PETER O. LANE President
Pete is a retired teacher of mathematics and woodworking at Westtown School. He holds a Master of Science in mathematics from Western Washington State University and is active in his church, Westtown Monthly Meeting. Pete can often be found in the cab as a volunteer steam locomotive fireman. Pete has served on the Board of Directors since 1996.
 
 

JOSEPH J. FARNAN III, Esq. First Vice President
J.J. is a graduate of Westtown School and holds a Bachelor of Arts in government and politics from Widener University (1995) and a Doctorate of Law from Widener University School of Law (1999). For the past seven years, J.J. has been an attorney with Phillips, Goldman and Spence. His community service activities include being a volunteer firefighter with Good Will Fire Co. No. 1 of New Castle, Del., where he serves as the public information officer, treasurer and assistant chief. He has received several life saving and unit citations for his work as a firefighter. He is also on the New Castle County Dive Team, the marine firefighter committee, the county Emergency Operations Group and the swift-water rescue team. J.J. is a lifelong Delawarean. His family's property backed up to the Wilmington & Western when he was younger, and he volunteered on the railroad while in high school. He currently lives in Fairfax with his wife and three children, who share his love of trains and the Wilmington & Western.

J. HARRY FELDMAN Vice President
J. Harry has lived in Delaware since 1979 and is a longtime member of HRCV. In 1997, he became a volunteer with Delaware's tall ship, the Kalmar Nyckel, helping lead its public relations efforts and designing the international ceremonies for the ship's launching and commissioning. He was also a volunteer visitor counselor at the Greater Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau (GWCVB). J. Harry joined the GWCVB in 1998 as its full-time media & public relations coordinator, and in 2003 he became the organization's executive director, serving in that position until retiring in 2007. He is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and serves on the Wilmington & Western's marketing committee.

MARK NORTH Vice President
For the past 25 years, Mark has been a construction superintendent for Robert C. Peoples Inc., located in Bear, Del. He is a graduate of the University of Delaware, and holds a Bachelor of Science in general agriculture. Mark is an active volunteer on the Wilmington & Western, and is a problem captain for Odyssey of the Mind. Mark was born in Cumberland, Md., where his father, Jack, was employed with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Mark is a member of the North American Railcar Operators Association (NARCOA), and lives in Middletown, Del., with his wife of 25 years and two children, all of whom also enjoy trains of all sizes.

ROBERT B. TAYLOR, Ph.D. Secretary/Treasurer
Bob is a retired manager at DuPont and has a doctorate in biology from John Hopkins University. He has held national office in the American Chemical Society and has authored numerous papers, patents and textbook chapters. Bob volunteers on the Wilmington & Western as a conductor and engineer. He served as an HRCV vice president between 1996 & 1999 and has been a member of the HRCV Board of Directors since 1991.

RONALD T. BAILEY
Ron is the executive director of the Chester County Planning Commission, a member of the Pennsylvania State Planning Board and president of the Advisory Council of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. He is the author of Frozen in Silver: The Life and Frontier Photography of P.E. Larson, as well as numerous articles on historic surveying and community planning. Ron holds a Bachelor of Science in environmental resources from the California State University at Sacramento and a Master of Science in interdisciplinary studies from Southern Oregon State College. He is a charter member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and can be seen volunteering on the Wilmington & Western as a steam locomotive engineer and fireman. Ron is a former president of HRCV and has served on the Board of Directors since 1997.

DAVID G. CARPENTER JR.
Dave has been employed with New Castle County for 17 years, and has been the coordinator (director) of emergency management since July 2007. His tenure with New Castle County includes positions in the finance office and in airport operations. Dave holds a Bachelor of Science in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla., and a master's degree in public administration from Wilmington College. He currently holds national certifications as a certified emergency manager (CEM), a hazardous materials technician, a swiftwater rescue technician and is a nationally registered emergency medical technician. Dave is also a FEMA-approved instructor for terrorism awareness, terrorism planning and the Incident Command System. He is also a licensed amateur radio operator.

JOHN M. IWASYK, D.Sc.
John is a retired chemical/polymer research fellow at DuPont. He holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in chemical engineering from Northwestern University, and a Doctorate of Science from M.I.T. He is the vice president & general manager of the Wilmington & Western Railway Corporation, advisory committee chairman of the New Castle County Parks and Recreation Board, a director of Delaware Greenways, a director of Red Clay Scenic Highways, a director of North Mill Creek Association, as well as a director of the Delaware Museum Association. John serves as a track inspector on the Wilmington & Western and is a former vice president and former president of HRCV. He has served on the HRCV Board of Directors since 1966.

