My name is Pat Gordzelik, and I am running for a second term on the Tripoli Board of Directors. I appreciate the invite from one of this forums members, (Al Gloer), and the opportunity to participate in a heretofore unknown to me resource. As I explore the topics listed on this forum and read the replies, I can see that many of its members are not only fervent about this wonderful hobby of ours, but that they also realize that their passions future is dependant upon decisions made in their behalf. And I hope to assure you that not only do I have the desire to represent your best interests, but also the ability, and the track record, to make those decisions that could effect us all.
You will notice in my below resume that not only am I a member of TRA, but also NAR. I also count among my friends, members of IEAS, CERTA, ARSA, CAR, UKRA, and RRS. Heresy, some may say, but my involvement transcends rocketry organizations. Example. Google my name, Pat Gordzelik, and make your own decisions of that involvement. For yet another example, my role with www.flyrockets.com (look at the credits section) was to bring together a consortium of interests involving all individuals, regardless of affiliation, whose goal was to, literally, fly rockets. Any size, any type, every dream.
Today, that dream is one that has a healthy future. As I peruse this forums membership, I see many next generation folks eager anticipation of that future and their place in it. I work with like minded youth constantly in Texas Universities and @ the K12 level, and quite frankly, their enthusiasm fuels my own fire, that being, to insure that was available to me, will be available for them in the future.
But that future demands a goal, a direction, and yes, a responsibility, to become a reality. Your next Tripoli board must decide fiduciary responsibility of the usage of your funds. They must navigate the myriad of federal, state, and local laws that affect your hobby. They must have the backbone and the vision to not cave in to It feels good now, blind to any future ramifications from well meaning but shortsighted requests. And last, but not least, they must (in my opinion), have that fire in their belly that reminds them of their desire to serve, and why the passion exists. Fly rockets.
And speaking of flying rockets, a shameless plug. I hope to see you all at Tripolis 25th Silver Anniversary National Convention here in the Texas Panhandle.
WWW.LDRS25.org
Pat Gordzelik
Launch Director
OK, shameless plug over. Vote. For somebody. Or nobody will you be...
Pat Gordzelik
Age 50 TRA 5746, L3. TAP NAR 70807 L3CC. Founder/Prefect/President Potrocs (Panhandle of Texas Rocketry Society) Inc., Tripoli Amarillo # 92. Vice President, Tripoli Rocketry Association Inc. Married to Lauretta Gordzelik, TRA 7217, L2.
I was born in Amarillo Texas, but raised on a ranch by my Grandmother in northeastern New Mexico after my Father died when I was six years old. I came back to Amarillo in the 60s, where my bride of 25 years Lauretta and I now call home. I own and operate a fastening systems business (PGP Inc.) with three locations, one in Amarillo, Lubbock TX, and Clovis, New Mexico, which I founded in 1982. I also own/operate a mfg/distribution company of small hobby greenhouses (Triple S Greenhouses, www.gardenhouse.com). In addition, Lauretta (who is a Doctor of Pharmacy) and I own a Pharmaceutical consulting business (QAP Inc.) that addresses needs of small hospitals, nursing homes, etc, to keep them compliant with a myriad of rules and regulations from State and Federal agencies. Lauretta supplies the medical expertise in this venture as its President, while I handle the administration as Vice President. My educational background is local, with degrees in Business Administration in Accounting, and Personnel Management, the latter of which came in handy in the 70s when I was Personnel Director for a large hospital in Amarillo.
My efforts as a TRA BOD member in the last three years have been personally rewarding, and I believe productive for the TRA membership. I have represented TRA with the BATFE not only in Washington DC, but also in regional meetings. Our ongoing lawsuit with this entity is coming to what I feel is a positive conclusion. I have never missed a BoD meeting to discuss TRA business, either via teleconference, or at national conventions. I was able to maximize my influence in the SCI FI (NBC affiliate) series Masterblasters to circumnavigate possible harmful to our hobby scenarios. My involvement in finalizing the organizations new magazine issue has ended on a positive note. I have represented Tripoli in NASA (Nasa/Dryden Aero spike tests), with the Pecos County Spaceport, and the Xprize/Xcup foundation held in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
As a Tripoli Research enthusiast, I am thrilled that the Board has unanimously voted to allow, under listed conditions, commercial motors at Research launches here in the United States. It is tremendous step forward that started with my proposal to allow David Wilkins Prefecture in Australia to combine Experimental with commercial motors, for data and experience accumulation.
