SMSA Executive Committee Biographies

Ken Kiphart SMSA Chair Chair, Chairpersons' Award Committee - SMSA Term Expires August 2008	KEN KIPHART Ken started teaching motorcycle courses in 1980 as a part-time job.  His intent was to pay off a truck only.  Apparently teaching the courses can get into your blood.  Ken was certified as a Chief Instructor in 1991 and RiderCoach Trainer in 2001.  He is currently the Program Administrator for Nevada's Motorcycle Safety Program.
Carol Thurn SMSA Vice-Chair Western Regional Representative Term Expires August 2008	CAROL THURN Carol is the North Dakota Office of Traffic Safety, Program Manager for Occupant Protection, Safe Communities, Motorcycle Safety Education, and Native American programs.  She has held this position since May, 2000. Her role as program manager is demanding, her obligations include grant and contract writing, program evaluations, researching and implementing new and innovative projects, and managing the Occupant Protection, Safe Communities, Motorcycle Safety Education, and Native American programs. Carol has been on the National Association of State Motorcycle Safety Administrators Executive Board since 2002 as a Western Region Representative and has been recently elected Vice-Chair.
Michele Calvert SMSA Treasurer Western Regional Representative Term Expires August 2009	MICHELE CALVERT Michele is the Director of the Montana Motorcycle Rider Safety program and has been involved with motorcycle safety since 1999.  She was elected to the SMSA Executive Committee in 2004 as a Western Regional Representative and is currently serving as the organization's Treasurer. Michele received her bachelor's degree in Business Technology from MSU-Northern in May 1997.  When not working with motorcycle safety programs, she remains active with the Northern Alumni Association. She served as President of the Alumni Association from 2005-2007 and continues to chair various committee. The great state of Montana will be hosting the annual SMSA Conference in Billings, August 2008. Hope to see ya all there!
NO PHOTO AVAILABLE  Andrew Krajewski SMSA Secretary Eastern Regional Representative Term Expires August 2009	ANDREW KRAJEWSKI Andrew is the Program Director for Driver Programs at the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration.  As the Program Director he oversees the operations for four Divisions - Driver Instructional Services, Driver Services, Administrative Adjudication and Driver Wellness and Safety.  The Maryland Motorcycle Safety Program is part of Driver Instructional Services.  From 1983 through 1998 he was the Maryland Motorcycle Safety Program Coordinator.  Between 1977 and 1983, he was an Education Manager and a Regional Director at the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.  In 1984, he was the Co-Chairperson of the committee that created the SMSA.  He has a B.S. from Penn State and an M.S. from Central Missouri State University.
John Bodeker Central Regional Representative Chair, Standards Committee - SMSA Term Expires August 2009	JOHN BODEKER Employment - Indiana Department of Education:  Assistant Director, Division of School Traffic Safety and Emergency Planning - 2003 to present.  State Coordinator, Indiana Motorcycle Safety Program - 1987 to present.  Driver Education consultant - 1995 to present.  Assistant Director/Coordinator, Illinois State University Motorcycle Safety Program - 1984 to 1987.  Services and Membership Coordinator, Illinois Motorcycle Dealer's Association 1983 to 1984.  Student Work, Assistant Coordinator, Contractual Instructor; Southern Illinois University Motorcycle Safety Program - 1976 to 1983. Education - B.S. - Major in Health and Safety Education.  Minor in Driver Education.  Secondary Teaching Certificate - Southern Illinois University, 1979.  M.S. - Driver and Traffic Safety - Illinois State University, 1986.  Currently Active Illinois Secondary Teaching Certificate. Motorcycle Safety Certifications - Nationally Certified Motorcycle Safety Instructor - 1976 to present.  Nationally Certified Motorcycle Safety Instructor Trainer - 1981 to present.  Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Motorcycle License Examiner - 1988 and 2005.  Defensive Driving Course Instructor - 2003 to present. State and National Committee Appointments - Indiana Department of Education Representative to the Governor's Council on Impaired and Dangerous Driving - 1995 to present.  Indiana Safety Management System Steering Committee - 1994 to present.  Indiana Motorcycle Safety Advisory Committee, Chairperson - 1987 to present.  National Association of State Motorcycle Safety Administrators, Executive Committee/Central Regional Representative - 1988 through 1990, 1994 and 1995, and 2002.  Illinois Secretary of State's Motorcycle Advisory Committee - 1986-1988.  Illinois Cycle Rider Safety Training Program Public Relations Committee - 1985 to 1987, Chair - 1986.
Louie Kyler Eastern Regional Representative Term Expires August 2008	LOUIE KYLER Louie became involved with motorcycle safety education in 1980 while stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA.  He was certified as an Instructor in 1983, a Chief Instructor in 1991 and a RiderCoach Trainer in 2001.  He has worked with three state programs WA, VA and FL.  He is currently the Program Manager for the Florida Rider Training Program.
Ronald L. Thompson Central Regional Representative Chair, Government and Industry Affairs Committee - SMSA Term Expires August 2008	RONALD L. THOMPSON Motorcycle Safety Program Manager, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Safety. Ron graduated from high school in 1962, served as a machinist mate in the Navy and worked in industry until entering the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1967.  He received his Bachelor’s Degree in May of 1972, with majors in Safety Education and Sociology and received his Master’s Degree in December of 1984 in Traffic Safety.  He received the UW-Whitewater Outstanding Recent Alumni Award in 1994. Ron joined the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety in 1973 and worked for two years as a field representative.  He was assigned for one year to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Department of Safety Education, where he developed the Wisconsin Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Plan.  He then rejoined the Office of Highway Safety and worked as a Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Specialist for seven years, serving on several state and federal committees.  Ron is presently working as the Motorcycle Safety Program Manager for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Safety.  He has held that position for 25 years. He commutes 75 miles round trip regularly by motorcycle and does some motorcycle touring.  He is a Motorcycle Safety Foundation-certified Chief Instructor/RiderCoach, a life member of the American Motorcyclists’ Association and the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and serves as a liaison to the WisDOT Motorcycle Safety Advisory Council.  He served as chairperson on the Executive Committee of the National Association of State Motorcycle Safety Administrators (SMSA) from 1994-1996 and currently serves on the SMSA Executive Committee and, also, as chairperson of the Government and Industry Affairs Committee.