October 1, 2007

An Open Letter of Endorsement

My support for West Gulf Division leadership on the ARRL Board of Directors is squarely behind Director Coy Day- N5OK and Vice Director David Woolweaver- K5RAV. Both have shown exemplary dedication to Amateur Radio. I believe they deserve the opportunity to continue their efforts in these positions.

I have known and admired Coy-N5OK for 12 years. He effectively attends to every detail of ARRL business that comes his way. He treats volunteers and the field staff with respect and appreciation. His decision-making is founded on his respect for the volunteer service and his concern for fairness. He goes out of his way to ensure that members in every section in the division have a voice in what goes on in Newington. I have appreciated that he makes on-site visits to hamfest and club meetings in every section of the division.

My admiration for David Woolweaver-K5RAV is equally deep. His commitment to assisting each section with the overall ARRL governmental affairs issues and state-by-state matters has been critical to our success in Oklahoma. David has worked side-by-side with section leadership so that this year we saw SB-426 (PRB-1) become law in Oklahoma. David, too, has coordinated his schedule to spend significant time in Oklahoma attending hamfests and Field Day activities. I want to give him my support in this election.

I urge all West Gulf Division members to consider in the upcoming election who can build on the positive things we have already accomplished to further the mission of the ARRL. I believe that N5OK and K5RAV have what it takes to lead us into the future that we all want for Amateur Radio. A joy it is to join President Emeritus Jim Haynie-W5JBP and my peer Section Manager from West Texas, John Dyer- in endorsing Coy and David. Thus allowing a great team to keep doing wonderful things to the benefit of Amateur Radio… let's roll.

With sincerest regard and 73,


John Thomason- WB5SYT
Oklahoma Section Manager