Onteora Alumni Associations
2016 Board Election
Candidate Biographies/Statements
 

Chairman
Bill Cotter

My time at OSR started in 1963 at Summer Camp, then really kicked into high gear when I worked at the Teddy Roosevelt Shelter in 1968 and 1969. It was an honor to receive my Eagle award during one of the parent's weekend campfires in the old amphitheater. I moved to California after college, but made a point of visiting OSR every time I was back in NY for a school reunion. During one of those trips I was dismayed to hear the camp had closed, so with Bill Throop we did a survey of the property to assess the infrastructure in the hope of someday re-opening. In 1998 I started my website about the camp's history. In 2001 I organized the first Reunion Weekend, and help create the Alumni Association. I've been a board member since then, and have had the honor of serving as the chair for the past several years. I've served as an Explorer Post Advisor, Cubmaster, Assistant Scout Master, and Merit Badge counselor, and am a James E. West member, and a Life Member of the OAA.

Vice Chairman
Steve Shull

Age 64, health excellent, happily retired. Member of OAA Board as Member-at-Large 2004 - 2006 and Vice Chair 2007 - 2009, 2012 to present. OSR Staff 1968 - 1973, 2002, 2005.
Volunteer OSR staff 2003, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2016. Member in good standing of Red Trail Wanderers and co-leader of 2016 OSR 50 Mile Trek. Attendance at more than 90% of work weekends and reunions since 2002.

Treasurer
Mike Kelly

Mike Kelly served on the Onteora staff from 1965 through 1970. He spent the first year working in the office and then switched to the bakery when it opened in 1966, gradually taking over responsibility for the operation and finally running it for at least his final year on staff. Throughout each year, he also cooked for numerous weekend activities at Onteora and Wauwepex, both individually and as a member of Post 348. A Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow, he served as Area Chief for Area 2-J, editor of the Buckskin Tab, Recording Secretary for Buckskin Lodge, and chairman of the Brotherhood and Vigil Honor committees. He is remembered for his extensive participation on ceremonial teams, most notably as Meteu on the Ordeal team and Allowat Sakima on the Brotherhood and Vigil teams. After graduating from college he spent 31 years on active duty in the Air Force, rising to the rank of colonel. He ending his military career as deputy director of their world-wide services program, which included all morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) activities, lodging and troop feeding, and casualty affairs. He returned to the Air Force in a civilian capacity with responsibilities for strategic planning, resources, and oversight for MWR and other quality of life functions. He currently directs policy and provides oversight for MWR and resale activities across the entire Department of Defense; most of that $16 billion portfolio comes from purchases and fees paid by service members and their families. On a slightly smaller scale, he also has extensive experience as treasurer for local youth sports programs and church groups. Mike has been active in the Onteora Alumni Association since Gabe Gluck tracked him down. He has attended several reunions and can usually be found helping out in the kitchen; his pineapple upside down cakes brought back many memories at the last reunion. He currently serves as co-chairman of the 2016 reunion; his surveys were instrumental in gauging the level of interest and charting the direction for this year's activities. He has also started preliminary planning for a lasting memorial to departed staff and association members. Mike lives in northern Virginia with his wife of 41 years; they have two adult children.

Secretary
Bill Throop

I believe the Boy Scouts of America has been and continues to be the best organization for growing our youth into responsible adults. In order to continue its mission, the BSA needs good councils and those councils need good camps. Onteora is one of those camps, but it must be adequately resourced and supported in order to stay viable. The OAA can help with this, but can only be successful if volunteers step up to the plate. Since I do not live nearby I am not available to participate in work weekends and other activities on a regular basis. Serving on the OAA board is something I can do to support Onteora and TRC.

-- Camper, Camp Wauwepex and Onteora, 1962-67
-- Inducted into Buckskin Lodge, OA, 1965; Brotherhood 1966; Vigil 1969
-- Attended World Jamboree, Idaho, 1967
-- Onteora Staff, 1968-70, 1973
-- Adult leader, Transatlantic Council, BSA, 1986-1992
-- Member, Black Eagle Lodge, OA, 1986-1992
-- Assisted in planning first OAA reunion, 2001
-- Life member, Onteora Alumni Association
-- Co-chairman, OAA reunions, 2011 and 2016
-- Secretary, OAA Board, 2013-2016
-- Legend of Onteora, 2015

Registrar
Howie Perlman

Howard Perlman is an Eagle Scout and Vigil Honor member who proudly served as full-time Onteora summer camp season staff for six summers and volunteer staff for an additional six summers. He has served on the Onteora Alumni Association Board since 2011 and is editor-in-chief of the OAA's newsletter, The Red Trail. Howie wants to continue to serve with the OAA Board to bolster the strength of Onteora Scout Reservation.

