[press release]

Brachbill Named APS Director of Education The American Philatelic Society has hired Cathy Brachbill, Ph.D., as its director of education. Brachbill, who has a long career in education, will start her new duties September 29 at the society’s headquarters in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania.

Brachbill will manage the society’s many educational programs, including the national Stamps Teach classroom education program; in-person, online, and stamp show programs for children and adults; and the society’s popular Summer Seminar for collectors.

Brachbill is from the Bellefonte area and previously worked for the Bellefonte Area School District, serving in positions ranging from classroom teacher for 20-plus years to director of curriculum and instruction for nine years before retiring three years ago. She is currently a training consultant for McGraw-Hill Education.

“We had some incredibly talented applicants apply, making this decision very tough,” said Scott English, executive director for the APS. “Given the experience Cathy has had in educating both young learners and adults, we saw someone who could really make an impact with collectors young and old, new and experienced. We’re incredibly fortunate that Cathy has lived and worked in Bellefonte for most of her life and will help us build great partnerships here in Centre County. We are honored to have her join the team.”

Brachbill’s background covers a range from elementary and secondary education for K-12 students, classroom teaching for college-level students, professional development of classroom teachers to administration, budgeting, and management. She received her master’s and doctorate degrees from Penn State University.

“I look forward to working with the staff, volunteers, and members of the American Philatelic Society to enhance current Educational Services and reimagine others while continuing to serve the APS membership with a high level of quality,” said Brachbill.

Brachbill’s duties also will include working as an APS liaison to groups such as the U.S. Postal Service and National Postal Museum, to oversee the Young Philatelic Leaders Fellowship program, manage the APS audiovisual program service, and to manage and enhance the APS mentor service.

Brachbill will work with Janet Houser, youth director and assistant to the education director.

Brachbill will have an official e-mail address of cbrachbill@stamps.org. Her phone number will be 814-933-3803, ext. 239.

With nearly 31,000 members in more than 110 countries, the APS is the largest, non-profit organization for stamp collectors in the world, promoting the hobby for collectors of all ages. Founded in 1886, the APS serves collectors, educators, postal historians, and the general public by providing a variety of programs and services. The society is entirely supported by membership dues, gifts, and the sale of publications, souvenirs, and services.

Michael Bloom
Candidate Statement of APS Director at Large
As a Life Member of APS I’ve devoted myself to growing the number of adult and youth stamp collectors and growing APS membership. When elected to the Board I will devote myself to continuing the efforts already begun. Stamp collecting needs a welcoming face and the APS StampBuddy program, which I created, is now in full swing at every APS StampShow and AmeriStamp Expo. It has a strong presence at many of the 31 World Series of Philately shows. StampBuddy reaches out to non-collectors through presentations at senior living communities, genealogical societies, libraries and many other venues. APS cannot remain passive in building our hobby. The APS Entry Level Adult and Youth Committee, which I chair, brings together our best stamp educators and creative thinkers.

Every year the April issue of the American Philatelist lists a recruiting Honor Roll for the previous year. For 2015 I was listed as the second biggest recruiter for APS membership in 2014, right behind Donald Sundman of Mystic Stamps.

We know that many stamp collectors are not involved in organized philately. I set out to find them and introduce them to APS. The easiest place to find unaffiliated collectors is on eBay. At my request, APS set up a program to auction donated material on eBay and to make a directed effort to show the relevance of APS to each collector’s interests. That program, called ePAM, or eBay Pathway to APS Membership, is now in Beta test.

World Stamp Show NY2016 will have a Welcome to Stamp Collecting Pavilion. I am on the NY2016 Organizing Committee and have been tasked, as Chairman of the NY2016 Entry Level Adult and Youth Committee, with building an entry level adult and youth program that will occupy 5000 square feet including a 30-seat theater. I’ve asked APS to produce two professional qualities movies, one for youth and one for adults. The APS Board has approved this. When NY2016 is over we will leverage everything we learned to carry over to APS activities.

I’m a former teacher so I am able to see stamp collecting from a youth and young adult perspective. But I am also a business man running a multinational engineering and manufacturing company with offices in the US and China. I have a degree in electrical engineering and a graduate degree in counseling; kind of left-brained/right-brained. I will bring my common sense and business acumen with me.

