GLRC Executive and Representatives

The purpose of this web page is to introduce you to the current GLRC Executive members and the various State/Provincial representatives, along with other key figures that we have within our conference.

Chairman: Bill Haylett

Bill is a member of NY V out of Buffalo NY. He joined the chapter in 1995, as a member of NY V he has been the chapter quarter master, Vice President and for the past 10 years chapter President. He was GLRC Sec./Treas and at present Vice Chairman. Bill retired in 1984 with a disability from the Sheriff's Dept. after being beat up with a steel pipe and shot in the head while working as an under cover investigator with the Niagara Country Drug Task Force. He currently lives in Pendelton with his loving wife Judy

Vice Chairman: Dennis Hafeman

Dennis is a member of Wisconsin VI.  He joined the Blue Knights in April of 1997.  During his time in the club he has held the offices of chapter President and Vice President of WI VI (Metro Milwaukee) GLRC Wisconsin State Rep, and Chairman of the International Convention Committee.  Dennis has been the recipient of the BOG Lifesaving Award, and during his time as Vice President WI VI received both the International's Super Recruiter and Recruiter awards.  Dennis retired from the Milwaukee Police Department in 2005, having attained the rank of police lieutenant.  He currently lives in Milwaukee with his lovely girlfriend Laura.

Secretary: Tom Peed

Tom started his Law Enforcement Career at the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office in 1977.  He served as a Deputy in Detention Services and as a Road Patrol Deputy.  He was a Certified Evidence Technician, and a Detective in the Special Investigations Section.  Tom is proud of his undercover work for the State Of Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission TF 91-1.  He retired in 2002, after serving four different Sheriffs.  Tom joined the Blue Knights Ohio III, located in Dayton, Ohio, in April 1993.  He served 2 years as a Director, 6 years as President, and 2 years as Secretary.  Tom’s Beautiful Bride is Bobbie Sue.

Treasurer: Joe Kubicek

Joe retired from the Milwaukee Police Department, after 25 years of service, in December of 2006.  For his final 15 years he was assigned to the Motor Unit.  He joined the Metro-Milwaukee Chapter (WI VI) of the Blue Knights in October, 1990 and has served seven terms as Chapter President, from 1995 through 1997 and again from 2000 through 2003.

He has served as Chapter Secretary since January, 2009 and is especially proud of, and equally humbled by, the ‘Guy Clow’ Award for Best Newsletter which he received in 2010.  He has also been the recipient of the ‘Recruiter Award’ and is currently serving on the International Convention Committee.

As evidenced by the ‘Blue Balls’ Long Distance Rider plaque he received for riding from Milwaukee to Niagara Falls for the GLRC in March, 1995, Joe enjoys riding nearly as much as his wife, Doni, enjoys being a passenger.  He has ridden in 47 of the 48 lower states, with Vermont remaining as his albatross.
Therefore he can often be heard proclaiming;

“Here’s to Montpelier in 2013”

International Conference Representative: John Gordon

John Gordon is a member of Ohio XVIII.  As our International representative John has a web page devoted to providing information and communications to our membership.

I am John P. T. Gordon. I started my police career in the United States Air Force in 1971 and served my country for eight years. I was stationed in Francis E. Warren AFB, Cheyenne, Wyoming; Naval Air Station, Keflavick, Iceland; MacDill AFB, Tampa, Florida; and Andrews AFB, Washington D.C. While I was stationed at Andrews, I was honored to have been assigned to Air Force One duties under the Gerald R. Ford and Jimmy Carter administrations. I traveled to 42 countries during my four year assignment on Air Force One and Two.

I left the Air Force in 1979 and returned to my hometown of Bellefontaine, Ohio, where I set out to secure a law enforcement job. I found a job with the Allen County Sheriff Office in Lima, Ohio. I stayed there for about two months. I left Allen County for the Marion, Ohio Police Department and $3.00 more per hour. I started in Marion on July 1, 1979. During September 1983, budget cuts hit, and the city laid off sixteen police officers, and I was one of those officers. During my sixteen month lay-off, I found a job for ten months with the Shelby, Ohio Police Department. I returned to Marion on December 1, 1984, and remained until I retired on September 8, 2000.

On September 11, 2000, I started my third career as the criminal court bailiff in our County Common Pleas Court. On January 1, 2005, I became the senior bailiff following the retirement of the only other bailiff in our courthouse. His replacement was my son John T. Gordon. We were the only father and son bailiff team in the State of Ohio until May 18, 2008. I lost my son and fellow Blue Knight on that day while he rode his motorcycle to a texting driver. I remain in this position today.

