Our People
The Piston Foundation is comprised of many talented and experienced individuals, each with their own skills and insights. Here is a quick look at our board, staff, advisors, and ambassadors.
Board of Directors
Robert P. Minnick
Chairman
Robert is a serial entrepreneur with a proven track record of taking the “big idea” from a concept to a profitable business. At Chrysler Overseas, Robert created the first extended warranty program for military personnel around the globe. He later founded ComponentGuard, Inc. where he reinvented the carbon paper service contact process, transforming the service into a tangible “blister pack” product.
Jerry Charlup
Treasurer
Jerry is a long-time financial executive with experience in both real estate finance and corporate finance. He has been Partner/CFO in several entrepreneurial companies and assists and mentors several growing firms. As CFO, Jerry is responsible for financial management including cash management, accounting, budgeting, and reporting.
Jeffrey Mason
Secretary
Jeff’s own trade-school education helped him to found several businesses, including his marketing agency Hero Design Studio. At Hero, Jeff has helped his clients launch products, build businesses, and lead markets. As a designer, business owner, and entrepreneur, Jeff gained the skills and experience he needs to lead the Piston Foundation as its president and chief operating officer.
Clifton Fink
Director
Cliff is a Private Advisor, Team Director of Corporate Retirement and Managing Director with Rockefeller Capital Management. He is an active supporter of community organizations and serves on the board of the American School of Paris Alumni Association & Foundation as well as Save the Children’s Professional Advisors Council. Cliff is heavily involved in the classic car community with a passion for European sports cars from the 1950s and 60s.
Alexander D. Greene
Director
Alex is a corporate finance guy who brings extensive experience serving on public and private company boards of directors. A car enthusiast from early childhood, Alex enjoys his collection of 60’s and 70’s British convertibles plus a newly acquired TVR Cerbera when he isn’t driving a fire truck for his local fire department.
Matt Peckham
Director
Matt is the founder of Vintage Motor Management, LLC, a portfolio management consulting firm serving classic car collectors. He’s maintained a lifelong involvement with vintage cars and racing throughout his professional career in IT at Apple, Toshiba Information Systems, and Dell Computer, Inc. Serving his client’s collections has given Matt an acute understanding of the need for craftsmen of all types in the collector car world.
Mayo T. Smith
Director
With over thirty years of experience in finance, Mayo is adept at working with institutional and individual clients alike to achieve their financial goals. Lending his expertise to the Piston Foundation as Director of Donor Relations, he has been instrumental in adding institutional structure and processes as we implement our innovative fundraising campaign efforts.
Staff
Robert
Minnick
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Jeff
Mason
President and Chief Operating Officer
Jerry
Charlup
Chief Financial Officer
Mayo T.
Smith
Director of Donor Relations
Karl Maruyama
Creative Director
Judy
Stropus
Public Relations
Advisors
Kent
Bain
Roger
Garbow
Maria
Hommann
Chris
Mason
Fernando J
Alva Mirás
Akash
Cheeda
Steve
Vaz
Brad
Glassman
William Harris
Binnie
Frank
Campanale
Chris
Eschenburg
Chuck
Queener
Harvey
Siegel
Murray
Smith
Roger
Werner
Ambassadors
Ed
Arango
Bill
Hill
John
Hinds
Joel
Lueb
Philip
Reinhardt
Russ
Rocknak
Dominic
Taylor-Lane
Alan
Ward
Give to What You Love
Make a gift that helps the next generation access the education and training they need to begin a career as a classic car technician. Gifts of any size are appreciated and will be used to fund our scholarship and apprenticeship programs.
Sponsor a Piston Scholar
Piston Foundation scholarships are awarded to aspiring technicians to help them begin an auto restoration career. Give to the car culture you love. 100% goes to fund scholarships.
Cars for Piston Scholars
Turn your collector car into education and hands-on training for aspiring collector car technicians. Your car can change lives. 100% goes to fund scholarships.
Give to What You Love
Make a gift that helps the next generation access the education and training they need to begin a career as a classic car technician. Gifts of any size are appreciated and will be used to fund our scholarship and apprenticeship programs.
Sponsor a Piston Scholar
Piston Foundation scholarships are awarded to aspiring technicians to help them begin an auto restoration career. Give to the car culture you love. 100% goes to fund scholarships.
Cars for Piston Scholars
Turn your collector car into education and hands-on training for aspiring collector car technicians. Your car can change lives. 100% goes to fund scholarships.
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