AMA Committees
The AMA Executive Council and/or the president have developed committees to provide guidance, investigate solutions, and help advance the mission of the Academy of Model Aeronautics. Members of these committees concentrate their expertise in these areas to improve the involvement and operation of the organization. The following is a summarization of each of these committees. Please contact the chairperson of the committee, your elected District Vice President, or AMA Headquarters staff if you have a topic, you would like one of the committees to address.
*Note: Committee chairman to decide if HQ Staff person has vote on issue.
Committee Name/Members
P = President Appointed
C = Executive Council Appointed (vacancies to be replaced by EC)
The AMA President is ex officio on all committees.
Advanced Flight Systems Committee (C):
Chair: Andy Argenio
Note: Sub Committee of the Safety Committee
Committee Members: Eric Williams, Randy Cameron
AMA Government and Advocacy Workgroup (P):
Chair: Tyler Dobbs (HQ)
Committee Members: Rich Hanson, Randy Cameron, Mark Radcliff, Eric Williams, Jay Marsh, Chad Budreau (HQ), Chrystal Pearson (HQ), Jim Williams
Bylaws Committee (C):
(made up of three vice presidents, executive director, president, HQ staff member, one new member, one who served less than two terms and one who has served more than 2 terms)
Chair: Andy Argenio
Mission Statement: "Shall be responsible for reviewing Bylaws, recommending changes that would coincide with the mission and goals of the Academy.”
Committee Members: Randy Adams, Randy Gibson, Rich Hanson, Chad Budreau (HQ)
Education Committee (P):
Mission Statement: “To provide the Academy guidance and assistance in the formulation, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of education programs and policies. This guidance and assistance should help AMA realize the ideals outlined in its vision and mission statements and assist the Executive Council in its effort to further the educational role of the Academy.”
Chair: Greg Stone
Committee Members: Rick Larsen - EAA, James Brough, Capt. Albert Glenn - OPAB, Mark Atwood, Kyle Jaracz (HQ), Jim Tiller.
Executive Director Review Committee (P):
Mission Statement: "To perform annual Executive Director appraisals, evaluate performance objectives, bonus considerations, and employment and benefit contracts."
Chair: Andy Argenio
Committee Members: Randy Cameron, Eric Williams, Phil Tallman
FAI Executive Committee (P):
Mission Statement: “To review and recommend current procedures concerning FAI matters to the Executive Council.”
Chair: Rich Hanson, Tim Jesky
Committee Members: Nick Maxwell, Mark Atwood, Jay Marsh, Gary Fogel, Colleen Pierce (HQ), Chad Budreau (HQ), Tony Stillman, Colleen Pierce (HQ), Toby Silhavy (HQ).
Finance & Budget Committee (C):
Mission Statement: “To present a budget to the Executive Council for review and approval that will assist the AMA in performance of its mission statement.”
Chair: Marc Guerra
Committee Members: Randy Cameron, Rich Hanson, Jay Marsh, Rusty Kennedy, Greg Stone, Chad Budreau (HQ)
Hall of Fame Committee (C):
Chair: Jerry Neuberger
Committee Members: Rich Hanson, John Buckley, Tom Hunt, Bob Hunt, John Hunton, Mike Hesel, Bob Underwood, Mark Freeland, Tony Breyen, Michael Harrington, Larry Renger, Bruce Tharpe
Insurance Committee (P):
Mission Statement: “To ensure that the Academy’s insurance program meets the needs of its members and the organization. To meet with AMA’s insurance broker, the claims adjustment agency, and AMA staff on a regular basis to oversee the Academy’s insurance operation and recommend changes as required.”
Chair: Lawrence Harville
Committee Members: Mark Radcliff, Joan Liska, Ilona Maine (HQ)
IT Steering Committee (P):
Chair: Jay Marsh
Committee Members: Jim Tiller, Randy Cameron, Rich Hanson, Greg Stone, Chad Budreau (HQ), Eric Bachmann (HQ)
Leader Member & Leader Clubs Program Committee (P):
Mission Statement: “The AMA Leader Member Committee is tasked with developing new and creative ways to communicate with, and utilize, the diverse education, motivation, and talents of our Leader Members. This potential volunteer force represents nearly 3,000 members that could benefit the Academy and the general membership.”
Chair: Jay Marsh
Committee Members: Rusty Kennedy, Randy Cameron
Marketing and Membership Committee (P):
Mission Statement: “Will advise the president and Executive Council on programs to attract and retain AMA Members.”