I have ridden a motorcycle since I was 16-years-old. I continued to ride when I began my civilian law enforcement career. I learned about the Blue Knights while they enjoyed the convention in Windsor, Ontario in 1982. I talked with several other Marion officers, and we chartered Ohio XVIII in 1983. I was a signing charter member. I have held the position of chapter secretary/treasurer and chapter president. In August 2000, I was elected as the Great Lakes Regional Conference Vice-Chairman. I was elected as the chairman in August 2004. Finally, I was elected as the Conference International Representative in August 2008. Although the last couple of years have been a bit foggy for me personally, I have tried to remain faithful to the tradition set forth by my predecessors. I truly enjoy serving as your International Representative, and I thank you for the support you have given me and my family over these past two years.

Immediate Past Chairman: Bill Drees

Bill is a member of WI XVIII Chapter - enjoying his retirement, his wife but most of all his SNOW BLOWER... way up north there where he lives in God's country.

(Hugs Bill - from all of us to you for untold years of dedicated service to this conference)

Illinois State Representative: Gayle Murnane

Gayle became an Illinois State Trooper in 1987 joining the Blue Knights in 1989. She originally joined IL IX where she held the office of Vice President several times. She transferred to IL XIX in 2007 and currently holds the office of Vice President with that chapter.

She was appointed to the office of GLRC Illinois Representative in August 1998. She also held the office of Treasurer for the Illinois Blue Knights Police Memorial Committee as well as being a member of the Blue Knights International Honorary Committee. She became chairwoman of the Honorary Committee in April 2009.

Gayle has been instrumental in the start up of four (4) new Illinois chapters during her tenure as state representative and looks forward to assisting any new, or any current members.

She enjoys riding her Gold Wing all over the country accompanied quite often by her favourite riding partner, Stoli the pug dog.

Indiana State Representative: Glen Wheat

Glen is a member of Indiana XIII.  Glen is a Native Hoosier with roots from Texas. After high school, he served four years in the U.S. Army. Fort Leonard Wood Missouri, Fort Bragg North Carolina and 2 1/2 years overseas in Turkey.  His specialty was Military Intelligence with the Army Security Agency.  Glen worked several years with his father after his military service in the commercial construction field.  His police experience included six years with the Delaware County Indiana Sheriff's Reserve Department.  Glen worked full time on the Ball State Police Department in Muncie Indiana and retired in October 2006 after 22 1/2 years service.

He joined the Blue Knights Indiana 1 in 2001 where he held the position of Director.  After Glen and his wife Linda moved to the Miami County Indiana area, he transferred to Indiana 13. He was elected to the position of Secretary for a couple of years and was elected President of the chapter in October 2009.  Glen was appointed as the GLRC Indiana State Representative in August of 2009.  He enjoys working with people and believes the Blue Knight Brotherhood is the Best Motorcycle Club - Bar None.

Michigan State Representative: Mike Scarborough

On graduation from high school Mike enlisted in the US Army and served as a Military Police Officer from 1968 through 1971. Mike served a tour in Viet Nam with the 212th MP (Sentry Dog) Company base in Long Bien. On return home to the Detroit area Mike joined the Detroit Police Department in May of 1972. Mike served as a Detroit Police Officer working in the Fifth Precinct from end 1972 through 1997 when he retired. While with Detroit Police Mike also taught at the Detroit Police Academy teaching both Driving Skills and Traffic Accident Investigation.

Mike became a Blue Knight at the end of 1977 first joining Ontario III, Windsor. While with Ontario III, Mike worked on the 1982 International Convention Committee which was hosted by Ontario III. In 1983 Mike left Ontario III with several other members to help start Michigan 1. Mike served as Chapter President with Michigan 1 and was elected to the Board of Governor’s as Secretary/Treasurer of the BOG.

In 1984 Mike was elected to the Board of Governor’s as Chairman a post he held until 1986 when he was elected to the International Board of Director’s as Secretary. Mike Served as International Secretary from 1986 through 1988. On his retirement from Detroit he moved from the Detroit area to the thumb area of Michigan where he joined the Tuscola County Sheriff’s Office as a Part-time Deputy. In 2004 Mike assisted several officers in the thumb area of Michigan start a new chapter, Michigan II, and served as Chapter President for two years. In 2007 Mike was asked to serve as the Michigan State Representative to the Great Lakes Regional Conference a post that he now holds.

