The Washington DC Region Board of Directors serves to:
Establish policies and oversees the implementation for the Region.
Appoint committees and their chairpersons.
Elect the Regional Executive and other officers of the Region.
Manage the finances of the Region and oversee the functions of the Region Administrator (Heidi S. Weir).
Renew the Region's Charter, run the regional elections and establish the regional dues.
Promote the Region, both directly and with others, via marketing and outreach events.
Are responsible to ensure that the region operates within the guidelines of the SCCA and the laws governing tax exempt organizations.
Listen to complaints and arbitrate the solutions within the Region.
Select several of the regional award winners.
Represent the Region at the divisional and national level.
Individual members of the Board serve as liaisons between major committees and the BOD.
Chuck Edmonson, Region Executive
chuck.edmonson@wdcr-scca.org
Steve Martin, Chairman
WDCR member: since 2011
WDCR Involvement:
First HPDE March 2011, and have been hooked ever since. Ran HPDE's for the next 3 years, then decided it was time to step up a level.
Sat for my Competition License in 2014, and have raced in the MARRS series in various groups (ITE, T2, Bracket) for the last 8 years.
HPDE Instructor: Last 4 years
F&C: Have flagged at HPDE and MARRS events
Outside region:
Flagging at 12hrs of Sebring (2021, 2022)
Flagging at 24hrs of Daytona (2022)
Biography:
Born and raised in Wash, DC, I've worked in some form of customer service for over 40 years. From Bradlee's, K-Mart department stores, to 31 years with Verizon Telecommunications, I've learned to listen to the customer and figure out how to best work with them. After retiring from Verizon, my son and I opened In & Out Performance, a joint installation, repair, performance automotive shop in Laurel, MD. We were able to network with several other small business entities and formed several long lasting relationships with our customers. I’ve been into auto mechanics for a long time, my father would make me assist him when I was about 9 years old, and I passed this along to my son as well. While at In & Out, I took the opportunity to teach people that wanted to learn basic mechanic skills, and found that I really enjoy teaching people different things. I would like to roll that over to our SCCA world.
Taylor Hyatt, Vice Chair
SCCA Member: since 2002
Personal statement: As a 20-year member of the Region, at 30 years old, I did a lot of my growing up alongside our club. I learned the majority of what I know about motorsports from the people in this club. Most of my friends are a part of this club, and I consider many like family. Like most “track rats” my dad brought me to the racetrack at a young age and I haven’t turned back since. I started volunteering at 10 years old and have held several volunteer positions since, including presenting at the SCCA National Convention. I started competing with Rallycross in 2016, participated in HPDE for the first time in 2017, and obtained my competition racing license in 2021. I’ve competed at both regional and national levels and am working towards racing at the 2023 Runoffs at VIR.
Outside of motorsports, I have a full-time career and perform other volunteer work. I obtained an MBA from Shippensburg University in 2021. I have been working in Human Resources for WellSpan Health since 2018, currently as a Sr. Benefits Analyst and Subject Matter Expert for a project impacting over 20,000 employees. I also volunteer my time as the Secretary of the Board of Directors for the Chambersburg Chamber Foundation.
Recap:
20-year member
Racer/Participant/Volunteer in Rallycross, HPDE, & Road Racing
Volunteer – Registration, Timing & Scoring, EV, Flagging, Victory Circle, Photographer, Asst. Race Chair, Competition School Instructor, National Convention Presenter, Member Services: Straightpipe Editor, Social Media Coordinator, Region Charity Coordinator
Career in Human Resources and other Board of Directors service
Strives for a fun, safe, and collaborative environment for our members!
Kathleen (Kate) Claffie, Treasurer
SCCA MEMBER: since 2009
WDCR INVOLVEMENT (including Autocrossers, Inc., DC Region Chapter Club):
Started autocrossing with WDCR and Autocrossers Inc. in mid-2009
Joined the Autocrossers Inc Committee in late 2011, and have served as the President and the Vice President
Joined the WDCR Solo Committee in 2013, and have been the Chief of Waivers (aka “Kate at the Gate”) since then.