I’ve also chaired a number of non-profit boards and believe that every Board member ought to have a portfolio: some area of major interest where they can bring new ideas and methods of implementation to a Board. My portfolio will include increasing the number of stamp collectors and growing APS membership. As a member of the innovative APS Membership Committee I am alreadyworking closely with the committee.

The future for our hobby looks bright if only we begin to understand how collectors have changed. We need to do better branding. We need to use new technologies such as online learning, and virtual stamp shows. We need to go beyond exposing our youth to stamps; we need to figure out how to turn them into stamp collectors. If elected, that’s where I am heading. I would love to hear your ideas, especially when they are a little out-of-the-box.

mbloom@sinotech.com

Update: September 28th: David has dropped out of the election.

David McNamee
Candidate’s StatementI am running for election to an At-Large position on the APS Board of Directors because I feel a deep responsibility to the hobby to ensure that the APS and its core services are available for future generations of collectors. I joined the APS in 1974 as a young adult, and the guidance and inspiration of the APS and its services have continued to enrich my enjoyment of life ever since. I am an active exhibitor and philatelic Chief Judge, an editor of three philatelic journals, an author of two Congress Book articles (2006, 2010), and three philatelic books based on my research. I have served in leadership positions for local and national stamp shows; a regional philatelic library; local, regional and international philatelic societies; and most recently as Chair of the APS Committee on Accreditation of National Exhibitions and Judges.

I am committed to support the completion of the APRL – it has meant so much to me as a philatelic author, editor and judge. I am retired from a career in financial management and audit, having held senior positions as well as managing my own consulting practice, and serving on the Board of Directors of my profession’s international governing body.

I want to serve the American Philatelic Society and you as an At-Large Director on the APS Board. I believe that my experience in nonprofit governance, consensus management, and my active participation in all dimensions of the hobby make me qualified to ask for your vote.

dmcnamee@aol.com

Rich Drews
Candidate Statement for APS Director at Large
I’m announcing my run for Director at Large of the American Philatelic Society (APS). We need a strong board to develop and help implement long term strategic plans for the APS, provide skilled oversight and build member benefits. Declining numbers demand that we actively use the internet and other innovative approaches to reach new potential members. Our board must solidly support the efforts of the APS staff but stay out of daily operations. I’m running to help make this happen.

I’ve earned degrees from Cal Tech and Northwestern, been a corporate controller and built a nationwide insurance sales force and brokerage. I sold to my partners, entering philately full time. I bought Stamp King, returned to show dealing and opened an auction house, becoming the APS official auctioneer from 1995-99. I sold in 2000 and retired.

I joined the APS in 1976 and have exhibited and judged for over 30 years. I’ve held officer positions in local clubs, including COMPEX and the Chicago Philatelic Society. I co-chair the speaker program and head the nominating committee for the Collectors Club of Chicago, was a founding member of the AAPE [American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors], serving 8 years on the board. I headed the Chapter Activities Committee and the Expert Committee for the APS and developed and taught several courses for members. I ran the volunteers at Ameripex ’86, was Executive Director of WCSE ’92 [World Columbian Stamp Exhibition ’92] and judge internationally.

Much of my time is spent giving back to a hobby that, in addition to reading and mathematics, has been my preoccupation and joy since age 5. My efforts have been amply rewarded with the Champion of Champions, large golds internationally plus numerous local and national awards including the Luff Award for service and the Hennig Award for improvements in judging. When I’m not at shows with Bonnie and our 3 dogs, I’m fishing or doing dachshund rescue. My business experience and involvement in every aspect of the hobby are what I’d like to offer to assist the APS and the APRL.

My biggest joy in collecting is the lifelong friends. Working with them and sharing our mutual passions for philately keeps me coming to all the shows I can attend. My email is richbear427 (AT) hotmail.com. I’m pleased to respond to any ideas that will help our hobby.

Mark Schwartz
APS Director-at-Large Candidate Statement

I would like to announce my candidacy for one of the four Director-at-Large positions on the board of the American Philatelic Society (APS) for the 2016-2019 term.

