JR Ball August 2018 Member Spotlight

Posted by on Aug 7, 2018 in Members Spotlight, News | 0 comments

Our Member Spotlight for August, 2018 is JR Ball, 70 (Charles E. JR Ball).

JR married Vicki S. Ball (Navy Brat) in November 1969. He met Vicki 3-months before getting out of the Navy (1968) and per JR, “She is the best thing that has ever happened to me…”. JR and Vicki have 3-adult ‘kids’ (Annapolis, Chicago & Ocala) and 5-grandchildren.He joined the Navy out of high school (1965). Navy Hospital Corpsman (Combat Medic), detached to the Marines (Fleet Marine Force) in DaNang, Vietnam (November ’66 — ’67); he had just turned 19 when he arrived in Chu Lai. — and found out quickly that there is some benefit to being young and naïve; follow orders. — JR said, “I was just plain lucky to have come home alive and in one piece, primarily because of the Marines that were around me — Semper Fi; others were not so lucky…”

He started college (University of Maryland) when 27-yrs. old (1975), married with 3-kids. Graduated in 3-years (1978), broke and heavily in debt. — Car (Chevy Vega – 32k miles) died in my junior year. He will never again own a GM product…:-)

They moved to Florida in 1982. — Hello sunshine…Employment:· Licensed Professional Engineer (Civil)· Retired: Local government and private sector· Civil Engineering Consultant (JRB Civil, LLC) He was born and raised in Washington, D.C., inner-city for most of that time; government subsidized housing, the projects…

1st BMW: 2005 330Ci (E46) ZHP / MTech, Automatic, Convertible, Alpine White and ‘Natural’ (tan) Leather Interior.

Current BMW: 2004 M3 Convertible, SMG II, Carbon Metallic Black with Cinnamon Leather Interior

He enjoyed track time at PDX Daytona and has been a Sunshine Bimmers Member since June 2013. His hobbies (other than BMW’s)· ‘Home Body’· Cycling, Casual / Trails (‘Flatbar’ Road Bike)· Sports: Maryland Terps, Redskins, Nationals· Has a consulting business that keeps me pretty busy. Has been a Rotarian for the last 24-years. Rotary is an international community services organization of ~1.2 million members in over 30,000 clubs around the world and they help people, communities and society.

Personal Motto: Despite his penchant for phrases, there is not one that he would characterize as a ‘personal motto’. However, a couple of phrases he shares with folks quite frequently: “I am delighted to have birthdays…” And what was it that Casey Kasem (American Top 40) would say: “… You can live it up, but don’t live it up so much that you can’t live it down…”

He enjoyed track time at PDX Daytona and has been a Sunshine Bimmers Member since June 2013. His hobbies (other than BMW’s)· ‘Home Body’· Cycling, Casual / Trails (‘Flatbar’ Road Bike)· Sports: Maryland Terps, Redskins, Nationals· Has a consulting business that keeps me pretty busy. Has been a Rotarian for the last 24-years. Rotary is an international community services organization of ~1.2 million members in over 30,000 clubs around the world and they help people, communities and society.

Personal Motto: Despite his penchant for phrases, there is not one that he would characterize as a ‘personal motto’. However, a couple of phrases he shares with folks quite frequently: “I am delighted to have birthdays…” And what was it that Casey Kasem (American Top 40) would say: “… You can live it up, but don’t live it up so much that you can’t live it down…”

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Josh Gang July 2018 Member Spotlight

Posted by on Jul 5, 2018 in Members Spotlight, News | 0 comments

48 year old, Josh Gang drives a 135i and his wife, Anastasia, drives a 2011 Mini Countryman. Since buying the 135i & getting Anastasia the Mini Countryman she’s now converted to a BMW gal and recommends that BMW makes a minivan to haul all of her antique finds:-)!
Josh is a Risk Program Manager (RPM), Fort Pierce Utilities Authority and was born in Las Vegas, Nevada.
His 1st BMW was a 2005 BMW X5 / Moto 1998 BMW F650 aka the “Funduro” and his current BMW is a 2011 135i coupe w/ DCT and sport pkg (mostly stock/tastefully modded).
Josh has owned 3 BMW cars / 5 motorcycles 1998 F650 Funduro (moto)2001 F650GS Dakar (x2), 2008 F800 GS (moto) (x2), 2005 X5 4.0, 2006 E60 545i2011 135i – plan to keep this one until it doesn’t run any more.
He has been to 100+ track days for motorcycles, none for cars, but he is looking forward to going to one soon.
Josh joined Sunshine Bimmers this month, June 2018. His hobbies (other than BMW’s) are Coffee, Whiskey & Wine but not necessarily in that order.
Josh’s Personal Motto is to “Live life by design.”
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June 2018 Member Spotlight: Esteban Valentin

Posted by on Jun 7, 2018 in Members Spotlight, News | 0 comments

 

Our Member Spotlight for this month is 36 year old, Esteban Valentin. Esteban, originally from Attleboro, Massachusetts and was introduced to BMW’s by his beautiful girlfriend Melissa Rivera.

Esteban and Melissa live with their three furry children, Arya (Pitbull), Benny (Lhasa Apso), and Lola (Shih Tzu) and their BMW’s too.

Esteban is an Associate Director at Tsunami Tsolutions LLC. working on multiple projects related to military aircraft.

