Meet the Board

Bruce’s early cars had 3 pedals – a ’74 Audi Fox, ’78 VW Rabbit, and the first of the Taurus SHOs in ’89.  He joined the BMW CCA in ‘99 when he bought his first BMW, the e39 540i V8 with M-Sport options and 6-speed (of course).  “Family cars” with automatics followed: a 2001 BMW 740i “(Sporty Shorty,” the last of the classic e38s); then two BMW X3s , a Porsche Macan and a BMW X4 M40i.  Today he has a manual back in the garage, a BMW M2. 

A Navy SeaBees veteran, Bruce retired from a career in engineering, marketing and technology management. He served as Secretary of the Illini Chapter from 2005-07 and 2018-22, and President since 2022.  He’s volunteered as the classroom instructor of our TRSS driving school since 2021.

John got his first BMW, a black 320i, new in 1980 while working in Cincinnati. Joining the club then allowed a great experience in getting to lap Mid-Ohio—before there was a kind of instruction!

He drifted away for a while to road racing motorcycles, making the tour of Summit Point, Pocono, Road Atlanta, Texas World Speedway, Nelson Ledges and Roebling Road.

He returned to the marque a few years ago with a 2000 540i, manual, of course! Having retired from the TV news business, there is now plenty of time to mechanical mayhem on the fleet. The stable now includes wife Anne’s M235, an R1100R, and several of another German make from Zuffenhausen.

Rick has been a BMW CCA Member since 2004, and was one of the original Board Members when the Chapter reorganized in 2008. He’s been one of the most active Members: a previous President, setup and teardown lead for TRSS, and who, along with his wife, Sonja, has served as the Chapter’s Social Events Chair for several years. Rick and Sonja have a spectacular BMW collection: a 1988 M6 Shark, 2001 Z3 M Roadster, 1995 M3 coupe, 1998 M3 coupe convertible, 2001 Z3 M Roadster, 2007 Z4 coupe, 2013 M5 and 1970 e9 2.8 CS under restoration! Rick demonstrated excellent leadership in the early ‘Teens by getting more members involved in organizing and conducting club events. He claims that he demonstrated good judgment by marrying Sonja AFTER her Dad finished paying for her college education. Both he and Sonja were born and raised in Canton, IL, where they attended school together and reside today. They have one daughter in the area, whose husband is a real car guy too.

I’m Woody. Yep, the old “when you think of BMW, think of Woody”. 

In addition to being a past President of the Illini BMWCCA, I’ve owned about 15 of them and have bought and sold thousands of them. I’m proud to have helped establish our critical Chapter mission of Street Survival that truly saves lives. Along the way I’ve helped coordinate lots of club and dealer related events from product launches to driving tours and sports car races. Being absent for a few years from club activities, I find myself missing the fun and having a little more flexibility with my schedule. 

I am still a car dealer and married to Jennifer who works for the library in Peoria. My son and daughter, Taylor and Reagan, were both Street Survival graduates and are here in the area all grown up now. 

I hope to be an asset for the Chapter and bring more value to our membership. 

Craig is a long time resident of Central Illinois.  He has been a BMW owner since 2010, a Club Member since 2013 and currently has a 2025 M3 manual and 2017 330i Sport Wagon.  Three of his five BMWs have had three pedals, and he had the fastest lap and slalom times of his BMW Performance Driving School class in Thermal, CA.  Craig has volunteered as a “cone monkey” for years at the Tire Rack Street Survival schools.  At one time he subscribed to six car magazines simultaneously!  Craig knows his way around numbers and financial spreadsheets, and currently serves as Treasurer.

James has been a BMW CCA Member for over ten years.  During Street Survival he can be found directing traffic at the J-turn and picking up cones while his wife Sherrod instructs the students from the passenger seat.  (James can relate to the students as he has learned to take direction over their 20+ years of marriage).  He does not own the fastest or flashiest cars, but arguably two of the best cars BMW has ever built: an e39 2001 530, and fully restored 1973 2002tii.

Nithin is originally from Canada and has worked at various OEM’s as an Automotive Engineer. He enjoys learning everything about BMW’s as he and his family have been BMW fans for many years. Check out Nithin’s youtube channel where he has been documenting is ownership experience of his G87 M2 manual; modifying and taking his car to the track. Nithin’s F90 M5 Safety car is his current daily driver which has a replica decal set and lights of the M Performance Safety car.