News

Thank You Thursday - Outgoing Board Members

The International Soap Box Derby’s Board of Directors serves as the governing body of the organization
and provides management and direction for the non-profit organization.

The Board meets monthly at the headquarters office in Akron, Ohio. Throughout the year various committees appointed by the Board meet to discuss specific parts of the business unique to each committee. In addition to serving on the Board, members also serve on these committees and provide unique insight and direction.

Tonight (November 10) at its annual meeting the Board will say goodbye to four of its members who
have played a pivotal role in the turnaround of the Derby.

Carla Sibley - Director of Community Relations, Akron Public Schools
Sibley became a member of the Board in 2012. She’s served on various committees throughout her tenure on the Board and most recently as the Chair of the Program Committee (formerly Education Committee). In 2015 she was named Vice Chair. Her leadership and guidance was crucial in the development of the Derby’s newly released STEM Based Education Program Curriculum.

Bill Ginter - Principal, Akron Legacy Group
Ginter became a member of the Board in 2010 and was soon elected Vice Chair. In April of 2011 he was named Chair and held the position until his term ended in November of 2014. Under Ginter’s leadership as Chair the Derby created new revenue sources, increased activity at Derby Downs, recorded a surplus over his last three years as Chairman and introduced a new education program that includes the Gravity Racing Challenge STEM team competition. Ginter was also instrumental in bringing on FirstEnergy Corp. as the title sponsor of the All-American World Championship race, which is held annually at the world famous Derby Downs Track in Akron.

Todd Guilliam, Financial Adviser, Wells Fargo
Guilliam became a member of the Board in 2010. He’s served on various committees throughout his time on the Board. Most recently he was a member of the Derby’s Competition Committee and Annual Fundraising Committee. His leadership and knowledge was instrumental in the creation of the Derby’s Gravity Racing Challenge STEM Team Competition in 2010.

Bob Troyer, Public Relations Consultant
Troyer’s stint on the Board started in 1974. He was Chair from 1993 – 1994. His Derby career started when he raced as a child in the Portage County local race. His father was the director of the Portage County Soap Box Derby from 1947 through 1972. Through those connections, Troyer was invited to be a traveling chaperone for the All-American Soap Box Derby in 1967 when he was still in college. After working in public relations for Firestone and Akron’s Chamber of Commerce, he was asked to be the PR chairman for the All-American Soap Box Derby in 1973, a position he held through the 2016 race. This past year was a significant milestone in Troyer’s Derby career. It was his 50^th year of volunteering and this past July was the first time he raced in a Soap Box Derby car down the world famous Derby Downs track. He was inducted into the Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame in 2003 and was the grand marshal of the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby parade this past July.

The Derby would like to say THANK YOU to Carla Sibley, Bill Ginter, Todd Guilliam and Bob Troyer for helping us continue our mission of building knowledge and character, and creating meaningful experiences through collaboration and fair and honest competition.

This is the seventh installment of our weekly “Thank You Thursday” feature. Each week we will offer a heartfelt “Thank You” to a corporation, civic or community leader, volunteer, foundation or an individual who has helped us continue our mission. To view previous features please click below.

      Carla Sibley                        Bill Ginter                         Todd Guilliam                   Bob Troyer

Thank You Thursday
Thursday, September 29, 2016 - FirstEnergy Corp.
Thursday, October 6, 2016 - Don Plusquellic
Thursday, October 13, 2016 - Bill Ginter
Thursday, October 20, 2016 - Marous Brothers Construction
Thursday, October 27, 2016 - Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems  
Thursday, November 3, 2016 - Myers Industries