1st BMW: 2017 BMW M2 Long Beach Blue 6 speed DINAN treatment

Current BMW: ‘17 BMW M2 (Weekend Toy), 2011 135i DCT tastefully modded

Track Events: Multiple Autocross Events, Palm Beach International Raceway, Daytona, Homestead, M Track Days

Sunshine Bimmers Member since September 2016

Hobbies (other than BMW’s): Road Racing

Personal Motto: Live life to the fullest and never look back.

Esteban and Melissa have been helping out with Sunshine Bimmers Space Coast events as well as our Social Media pages.

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May 2018 Member Spotlight: Bill Johnson

Posted by on Apr 27, 2018 in Members Spotlight, News | 0 comments

Our Member Spotlight for May is one of our newer members, Bill Johnson! Welcome, Bill and thanks for being a Member Spotlight!

Bill is married to his wife, Astrid and they have 4 children, 3 daughters and one son (thankfully, says Bill)!

He is a Commercial airline pilot, but likes to say, “Surfing is my occupation, aviation is my profession”.

Bill was born in Stamford Connecticut, grew up in South Florida, went to school and met my wife in Atlanta.

His 1st BMW and one of his current BMW: 05′ 330ci and a 2015 335i wife’s daily driver.

Bill has not had an opportunity to enjoy any track time yet, but given his profession and hobbies, I guess it won’t be long before he gives it a shot!

He joined Sunshine Bimmers in 2015, he loves surfing, travel, being with friends and home improvement projects.

Bill’s personal Motto: “If you want it done right, learn how to do it yourself”.

Quick bio:
“I consider myself a newbie to BMW’s but not to working on cars. Since I can remember, I’ve always been taking things apart to see how they work. In Highschool I bought a 1968 GTO (back when they were cheap) and ended up rebuilding the engine, enjoying the car for a few years, but ended up selling it right before College and Flight Training. Fast forward through the years of working, raising a family, and commuting for two airlines, the urge for a fun car that I could tinker on was finally satisfied when I was awarded a position at our Orlando base and needed a car to handle the 120 plus miles round trip. I’ve always loved the e46 for its looks and in 2015 found a coupe for sale and since then I’ve dusted off my wrenching skills and pretty much refreshed the entire car and had a blast doing so. Recently, we upgraded my wife’s daily driver/ family car for a 2015 335i M Sport. Being a California girl who had owned a 76′ 2002, she couldn’t be happier being back in a BMW. (I actually got booted out of our one car garage)! In the future, my wife and I be looking at aane92 for our daughter which would be 3 generations of 3 series, followed by my dream car, an e39 M5. But first, we need to add to our garage and try to find more parking!”
He is looking forward to meeting members!

He is looking forward to meeting members!
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April 2018 Member Spotlight: Robin Butler

Posted by on Apr 12, 2018 in Members Spotlight, News | 0 comments

I did not get a submittal for this month’s Member Spotlight, so……I’ll tell you a little about me! I am a native Floridian, retired from Seminole County after 36 wonderful years and currently working as a Realtor with Keller Williams at the Parks. I am also co-owner, with my sister, Rhonda, of Artistic Antiquities, a furniture repurposing business. We have space at Adjectives Market in Altamonte Springs. I am a Professional Traveler living in downtown Orlando with my two dogs and my two cats. I am blessed with a fantastic family, a tribe of lifelong friends and I absolutely love adventures.

My very first BMW was a gorgeous 1995 gray, E34, 525i sedan that I absolutely loved. One of my most fun / fond memories of this particular BMW, was taking it to a driving school in Sebring. My Instructor was a very young guy, Ryan and I wish there were words to truly describe the experience. A full weekend of track time, sliding around corners and experiencing an exhilaration beyond words. I couldn’t believe that they just let us go immediately after Sunday’s drive time, I made it to my house in DeLand in less than an hour! Zoom! Zoom! I’ve had several since, but my first was always my favorite! Currently I love driving a 2006 323 xit E90 wagon!

I have been a member of Sunshine Bimmers since 1996 and have personally owned four BMW’s over the years.

I have several motto’s, “Work smarter, not harder” was one I always referred to in my profession and in my personal life, “”Be faithful in all things, because it is in them that our strength lies.”

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March 2018 Member Spotlight: F. Robert Rolle

Posted by on Mar 5, 2018 in Members Spotlight, News | 0 comments

Our March Member Spotlight is F. Robert Rolle (Bob), who says his age is “old”…LOL!  Bob is married and has one son.  He is a retired healthcare scientist and director, and the current VP House & Grounds, Winter Park University Club.

Bob has been a speaker at UCF recently and is scheduled to speak this April at an American Chemical Society meeting (Valencia College) on the subject of the history of the FDA and dietary supplements quality.

He was born in NYC, his 1st and current BMW is a 2012  328i estate wagon and while he has not participated in an official track event, he is known to “occasionally” enjoy a bit of high-speed travel on I-4 and I-75.

Bob joined Sunshine Bimmers last summer, in 2017 and his hobbies include classic music, old movies, and travel.

As a former Eagle Scout, his personal motto is BE PREPARED!

Thanks John for sharing.

If you would be interested in sharing for the Member Spotlight in March,

please contact Robin Butler at robin@artisticantiquities.com.
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