Member-at-large candidates

PLEASE NOTE THERE IS AN ERROR ON THE BALLOTS. Dave White Eagle should have been included in the section for Member-at-Large. His bio is below. Please write him in if he is one of your 4 selections for this position.

Bruce Bauer

Cub Scout in Pack 427 later Pack 315
Boy Scout in troop 1688, which was merged into Troop 698
Eagle Scout 1974

Years at OSR
1969 scout, in Sioux Campsite
1970 scout, JLTC and Rappahannock site
1971, 1972, & 1973 scout, at Tuscarora site
1973 Staff at TR
1974 Staff at TR and Bobcat
1975 Staff
1976 Provisional ASM
1977 PC Otter
1978 PC Otter
1979 Rifle Range Director
1980 pre-staff only, got a real Job :-(

Adult leader troop 351
Philmont 2014
Philmont 2016

Dave Blaushild

Dave served on staff at Onteora in 1970, '71, and '74. He is a charter member of the Onteora Alumni Association (OAA) and served on the OAA Board from 2006 - 2014. He coordinated the Order of the Arrow rededication ceremonies at the 2001 and 2011 reunions.
Dave is an Eagle Scout from Troop 421, Hicksville and a Vigil Honor member from Buckskin Lodge. He is currently an Assistant Scoutmaster in Troop 28, Mt. Lebanon, PA and a district vice chairman for membership in the Laurel Highlands Council.
He served on the National Jamboree staff in 2005, 2010, and 2013, and will be on staff again in 2017.
Dave lives in Pittsburgh, PA and is an environmental compliance officer for the Bechtel Corporation.
 

John Brown

* camp staff 1956(opening summer) - 1962
* then, there were 4 camp periods of 2-weeks each with a work week before and after the summer schedule
* attendance grew from 50 scouts to 1,000 scouts per period in those 7 years
* I reported to Camp Dir. Ken Heim as a program commissioner, 1959 - 1962, and also directed the staff chorus and song leaders/presenters for both dining halls
* since joining the OAA in 2014 I have attended both reunions, participated in 3 of 4 work weekends and visited Onteora summer camp in July, 2015
* I have served on the Board for the 2015 - 2016 yr., serve on the membership committee and am coordinating the camp-wide activities (13) for the 60th anniversary reunion
* eagle scout, troop 36 Freeport & troop 321 Hicksville as a scout, volunteer, troop 550 DeLand, FL currently
* I have 4 sons, I'm retired and a FL and NY resident

It would be a privilege to continue to serve the OAA and it's members.

Doug Davis

Currently serving a third term as a member at large for the OAA. An Eagle scout from troop 351 serving on the OSR staff for 15 years. Recently inducted as a member of the "Legends of Onteora". Vigil Honor OA.
Serving my 14th year as scoutmaster also TRC High Adventure Chairman and Assistant Roundtable Commissioner for Pequott District. Three tours of Florida Sea Base, Three Philmont Treks and one Northern Tier Trek. Silver Beaver Award. TRC Sagamore Service Troop and Woodbadge Beaver Patrol.
Additional: Ex-Captain, Truck Company, North Merrick Fire Department, 36 years Active Duty, multiple committees. Engineer for Avaya Government Solutions supporting all DOD Medical.

Traci DioGuardi

I have been a scouter since 2001 and am still active within our council. I've been married to my husband, Frank, for 32 years and we have two Eagle Scout sons, Frankie and Michael. Both of my sons are still active in scouting. Over the years, I have served our youth in many ways starting with Webelos Den Leader, the OA, Wood Badge staff and Sagamore Service Troop just to name a few.
My love of Onteora began as a love at first sight! From the very first time I arrived at camp till now, I cherish my time back "at home". I have volunteered as camp staff numerous years in whatever capacity I was needed. No job was beneath me. The connections and friendships I made with the staff and the campers is something that will never be forgotten.
I still attend the Beaver days when possible and enjoy working with my fellow scouters to help get our camp in shape for the next wave of youth to experience.
I feel that by becoming a Member at Large, I can offer up new ideas and view things with a fresh set of eyes. I believe in the preservation of our camp traditions and am also accepting of change. Change is good.
Thank you for your consideration.
Tracy Dioguardi
Wischixen Sisilija

Kevin Lipman

I have worked here at Onteora Scout Reservation since 2005 in various different positions. I am currently the maintenance director during the 2016 camp season as well as a camp-master and caretaker during the off season. I was a member of troop 423 and served in many positions within the unit until I moved upstate in the fall of 2007.  I am also currently as well the culinary advisor for Buckskin Lodge  and just got called out for vigil at the spring weekend. During my time working here I have seen many projects get done to better the camp and many of them were made possible by the OAA.