Promoted to Assistant Solo Chair in 2018 to further enable the region program and its events run smoothly
PERSONAL: Prior to autocrossing, I spent my weekends doing race photography for a lower-level NASCAR Division. I am “owned” by three rescue pugs, and have been involved in pug rescue with volunteer work and fundraising. My day job includes handling privacy and security concerns for my office.
Lin Toland, Secretary
SCCA MEMBER: since 1997
Personal statement: For those who don’t know me, my experience with SCCA actually dates back to the early 1970's. I started as a Solo Driver and flagger out in the San Francisco Region, but a military career got in the way and I my membership lapsed. Back in 1996 I won tickets to the Labor Day Double at Summit Point and while spectating with the family at Turn 1, I met Josh Cockey and the rest is history - three weeks later I was "in whites" cross track at Station 8. Have been around ever since. Currently I am a founding member of the Region’s HPDE Committee where I have been the Chairman of the Summit Point Program for the last 2 years. I am also a Road Racing Steward and very active in the Road Racing. I hold a Senior F&C License and have recruited and led a group of Region flaggers to be a part of the Bus Stop Chicane Crew at the Rolex-24 for the past 26 yrs.
I do have 9 years of previous service on the Board and have held the following positions Assistant RE, BoD Rep to the HPDE, Rally Cross, Solo, Road Racing Programs and the BoD Rep to the Grand Prix of Baltimore.
Professionally, I am a Retired Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer and currently work part time for Summit Point Motorsports Park as a Course Marshall.
Pam Richardson, Director
pfr@erols.com
SCCA Member: 36 years
WDCR Member: 32 years
WDCR Efforts
Club Racing Steward Program, 2000-present
CRC member/Big Bore Drivers' Rep, 2008-present
SCCA National Efforts
American Sedan Committee, 2010-2018, Chair, 2011-2018
Club Racing Board Secretary, 2012-2018
National Club Racing Competition, 2001-2005
Regional Club Racing Competition, 1992-2000, 2006-2018
Crew Chief and Chief Engineer for the AS 15 Camaro, driven by Danny Richardson, 2005-present
Licenses
Club Racing Competition, 1992-2018
Steward, 2002-present
Personal: I worked for NASA (the space people) from 1975-2008 in the Space Shuttle Orbiter Experiments Program and Aerodynamic Computational Fluid Dynamics at NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA. Then, in 1990, transferred to NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC, as a Program Manager for various NASA Aero Research Center Programs. The last 11 years of my career, I was in Safety, Mission Assurance, and Systems Engineering at Headquarters for the Aero Research Centers. A couple of highlights for that work are: the X-43 Scramjet Accident Investigation and Return to Flight Teams, and working the Space Shuttle STS-116 Flow from launch to return, from the Safety side.
Since I retired in 2008, I have been volunteering for SCCA, and managing the Richardson Racing Team American Sedan Camaro.
Baron Mills, Director
Learning to drive (at a young age on the farm) my brother would take me out in the VW in snow storms and we’d do ebrake-turns and 180’s and laugh hysterically. Fun is addictive, so after getting my own car I joined SCCA in the early 80’s to compete in Solo IIs and Road Rallys, and had a blast. I’ve been chasing that same mix of excitement and laughter in motorsports ever since. In 2012 I rejoined SCCA to try a WDCR HPDE, and I was hooked. Jump to today and I hang out with my best friends every few weekends, and get to show others the many ways to have fun at the track.
I joined the HPDE/TT leadership committee 8 years ago and I’ve enjoyed helping grow the program, and now I offer my leadership skills to the Region. It’s hard not to use generic jargon vote-for-me words, but the bottom line is I’m very good at creating innovative solutions and problem solving, especially when I believe in the organization and people. And I am laser focused on what members will need and want a year or more out. I’d love to give back to an organization that has provided almost 2 decades of motorsports enjoyment.
My SCCA Involvement:
Member of the HPDE/TT leadership committee.
Responsible for much of the public messaging for HPDE/TT via event emails and MSR registration.
