Our Northeast Georgia Founding Members were greatly involved in the formation and development of the Mustang Club of America.
Founding Members Bill Dillard and Bruce Guiney were present at the 1st MCA meeting held in 1976 at Stone Mountain. Bill joined MCA and became MCA #7. Bruce had his Cougar at the time and did not join until later.
Bill was also a Founding Member of the Cherokee Regional Mustang club in Calhoun, Ga. Bill went on to hold several positions within MCA. President, Vice-President, National Head Judge,National Show Director, Board of Directors,and Gold Card judge. Sandi Dillard was also MCA Secretary for several years. Bill is a member of the MCA Hall of Fame.
Jim and Sue Osborn were also early members of MCA, with MCA #376. Jim also held just about every position within MCA was very instrumental in keeping the MCA alive. Jim was President, Secretary, Treasurer, Chairman, Board Member and editor of Mustang Times. Sue served several years as MCA Secretary, Board Member and Mustang Times Publisher. Jim is also a member of the MCA Hall of Fame. Jim Osborn reproductions was also a critical resource for restorers and hardly a day goes by that I don't reference one of the Osborn assembly manuals.
Pretty cool having two founding members in the MCA hall of fame.
Our First President, Ricky Simmons, was also very involved with MCA. Ricky was a Board Member, Vice-President, National Show Committee Head, Assistant National Head Judge, and most importantly National Head Judge for many years. Ricky was National Head Judge when the MCA transitioned from 1st, 2nd, 3rd to Gold, Silver, and Bronze in the Concours Classes. This was a critical change for MCA.
Randy Church was another founding member that made significant contributions to the MCA. Randy was a Board Member for many years, MCA Treasurer and Assistant National Head Judge. In 1986 or so, MCA decided to expand the classes from 64.5 - 73 to 64.4 to present. That was a huge undertaking adding in the Mustang IIs and the very popular Fox Bodies. Randy played a key role in developing the Judging Rules for the Fox Bodies and leading the judging on the show field as a Gold Card Judge. Randy also started the 20th Anniversary National Owners Association.
Lee and Kitty Wilmot also held positions on the National Board of Directors. Kitty was the MCA secretary for many years and very involved as assistant editor of the Mustang Times.
Randy Fleeman and Butch Hollingsworth also served on the MCA board and Butch also served as Sargent at Arms for many years.
At different times in the late 80s and early 90s, the entire executive team of the MCA was almost comprised solely of NEGMC Founding members. We owe all of these members great thanks for starting our club and building the foundation of the MCA.
I am sure I have missed several other members that also contributed to the MCA by assisting at the many National and Grand National shows held in the Southeast and serving as National Directors or Board Members. If anyone has any additional information or photos, please send an email to the NEGMC.
