Friends Board Officers:

Harold (Pepper) Roberts, President & Director - Lakewood, Washington                              

• Bachelor’s Degree, Western Washington State College 1959

• Clover Park School District math and computer teacher 1959 to 1984, developed and implemented computer training and developed and supervised microcomputer curriculum for the district

• 1967 Master of Arts Education at Pacific Lutheran University

• 1973 Master of Arts Mathematics at The University of California, Santa Barbara

• President, Micro-Computer Educational Consultants 1980-84

• Director of Marketing and Sales, Blue Sky Enterprises, Inc. and The Dotson Institute, 1984-1989

• Agent John Hancock Financial Services 1989 – 2001

• Volunteer, instructor and acting golf pro for American Lake Veterans Golf Course 2001 to present

• 2003 director of American Lake Golf Course Board

• 2004 initiated incorporation of the Friends of American Lake Veterans Golf Course

• Mr. Roberts is a veteran

Cody Miller, Vice President & Director - Spanaway, Washington

• Owner/Broker, Crescent Realty Inc.

• Bachelor’s Degree 1973 Western Washington University

• Mr. Miller is a Vietnam Veteran 1968-69

• A Combat Engineer Company Commander, he was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. 

• He is co-owner of various local businesses and is active in land development. 

• Mr. Miller is a 19-year member of the Elks, is a life member of the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, in addition to his membership in Pheasants Forever, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.  

• Mr. Miller is active in the community, sponsoring hundreds of little league teams over the years, and is an avid outdoorsman and golfer.

 Karl R. (Bob) Gonter, Director - Lakewood, Washington

• Joined U.S. Air Force 1946 and flew as a crew member on B-29’s, B-36’s and 13 years in B-52 bombers 

• He attended Florida State, New Mexico, Quachita Baptist and Southern Baptist Universities and graduated from Southern Baptist on the president’s list 

• Mr. Gonter achieved a commercial pilot’s license in 1968 and retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1970 

• He was the largest dealer for several products in the retail and wholesale music business for over 15 years and was Controller for Bandstand Music and Gonter’s Music City for 15 years

• He’s a 5-year member of the Rotary, life member of the Elks Club and a member of AmVets 

• He was designated a board member of Choice One Realty, Better Homes and Gardens for 5 years 

• Mr. Gonter has been a volunteer of American Lake Veterans Golf Course for 3 years and has put on over 20 very successful tournaments

 K. Royce Hansen, M.D., Director - Lakewood, Washington                

• Col. USAR Retired.

• Anesthesiologist, Allenmore Hospital, retired 

• Currently he is on the Board of Directors, Col. Patrick’s Madigan Foundation, Madigan Army Hospital 

• He was previously on the board of directors Highline Hospital Foundation

• Chief, Department of Anesthesiology, Highline Hospital

• Lakewood General Hospital, Chief of Staff                     

 Stan Naccarato, Director & Fundraising Chairman - Tacoma, WA

• Twice President of the Tacoma Athletic Commission, he served 6 governors over 25 years as State Athletic Commissioner and Chairman governing Professional Boxing and wrestling 

• Stan sponsored Tacoma’s national champion Stanley Shoeman Baseball team in 1956, the first time a team west of the Mississippi had won this championship 

• Mr. Naccarato served 20 years as President and General Manager, Tacoma Tigers Baseball Club

• In 1975 he was named General Manager of the year (out of 205 minor league teams nationwide), and was awarded the Charley McPhail Promotional Trophy from the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues – one of the most coveted awards in baseball - AND was named General Manager of the Year by “The Sporting News”

• No one in the history of the national association had won all three major awards in the same year 

• He considers his largest accomplishment to be his first phase chairmanship for the Tacoma Dome – bringing the idea, plans and capital, to make this dream a reality 

• In baseball leagues for the first time ever, a minor league team sold over 1000 season tickets in one season – which he continued to achieve for 10 straight years 

• Mr. Naccarato served 2 years in the U.S. Army, achieving the rank of Master Sergeant 

• He has 3 World Series rings, having signed with the Cincinnati Reds Professional Baseball Team right out of high school 

• Stan has 15 years involvement as chairman and master of ceremonies for Golden Gloves boxing events

• He is on the Executive Council of the Tacoma Pierce County Sports Commission, has been inducted into the State of Washington, Sports Hall of Fame and was named the Tacoma Athletic Commission’s 10 Year Man of the Year for 1970 to 1980 

• In 1992 the Stan Naccarato award for the Boys and Girls Club was instituted and is awarded each year

• He currently serves as liaison between the City of Tacoma and the Puyallup Indian Tribe and has been presented with the key to the city 3 times 

• Mr. Naccarato is considered a master of sports promotion and fundraising efforts for charitable causes in Washington 

• He is a highly recognized public figure, active in local sports and community events, named “Mr. Tacoma” by the Tacoma newspaper

 Ken Still, Director - Fircrest, WA

• Professional Golf Association member since 1953

• He joined the PGA tour in 1960 and had 3 tour victories

• He joined the Senior PGA Tour in 1985

• Mr. Still was a member of the 1969 Ryder Cup Team; appeared in the top 60 1966 to 1973

• He won the CBS Golf Classic in 1970 with partner Gene Littler

• Mr. Still’s best year on the Senior PGA Tour was 1990, when he finished 42nd on the money list and registered 5 top 10 and 11 top 25 finishes

• Mr. Still is the 1969 Washington State Athlete of the Year, a Member of the Washington State Sports Hall of

• Fame, Pacific Northwest Golf Association Hall of Fame, and the Pierce County Hall of Fame

• He has played the Masters 7 times

• He has been a “Friend” since 2004

 Ed Trobaugh, Director - Tacoma, Washington

• Major General, U.S. Army Retired
• Graduated from West Point with a Bachelor’s and holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration
• One tour in Korea as Company Commander, two tours in Vietnam as Battalion and Brigade Operations Officer and Battalion Commander
• General Trobaugh was Assistant Division Commander at Fort Lewis; Assistant Commandant at Ft. Benning; Chief, Joint US Military Assistance Advisory Group, Spain; and Commanding General, 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg
• The General retired as Deputy Commanding General, Fifth U.S. Army at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas
• He has many awards and decorations including the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver and Bronze Stars, and Purple Heart

Dave Best, Director & Treasurer - Tacoma, Washington

• American Lake Veterans Golf Course Operations Manager, 2007 - Current
• President, Veterans Golf Club, 2008 - 2009
• Bachelors Degree, Washington State University
• Retired Disabled Veteran, United States Army

Angelo Bruscas, Director -

Tom Ainslie, Director -

Gene Daniel, Director -

Morry Manning, Director -

 

 

Active Friends Members:  

Bill Barkley, President National Guard Association

Robert Branscomb, Assistant Chairman & Fundraising

Ruben Brunson

William (Bill) Dove, VA Golf Course

Pat Gailey, VA Golf Course Projects Manager

Davis Garabato

Roger Gatts

Dan Greco, Director Emeritus

Dr. Don Hearon

Bernie Housden

Bob Jones

Mike Kearney, VA Golf Course Manager

Mark Matthews, PGA Golf and Learning Center

Bruce McKenty

George See

Darrel Stutesman

Julie Thacker, Secretary to the Board & Grant Writer

(only paid member, reports to President and Vice President)

Golf Course Volunteers:  Approximately 130

 

 

 

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