did updates to site procedures as needed and trained new employees.
My last 5 years I was a Level Ill Receipt Inspection and Vendor Shop Inspection. I addition to performing inspections. I was responsible for the training and certifying personnel. I would also help the personnel under me with understanding the codes and procedures we worked with.
I was responsible for knowing and understanding all the federal codes and site procedure related to receipt and vendor ship inspections. I worked directly with the Engineers to ensure they were properly following the federal codes and site procedures.
NUCLEAR INDUSTRY FEEDBACK COORDINATOR - Reviewed situations that occurred throughout the nuclear industry throughout the world. Situations that occurred in the nuclear industry were distributed to the appropriate departments for review and action as necessary. Based on the actions taken I prepared responses to the NRC. Also worked as a liaison for the company to assist NRC inspectors in performing inspections of the plant. Developed an automated process for receiving and tracking the issues.
IT Work
NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR —Responsible for all aspects of user and server administration of Windows and Novell servers, including but not limited to troubleshooting hardware and software problems, user administration, printer setup, installing service packs, patches and upgrades, server backups and configuration changes in an Ethernet environment. Provide server support and technical assistance for desktop technicians.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
CUB MASTER - 3 years
SCOUT MASTER - 5 years
Our Troop was known for having a large amount of Scout earn the Rank of Eagle. We tracked the progress of every scout to make sure there were always opportunities perform the activities needed for earning the merit badges they were working on. We also had regular talks with each Scout to help coach them and discuss their progress.
GOLD ANGELS PRECISION MOTORCYCLE DRILL TEAM - TEAM CAPTAIN - 5 years
I would lead the practices and performances.
1973 U.S. Navy Boiler Technician "A" School
1978 U.S. Navy Instructor Training School
1984 U.S. Navy Leadership Management Education and Training School
1991 U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Selectee Leadership Course