APMM Board of Directors

President - Terry Wellman, St. Charles Model Works, Claytonville, IL

Terry Wellman is the founding principal of St. Charles Model Works, an industrial model shop and custom plastics manufacturer, where he designs and builds models as well as teaches advanced modeling concepts to other modelers. Terry studied jazz piano performance and electronic music (synthesis) at Northern Illinois University and advertising at Northwestern University. Prior to launching St. Charles Model Works in 2002, Terry worked in the information technology field for Digital Equipment Corp, HP, Motorola, Compaq, and Computer Sciences Corp. He also had an earlier career as a professional studio musician and recording engineer catering to national advertising agencies based in Chicago and New York. He has experience in purchasing, contracts, systems management, project management, and logistics. As a musician, he has performed with a multitude of ensembles nationwide including such venues as Carnegie Hall.

Terry has been designing and building models for the better part of his life. It began in the mid 1960's. When dissatisfied with a particular model kit, he learned how to manipulate various wood and plastic model kits and scratch materials into higher detailed models than the manufacturers had originally intended. Now he does it with computers and various rapid prototyping technologies.

Terry believes that knowledge is power but only when shared with others. He says, "APMM is the confluence of creative minds converting concepts into reality by sharing knowledge among members. It is through this shared knowledge that APMM draws its strength."

Vice President (Infrastructure) – Michael Nixon, Meadors , Charleston, SC

Michael runs the Design Services shop for Meadors Construction, in Charleston, SC. He enjoys the diversity of  projects that comes through the shop, including architectural model making, website design, designing and fabricating one-off items. He has worked in South Africa, Namibia, Germany and the USA, and has come to appreciate the subtleties of different working cultures. He is just as happy learning and using software, as he is using his hands to create. Just as happy building scale models as he is manufacturing end products. Most content working with good people.

Michael enjoys the opportunity to speak with students about architectural model making processes, and the new technologies available. He conducts a biannual Lasercutting and Technology Seminar at the Clemson School of Architecture in Charleston,and gives introductory CAD, software and technology talks at some of the local schools.

Michael says, "I am extremely fortunate to have discovered the APMM. The depth of talent and personality are an invaluable resource, and I am excited to be able to contribute to the future of a wonderful organization."

Treasurer – Chris Lewis, Ryobi Technologies/TTI, Anderson, SC

Chris manages the CCI model lab at TTi, which covers all aspects of developmental and appearance models for the group. Stepping into the role of secretary in the current term, Chris previously held the role of VP of Communications and e-Newsletter editor for the APMM. 

He graduated in 1990 with a bachelor of science degree in Industrial Design from Ohio State University. Chris has held several positions with prominent corporations and consultancies since graduating and has been an APMM member since 2001.

Chris performs with the local professional and civic orchestra as a bassist, and says his hobbies and upbringing led him to the profession of model making.

Secretary – Dave Quinlan, Accu-Link, Marion, CT

David is an inventor, maker and teacher. He has been a member of the Association of Professional Model Makers since 1993. He started Accu-Link Development in 2005. He has works on projects such as furniture, trade show booth models, robotic instruments, interior space models and consumer products. He worked in manufacturing for over 10 years and holds a certificate in tool and die making. He is an expert in 3D CAD modeling. He has received a BS in Engineering from Central Connecticut State University and has worked in the Industrial design field for over 15 years. 

Before starting Accu-Link, David worked in small shops as a tool maker, CNC programmer and has made models for the specialty lock industry, doll house miniatures, interior spaces, aerospace and consumer products. He had worked for the Industrial Design Department at Timex where he was in charge of 3D design and set up model shops in the Philippines and China. These shops made watch models which looked like production parts and delivered them to the world wide sales force. He has also worked in the design department at the University of Bridgeport as the Model Lab Director. He taught model making, portfolio photography, furniture design, drafting and 3D design to interior design and industrial design students. He still loves to mentor students in the craft of making models of their designs.

When David is not working on Accu-Link projects, he can be found inventing things in his workshop, hiking with his Boy Scout Troop or in southern Connecticut inventing innovative cleaning tools for Unger where he works as a Senior Industrial Design Engineer.

VP of Conferences – Nicole des Plantes, Easton Bell Sports

Nicole graduated with a BFA in painting and sculpture from the San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI) and worked for a local event production company called John Murray Productions. For two and a half years she worked there as a scenic fabricator making any and every thing from 80’ x 10’ backdrops for Italian operas, to gigantic tinker toys for stage sets, to museum-quality interactive displays for the Academy of Sciences. 

VP of Communication – Sue Wellman, St. Charles Model Works

Sue is co-owner and production manager of St. Charles Model Works, an industrial model shop and custom plastics manufacturer. She creates prototypes and oversees the manufacturing process of a retail line of model railroad products sold under the company name. She specializes in resin casting, mold-making, airbrushing, assembly and detailing of models large and small. As the daughter of an internationally known miniaturist, D. Anne Ruff, she learned the ropes of model making at a young age while helping to produce 1" and 1/2" scale upholstered furniture.

She has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin and a Master's Degree in Elementary Education from Northern Illinois University. Her previous careers include a stint in marketing research with Information Resources, Inc. (IRI) in Chicago and 17 years in business-to-business publishing.

Sue is an avid vegetable gardener and enjoys decorating with flea market finds, forever seeking out chairs to add to her collection, much to the dismay of her two teenage daughters who wish to quell her chair fetish.

VP of Education – Pete Mack, Steelcase, Inc., Grand Rapids, MI

Pete is a Model Shop Team Leader at Steelcase Inc., working with all aspects of office furniture development, and mentoring the internship program. Prior to working at Steelcase he worked for several automotive suppliers and an industrial design consultancy. He graduated from Western Michigan University in 1986 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Industrial Technologies.

Pete has been a member of the APMM since 1998 and a member of the Bemidji State University Design Technology Advisory Board since 2006. He really enjoys working with students and interns helping them develop their Model Making skills.

VP of Vendor Relations – Mike Elsholz, Steelcase, Inc.

Mike is the manager of the Model Shop at Steelcase, Inc., supporting all of the modeling needs for new product development, mockups and showrooms. He has been at Steelcase for 24 years. where he began his career in Product Engineering before accepting a project management position and later as the supervisor in their test lab.

He graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Engineering Technology and served as president of the SME student chapter. He was a member of the CMU track and field team.

Mike enjoys the challenges of running the model shop and collaborating with the project teams as they develop new products. He also likes the variety of products and projects that his team works on which keeps the job interesting and challenging. Mike has been a member of the APMM since 2005 and is also a member of the PMI.

Mike says, "The APMM has given me the opportunity to see the range and scope of model making along with making valuable contacts for support of current and future projects."

Executive Director – Samanthi (Sam) Martinez, APMM, Hamilton, NY

Samanthi has held the position of executive director since 2005 but has been involved with the APMM since 2001. She has been instrumental in doubling the organization’s membership during her first three years. She holds a bachelor's degree in business management from the University of Texas at Austin and is certified in public speaking through Toastmasters, Int’l. Prior to joining the APMM, Samanthi was a finance manager in the Enterprise division at Dell Computer Corporation and was a licensed real estate agent. She also works as a freelance writer, contributing to magazines, newspapers, and online newssources in the Northeast US.

Sam says, “I believe that the APMM holds a unique role in the future of the model making profession. Knowing there are other professionals who understand what you do is important, but being able to reach out and contact them is absolutely amazing.”