Ohio State Representative: Rich Labis

Rich is a member of Ohio II.  He is currently with the Vermilion Police Department for the past 31 yrs.  Rich currently holds the position of Lieutenant.  He joined the Blue Knights way back in 1984 and has been with OH II the entire time.  Rich has held the positions of Director on the Board, Vice President and is currently President.

Ontario / New York V State Representative: Paul Croteau

In 1971 Paul joined the RCAF and was posted to 414 Squadron North Bay where he worked on T-33 and CF100's.  After his 4 year stint of regular service, he joined the Ontario Provincial Police, retiring in 2005 at the rank of Sergeant after serving 31 years. Along with his love of motorcycles, he is the webmaster for the GLRC and several personal web sites.  He joined the Blue Knights in Brantford, Ontario in 1997.  He started out as the chapter Treasurer for part of his first year.  He was then elected as Chapter President until 2010 when he past the chair over to another member and returned to chapter Treasurer.  He is very active with the Blue Knights and attends as many functions as his retirement budget and time permits.  As well as representing most Ontario Chapters he has the further responsibility of New York V which is the lone chapter from New York State within the GLRC. 

Wisconsin State Representative: Dane Nelsen

Dane is a member of Wisconsin X.  Dane joined the DePere Police Dept. in 1977 and in the fall of 1979 Blue Knight's Chapter X - Green Bay, Wis. was formed. Dane was a founding member and was elected to the position of Director. In those days, not all chapters immediately joined International. Wis. X filed for and received their International charter in 1981. He held the position of Director for a number of years and later, Sec. and V-Pres. He was the Chapter President about the last 15 yrs. In Aug of 2008, he was appointed to the position of GLRC Wis. State Rep and stepped down as Chapter Pres. He is now the Chapters V-President.

His 1st bike, purchased in 1979 was a 400cc Kawasaki, followed by a 500cc Honda V-twin in 1980 and a 900cc Honda in 1981, which he rode until 1995. In 1995 he got his 1st Harley, an Ultra Classic. Today he rides his 9th Ultra, a 2008 Peace Officer Special.

Dane retired from the DePere PD on Jan. 15, 2008 as a Detective Sergeant, having spent 27 of his nearly 31 yrs in the Investigative Division.  His fulltime job now is hunting, fishing, bike riding, his girlfriend Karen, and helping coordinate the Blue Knights of Wisconsin.

Conference Safety Officer: Thurlow Haskell

Thurlow is a member of Illinois IX and has a web page to promote safety within the GLRC.   In 1981 I became a member of the Blue Knights. As a member of Il XII I’ve served as Vice President for several years before transferred to IL IX. I have served as President with my current chapter for several years. My travel have taken me to several States and Canadian Provinces.  In 1994 after not using the motorcycle for 40 years, the Illinois State Police restarted using it again for patrol.  I was with the first group trained and patrolling in the State of Illinois. For the last four years I've been a basic motorcycle instructor for the State of Illinois. My goal as the GLRC Safety Officer is too locate and pass on information to help our members to safely travel on the roadway.

Conference Chaplain: Reverend Richard Bartley

Reverend Rich "Chappie" is a member of Ohio XII and has a web page to promote the 'Word of the Lord' for our GLRC membership. Rich spent 10 years in the U.S. Navy and chose a teaching profession.  He then retired from teaching in Cleveland Ohio. Chappie is a non-denominational minister who with his wife Reida run the Village Grace Mission Center located in the inner-city of Cleveland, Ohio.  He started riding with the Blue Knights in 2000 and became a Special Honorary in 2002.  He was asked to be the GLRC Chaplain in 2007. He is very active within the motorcycling community and proudly represents the Blue Knights at major events by performing invocations and bike blessings. Chappie attends as many Blue Knight functions as his retirement funds permit.

Internet Committee Member: John Long

The son of former GLRC Secretary John Long, aka "Salty", Johnny has been an asset to the members of Illinois 1, serving as webmaster since 2004. He is a husband, a father, a veteran and a cancer survivor. John was instrumental in winning Illinois 1's bid for the 2008 International Convention, helped to plan and organize the convention, and was the developer for that year's web site. Since 2007, John has been a member of the International Internet Committee. He has assisted with seminar training and has been responsible for several new initiatives including the new International Bulletin Board and the Safety Committee OARS system

Conference Reporter: Nancy Erickson

Nancy is the spouse of Jack Erickson Ohio III and our conference reporter.