Develop and teach HPDE Advanced Run Group class curriculum.
Developed the HPDE Data Guided Coaching program (“The best HPDE data-analysis program in the country” -Matt Romanowksi).
Manage the relationship between the HPDE/TT program and trailbrake.com/Matt Romanowski, a nationally renowned professional driver coach.
Am a respected competitor in the Time Trials program.
Instruct at WDCR Dominion Raceway HPDE/TT events.
I hold the following SCCA licenses: TE/TT Event Lead, TE/TT Safety Steward, TE/TT Driver Coach Spec, TT Driver License Advanced.
Outside of SCCA:
Instructed for the Vintage Racing Group racing clinic (2023, 2024).
Successfully completed BMWCCA race school.
Senior Instructor for Summit Point FATT program.
National competitions (and some wins) in volleyball, tactical shooting, and skydiving.
Currently retired, the majority of my professional career was as a civil servant, with the last 10 years at the Department of Defense as a Senior Executive. As the owner of Cordis Consulting I provided guidance to the leadership of several world-leading IT companies.
My civillian service to our country resulted in the following notable awards; US Presidential Meritorious Rank Award, the National Intelligence Superior Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, and the Meritorious Civilian Service Award.
Trey Albrecht, Director
WDCR MEMBER: since 2018
WDCR INVOLVEMENT:
My journey with WDCR began in early 2018 when a chance encounter at a HPDE/TT event, alongside my good friend Jack MacLeod, ignited a passion that has only grown stronger. We quickly became involved, starting as instructors and eventually taking on CI responsibilities at our favorite local raceway. Our dedication has played a key role in establishing and developing the WDCR Dominion Raceway program. I now serve as the Program Director for WDCR Dominion and actively contribute to the SCCA National Time Trial program through coaching, staffing, and participating in the National Tour. With 10 years of experience as a Cyber Security Engineer supporting the Department of Defense, I bring a strong professional background to the table. My wife and I are also devoted dog lovers, sharing our lives with two rescues, Franks and Callie, who often join us at the track (whether strolling around or cooling off in the A/C). After a series of engine mishaps, I’ve fully embraced the Honda K24 as a top choice for our thrilling motorsport lifestyle. My goal in joining the board is to further contribute to the vibrant paddock community we’ve built, while also advocating for and supporting the diverse driving communities within WDCR.
Valerie Farret, Director
SCCA Member: since 2017
Personal statement: I want to thank you for taking the time to learn a little bit about me. At Summit Point I am known as one of the Twins and my partner in crime is Vanessa who also works on Grid & Pit. I have been an active member with the WDC Region SCCA since 2017 and volunteered prior to that when time permitted. Although I have never had any interest in racing, I have volunteered with Emergency Services, flagged some HPDE events and worked on Grid. My passion for the club has allowed me to take on the duties of Chief of Pit with only Grid experience and make it a successful and fun place to be. We have the best time but give 110% to the drivers, crew and fellow volunteers. I also have been a part in organizing the DC Region's yearly awards banquets the past few years.
I am proud to have received these awards:
Emergency Services Rookie of the year
Emergency Services Worker of the year
Grid Worker of the year
2023 SCCA Grid / Pit Worker of the year
Public Relations Award
My professional background is in over 20 years of customer service, sales and management. When I am not volunteering you can find me horseback riding (1 HorsePower is more my speed) and competing locally at horse shows. During the off season of racing I work retail at Dover Saddlery to keep my connection with the people that I share the same passion with.
My background may be Road Racing but I want to branch out and visit the other incredible programs that the WDCR has to offer and listen to what their wants and needs are and to let them know that I will make sure that they are heard. The DC Region is fortunate to be as strong as it is but I believe that my positive attitude can be an asset and only want the best for the club that I love so much.
want to get involved?
The BOD meets once a month. Board members typically spend an average of three hours a week on Region business, but a few spend much more. The pay for BOD members is a free meal at the monthly meeting. When things go right, you are invisible. When things go wrong, you are not. The experience and the friendship of your fellow board members are the rewards. If you love the sport and respect the club, it is all worthwhile.