My pet project, and one that I hope I can continue as a TRA board member, is involving Tripoli with Academia. This effort I believe will bring additional respectability to our organization that will open doors for us in the future. My work for Texas Tech University as an instructor that uses rocketry as an excitement generator to entice Americas future engineers
https://www.engineeringoutreach.ttu.edu/institute/catalog/rock201.php
has not only educated college and high school level teachers in the usage of rocketry as a learning tool, but also resulted in underprivileged high school students realizing their dreams and goals, rewarding them with a Texas State Resolution:
https://www.engineeringoutreach.ttu.edu/news/articles/2005/sr1064.php (State Resolution)
https://www.engineeringoutreach.ttu.edu/news/articles/2005/20050526.php (news article)
In addition to work done with the above programs, and through contacts with the Texas Aerospace divisions Col. Bill Looke, reporting directly to the Texas Governor, I have managed to include Tripoli on the advisory board for the Texas Partnership for Aerospace Education (TPAE). https://www.aerospacetexas.com/TPAE2005.html. This is a consortium of entities that include Texas Tech University, Midland College, and the Pecos County WESTEX Aerospace Development Corporation. The Pecos County Westex Aerospace Development Centers strategic goal is to leverage Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operators, Air Force programs and government, educational and commercial technology demonstration to West Texas.
Three years ago, the membership elected me to serve a term on the Tripoli Board of Directors. My intent then was only to serve one term. However, many of you have asked me to run again. One of my rocketry friends told me Look, Pat, I know you are one busy fellow. But there is an old adage that says, If you need a job done, find the busiest guy you know and give him the ball. Well folks, while I appreciate the sentiment, remember that one TRA board member is part of a 9-pony wagon. It takes all 9 BoD board members pulling that wagon to get anywhere. And all 9 members not only have to represent the majority of TRAs membership, but they also have to work together and possess the ability to form a winning team.
Perhaps that is the essence of my decision to run again. In my professional life, I have built winning teams for over 25 years. As a small business owner, I have learned to recognize and utilize the strengths of my teammates, and in essence have handed them the ball when the call demanded their particular expertise. That management style has allowed my companies to succeed and thrive in an increasingly hostile environment, where Big Boxes and large corporation conglomerates threaten a small companys very existence. I see that happening on the TRA board. While I certainly cannot take credit for everything the Board has accomplished in the last three years, I do believe that my business acumen has contributed to its success.
So the decision is yours, TRA members. But please allow me to offer some final observations. Whom ever you vote for, consider whether he or she is the person you want to represent your interests and the Tripoli membership majority and to represent TRA with regulatory agencies, Academia and private enterprise. Do you feel that the candidate can work with and/or influence the rest of the Board to represent you? Do you think that the candidate is capable of rational, logical, and informed decision making that will represent your long-term best interests in this present days complicated world?
If you believe that I meet the above requirements, and agree that my service to you in my first term as TRA BoD member has been of value, then I am again asking for your vote and the opportunity to serve you for three more years.
Sincerely,
Pat G.
You will notice in my below resume that not only am I a member of TRA, but also NAR. I also count among my friends, members of IEAS, CERTA, ARSA, CAR, UKRA, and RRS. Heresy, some may say, but my involvement transcends rocketry organizations. Example. Google my name, Pat Gordzelik, and make your own decisions of that involvement. For yet another example, my role with www.flyrockets.com (look at the credits section) was to bring together a consortium of interests involving all individuals, regardless of affiliation, whose goal was to, literally, fly rockets. Any size, any type, every dream.
Today, that dream is one that has a healthy future. As I peruse this forums membership, I see many next generation folks eager anticipation of that future and their place in it. I work with like minded youth constantly in Texas Universities and @ the K12 level, and quite frankly, their enthusiasm fuels my own fire, that being, to insure that was available to me, will be available for them in the future.
But that future demands a goal, a direction, and yes, a responsibility, to become a reality. Your next Tripoli board must decide fiduciary responsibility of the usage of your funds. They must navigate the myriad of federal, state, and local laws that affect your hobby. They must have the backbone and the vision to not cave in to It feels good now, blind to any future ramifications from well meaning but shortsighted requests. And last, but not least, they must (in my opinion), have that fire in their belly that reminds them of their desire to serve, and why the passion exists. Fly rockets.
And speaking of flying rockets, a shameless plug. I hope to see you all at Tripolis 25th Silver Anniversary National Convention here in the Texas Panhandle.
WWW.LDRS25.org
Pat Gordzelik
Launch Director
OK, shameless plug over. Vote. For somebody. Or nobody will you be...
Pat Gordzelik
Age 50 TRA 5746, L3. TAP NAR 70807 L3CC. Founder/Prefect/President Potrocs (Panhandle of Texas Rocketry Society) Inc., Tripoli Amarillo # 92. Vice President, Tripoli Rocketry Association Inc. Married to Lauretta Gordzelik, TRA 7217, L2.