EDWARD A. LIPKA
Ed is a chemist at DuPont and is very active in his church, working with many youth groups in the community on a weekly basis. He is currently the vice president of The Friends of Brandywine Springs, and is also a member of Greenbank Mill and other local civic associations. Ed can often be seen working at the Red Clay Valley Visitor's Center or volunteering on the Wilmington & Western.

HEATHER O'CONNELL
Heather is the vice president for enrollment management at Wilmington University, and has responsibility for admissions, academic advising, information technology, institutional research and the University Information Center. She has served the university in various roles since 1984, and is currently pursuing her doctorate in higher education leadership. Heather has been an active member of the local community and currently serves on the board of Children and Families First, and has previously served on the boards of many other local organizations. Her interests include karate, biking, dogs and children. Heather resides in Kennett Square, Pa., with her husband and two children, ages 13 and 10.

CHRISTOPHER PITCHER
A graduate of Boston University's College of Communication, Chris grew up in an entertainment industry family. He spent much of his childhood in and around Studio 3B at NBC's Rockefeller Center studio. Once in college, his attention shifted to art direction, and upon graduating, he went to work for several New York City firms. In 1990, Chris opened CGP Video Pictures Inc., applying his experience in commercial art direction to create advertising for small, local clients. CGP worked with industrial clients in higher education, and developed projects for network television and independent films. After 14 years, Chris was wooed away by Wilmington College to run their in-house production studio. He grew the department into a complete in-house advertising/marketing agency and was appointed director in 2004 of what became known as University Relations. Under his leadership, he ran promotional and advertising campaigns that took Wilmington College into new locations in New Jersey. He also designed the PR campaign that helped the college transition to university status. In 2009, Chris was promoted to assistant vice president and is currently the editor-in-chief of Wilmington University's Magazine.

MARY SIMONS
Mary is an IT project specialist for Computer Sciences Corporation and works on the DuPont, General Dynamics and Raytheon accounts. She grew up in Wilmington and has lived in Landenberg, Pa., with her husband for 33 years. She served two terms on the board of directors of Paws for People, a non-profit pet therapy organization. Mary began volunteering with the Wilmington & Western in June 2007, and has since become qualified as a trainman, brakeman, diesel fireman and conductor. Mary has spent many hours combing the hills of Landenberg, along with other volunteers from the railroad, in search of any remains of the Wilmington & Western in that area. The results of her efforts can be seen in a new book, Landenberg's Forgotten Railroad. Mary is a member of HRCV's marketing/special events committee and the museum committee.

SCOTT A. TOLLEFSON
Scott is a senior electrical engineer at Edwards and Kelcey. He has extensive and diversified experience in railroad electrification, including light and heavy commuter rail and subways. His recent experience with construction management complements his design background. Scott holds a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the University of Delaware with a minor in computer science. He is a member and former chairperson of the Wilmington Ski Club and is also a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism.

HORACE A. WAHL JR.
Horace is an active and successful area businessman. He has led his own company, Quality Heating and Air Conditioning, since 1965. He was elected president of Delaware Contractors and president of Associated Builders and Contractors, and has chaired that organization's National Insurance Trust. Horace has had a lifelong interest in railroading and is a member of the Train Collectors Association, the Lionel Operating Society, the Toy Train Operators Society and the Lionel Collectors Club of America. He and his wife, Janice, live in Wilmington.

MAX B. WALTON
Max is a litigation partner in the Connolly Bove Business Law Group and is a frequent lecturer for the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration where he gives seminars on various topics, including land use law, constitutional law and election law. Max is also the editor of and frequent contributor to the Delaware Government Legal Quarterly, and is the chair of the firm's library committee. Max has significant lead counsel experience in matters involving commercial, constitutional, land use, construction, election and insurance coverage matters in Delaware state courts. He acts as outside counsel for numerous state, county and municipal governments and agencies. Max also acts as counsel to numerous businesses, including insurance agencies, national and local construction firms, consulting firms and medical practices.

THOMAS C. MARSHALL JR. Lifetime Vice President
Tom is retired from Marshall & Greenplate Travel Associates and is a former owner/operator of two local Holiday Inns. He is a director of Friends Boarding Home in Kennett Square, Pa.; Mercersburg Academy; Wilmington Savings Fund Society; and the Red Clay Valley Association. Tom has the distinction of being the founder and first president of HRCV. He served as general manager of the Wilmington & Western between 1966 and 1970. Tom attended M.I.T. and Beacom College, and held the rank of 1st Lt. in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1942 to 1946. He served on the Board of Directors from 1960 to 2008.