The History of Electric City GTO
During the winter of '90/'91 two members of a local P.O.C.I. Chapter, (Pontiac/Oakland Club International), who happen to own GTOs, decided to start a GTO club in the Schenectady, NY area. Joseph James and Hank Eckert where the two instrumental in contacting the GTO Association of America to see what had to be done. They needed to recruit three more people to form an affiliated chapter of five members under G.T.O.A.A.
The Founding Fathers
By July of 1991 it was official. Electric City GTO's Inc. became an affiliated chapter. For many months we had to use our own money to survive. Having meetings at each other's home while sending mailings out to recruit new members. Having more members was great but needing more space, we started to meet at the Glenville Queen, a local diner. Communication was another problem. So we started publishing a newsletter by November of 91; it is called 'Ram Air Report'.
By 1993, thanks to a member who belonged to the Air National Guard, we started holding our monthly meetings at "Stratton ANG Base" in Glenville, NY. What a great facility! That same year, we went ahead with our plans to have a car show. Holding the show at the air base on Sunday of Labor Day weekend each year. In 2003, we celebtated our 10th annual show. Each show more successful than the last. So, close to the end of the show car season, we called the show, 'Cruise Out'. It's difficult to believe that the tenth show is related to that first one. Every year we have a variety of outings, including: cruises, picnics, car shows, annual appreciation outing and our annual holiday party, which is free to members and guests. Being a part of this club from the beginning, I have to say I am quite proud of how far we have come and what we have accomplished over the years.
The "Electric City GTO's Inc." is a regional all Pontiac club in the Capital District area of up-state New York. Membership dues are $30.00 per year. Although GTO is in our club name and many activities center around the GTO, we welcome owners and enthusiasts of all Pontiac brands to membership.
- Joseph James, Founding Member, Electric City GTO's
| Year | President | Year | President |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 - 92 | Joseph James | 1993 | Hank Eckert |
| 1994 - 95 | Walt Scott | 1996 | Mike Landau |
| 1997 | John Mattice | 1998 | Dick Konsella |
| 1999 | Steve Turczyn | 2000 | Lou Rendano |
| 2001 | Dick Kosella | 2002 | Hank Eckert |
| 2003 | Steve Turczyn | 2004 | Anthony Burger |
| 2005 - 06 | Josh Doret | 2007 | Jim Martin |
| 2008 | Mike Landau | 2009-10 | Gary Brodock |
| 2011-13 | Dave Keil | 2014 | Bill Marzano |
| 2015-18 | Dave Keil | 2019 | Mike Landau |
| 2020 | Joseph James | 2021 |