Leadership & History | CVMA® IL 24-3

Chapter Executive Board

Our Leadership

Commander

Jason “Clutch” Hoftiezer

CO — Commanding Officer

The Commander leads the chapter with the values of honor, courage, and commitment instilled through military service. Responsible for the overall direction and welfare of CVMA® IL 24-3.

Executive Officer

Brian “Doc D” Davis

XO — Executive Officer

The Executive Officer supports the Commander and assumes command in the CO’s absence. Oversees day-to-day chapter operations and coordinates with officers to execute the chapter’s mission.

Sergeant at Arms

Paul “Buttons” Johnston

SAA — Sergeant at Arms

The Sergeant at Arms is responsible for the safety, security, and discipline within the chapter. Enforces the bylaws and ensures the welfare of members during all chapter activities and rides.

Public Relations Officer

Robyn “Throbbin” Combs

PRO — Public Relations Officer

The PRO manages the chapter’s public image, media relations, social media presence, and community outreach. The face of CVMA® to the broader community and veteran organizations.

Secretary

Jerimiah “Sully” Sullivan

Chapter Secretary

The Secretary maintains chapter records, correspondence, and meeting minutes. Manages membership records and ensures communication flows effectively between the leadership and the membership.

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Treasurer

[COMING SOON]

Chapter Treasurer

The Treasurer oversees all chapter finances, maintains accurate financial records, processes dues and donations, and provides regular financial reports to ensure the chapter’s fiscal health and transparency.

1999

National History

The Story of CVMA®

Beginning in 1999, several Veterans from different ends of the country — particularly Vietnam Veterans — began searching for the brotherhood they were missing from their military service. They also all shared the hobby of motorcycle riding. “I wanted to become part of something; like a brotherhood. Something where there were a group of us for some purpose,” says Earl “Doc” Reichart, CVMA® #2. In the words of Joe “Whiskey Joe” Kozie, CVMA® FM #14, “I talked to some guys and they told me what I was going to have to do to prospect and I kind of thought about that. And thought…well damn that sounds like basic training again, you know, and I’m getting too old for that.”

In their searches for a riding organization that shared their desire of brotherhood and greater good, these Veterans turned to the new phenomenon that was the Internet. After searching various Veteran and motorcycle organizations, they found the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Club (CVMC). The website, run by “Iceman” out of Georgia, stated that the CVMC had thousands of members across the nation. “All about brotherhood; all about remembering our POW’s; remembering our MIA’s and honoring our KIA. That’s basically all I needed to see,” explains Mike “Gunner” Minor, CVMA® FM#25.

It was eventually revealed that “Iceman” was a scammer. The CVMC was, essentially, an Internet scam that preyed on Veterans who were longing for the camaraderie of an organization that promoted honoring the service of their fallen brothers through motorcycle riding. After being confronted in 2001, Iceman turned all records over to Daddydawg (a member in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri). Only 45 members could be identified from those records. These “Original 45” decided to take this scam and turn it into a legitimate organization that served and honored Veterans.

It was decided to reorganize as an Association rather than a Club — allowing for easier acceptance into the motorcycle world and the general public, and eliminating the “prospecting” requirement that had originally deterred many of the members. Daddydawg took the lead on designing the CVMA® patch. The skull and spade (“Skully”) originated from “Wee,” an Original 45 member from Maine. The suggestion was made to use black and gold as the background and remove the word “Motorcycle” from the patch — “The motorcycle we ride will tell the world we are a motorcycle association.” In December of 2002, the CVMA® — an independent Veterans organization with its own logo and patch — was officially formed.

What started as a scam preying on Veterans has turned into a nationally recognized association. Today, the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association® has grown in membership well into the tens of thousands. There are chapters in all 50 states as well as Germany and Korea. The CVMA® is a non-profit 501(c) organization whose members donate not only money but their time and other resources to various Veterans causes — from escorting fallen service members to their final resting place, to building wheelchair ramps for disabled Veterans, to passing out food and clothing to homeless Veterans. The motto “Vets Helping Vets” is the heart of everything this organization stands for.

2012

Chapter History

CVMA® Chapter IL 24-3 — Midwest Misfits

Illinois CVMA® Chapter IL 24-3 began when several Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association® members living in the St. Louis and Metro East Illinois area realized they needed a local chapter. At the time, many of these riders attended meetings with Missouri Chapter 4-4, the nearest active group. However, a national policy change by the CVMA®’s National Board of Directors required members to participate in chapters within the state where they resided. This prompted the Illinois members to form their own chapter to better represent local veterans.

The group met the requirement of at least eight founding members and held their first meeting on February 18, 2012, at the VFW post on Scott Air Force Base. The founding members were Gary “Dreamer” St. Clair, Dave “CAGMO” Ringering, Ed “Fireman” Hildebrant, Brad “Top” Walker, Terry “Cobra” Dickson, Chuck “Rock” Lee, Ivan “Nam” Gere, and William “Bubba” Gardner, with Leo “HD Ironass” Jessen listed as absent.

At that inaugural gathering, members elected the first leadership team: Brad “Top” Walker as Chapter Commander, Chuck “Rock” Lee as Executive Officer, Terry “Cobra” Dickson as Sergeant at Arms, Ivan “Nam” Gere as Secretary, and William “Bubba” Gardner as Treasurer.

The chapter held its second meeting on March 21, 2012, where it welcomed six new members, expanding its reach across central and southern Illinois communities such as Springfield and Effingham. From these early meetings, Chapter IL 24-3 established itself as a strong and active part of the CVMA®, uniting local combat veterans through brotherhood, service, and a shared love of riding. The “Midwest Misfits” continue that tradition today, living the motto that defines us all: “Vets Helping Vets.”