The APS is the bellwether of our hobby. It has to be healthy if organized philately in the U.S. is to flourish. Despite the well-meaning efforts of many individuals, I believe the APS is not as healthy as it needs to be. It is first a hobby organization, but it is also a business with products and services (the American Philatelist, American Philatelic Research Library, shows, circuit sales, expertizing, etc.) that must better meet the needs of its members and more importantly, continually attract new ones.

I have had a successful career in both science and business. This has taught me how to identify problems and opportunities, and also how to create and implement plans to overcome those problems and take best advantage of the opportunities.

I have been very active in several philatelic organizations and, I believe, helped make each of them better. In philately, progress is made through the ability to find common ground on key issues, and I have substantial experience working with those who have various talents and in bringing all to an alignment that has propelled us forward.

I sincerely hope you will allow me to do the same for the APS.

Philatelic Activities
I began collecting stamps when I was 8 years old and began collecting both stamps and postal history in a more serious fashion in the early 1970s. After I retired, I became more involved in shows, exhibiting, philatelic writing and in various societies.

I am a member of the Greater Philadelphia Stamp & Collector’s Club (previous VP and Program Chair) and currently am (or have been) on the boards of several national organizations:

• U.S. Philatelic Classics Society (USPCS – Director and Asst. Treasurer), where my membership efforts have helped the organization grow for the last several years; and where I am part of a small team revamping the USPCS website to help members take better advantage of the wealth of philatelic information available and to better integrate with social networking.
• American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors (New Director)
• Philatelic Foundation (PF – Trustee), where I directed a thorough overhauling of the website to help communicate the key benefits of a PF certificate; chair the cover review committee to ensure consistency with PF cover standards; and chair of our NY2016 committee to guarantee that we make the most of this opportunity to create business for the PF.
• National Postal Museum’s Council of Philatelists, where I had been chair of the research committee and am currently on the Outreach and Partnerships Working Group and the Post Office Murals team.
• Philadelphia National Stamp Exhibition (Director and Exhibits Chair) using my contacts in philately to attract a large group of excellent and varied exhibits for each show.

For the last 7 years, I have also been a very active exhibitor with 10 different exhibits in over 50 World Series of Philately shows and have been accepted as an apprentice judge. Those exhibits have won 50 gold and two vermeil medals. Two single frame exhibits and one multi-frame exhibit have gone on to win the C of C, and the latter has two large gold medals in international (FIP) competition. I have written articles for the Chronicle of the U.S. Classic Philatelic Issues, the Collectors Club Philatelist, the Congress Book and the India Post, and have given numerous philatelic presentations at local, regional and national meetings.

In short, I have embraced the philatelic fraternity and feel that it has embraced me.

Personal Background
I was born and brought up in the Boston area, and have lived in Philadelphia for the last 45 years. I was trained as a chemist, and have advanced degrees in Chemistry and Business.

I retired in 2007 after 37 years working for a major pharmaceutical company. I progressed from drug development to senior marketing management with major sales and operating budget responsibilities, and then to medium and long-term strategic planning for potential cardiovascular therapies, including outside acquisitions.

mark.schwartz1@verizon.net

Gordon Eubanks
APS Director-at-Large Candidate StatementToday I am announcing my run for the American Philatelic Society (APS) Board of Directors as a Director at Large. While there are many challenges that face the APS, there are also many opportunities to first and foremost serve the current membership and to also bring new members to the hobby. My decision to run is driven by a strong belief that the role of the board is not the day-to-day management of the APS but rather to provide oversight and strong governance. We have a great team at the APS; the board must give them support and the oversight they need to be successful. The board members must also be strong external advocates for the APS.

My professional background includes nine years as a commissioned naval officer serving on nuclear submarines during the Cold War. Following that I spent 25 years helping to build successful technology businesses. This included 16 years as CEO of Symantec Corporation, and on the board of directors of both public and private companies. Today I am retired, spending time helping small technology companies and serving on a few boards.

As a philatelist I have been a member of the APS for more than two decades. I am an active exhibitor winning two Champion of Champions awards and two large gold medals in international competition. I am a member of many philatelic organizations including serving on the board of the U. S. Philatelic Classics Society, as the section editor for the 1847 Section of the Chronicle, as a member of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum Council of Philatelists, and a member of the Leadership Circle for the upcoming New York 2016 International Show.

