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 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
2023 – 2024 Officers
John Keil Scott – President 2023 - 2024
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 2023 - 2024
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.
Ed Deitch, Treasurer 2023 - 2024
Ed has been our treasurer for the past two years. He successfully guided the club into building and equipping our new Brownwood shop without incurring any additional financial loans or obligations.
Cindy Bloecher - Secretary 2023 – 2024
In 2012 we purchased our home and moved to The Villages in 2014. I have been a member of the 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
Harm Borfitz Board of Directors Chair 2021 - 2024
Ron Badami 2021 - 2024
· I've been a VWC Member since 2007
· Also active in a number of other social clubs in the Villages
Joe Benkowski 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.
-Open- 2023 - 2026
Dipak Dhabuwala 2022 - 2025
Training: • Fellow in Surgery and Kidney Transplant Wayne State University School of Medicine Detroit, Michigan • Board Certified in Urology 1981 University School of Medicine Detroit, Michigan Faculty appointments: • Professor of Urology Wayne State University School of Medicine Detroit, Michigan 8/99 – • 06/2007 • Associate Chairman Department of Urology Wayne State University School of Medicine Detroit, Michigan 05/02 to 06/2007 • Clinical Professor Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine Lansing, Michigan 11/10 April 2014 • Chief of Urology Harper University Hospital Chief of Urology Hutzel Women's Hospital Detroit, Michigan 07/2007 to April 2014 • Urologist Leesburg regional Medical Center 01/2015 – 01/2019 Publications : • Published about 60 Papers on different subjects in Urology
Joined The Villages Woodshop 10/28/2017 • Attend the wood shop 3 to 5 times in a week Some of the things I have made • Made on Lathe Regular platters, Bowls, 3 and 4 leg bowls, mini bowls for serving nuts, eggcups, lidded jewelry boxes, wine goblets and wine glasses, Coasters with ancient Greek design. Brick pattern Segmented bowls, Maple Segmented 10” vase with accent, Bubinga rectangles A 14" Segmented bowls with accent inverted triangles 16" tall, segmented European wine decanter with several accent rings • End grain Cutting Boards and serving trays Rail tract cutting board Brick pattern cutting board • Optical illusion end grain cutting boards Truncated pyramids Cutting board Floating squares Cutting board Emerging squares Cutting boards Serving tray with truncated pyramid illusion. After retiring as a urological surgeon, I have immensely enjoyed wood working. Planning for the new project takes a lot of time and executing the plan is very fulfilling for the soul.
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.
Ray Roberts 2021 - 2024
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.
Conway Williams 2021 - 2024
Joined The Villages Woodworkers Club, The Villages, Fl 2010- present
· Elected to the Board of Directors 2021-2023
· Member of the Design Committee 2018-present
· Elected to the Board of Directors 2016-2018
· Member of the Expansion Committee 2016-present
· Joined the Executive Operations Committee 2015- present
· Appointed Toy Department Manager 2015- present
· Joined the Toy Department 2011- present
ERA, Realtor Gettysburg, Pa. 2002-2009
A leader among all ERA Real Estate Franchises with over $1.0 Billion in sales
Sales Associate – Gettysburg Office
- Member - National Association of REALTORS – NAR
- Member - Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS – PAR
· Member - REALTORS Association of York and Adams County – RAYAC
o Treasurer 2008-20,09
Areva Corp, Framatome Connector International, Etters, Pa 2000-2002
Global leader in Electronic Components for industry with $2.4 Billion in sales that has more than 60 production facilities in 28 countries.
· Director, Global Supply Chain Logistics
AMP Incorporated, Harrisburg Pa 1999 & Prior
A $5.5 Billion global designer and manufacturer of electronic, electrical, wireless, and Electro-optic interconnection devices, with more than 200 production facilities in 60 countries, which is now part of Tyco International, LTD.
· Director, Worldwide Materials and Logistics 1999-1999
· Director, Global Materials and Logistics 1998-1999
· Director of Logistics and Materials, AMP Incorporated, Europe Middle East and Africa, London, UK 1997-1998
· Director of Logistics, AMP GB Ltd., London, UK. 1995-1997
· Director of Information and Analysis, Customer Satisfaction and Business Effectiveness, AMP Incorporated, Harrisburg, Pa. 1994-1995
· Director of Information and Analysis, Global Quality, 1985-1994
· Director of Material Services, . 1978-1985
· A variety of positions in Materials from scheduler, planner, materials analyst, industrial engineer, Production Control Supervisor, Production Control Manager, Divisional Materials Manager and Group Materials Manager. 1966-1978
Education
CPIM certification - American Production and Inventory Control Society.
Shippensburg University - Shippensburg, Pa.- Masters of Business Administration.
Gettysburg College - Gettysburg, Pa. - BA Economics and Business Administration.