Vice President Candidate:

 

Chris Gadway

Red Knights VP Candidate Biography

 

In April 2010 I was asked to consider running for the office of RKMC International Vice President by a person I hold quite a bit of respect for. I did consider this as an opportunity at that time but wanted to take some time to speak with my family as well as other Red Knights to get their feel for this commitment. I then decided that I would be humbled to serve in this position.

 

After a month or so and my family's continued dedicated support, I announced my candidacy for the office of RKMC International Vice President.

 

For those of you that do not know me or the ones that want to know my past a little more, here we go….

 

Born in Oregon, I enlisted into the US Coast Guard. I received a billet to the Presidential Honor Guard in Washington DC. After 4 years of spit and polish, multiple ceremonies a day and having the honor to work around some of the world leaders, I decided to leave active duty. I stayed in the reserves and went to work for Bell Atlantic in the DC area. I still work for Verizon (until July-3-2010) when I will be leaving the company to have the much needed time to build one of my businesses. In 2005, my wife and I started a property management company which we built and still reap the rewards from. We recently started another business and I will be running that as well.

 

As a patriot, veteran and military reserve member, I was devastated by the occurrences of 9-11. I was ready for the call. Since leaving active duty, I met my wife, Julie and now have two incredible children, Julia (22) and Blake, Lil'man (13).  In October of 2001, I received a reenlistment letter for the reserves and through the request of my new family I did not re-up. Two months later the guilt complex was in overdrive. I felt I had turned my back on my country. The next day I drove past my local firehouse and saw the sign “volunteers needed”. That was all it took! I joined Huntingtown VFD www.hvfd6.org. This is a department that has 140+ members and responds to nearly 200 calls a month. While going through many of the courses at University of Maryland Fire/ Rescue Inst., I realized that I not only loved the work, but also found the camaraderie refreshing. In 2006 I was elected as treasurer for the department, then as vice president in 2008, where I currently serve.

 

As a senior in high school I got a motorcycle and enjoyed it immensely. In 2003, I had a 1985 Goldwing Interstate and found out there was a local chapter of the Red Knights where I promptly joined. In January 2004, I drove my new Firefighters Ultra Classic Lazy Boy home. In the spring of 2004 I noticed that my chapter needed help. So I stepped up when asked to be the 1^st Quartermaster of the chapter. After raising the funds of the chapter by over 800% in the 2 years on the job, I was elected to be the 1st Quartermaster of the “Dixie”.  I was elected as senior road captain RKMC MD4 in 2006. Two years later we had some pretty serious issues we needed to deal with in the chapter. Shortly thereafter I was elected as president of the chapter. In 2009, I was elected to the position of secretary for the RKMC MD state association. After helping to work the chapter though the issues, I was elected to the chapter Vice Presidents position for the year 2010. At the Dixie rally 2010 I became the vice president of Dixie.

 

I put 100% into everything I do; I truly believe my efforts are appreciated. One of the greatest praises I have received was when I left the office of RKMC MD4 president. I was overwhelmed with a standing ovation and every member came up and thanked me for the work done. If you know me, you know exactly where I come from, I don’t hide, and I say what is on my mind.

 

My entire family is in the Red Knights and we support each other all the way.  My wife, Julie, supports everything we endeavor to do and helps in any way possible. Julia is a Firefighter/Medic, RKMC MD4 active member and is the chapter secretary. While Blake, a social member is always up for an adventure, and is very active at many club activities.

 

I believe in a lot of things, of which are God, Country, and Brotherhood.

 

When it comes down to it,

The Mission Statement is a very important set of words that were put together very carefully by our founders.

The By-laws are a living document that can be altered by the majority of the membership.

These documents however must be abided by. They are the core values of our organization.

 

I would very much like the opportunity to serve all the members of the Red Knights as the Vice President. I plan on doing what I can to help build the organization in numbers of members as well as camaraderie of existing members and in between chapters. I would actively communicate with the MAL’s to work with them and determine what we may do to assist them in their areas, up to and including helping them form new chapters. I want to do my part to help the organization be even stronger for when our kids take over the reins.  My family and I already travel internationally and while abroad, I would look forward to visiting chapters and firefighters in other countries in this office to represent the Red Knights International and encourage international camaraderie. 

 

 

I feel honored to be part of this organization and look forward to the opportunities that are put in front of me.  I hope to be able to bring fresh and new ideas to the organization.

I respectfully ask for the support of the members and officers of the Red Knights.

If you have any questions I can always be reached on my Cell.  301.518.2090

 

Loyal To Our Duty

Chris Gadway (Zippy)

 

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Secretary Candidate:

 

Bill “Popeye” Snodgrass               

Red Knights Secretary Candidate Biography

 

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Southern Director Candidate:

 

Jack Jarvis

Red Knights Southern Director Candidate Biography