Rocket City HOG Chapter Officers

Johnny Seifert: Director I ride a 2009 Ultra Classic Electra Glide. It’s my third Harley bagger. Been riding since the mid-seventies and have loved every mile. There’s not much to compare to the feeling one gets on the open road. I like the camaraderie amongst motorcycle riders, you know, the wave and the way we greet each other. Reminds me of military days long past. I used to ride solo but not after meeting my wife Patty. She’s only been riding for about four years and is on her second Heritage Softail Classic. We’ve been members of HOG since 05 and joined this chapter in 2007. This chapter really is one of the best and it’s because of the members. Keep your knees in the wind and the chrome topside.

Dave Baswell: Assistant Director I started riding Harleys in 1948 on the back of my brother-in-laws UL. My first bike was a 1951 Famous James. I had BSA's, Triumph's, AJS's, Norton's and Matchless during the 50's and 60’s and enjoyed some success racing on flat tracks. Over the years I have rode BMW’s, Yamaha's, and Honda’s. I joined HOG in 1990 after being a guest at the first Alabama rally and things have never been the same since. I was the first director of the Rocket City chapter when we changed over from the Huntsville Chapter in 1991. HOG became a way of life for Bernice and I. We attended 9 or 10 rallies a year during the 90's and traveled over a lot of the world to International rallies. I think the best thing about HOG is the friendship of the people you meet along the way. I have acquired friends from around the world that I still keep in touch with. I have had 9 Harley's over the years and presently ride a '03 Ultra with a Trike Shop “Trike Kit” on it and a '04 Softail Standard.

Tina Theiss: Secretary The first time I rode a motorcycle was in 2006. I dated a guy who had a bike and we went everywhere on it. Even though the guy didn’t last, the interest in riding did. I continued to note the weather as a ‘good riding day’ or not. Finally in 2008, I couldn’t take it any longer. I put my interest into action. I took the Rider’s Edge course and bought my first bike, A Yamaha VStar 650. I was hooked and my life was changed forever. Within months I had big bike fever and wanted MORE power! Less than a year later, I upgraded to my ’09 Heritage Softail Classic. She’s black, beautiful and I love riding her. I joined the local HOG chapter in July 2009 and have enjoyed the rides and the great friendship. I can’t wait for more rides, more friends and more switchbacks. Come on, let’s go riding.

Pam Douglas: Treasurer/Historian   Who would have thought that a girl from a small town in North Dakota would travel the world and end up in Huntsville, AL. Who would have thought that same girl would ride her own Harley. Well -- she did and she does. I have enjoyed riding my "Road Queen" (1995 Sportster) for nearly 9 years now. Life has been filled with many accomplishments -- being an Army Veteran, being married to John for 30 years, having 2 wonderful boys and being Treasurer for our HOG group for 6 years, this will be year 7.

   Life is GOOD!!!

                                         Let's all have a GREAT 2010.

Lester Johnson: Activities Officer I grew up in the mountains of North Carolina with NASCAR and muscle cars but with place in my heart for Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Just out of high school, the President invited me to a party in Vietnam which meant I had to put off getting that bike. College, raising a family, and career filled the years, but still no bike.

In 2006 my Harley dream came true when I bought a Fatboy and joined the local HOG group. I put 14,000 miles on my bike that year. Unfortunately, in October of ‘06 I blacked out and totaled my Fatboy. After the insurance settlement, I bought my 2007 Heritage. It was a great bike and I rode it 20,000 miles. My old friend and I parted ways when I traded it in for my Ultra Classic in July of ’09. I now spend a little time driving a school bus for the city of Athens and the rest either riding my Ultra or talking about the next ride.

Ride to eat…Eat to ride…Good friends and Harley-Davidson are the best!

Stuart Dieringer (Cowboy Stu): Activities Officer I ride a 2009 Ultra Classic Electra Glide. Not my first ride, but it is my first Harley. Growing up I rode anything with two wheels, starting at the tender age of around 8, on a lawnmower engine mini-bike. The first time I remember being on a bike was with my uncle on his full dressed Indian Chief, around age 6 and I’ve been hooked ever since. For me riding is the best stress relief there is. When riding, all our troubles seem to disappear. My wife and I enjoy riding the back roads to new places or to nowhere in particular. Being a HOG is awesome, there is an instant friendship with people you’ve never meet. Wherever you stop someone will come up and start talking to you. I feel honored to be a small part of our extended family, HOG chapter 1535. Be safe and keep it between the lines.

Robert Jernigan: Sergeant at Arms Hi, everyone! I am Robert, and I currently hold the position of Sergeant at Arms of our Chapter. I am employed by Premier Power Maintenance. We work with high voltage and high voltage apparatus. I have a wonderful wife Lisa, and we have four children. Three have moved on, and the youngest, Kristin, is still at home. We joined the Chapter in June of 2003. We have made a lot of new friends and have gone places that we had never heard about, and never had a dull trip. We started on a Road King and have now worked our way to an Ultra Classic. I hope that everyone will have as much fun and adventure in the Chapter as we have the past seven years. Ride safe and have FUN!!

Yvonne Dempsey: Editor I am a Louisiana native (full-blooded Cajun) who came to Alabama with my husband, Milton, and our 4 boys in 1991. Milton had ridden motorcycles since his teens, but we had to sell his Yamaha when we moved, vowing to get a Harley when the boys grew up. We now have a 2007 Ultra. It has been such fun belonging to the RCH family for the last several years. We have had many great adventures on our bike – most notably, riding the Dragon’s Tail in pouring down rain. Now that’s an adventure! I enjoy reading, writing, traveling and spending time with friends and family. Milton is a mechanical field engineer, who enjoys spending time with his mistress (the Harley). Our sons have blessed us with 7 grandchildren who love having such cool bike-riding grandparents.

