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