I look forward to the opportunity to apply both my business experience and passion for philately as a board member of the APS. If you have questions or comments, please drop me a note. I look forward to hearing from you.

Gordon Eubanks
gordoneubanks@gmail.com

by Lloyd A. de Vries

This didn’t come up until the Q&A of the General Membership Meeting on Saturday, August 22, 2015, surprisingly, but I think it’s the information most people want first: The American Philatelic Society currently has just over 31,000 members, with approximately 29,500 of them in the U.S. In the past year, the APS has a net loss of 440 paid memberships; including Life Members, the APS has lost 560 members.

I thought Scott English, the new Executive Director, did a nice job introducing the APS staffers present in the room and the show; he seemed to know something about each of them, even though he’s only been on the job since August 10th.

APS president Steve Reinhard notes that there have been quite a few major personnel changes in the past year: English, Jay Bigalke as American Philatelist editor, Megan Orient as Director of Shows and Exhibitions. He thanked Ken Martin for his many years of service and noted that Ken is now Chief Operating Officer. That got a solid round of applause from the members.

Reinhard announced that the American Philatelic Center is finally on the way to completion of the American Philatelic Research Library facility.

He announced that the Stamps Teach program is successful, and has received a $25,000 matching grant. What wasn’t mentioned is that the Director of Education position has been vacant for several months.

He finished by announcing that he was not running for re-election as president (as previously reported here in The Virtual Stamp Club), adding that “it is very important that we get the right people in office.”

Board of Vice Presidents chair Alex Haiman announced that the VPs have handled 14 complaints in the past year. Half were resolved from a BVP hearing. One is in appeal, and there were two expulsions.

Treasurer Ken Nilsestuen reported that both the APS and APRL are in good financial condition. The APS received a surprise bequest from Walter Weber of $1.3 million, which allowed the library completion project to start. It provides about two-thirds of the necessary funds.

Matt Liebason, the new chair of the Membership Committee, said that there needs to be more one-on-one recruiting. “You are the ones who care enough to come to a meeting on Saturday morning,” he said. “We will turn this around.”

Society Attorney Kathleen Yurchak reported there is one lawsuit pending against the APS over a disputed donation.

APRL president Roger Brody reported that the Library is expanding from 7-8,000 square feet to more than 20,000 square feet.

World Stamp Show-New York 2016 president Wade Saadi said buzz is starting around the world about the next U.S. International, which will start on May 28th. “[International] shows in the U.S. are a focal point of philately,” he said.

WSS-NY2016 has booked 15,600 hotel room-nights, but half have already been taken. He advises booking as soon as possible. You can cancel with no penalty up to one month before the show. (Click here to go to the reservation page on the “NY2016.org” site.) 80% of the dealer booths have been taken; only two society booths are available.

In his first report as Executive Director, Scott English says he wants to retire the library debt “quickly and aggressively.” The target to complete the library project is April.

The APS and APRL will be reviewing and renegotiating their agreement over the use and administration of the American Philatelic Center.

The APS is in the process of hiring a Director of Education, with the emphasis on “distance liearning” (course on the Internet).

In conclusion, “Anyone who ever steps foot into a stamp show will meet friends for life,” he said.

Surprisingly, not announced was the APS board’s decision to hold its 2017 winter show, AmeriStamp Expo, in Reno, and StampShow 2019 (summer) in Omaha. The vote was reported in Linn’s Stamp News.

[press release]
Personal Background
I am a California native and attended my first Westpex stamp show as a teenager in 1968. I graduated from U.C. Berkeley’s School of Business with a B.S. in Accounting followed by an MBA degree in 1977.

As a result of a job transfer in 1999, my family and I relocated to New Jersey where we now live. My wife of 32 years and I have two young adult children who are embarking on their own chosen careers.

Philatelic Activities
While I have not parted ways with my blue Scott Internationals, the focus of my collecting interest is Switzerland, in all its permutations. I have several exhibits and I am constantly striving to improve them.

