Tim Elder succeeded Stephen G. Heaver Jr. as SPAAMFAA President upon completion of Steve’s three-year term. “As I write my last Chief’s Chair (column in E-E) I can’t help but reflect upon the many changes that have taken place during the past four years”, Steve noted. “I would say the transition from a young Syracuse-based group to a maturing, ever-growing national organization has been the greatest source of pain and joy: the correspondence, telephone calls, travel, conventions, new chapters and new friends have all managed to make a stronger SPAAMFAA.”

The Central New York Chapter hosted the 10th annual SPAAMFAA Summer Convention & Muster in Syracuse August 11-13. Two more news chapters – Eastern Massachusetts and Florida – received their charters this year. Ownership of SPAAMFAA’s last two rigs – the 1923 “Big Bertha” Ahrens-Fox and 1925 American-LaFrance – was transferred to the local CNY Chapter.