| Pacific Bonanza Society History |
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A Brief History of the Pacific Bonanza Society
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The Pacific Bonanza Society was conceived in 1990 at the national convention of the ABS in Colorado Springs. Bill Whitman approached Jack Herbst to ask if he would consider helping start a new west coast chapter of the American Bonanza Society. At that time, Bill’s wife Bonny was a Director on the board of the ABS. The Western Bonanza Society was formed as the West coast chapter several years earlier but a difference in philosophy with the board of the ABS caused the WBS to resign as the West coast chapter and reorganize as the World Bonanza Society, hence the need for a chapter to replace the Western Bonanza Society.
Bill and Jack asked Jim Slavik, Colin Lind and John Fedrizzi to serve on the founding board of the Pacific Bonanza Society and the first meeting was held at Sun River, Oregon in September 1990. Bill Whitman served as the founding president for several years and Jack Herbst was elected the second president – concurrently serving on the American Bonanza Society board at the same time.
From it’s inception, the Pacific Bonanza Society was envisioned as a social club. This is illuminated by Article II of the PBS bylaws, which states “This Association has been formed with the primary purpose of cultivating and promoting friendship and sociability among the individuals interested in Beechcraft Bonanza and Baron airplanes.”
Many PBS members were also members of the newly formed World Bonanza Society and were sad to see the Western Bonanza Society dissolved. The PBS has always remained friendly with WBS and is to this day. The Pacific Bonanza Society was founded by a small group of very dedicated, warm and friendly people and has grown through the years due to the very capable people who have followed in their footsteps.
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| Pacific Bonanza Society Presidents, to date |
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| Bill Whitman |
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1990 - 1996 |
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| Jack Herbst |
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1996 - 1997 |
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| Paul Baum |
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1997 - 1999 |
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| Ed Smith |
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1999 - 2000 |
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Steve Walker |
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2000 - 2006 |
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| Stephen Blythe |
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2006 - Present |
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| Submitted by Jack H. Herbst & Steve Walker - 2002 |
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