After joining the APS in 1976, my first local stamp club was the East Bay Collectors Club where I served as President in the early 1980s. Following a move to the San Francisco peninsula, I joined the Peninsula Stamp Club and later served as its President until my family’s move to New Jersey.
Today, I am privileged to serve as Treasurer of the APRL, Treasurer and Webmaster of the American Helvetia Philatelic Society (AHPS), Secretary and Assistant Commissioner General of the World Stamp Show-NY2016 Organizing Committee, President of the Collectors Club (New York), and am a member of the NOJEX stamp show committee and the Westfield (NJ) Stamp Club.

Accomplishments Benefiting the Hobby

• Designed numerous local show cachets and cancels and organized the 1983 Lake Merritt Balloon Mail Flight in conjunction with the annual East Bay Collectors Club Stamp Show.
• Presented “Stamp Collecting and the Internet” seminar at the Pacific 97 International Stamp Exhibition in San Francisco
• Organized a successful fundraising campaign among members of the AHPS to support the Switzerland Philatelic Literature Collection at the APRL
• Expanded the volume of Swiss philatelic publications and exhibits that are available for viewing and downloading at the AHPS website
• Formally incorporated and obtained 501(c)3 tax-exempt status for the AHPS
• Obtained an offer of bank financing to complete the permanent APRL space in the Match Factory that was unanimously approved by the APRL Board of Trustees
• Obtained from the U.S. Department of Commerce the designation of World Stamp Show-NY 2016 as a “Fair” for the purpose of promoting international trade
• Organized the 2015 visit of the All China Philatelic Federation and the first multi-day stamp exhibition at New York’s Collectors Club in modern times

Professional Qualifications
I am a Certified Public Accountant with an active license in California, a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Charterholder and a Certified Internal Auditor.

I began my career as a staff accountant at Deloitte in San Francisco, and was promoted to audit manager within five years. The bulk of my career has involved a variety of accounting and financial management positions in the financial services industry culminating in semi-retirement after serving as Chief Financial Officer for Private Banking at U.S. Trust.

I currently serve Riverside Research Institute, a not-for-profit scientific research organization part-time as its Internal Auditor, working with its Board of Trustees on various financial and risk management issues. My part-time status at Riverside affords me the opportunity to also serve philately in volunteer roles.

My Long Term Vision for the APS and APRL

• The APS provides a robust suite of services to members which enhance the experience of the hobby
  The APS and APRL jointly fulfill an educational and cultural preservation mission for the public good
• The Match Factory’s commercial tenants provide long term financial stability to the cultural resource that is the APRL and provides facilities supporting the activities of the APS
• The APS grows in its capabilities and reach to become a “mother ship” organization supporting philatelic activities throughout the United States
• The APS and APRL are valued members of the Bellefonte, PA community which hosts our physical and professional human resource infrastructure

I Seek Your Support
In 2016 I expect to complete six years of service on the Board of Trustees of the APRL including four years as APRL Treasurer. I will be stepping down from that role and am running in the 2016 election for the position of Treasurer of the APS.

I have had the opportunity to develop strong and collaborative working relationships with recent APS Treasurers Kathy Johnson and Ken Nilsestuen and with Controller Rick Banks. These relationships, the knowledge I have gained in serving the APRL, and my professional and philatelic experience combine to make me your best choice as Treasurer of the APS for the 2016-2019 term.

I thank you for your support.

Bruce Marsden

Ken Nilsestuen, current APS treasurer, has announced his candidacy for APS president in 2016. As president he will bring years of leadership experience as a philatelist, as a business professional, and as a non-profit board member.

Ken has stated: “The role of the APS board is to exercise its independent fiduciary oversight on behalf of all members of the APS. The organization will prosper by offering desired services to stamp collectors at all levels. The board must work to see that the APS succeeds, our staff succeeds, and help our new executive director as he learns about the stamp collecting hobby. Through all of this, we, the board, must be responsive to our members.”

Nilsestuen’s business experience includes an over 40 year career as a CPA in the largest accounting firms and at the head of two NYSE-listed corporation tax departments. In the late 1990s he was also co- owner of Summit Auctions, a stamp and ephemera auction house. Throughout his entire career Ken focused on managing clients and his own staff to function as effective teams.

He has also been active in non-profit boards for more than 30 years. In addition to the APS he has served as treasurer or president of the Akron Symphony, the International Institute of Akron, the Cleveland International Piano Competition, the Collectors Club of Akron, the Garfield-Perry Stamp Club and the Rubber City Stamp Club.

