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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
World Bonanza Society when the Western Bonanza Society dissolved. WBS was Dissolved into the Beech Museum in 2006.The PBS has always remained friendly with ABS 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.
In 2001 Stephen Blythe started to develop the PBS Website to automate the administration of the organization. Members can edit there profile information, signup of events, pay membership and event
costs all on line. Communications to members transitions from paper newsletters to online newsletters and email communications. We also included photo albums for member photos and events photos.
In 2008 we added automated eAPIS filing and a complete international travel resource section to the website to facilitate members who travel to Canada and Mexico.
Today, the website is a trade mark of the PBS and provides great content and resources for the PBS Membership.
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| Pacific Bonanza Society Presidents, to date |
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| Stephen Blythe |
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2020 - Present |
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| Tony Crescimanno |
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2018 - 2020 |
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| Jon Luy |
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2013 - 2018 |
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| * Russ Hackler |
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2010 - 2012 |
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| * Robert (Bob) Hecocks |
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2010 - 2010 |
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| Stephen Blythe |
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2006 - 2010 |
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| Steve Walker |
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2000 - 2006 |
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| Ed Smith |
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1999 - 2000 |
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| * Paul Baum |
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1997 - 1999 |
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| * Jack Herbst |
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1996 - 1997 |
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| * Bill Whitman |
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1990 - 1996 |
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| Submitted by Jack H. Herbst, Steve Walker and Stephen Blythe (c) 2002-2011 |
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