Glenn Peters

I have served on the Onteora Alumni Association Board for the past year. I feel that being the youngest member I have brought and continue to bring a different in sight to the table. A few highlights of my scouting career include being an Eagle Scout, a vigil honor member of buckskin lodge, the councils first ever venturing summit award recipient, Onteora Camp Staff, and a two term Buckskin Lodge chief. This year on the board I spear headed the designing and production of the OAA 60th anniversary reunion apparel. It has been my honor and privilege to serve on the board with such a high caliber of scouting's best volunteers. I continue to stay involved with camp helping in anyway I can and if I am lucky enough to be re-elected to my position it is my hope to spearhead a new project that project being getting the current camp staff into the alumni association whether 14 or 54 if we bridge the gap with all of our members and current staff with the endless amount of resources available it would be impossible to fail. I want to ensure the current Camp staff utilizes the alumni association to its greatest capacity. Thank you for your support.

Vinnie Pistone

I welcome the opportunity to work with the OAA in the member at large position. I have been a long term supporter of our camp in many different roles. As a camper from 2000 through 2003 I was able to gain an appreciation for the camp at a young age. When given the opportunity to serve on the camp staff as a CIT in 2004 I immediately jumped at it. Throughout the following 9 years I had the privilege of working as the director of the glaize, waterfront staff, and in 2011 I was sent to National camp school to be trained as an Adirondack Voyageur and trek guide in hopes of instilling a trek program in the camp. My camp staff career culminated in being trained in resident camp administration through BSA National camp School and serving as the Program and Assistant Camp Director in 2012. Throughout this time I also had the unique opportunity of being able to do some extra work for the camp prior to the arrival of scouts and staff. From 2009 through 2012 I worked directly with the ranger in a pre and post camp setting often arriving at camp in May and not leaving until September. In more recent times I have been able to carry this experience over to assisting in work on our work and alumni weekends as well as often jumping at any chance to lend a hand at OSR throughout the year. I hope to carry this experience and knowledge directly to the OAA board and be able to be a contributing member. I truly believe that Onteora Scout Reservation is and will continue to be the best scout camp in the nation and with the assistance of the leadership of OAA we will continue to be so.

Dave White Eagle

I am a 37 year old Eagle Scout from Nassau county council/ TRC. I am married & I am the proud father of 4 wonderful kids(3 sons & a daughter). My oldest son is a member of the troop I grew up in. My 2nd son will be a Wolf in September, my 3rd son will be a tiger in Sept. My 3 year old daughter can't wait to join Venturing! Hopefully we can convince her to do girl scouting first. I am currently serving as ASM in Troop 46 of Farmingdale (troop 46 was formerly out of Massapequa). This is my 25th year with 46 (7 yrs as a youth & 18 as leader). I also serve as Den leader in Pack 603 out of Bethpage. This is my 5th year with 603. I am also the president of a 501c3 non profit called the Baldwin Boys Association. This is my 15th year as President of the BBA. The BBA is the Chartered organization of Troop 182, Venture crew 182 & a Girl Scout troop in Baldwin. The BBA owns & maintains a cabin & property in Baldwin for use by Scouts & youth groups. Onteora is in my Blood. My first experience supporting OSR was Carrying a S.O.S. "Save Our Summercamp" sign in the protests at the court house in 1990. I was a camper at OSR in 1991. Sadly I spent all but one of my years as a Boy Scout, at another camp. It was a wonderful camp, but Wasn't Onteora. It wasn't Home. One of the things, if not the thing I'm most proud of in my scouting career is, having served on Camp Staff of Onteora in the Volunteer years of 98-02. Knowing we got OSR re-opened for the generations of scouts that came after my own generation is an amazingly good feeling. I am Thrilled that my Kids are coming up & will come up through scouting at Onteora.

I am a vigil Honor Brother in the Buckskin lodge. I was fortunate to make my Brotherhood at OSR during the volunteer years. I've spent many a beaver weekend at Onteora. I even proposed to my wife while standing on the bridge at Orchard lake! I considered naming my first born Onteora (but my wife wouldn't go for it)