Ken has been an active philatelist since he was a kid, entering organized philately as a young adult. A Minnesota native, Ken soon became editor of the Twin Cities Philatelic Society newsletter, and over time he joined the APS (1979), CCNY, France and Colonies Philatelic Society, and many other philatelic groups. He has been president of the France & Colonies society for seven years. Ken has been exhibiting for more than 30 years, winning many gold medals and a Grand Award. He made it to the C- of-C in 2010, where he tied for second. Ken qualified for the APS judging corps in 2004, has judged more than 40 shows and is now an active accredited chief judge. This past year he also served on the search committee for the new APS executive director.

In addition to his other accomplishments, Nilsestuen has also written articles for the American Philatelic Congress Book (2004 and 2015) and other publications, mostly on French area philately. In 1999 he co- authored a monograph on Algerian cancels.

Ken believes his extensive business experience, love for the APS and philately, and collaborative leadership style is the necessary combination for a great society and staff guided by an independent and effective board.

[press release]

American Philatelic Research Library Final Construction Begins The long-anticipated completion of a new state-of-the-art American Philatelic Research Library is much closer to reality. The APRL Board of Directors on Friday, July 31 approved plans for the library’s final construction, which should begin by mid-August.

“The completion of this project will provide secure and appropriate storage for the library’s unique collections and much-needed workspace for our staff, volunteers, and visitors,” said APRL librarian Tara Murray.

The new library space, which will increase the current library’s size by about 50 percent, could be ready to be occupied as early as April 1. The grand opening would be several weeks later to allow time for materials to be transferred from the current library.

The library is within the 100,000-square-foot American Philatelic Center, which occupies the historic former Match Factory in Bellefonte, Pa. The APRL and American Philatelic Society, both nonprofits, share about 55,000 square feet of space while the rest of the facility is leased to 11 tenants.

The Centre Region Planning Agency in July gave final approval to the $2.1 million final phase of the library project. The cost of the entire APRL project is about $3.5 million. A good portion of the final phase is being funded via a $1.3 million gift from Walter Weber of Bellingham, Washington, who passed away in May 2014. It was the largest gift ever received by the APS.

The American Philatelic Research Library is considered one of the world’s most valuable assets in the hobby of philately. The library holds more than 23,000 book titles, and 6,000 journal titles, on its nearly three miles of shelving. More than 30,000 society members are invited to utilize the library’s services, either on-site or from long distance, and the library is open to the public.

“Not only will the new library provide visitors in Bellefonte a more flexible and comfortable space to browse and research, but it will also allow our staff and volunteers to provide better library services to researchers around the world and to carry out digitization, preservation, and indexing projects,” Murray noted.

The new library will take up the bulk of space in the upcoming renovation and construction of 19,500 square feet. The new space will bring together all functions, collections and resources of the APRL, which has been scattered throughout the American Philatelic Center since moving there in 2004.

The new library includes a secure separate rare book room; space-saving compact shelving; public access computers and Wi-Fi throughout; reading lounges; a space for map and large-document storage; a donation-processing room; climate-controlled storage areas; study carrels with lockable storage; and a group study area. It also will include adjoining restrooms, an elevator to offer handicapped accessibility, and a used book and gift shop.

About $1.4 million in prior construction beginning in 2010 — including a new floor, roof, windows, stairwells and structural support — has been completed in the library’s new space.

Veronesi Building and Remodeling Inc. of State College, Pa. is the general contractor on the final phase of the library project.

Overall, the center includes 18 adjacent buildings on about 6 acres of land and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The APS and the library moved from nearby State College into the American Philatelic Center in May 2004. Since purchasing the property — which was an active match factory from 1899 to 1947 — in 2002, the APS has already completed $13.5 million in renovations to the property.

The APS was founded in 1886. The APRL was incorporated in 1968 as serves as the library and archives for the APS. Both are non-profit educational organizations.

The American Philatelic Center employs 31 full time staff and about 20 regular volunteers are on site. The center, at 100 Match Factory Place, is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. business days.

Detailed plans for the library can be found online at stamps.org/userfiles/file/library/Case_for_Support.pdf.

[The two pictures above are from 2013; we are checking to see if the architects’ conception has changed. -LdeV]