Audi Club 2018 Member of the Year Announced

The new 2019 Audi Club North America (ACNA) Board of Directors convened by video conference to cast their votes for the 2018 Audi Club member of the year from among ten nominees. The winner was revealed during the February chapter leader meeting.

Paul Truess, Audi Club North America Executive Director announced the results, “Your Board of Directors had a long list of very qualified nominees to chose from. By secret ballot, they have chosen Don Istook from River Oaks, Texas as the 2018 Audi Club Member of the Year.”

The Member of the Year is the most prestigious acknowledgement that Audi Club North America can bestow on one of its members. It is an honor given in memory of Darlene Lyndsley, Frank Beddor’s assistant when Quattro Club USA was first formed in 1984. Darlene was a tireless organizer, who ensured everyone was welcomed as an Audi enthusiast and club member.

Ten Chapter Member of the Year Winners and National Member of the Year Nominees

2018 Audi Club North America Member of the Year is Don Istook, from Audi Club Lone Star.Nominated by Ab Caram. “Don has over 42 years of personal Audi experience and was one of the first to purchase and race an Audi in the US. As an official Audi Sport Specialist, Don educates new Audi owners on Audi Club North America opportunities, benefits and local networking. He sponsored and invited non-members to join current members for the Audi car corral cookout at the Pirelli World Challenge race at Circuit of the Americas. Don is a frequent contributor in the Audi social media community providing technical support to enthusiast members and non-members around the world. He also sponsored Tech Day at Audi Fort Worth to teach attendees about the Audi LMS program, quattro technology and magnetic sports suspension. Don races an Audi RS 3 LMS in the IMSA Continental Sports Car Challenge TCR class.”

Dan Foltz, Audi Club Kentucky, 2018 Chapter Member of the Year.Nominated by Tim Mays. “Dan recruits new members in the Northern Kentucky area. He started the fall cookout for Audi owners and enthusiasts. Dan is very positive regarding club events and works on promotions involved with recruiting efforts both for Audi Club National and Kentucky membership”

John Gonter, Audi Club Carolinas, 2018 Chapter Member of the Year.Nominated by Dale Whitney. “John has played an instrumental part in the success of our chapter in the past year, promoting the club in the Charlotte area. This has included three new sponsors with events held at two of those. His work with GMP Performance has led to their increased sponsorship and participation in our Fall Tour, Audi Treffen 2018. John has been a great part of the success of our social media outreach and shares responsibility for our more than 500 Facebook members, new Instagram account and our new chapter website.”

John Haniotes, Audi Club Chicagoland, 2018 Chapter Member of the Year.Nominated by Ed Nork, Dave Press, Dave Stevoff and Tony Pai. “John’s leadership of all things social has been unparalleled in the reach to both members and potential members. He has been instrumental in resurrecting the club social activities. While working hard to create monthly family friendly events, John has made every effort to include as many local dealers as possible. We would all be hard pressed to find a more enthusiastic, hard core Audi aficionado nor someone so happy to promote the brand and the club whether in person or in a large group. John is THE true enthusiast!”

Jake Lauck, Audi Club Kansas City, 2018 Chapter Member of the Year.Nominated by Lisa Lauck. “Jake became a brand enthusiast in 2009 when he purchased his first A6 Avant. At the time, there wasn’t an active KC chapter. Jake has worked tirelessly to breathe life back into this club, build relationships with other car owners and grow the Audi community here in Kansas City. Enthusiasts in this chapter now enjoy a yearly car photo shoot at iconic locations in KC, member drives, Cars and Coffee meets, annual go-kart Le Mans race, bi-annual tire change events in partnership with Kansas City Audi as well as the roof rack and box rental program with discounts for locals and free for ACKC members.”

Larry Morris, Audi Club Sierra, 2018 Chapter Member of the Year.Nominated by Mary Ann McCauley. “Sierra is a new emerging chapter. Larry organized the first member recruitment meeting, engaged two Audi enthusiast colleagues and Audi Reno Tahoe management, then recruited the first board. The dealership has participated in three recruitment meetings as a result of Larry nurturing this relationship. Along with the new board, Larry organized three dine & drives, a tech session, 2 all-member gatherings and the dealer golf outing where he sold raffle tickets.”

Claudia Mueller, Audi Club Georgia, 2018 Chapter Member of the Year.Nominated by Erica Dailey. “Claudia, our Member of the Year has been selected by unanimous vote for her outstanding contribution and consistent participation as a volunteer. With her experience as an event and trade show professional, she has been able to bring new ideas which help take our events to the next level. In 2018, some of her hands-on involvement included reconning multiple drives prior to events, preparing materials, working raffle sales at quattro de Mayo and arriving before daybreak for her shift at our membership outreach events. Claudia also happens to be a great photographer and a sharp problem solver.”

Todd Peach, Audi Club Northwest, 2018 Chapter Member of the Year.Nominated by Pat Martin, Jim Wegielewski, John Ewald, Cris Brickey and David Kelley. “In 2018 Todd was our event registrar (15 events) and drivers skills lead. He spent 12 days teaching Driver Skills in parking lots and other venues with 8 different clubs/chapters. That outreach made member recruitment part of his job. In HPDE he had 42 students, nine of them first-timers. There is no better ambassador than Todd. He is a big furry dude always available for a hug or handshake. He wears a smile constantly and unflinchingly even in difficult situations.”

Jeffrey Segal, Audi Club Northeast, 2018 Chapter Member of the Year.Nominated by Anthony Rivara, Thomas Mullane and the entire NEQ Board of Directors. “Jeffrey has been a very involved NEQ member for over ten years. He is an HPDE instructor and for 2018, Jeffrey was one of our Chief Instructors. He is the guy you go to with problems and he keeps the quality high at our events. Jeffrey is constantly talking to new members and prospective members about the benefits of ACNA and our chapter. I’d say he’s brought over 30 new students to our club.”

Peter Schulz, Audi Club North Atlantic, 2018 Chapter Member of the Year.Nominated by William Ellis and Board of Directors. “Peter was one of the founding members of the North Atlantic club when it was created. He is an active recruiter of new members. Peter is a regular contributor to the NAAC website, served as the webmaster for many years and setup the club social media presence. He is a volunteer at Teen Driving Clinics and an instructor at Winter Driving Schools for as long as we have held them. Peter is the picture of an ambassador in that he contributes locally, nationally and his love of Audi is almost contagious.”

Each Member of the Year Nominee will receive a personalized memento to commemorate their selection as Chapter Member of the Year. In addition, the National Member of the Year winner, Don Istook will receive a $1,000 stipend to cover his expenses to attend the 2019 Audi Club National Event where he will be recognized.

Audi Club North America is the largest Audi owners club in the world. Over 10,000 members share the passion of Audi ownership across the US and Canada by engaging in activities organized by their fellow Audi Club members. The 31 Audi Club North America Chapters conduct over 475 events per year, providing unique opportunities to enhance the Audi ownership experience by offering exciting social, technical and driver education activities in North America.