I was born in Amarillo Texas, but raised on a ranch by my Grandmother in northeastern New Mexico after my Father died when I was six years old. I came back to Amarillo in the 60s, where my bride of 25 years Lauretta and I now call home. I own and operate a fastening systems business (PGP Inc.) with three locations, one in Amarillo, Lubbock TX, and Clovis, New Mexico, which I founded in 1982. I also own/operate a mfg/distribution company of small hobby greenhouses (Triple S Greenhouses, www.gardenhouse.com). In addition, Lauretta (who is a Doctor of Pharmacy) and I own a Pharmaceutical consulting business (QAP Inc.) that addresses needs of small hospitals, nursing homes, etc, to keep them compliant with a myriad of rules and regulations from State and Federal agencies. Lauretta supplies the medical expertise in this venture as its President, while I handle the administration as Vice President. My educational background is local, with degrees in Business Administration in Accounting, and Personnel Management, the latter of which came in handy in the 70s when I was Personnel Director for a large hospital in Amarillo.
My efforts as a TRA BOD member in the last three years have been personally rewarding, and I believe productive for the TRA membership. I have represented TRA with the BATFE not only in Washington DC, but also in regional meetings. Our ongoing lawsuit with this entity is coming to what I feel is a positive conclusion. I have never missed a BoD meeting to discuss TRA business, either via teleconference, or at national conventions. I was able to maximize my influence in the SCI FI (NBC affiliate) series Masterblasters to circumnavigate possible harmful to our hobby scenarios. My involvement in finalizing the organizations new magazine issue has ended on a positive note. I have represented Tripoli in NASA (Nasa/Dryden Aero spike tests), with the Pecos County Spaceport, and the Xprize/Xcup foundation held in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
As a Tripoli Research enthusiast, I am thrilled that the Board has unanimously voted to allow, under listed conditions, commercial motors at Research launches here in the United States. It is tremendous step forward that started with my proposal to allow David Wilkins Prefecture in Australia to combine Experimental with commercial motors, for data and experience accumulation.
My pet project, and one that I hope I can continue as a TRA board member, is involving Tripoli with Academia. This effort I believe will bring additional respectability to our organization that will open doors for us in the future. My work for Texas Tech University as an instructor that uses rocketry as an excitement generator to entice Americas future engineers
https://www.engineeringoutreach.ttu.edu/institute/catalog/rock201.php
has not only educated college and high school level teachers in the usage of rocketry as a learning tool, but also resulted in underprivileged high school students realizing their dreams and goals, rewarding them with a Texas State Resolution:
https://www.engineeringoutreach.ttu.edu/news/articles/2005/sr1064.php (State Resolution)
https://www.engineeringoutreach.ttu.edu/news/articles/2005/20050526.php (news article)
In addition to work done with the above programs, and through contacts with the Texas Aerospace divisions Col. Bill Looke, reporting directly to the Texas Governor, I have managed to include Tripoli on the advisory board for the Texas Partnership for Aerospace Education (TPAE). https://www.aerospacetexas.com/TPAE2005.html. This is a consortium of entities that include Texas Tech University, Midland College, and the Pecos County WESTEX Aerospace Development Corporation. The Pecos County Westex Aerospace Development Centers strategic goal is to leverage Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operators, Air Force programs and government, educational and commercial technology demonstration to West Texas.
Three years ago, the membership elected me to serve a term on the Tripoli Board of Directors. My intent then was only to serve one term. However, many of you have asked me to run again. One of my rocketry friends told me Look, Pat, I know you are one busy fellow. But there is an old adage that says, If you need a job done, find the busiest guy you know and give him the ball. Well folks, while I appreciate the sentiment, remember that one TRA board member is part of a 9-pony wagon. It takes all 9 BoD board members pulling that wagon to get anywhere. And all 9 members not only have to represent the majority of TRAs membership, but they also have to work together and possess the ability to form a winning team.
Perhaps that is the essence of my decision to run again. In my professional life, I have built winning teams for over 25 years. As a small business owner, I have learned to recognize and utilize the strengths of my teammates, and in essence have handed them the ball when the call demanded their particular expertise. That management style has allowed my companies to succeed and thrive in an increasingly hostile environment, where Big Boxes and large corporation conglomerates threaten a small companys very existence. I see that happening on the TRA board. While I certainly cannot take credit for everything the Board has accomplished in the last three years, I do believe that my business acumen has contributed to its success.
So the decision is yours, TRA members. But please allow me to offer some final observations. Whom ever you vote for, consider whether he or she is the person you want to represent your interests and the Tripoli membership majority and to represent TRA with regulatory agencies, Academia and private enterprise. Do you feel that the candidate can work with and/or influence the rest of the Board to represent you? Do you think that the candidate is capable of rational, logical, and informed decision making that will represent your long-term best interests in this present days complicated world?
If you believe that I meet the above requirements, and agree that my service to you in my first term as TRA BoD member has been of value, then I am again asking for your vote and the opportunity to serve you for three more years.
Sincerely,
Pat G.
