Cheryl Ganz has been chosen to fill a vacancy on the American Philatelic Society’s Board of Directors. By a unanimous vote, the former Smithsonian National Postal Museum philatelic curator was elected as a Vice President, filling the vacancy when Bob Zeigler succeeded Mick Zais as president. Zais resigned when he became U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education.

Ganz called into the telephone conference-call meeting Monday, June 11th, from Iceland!

At the same time, the Board chose Steve Rod as Historian, replacing Gini Horn, who resigned because of ill health.

Zeigler opened the meeting by vowing to “do no harm,” expand the membership “or at least stop the attrition,” and to retire more debt.

In announcing his nomination of Ganz, Zeigler cited her record of service to the APS and philately, “her great temperament,” and her writing.

Ganz said she did not seek the job, but was asked by two people. She said she has always a big booster of the society, a donor, a life member, and serves on two committees, Ethics and New Initiatives. She has never been on the Board before. “I will do my best to do everything  I can to help the APS,” she said.

Ganz joins a three-member Board of Vice Presidents that also includes Trish Kaufmann and Jeff Shapiro.

Speaking at the meeting, Rod cited past historian Herb Trenchard, who severed for decades. “I am in awe” of Trenchard, he said. “I hope to serve in this position as dutifully as Herb and Gini have,” Rod said. “I love the APS with all my heart and soul.”

Rod’s appointment by the president did not need a vote, but was approved unanimously anyway.

The Board also approved unanimously a resolution honoring APS staffer Janet Houser.  Executive director Scott English noted that she began at the APS in 1990, and worked in the accounting department before moving to education. He said he was “extremely grateful” for her help as he became the organization’s CEO and made changes. “Janet has been extremely supportive of the education initiatives” and “an ambassador of good will,” he said. “I’ve been grateful for having her.”

English said he will also be submitting the resolution to the American Philatelic Research Library board.

The executive director recommended the Board skip its previously-scheduled meeting on June 19th, inasmuch as all the business has been covered. The Board will next convene the day before StampShow.

Zeigler recommended English draw up a resolution praising Zais, for a vote by the Board at the August meeting.