NWBA Board of Directors Election 2019

Kellen Bateham

I have served 2 full terms on the NWBA board and am currently the VP as well as the chair of Member Services. It’s been a fun and rewarding experience for me and I hope to continue to work with my fellow board members. I currently feel that the NWBA will need to continue to grow if we are to sustain services to the blacksmithing community. The new Mentoring Center building fits us well but we are all going to need to support it if we are going to make it work long term. I would like to help us grow into our new space and make the NWBA a welcoming group for new and old members alike. I also plan on continuing my work planning and running conferences.
I would like to endorse John Karlick for one of the board positions. He has generously offered to fill the treasury position at the end of Jim’s term. This is the single most important position for the NWBA and anyone willing to take it on deserves your vote.
Cheers,
Kellen Bateham

John Karlik

My name is John Karlik, I am running for the board to be a replacement treasurer. Born in 1952 in Linden New Jersey I grew up within several business that my dad and uncle ran. A coalyard in Keniworth gave me an early exposure to both anthracite and bituminous coals. The first project was a minibike that needed it’s frame spread, we built a bituminous fire and used a vacuum cleaner for air. Fast forward to Creswell, Oregon where I started a farm in 1979. Blacksmithing and other metal arts enabled me to farm without a lot of money. I have served on other non-profits, sometimes as treasurer. Running my own business, I have familiarity with the software used by the group. Other interests include ham radio and a love of mushroom hunting.
John Karlik

Morgan Kirk

My name is Morgan Kirk. I have been a member of the NWBA for six years, starting when I was sixteen. As a younger member, I believe it to be a responsibility to be an active part of the association, and making efforts to help run and organize it is one of the best things that can be done. It is such a fantastic group to be a part of, and I hope to help continue its reputation for education and a community of skilled craftsmen.

Pele Risley-Warnock

As a member of the NWBA board I will bring my four years of experience in blacksmithing education- specializing in youth programs- event planning, and social networking. The community of the NWBA is persistent in its efforts to share knowledge and resources, a truly rare quality in the world of metal work. I am honored to be a part of such a community, and wish to support the diversity of people and skills I see valued within it.
Thank you for this opportunity to serve you.
Forge on my friends!
-Pele Warnock

Silas Maddox

My Name is Silas Maddox. I am running for re-election to continue my service to the NWBA Board of Directors. You may recognize me from the Cook Shack at recent conferences. I truly enjoy being able to bring shared meals to the membership at our events and hope to continue and grow this aspect of our Conferences. I am also very excited about the new mentoring center and the possibilities that it has opened up. I look forward to working with the membership to create a program that fosters blacksmithing education and furthers the craft.
Thank you,
Silas Maddox

Bhakti Sa

Hello fellow members. My name is Bhakti Sa and I am running for a position on the NWBA board to give back and support the organization and people who have done so much to propel me on my path towards becoming a blacksmith. If elected, I will work with the board and our membership to increase community outreach and new member acquisition. I will also work with the Mentoring Center coordinator to strengthen that vital asset as a resource and gathering place for our existing members. I will do my best to represent the NWBA with integrity and pride, as befits this noble trade.