Meet the Team

	Mark Gessler - President A biotechnology entrepreneur and public company executive in his former life, Mark co-founded numerous venture-backed companies and served as a public company president and CEO for nearly half of his 20-year career. A lifelong lover of automobiles, Mark gave up the hamster wheel for the steering wheel in 2007 and became president of the HVA in 2012. As the co-founder and president of the HVA and a global vice-president for FIVA (the Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens), Mark is now a full-time car and social entrepreneur focused on preserving our national automotive heritage. He is also a frequent judge, competitor, and participant in national and international automotive events. Mark regrets trading his first car, a Dodge Dart, for a gold watch.
	Timothy Weadock - Technical Commission Manager A graduate of Marketing and Business Administration at Davenport University, a licensed insurance agent, and a wonk of the first order when it comes to vehicle specifications and statistics, Tim joined the HVA in 2011 and now manages an extensive and ever-growing database of vehicle specifications—a database he created. As the HVA’s technical commission manager, Tim coordinates the inspection and processing of FIVA (Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens) Identity Cards, which document the vital specifications and historical facts of some of the world’s most significant vehicles. In high school, Tim once helped a friend demolish the interior of his 1968 Camaro to accommodate an equalizer and monstrous pair of speakers; he has spent the remainder of his wretched existence atoning for this perverse display of adolescent nitwittedness.
	Melanie Coon - Operations Manager A graduate of Ferris State University’s Business Administration program, Melanie was a front-of-house manager in the restaurant industry and spent a short stint serving as the National Cherry Festival’s volunteer program manager before rekindling her childhood passion for cars as a licensed agent for Hagerty Insurance. Now the HVA’s operations manager, Melanie’s job is best described as two parts traffic cop and one part firefighter. Melanie dreams of the day when it’s easy enough to find old cars that she can track down the 1969 Firebird her mom bought new.

	John Paul - Media Coordinator John graduated from Michigan State University’s School of Journalism. After working at the State News, campus radio station WDBM, and Bloodshot Records in Chicago, he spent time with Hagerty Insurance as a licensed sales agent. John now spends his days, nights, and weekends shooting and editing footage and photographs for the HVA’s This Car Matters movement. He also manages all online social media content and keeps an eye on legislative activity affecting the hobby. When not pursuing that perfect mid-50s Saab story, John can be found playing a myriad of instruments in several bands in Traverse City, MI.
	Katy Jackson - Assistant Manager, Events A graduate of Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business, Katy spent several years in the hotel industry working on large-scale events and conventions for both Hyatt Hotels & Resorts and Starwood Hotels & Resorts. She joined the HVA team in 2011 and a year later, co-piloted an Olds 88 through four states and two countries in the 2012 running of Hemmings Great Race. Katy spends her days planning and coordinating every feature of the HVA’s signature events, as well as organizing travel teams to attend countless shows across the country. Katy looks forward to the day that the 1991 Cutlass Supreme Super Sport with digital dash can be considered a classic.
	Katie Truax - Communications Coordinator After graduating from the University of Florida with a degree in linguistics, Katie spent a year living in Zhengzhou, China, where she designed and taught advanced English classes at the high school level. Katie then worked as a licensed sales agent for Hagerty Insurance before joining the HVA team in October of 2012. She now spends her time replying to client inquiries, maintaining and updating content on the HVA website, and compiling the monthly eNewsletter. A flower child at heart, Katie looks forward to one day acquiring her dream vehicle: an early '70s Volkswagen Westfalia.
	Ashley Davison - Events Coordinator After working as an inventory manager at a local car dealership, Ashley joined the Hagerty Insurance team as a licensed sales agent in 2010. Her avid interest in history brought her to the HVA in 2012. She now works hard to plan details of the HVA’s event presence throughout the year, from travel and accommodation arrangements to merchandise management. Ashley’s interests span a broad range. She is both an avid hunter and a licensed massage therapist, and she loves spending time outdoors. Her favorite car is the 1955 Mercedes 300SL Gullwing because it looks like it’s flying like a bird.
	Kristin Fryer- Executive Assistant A Kentucky native and Southern girl at heart, Kristin graduated with honors from University of Maryland University College with a degree in Business Administration and Human Resources Management. She spent several years working as an executive assistant in both the health care and construction industries before joining the HVA team in January of 2013. Kristin’s love of cars began when she was young after her father acquired a ’68 Mustang convertible that didn’t run. For years her father talked of the trips he wanted take if he was able to restore it. Kristin dreams of one day owning a ’68 Mustang convertible just like the one her dad acquired many years ago so that she can finally take him on the road trip he always dreamed about.