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 (President  Emeritus) - Hal Chaffee, Model Builders, Inc., Chicago, IL

Hal has been a member of the APMM since 2001. He grew up in a model building environment since his father Bill Chaffee spent his entire life building models. After getting a bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of Michigan and then an MBA at the Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth, Hal worked at IBM in Boston and New York for eleven years. He is currently president of Model Builders, Inc. and Technical Exhibits Corporation. He has been fully involved in model building since he returned to Chicago in 1982. Hal is also the Chairman of the APMM Marketing Committee.

Hal says, “The APMM is a valuable resource for model makers and the best place to share our interest in the profession. I am currently working with APMM members and Board members on our efforts this year to greatly expand the services and content on the APMM website.”

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 – Bruce Willey, Ziba Design, Portland, OR

Bruce is continuing as VP of Conferences after presenting the 2010 conference in Boston.  He has been employed at Ziba since 1994, and as model shop manager since 1997. He has a bachelor's degree in Geology from Macalester College and attended Bemidji State University, majoring in Industrial Technology. Prior to Ziba, Bruce worked at NCR World Headquarters for 5 years and as model shop manager there for 2 years.

He joined the APMM in 1993.  He is very active in local zymurgical appreciation activities.

VP of Communication – Dennis Heinzeroth, Scale Model Studios, Ebensburg, PA

Dennis is the owner and operator of Scale Model Studios, a “Jack-of-all-Trades” model shop located in central Pennsylvania where he fabricates normal things like scale models, furniture and sculptures to creating obscure requests such as indestructible mailbox/signage posts and customized spinning wheel games. He has been a member of the APMM since 1998 and has had previous experience serving as Secretary on the APMM Board of Directors.

Dennis is an Honor's Graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh's Industrial Design Technology program where he achieved placement on the National Dean's List each year as well as receiving the Outstanding Attendance Award along with having his artwork selected for A.I.P.'s Traveling Marketing Portfolio. He has work experience as a printing press operator, quality control technician, electrician and machinist, all of which he finds lend themselves to various aspects of model making.

He enjoys the unique challenges that present themselves during a model project. Noting that ten different model makers could make the same model ten different ways, but still achieve the same finished results has lead Dennis to stick by the motto of his first model making employer that “There are no problems, only solutions!”. Regarding the APMM he says; “There is no better way to look for a solution to a model making problem, than to tap into the vast experience and knowledge of the APMM members through the MILE, is there?”

When not being a full-time father of three energetic young daughters, Dennis likes taking nature walks, playing with puppies, finds it difficult to write about himself in the third person and thinks that Airwolf is still the best television show about a top-secret, super-sonic government helicopter ever created. Ever!

VP of Education – Darcie Thompson, Art Institute of Seattle, Seattle, WA

Darcie Thompson is a career advisor at The Art Institute of Seattle, where she supports and instructs students and graduates of Industrial Design programs in job search skills, resume writing, interviewing, networking and exploring the various career paths. She enjoys the dynamic environment at The Art Institute, and feels lucky to assist in the student learning experience by participating in classroom activities, workshops, and programs aimed at helping the students explore the wide range of applications for a degree in the commercial arts.

A graduate of the University Of Washington School Of Art, Darcie has had a varied career primarily within the art materials industry, with experiences have ranging from purchasing, marketing, and operational management to regional sales throughout the Northwest and Canada. A self-described “obsessive horticulturist”, Darcie completed her MBA and is slowly pursuing her D.B.A. in Global Business Sustainability. The remaining free time is spent escaping from reality through tinkering in her garage or participating local “geezer” volleyball.

Darcie says, “The opportunity to assist the APMM in establishing and achieving the organization’s educational goals is an exciting challenge.”

VP of Vendor Relations – Jill Kenik, Acropolis Studios Inc., Cranston, RI

Jill is the president of Acropolis Studios, which has provided traditional and CAD modelmaking services, CNC milling and 3D printing services since 1994. Acropolis specializes in servicing consumer and decorative product manufacturing companies where artistry, intricacy and precision are critical.

She holds a BFA from the Rochester Institute of Technology, School for American Craftsmen and an MBA from the University of Rhode Island.  Jill’s career started as a men’s accessories designer for a large jewelry company where she learned many aspects of industrial manufacturing and developed a passion for creating top quality mass-manufactured goods.

Jill has been a member of APMM since 2007 and has an enthusiastic appreciation for the open and honest exchange of resources and information that takes place within the group.  She says, “The APMM has been of great value to Acropolis and I look forward to making the organization even stronger by further expanding the vendor base and working as a board member.”

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 and newspapers 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.”