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.
Mayo T. Smith
Vice-Chairman
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.
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 Mason is a nonprofit leader, entrepreneur, and business builder who believes organizations begin with purpose and people. From trade school to president of The Piston Foundation, his path drives a commitment to creating careers, strengthening the skilled trades, uniting the automotive community, and preserving automotive heritage for future generations.
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.
Michael Chapin
Director
Michael Chapin is an accomplished executive with extensive leadership experience in the automotive and digital commerce sectors. Currently serving as President of duPont Registry and CEO of Petrolicious, he brings deep expertise in budget management, SaaS platforms, and strategic growth to a board member role.
Staff
Robert
Minnick
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Jeff
Mason
Co-Founder and President
Jerry
Charlup
Chief Financial Officer
Mayo T.
Smith
Director of Donor Relations
Karl Maruyama
Creative Director
Victoria
Eskew
Social Media Manager
Advisors
Kent
Bain
Chris
Mason
Chris
Gleason
Keith
Alexander
Roger
Garbow
Judy
Stropus
Akash
Cheeda
Steve
Vaz
Brad
Glassman
Maria
Hommann
William Harris
Binnie
Frank
Campanale
Chris
Eschenburg
Harvey
Siegel
Murray
Smith
Roger
Werner
Fernando J
Alva Mirás
Chuck
Queener
Cristina
Cheever
Ambassadors
Ed
Arango
Bill
Hill
John
Hinds
Joel
Lueb
Philip
Reinhardt
Russ
Rocknak
Dominic
Taylor-Lane
Alan
Ward
Nicholas
Navarro
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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