History of the Golden West Chapter

In late 1987, Dale Nies and Wes Bender sat on a pair of barstools at Cirino’s in Nevada City and, in a sudden burst of intelligence, discussed the possibility of forming a local chapter of what was then the Society of Explosives Engineers (now the International Society of Explosives Engineers). After mailing invitations to SEE members throughout Northern California and inviting blasters who might be interested, an organizational meeting was held in Sacramento on December 14, 1987, assisted by our old friend and SEE Director, Darrell Brown. A chapter name was selected, constitution and by-laws adopted and officers and board members elected for the fledgling chapter.

Founding Members:

Present at the Founding Meeting Not Present, but Commitment Made

Dale Nies John Falconi

Gordon Coleman Ladd Stephenson

Neil Skellenger Mike Lovejoy

Ben DiDuca Mike Shields

Wes Bender Mike Burneson

Geof Gordon

Eric Bennett

Rudy Christians

Charlie Richardson

Charles Standen

Chapter Presidents:

1988 Wes Bender

1989 Dale Nies

1990 Ben DiDuca

1991 Richard Love

1992 Gordon Coleman

1993 Dale Nies

1994 Mike Burneson

1995 Randy Messer

1996 Bill Warfield

1997 Russ Evanski

1998 Bill Reid

1999 Steve Bare

2000 Al Colflesh

2001 Jim Light

2002 Tim Hurley

2003 Duane Niesen

2004 Tom Shirley

2005 Brian Fortelka

2006 Todd Harris

2007 Bill Warfield

2008 Bill Warfield

2009 Bill Warfield, Wes Bender (co-presidents)

2010 Sandy Figuers

2011 Mike Chiurato

2012 Mike Chiurato

Participation

Many Chapter Members have contributed through the years, but by far the longest running and hardest working has been Gordon Coleman. Gordon served as an officer in one capacity or another during sixteen years of the Chapter’s existence. In 2005, Gordon finally turned over the Secretary’s duties to Carey Haughy and is enjoying a hard-earned rest. Thanks, Gordon.

For their contributions of time and effort, Carey Haughy, Dale Nies, Gordon Coleman, Wes Bender, Bill Warfield and the late Rudy Christians have been awarded Lifetime memberships in the Golden West Chapter.

The Chapter Newsletter, The Primer

Prior to 1990, communication to the membership was through mailed flyers and memos. In 1990, Dick Love initiated the regular publication of a chapter newsletter and named it The Primer. Dick edited The Primer until early in 1995. John Givogri filled in as editor for a few issues, assisted by Gordon Coleman. In 1996, Randy Messer and Gordon Coleman handled the editorial duties. In 1997, when no one wanted to step up as editor and it appeared that the publication would fold, Wes Bender took on the role of editor. In addition to the regular articles provided by the Chapter Presidents, various members have contributed articles through the years. Contributors have included Lake Herman Mike (live at the rock), Dick Love, Gordon Coleman, Bill Warfield, Bruce Redpath, Linda Nies, the late Ed Criley, Jock Masson and Wes Bender. In 2011, The Primer completed its 22nd year as the Chapter’s official publication. The Primer has been awarded the ISEE’s Chapter Newsletter Award at the annual ISEE conferences in 1993, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Commencing with the year 2007 issues, The Primer has appeared quarterly in electronic format on this website. Back issues can be found in the website’s archive section here.

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