The board of directors of The Royal Philatelic Society of Canada (RPSC) recently elected Ed Kroft as its new president and Sam Chiu as its first-vice president following the resignation of former president James Taylor for personal reasons.
Taylor, who replaced long-time president George Pepall at the society’s convention in Boucherville, Que. this May, will remain on the board as past president and continue to chair The RPSC’s international committee. What’s more, Taylor will continue to serve as Canada’s international exhibition liaison.
“I want to thank Jim for his service as president,” said Kroft, who had been serving on The RPSC board as first vice-president.
Kroft says The RPSC board “is focused on revising its strategic plan and expanding its membership base.”
Kroft is also the current president of the Society of Israel Philatelists (SIP).
RPSC EXECUTIVE
President Ed Kroft, of Vancouver, B.C.
An active exhibitor, author and national-level judge, Kroft is a former legal advisor to The RPSC. He’s also the current president of the Society of Israel Philatelists (SIP) and has been a member of its executive since 2002.
Vice-President Sam Chiu, of Toronto, Ont.
An award-winning exhibitor and judge at both the national and FIP levels, Chiu is a former member of Canada Post’s Stamp Advisory Committee.
Second Vice-President George Pepall, of Kitchener, Ont.
Pepall is a past president and the third longest-serving president in RPSC history. He brings a long institutional history to the executive and to the board.
Secretary Robert Pinet, of Toronto, Ont.
Pinet is a philatelic exhibitor, writer, presenter and national-level judge. He teaches English at Centennial College in Toronto.
Treasurer Stuart Keeley, of Thorold, Ont.
Keeley is retired from John Deere and is a former church treasurer. He served as president of the St. Catharines Philatelic Society for 21 years and as vice-president or president of the Grand River Valley Philatelic Alliance (GRVPA) for 14 years.
Past-President James Taylor, of Calgary, Alta.
Taylor is the past president of The RPSC. An award-winning exhibitor at all levels and a judge at the FIP level, he’s the Canadian FIAF representative, FIAF treasurer and the Canadian FIP representative. He was named a Fellow of The RPSC in 2015.
RPSC DIRECTORS
Hugo Deshaye, of Québec City, Qué.
Deshaye is a Canadian Armed Forces veteran, has been a collector for more than 30 years and is a dealer specializing in Canadian postal history, postcards and postmarks.
Lloyd Field, of Kitchener, Ont.
A former vice president of human resources, Field has his own consulting practice. He’s an active community volunteer and has facilitated strategic planning with not-for-profit organizations.
Robert Lunn, of Nasonworth, N.B.
Lunn is an award-winning exhibitor and national judge. He is an advocate of expanding the network of local clubs to make The RPSC a stronger organization.
Douglas McAndless, of London, Ont.
A retired educator, former president of The Ontario Teachers’ Federation and a retired commanding officer in the Canadian Militia, McAndless is a strong advocate for the hobby.
Robert Timberg, of Toronto, Ont.
Timberg is a lawyer and volunteer executive manager of The RPSC. He teaches law at the University of Waterloo in the school of accounting and finance.
Mike Walsh, of Wainfleet, Ont.
Walsh is the managing partner and editor of Canadian Stamp News, a bi-weekly news magazine serving the Canadian philatelic community since 1976.