Patty Seifert: Ladies of Harley LOH Officer is my second position with the Rocket City Chapter 1535. My first was as Secretary and keeping the Director in line. I still have to keep the Director in line as I couldn’t very well ask our new Secretary, Tina, to take over that part of the job. After all, not many people can handle him! At the age of 53 I took my first motorcycle safety course – first time ever driving a motorcycle. By the time I was 54 I had a reasonable command of the techniques of riding. My first bike was a Harley Davidson – a 2006 Heritage Softail Classic. I continue to learn, am having a blast doing it and I now ride a 2009 Heritage Softail Classic. I have some great things planned and will post them on the calendar as details develop. Any suggestions and ideas are welcome. This is your chapter! I am here to serve you to the best of my ability. My goal is to encourage our lady riders to get on your motorcycles and ride. I hope to also motivate you ladies who are interested in riding to give it a try. With your participation this year we can make this an unprecedented Ladies of Harley group. 2010 – HERE WE COME!! V-R-0-0-0-0-0-M-M-M-M!!!

Ray Worley: Chaplain

I ride a 1996 FXSTS Softail Springer. I am the Chapter Chaplain and this will be my 14^th year as your Chaplain. I am the pastor of Wings of Truth in Toney, Alabama and have been in construction for 33 years. I am married to the love of my life, Fonda, and have three wonderful children.

Brian Boardman: Membership Officer I was born and raised in Vermont until I joined the U.S. Air Force at 18. My first assignment was in California where I bought my first motorcycle. No, it wasn’t a Harley …… it took me nearly 30 years and several “other” motorcycles to realize what I had been missing. I retired from the Air Force in 1995, and moved to the Huntsville area in 2001. After years of not owning a bike, I got the itch to ride again. I bought several “other” bikes, but they just didn’t feel right; so in December of 2005 I bought a new 2006 Ultra Classic! I have always been somewhat of a loner, but I never really liked riding by myself. So I joined Rocket City H.O.G. I have been actively involved ever since, as an Activities Officer for two years and a Road Captain for three. I really enjoy my new “family”. The rides are great as well as time spent talking to other members at monthly meetings, tent sales, dinners and other activities. I look forward to serving the chapter as your 2010 Membership Officer and am here to help in any way I can.

Rich Petrina: Safety Officer I’m originally from Long Island, NY. I received a BS in Physics, University of Maryland and an MBA, Management, University of Michigan. Then, we moved to the Fayetteville, Tennessee area in 1990. I’ve been riding a motorcycle since 1966 when I got one for cheap transportation to school. I have always owned at least one, even three at times, of all kinds. First one was a 1956 Triumph T-110 Trophy 650cc. I was a Data Processing Programmer and Systems Analyst for 24 years and was with the TN Department of Education as a grant administrator for 8 years. I became a nationally certified MSF Instructor in July 1992 after seeing a couple riding ahead of me get killed in a head-on collision while failing to negotiate a curve. I joined Harley-Davidson Rider's Edge in Sept. 2001 and have since become an R/E Network Quality Instructor in 2005. As such, I not only teach safety classes but train other instructors and audit programs throughout the Southeast and Mid-West. I’ve been a HOG member since November 1992.

DAVID (DAVE) BECKER: Head Road Captain I have been riding one kind of motorcycle or another since I was 16 years old and that was quite a while back. I now really enjoy riding my 08 Ultra Classic (Anniversary) and being with my family and friends. Riding to me is relaxing and almost therapeutic except for the occasional close call. I cannot prevent accidents but we sure can try our best to be as safe as is humanly possible and let one another know when there is a safer and better way to ride. I enjoy my fellow chapter riders and Road Captains and love to see all of them having as much fun as me. My plan for 2009 is what it has always been for our Chapter and that is to “Ride Safe and Have Fun”. I will do my best to keep the rides enjoyable and safe and I welcome any member’s constructive input on rides. If you happen to know of a great destination and would like to plan a ride, I will be happy to assist you. If you do not want to lead it, then I will get one of our trained Road Captains to show us the way. If you see me, feel free to bend my ear on ways to make things better, safer and even more fun than they already are. Whatever you do, KEEP SMILING!

Beth Redman: Photographer/Historian I am the Camera Lady. My camera’s usually with me at all times; you never know when you’re going to get that (one in a million) shot. So don’t be surprised if you see your face on the cover of the “ROLLING Newsletter,” or Chapter Web page or even my Web page. So keep SMILING J . I’m also a mother of three children and very blessed with 4 wonderful grandchildren that are the joy of my life. I have been an associate with Delphi Steering Geer since 2003. In June of 2004 I meet Greg Redman. I was so excited when he introduced me to the HOG Chapter. Our first ride was a poker run for the Veterans. After a ride to the Smoky Mountains, I was so happy when I was asked to be the Chapter Photographer. I am so excited to be able to ride and take pictures at the same time. I have been a HOG member and Chapter Photographer since 2004. Ride safe and have fun.

Greg Redman: Webmaster – In 2007 when Dave Cazer was our Assistant Director, I stepped up and assumed the duties of Webmaster. Being a Software Engineer at NASA and designing the Payload Operations Web Interface prepared me for this challenge. I've been a member of the chapter since 2002 and have been riding motorcycles since I was 13 years old. I’ve owned several Harley’s and now ride a 2002 Ultra Classic.