Coker named chair of Collectors Foundation Board

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – The Collectors Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding education and training for the future of the collector vehicle community, is proud to announce that Corky Coker, President and CEO of Coker Tire, has been elected as chairman of its Board of Directors for 2011.

Coker brings to the task his long-standing, adamant support of youth involvement with automobiles and his stature within the automotive industry. He is a member of both the ARMO Hall of Fame and the SEMA Hall of Fame, and also a past Chairman of SEMA’s Board of Directors.

“Corky has a long, well-known history of encouraging young people to get involved with the collector vehicle industry. His accomplishments are well documented,” said Bob Knechel, Executive Director of the Collectors Foundation. “We’re thrilled to welcome him as our chairman.”

Coker looks forward to strengthening the Collectors Foundation by expanding its ability to serve youth and the future of the collector vehicle community. “This is my way of giving back to the hobby I love,” Coker said.

Five new members were elected to the Board, including: Matthew Crawford, vintage motorcycle restorer and author of the book Shop Class as Soulcraft; Jim Cozzie, Executive Vice President of RTM Productions; David Madeira, President and CEO of the LeMay Museum; Jim Menneto, Publisher of Hemmings; and Dr. Paul Sable, Professor of Business and collector car enthusiast. These five new Board members join continuing Board members John Hollansworth, retired corporate executive and race car driver; Bruce Knox, President of the McComb Group; McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty Insurance; Jean Hoffman, business owner; Ken Gross, automotive writer; Raffi Minasian, self-employed designer and educator; and Claudio Ballard, Chairman of Iconic Motors LLC.

Keith Martin, Publisher of Sports Car Market; and Mike Stowe, owner of Great Lakes Motorworks, will be departing the Board as their terms of service have expired. Knechel continues to serve the Board as the foundation’s Executive Director.

Organized and chartered as a not-for-profit organization in 2005 by a group passionate collectors - at the initiative and early financial backing of Hagerty Classic Car and Boat Insurance - the Collectors Foundation has raised and contributed nearly $2 million over the past six years to support educational institutions and other non-profit organizations in 22 different States and several Provinces in Canada that work effectively with young people and pass on appreciation and knowledge relating to historic vehicles and boats. By introducing, training and educating the next generation to the artistry and technology of collectible vehicles at least two important things are being accomplished: (1) Important skills and trades are being passed on to future generations; and (2) the long-term interests of the collector vehicle community are enhanced.

For more information, please visit www.collectorsfoundation.org.

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