Chair: Eric Williams
Committee Members: Gary Fitch, Randy Cameron, Mark Fiest, Mark Benson (HQ), Angie Martin (HQ), Kenneth Cassidy (HQ)
Museum Acquisition Committee (P):
Chair: Mark Radcliff
Committee Members: Jim Tiller, Randy Cameron, Bob Underwood, Bob Noll, Jerry Murphy, Allen Goff, Michael Smith (Museum)
Museum Steering Committee (P):
Mission Statement: “To establish and continue the National Model Aviation Museum for the collection and exhibition of the historic, scientific, technical, and artistic legacy of model aviation.”
Chair: Eric Williams
Committee Members: Andrew Griffith, Michael Smith (Museum)
National Fun Fly Committee (P):
Chair: Chad Budreau
Committee Members: Gary Himes, Rusty Kennedy, Mark Benson (HQ), Rob Kurek (HQ), Jay Smith (HQ), Randy Cameron, Yolanda Jones (HQ), Erin Dobbs (HQ)
Nats Management Committee (P):
Mission Statement: “The AMA National Aeromodeling Championships (Nats) is an annual organized competition for the promotion, development, and technical advancement of model aviation. The Nats provides a venue to encourage competition, recognize achievement, further education, promote fellowship, and pursue scientific development for all phases of model aviation.”
Chair: Randy Cameron
Committee Members: Yolanda Jones (HQ), Colleen Pierce (HQ), Toby Silhavy (HQ)
Nominations Committee (P):
Chair: Randy Adams
Committee Members: Executive Vice President, District Vice Presidents
Property Development Committee (C):
Mission Statement: “To plan for and facilitate the construction and management of AMA property.”
Chair: Randy Cameron
Committee Members: Randy Adams, Mike Barbee, David Lindley, Toby Silhavy (HQ), Mark Weis
Publications Committee (P):
Mission Statement: “To establish and monitor the national communications policy of the AMA.”
Chair: Gary Himes
Committee Members: Phil Tallman, Randy Cameron, Jay Smith (HQ), Chad Budreau (HQ), Rob Kurek (HQ), Erin Dobbs (HQ),
Safety Committee (C):
Mission Statement: “To review new techniques, ideas, and guidelines that would affect the safety of our sport/hobby.”
Chair: Brandon Koch
Committee Members: Andrew Griffith, Rick Grimm, Jim Rice, Bob Klenke, Ilona Maine (HQ)
Special Interest Groups Committee (C):
Mission Statement: “To evaluate special modeling groups applying for status as an official AMA Special Interest Group, as well as provide a communication conduit between the Executive Council and SIGs.”
Chair: Randy Gibson
Committee Members: Ilona Maine (HQ), Randy Cameron, Toby Silhavy (HQ), All SIG Representatives:
IMAC—International Miniature Aerobatic Club
IRCHA—International RC Helicopter Association
JPO—Jet Pilots Association
LSF—League of Silent Flight
MACA—Model Aircraft Combat Association
NSRCA—National Society of RC Aerobatics
MECA—Model Engine Collectors Association
MultiGP—First Person View Racing
NASA—National Association of Scale Aeromodelers
NASS—North American Speed Society
NCLRA—National CL Racing Association
NCS—Navy Carrier Society
NFFS—National Free Flight Society
NMPRA—National Miniature Pylon Racing Association
PAMPA—Precision Aerobatics Model Pilots Association
RCCA—Radio Control Combat Association
SAM—Society of Antique Modelers
SPA—Senor Pattern Association
USRA—Unlimited Scale Racing Association
US Drone Soccer - Drone Soccer
VR/CS—Vintage R/C Society
Staff Liaison and Affairs Committee (C):
Mission Statement: "To mitigate issues arising from executive council member/s duties or relationships and/or collaboration with AMA staff member(s).
Chair: Andy Argenio
Committee Members: Eric Williams
Site Usage Committee (P):
Mission Statement: Mission is to provide scheduling for the International Aeromodelling Center, maintain a web-based calendar, and provides conflict resolution.
Chair: Randy Cameron
Committee Members: Toby Silhavy (HQ), Yolanda Jones (HQ), Colleen Pierce (HQ)
In addition to the above committees, there are times when special or ad hoc committees are formed to review one particular situation or item. When the objective has been met, the committee is dissolved.