Milwaukee, Wis., (Dec. 30, 2017) – The Masterpiece Ltd. board of directors have elected Bob Budlow, Colin Comer and Paul Westphal as directors of the nonprofit organization effective Jan. 1, 2018. The announcement was made today by Mike O’Krongly, president – The Masterpiece Ltd. The Masterpiece Ltd. hosts the Milwaukee Concours d’Elegance, a judged exhibit of vintage and classic vehicles, and related activities.
“These gentlemen have been key contributors to the success of the Milwaukee Concours d’Elegance over the past several years,” O’Krongly said. “We are pleased to have their expertise on our board.”
Bob Budlow has been associated with the Milwaukee Concours d’Elegance since its inception. He has served on the event committee annually and has chaired the Ferrari class for 12 of the 13 years of the event. He has also judged the Ferrari class every year. For the past three years he has served as secretary of The Masterpiece Ltd., board of directors. Bob is well known in car collector and concours d’elegance circles. He has competed in national concours events with his Ferrari Dino and 1959 Jaguar Mark I. He won Best in Class in North America three times with the Jaguar. Bob and his wife Linda attend several national and international concours every year including Pebble Beach and the Goodwood Revival. Bob is the chairman of Budlow and Associates, a firm that specializes in mergers and acquisitions. Prior to this, Bob was an executive with SC Johnson, Racine, for 17 years where he was responsible for the corporate planning function.
Noted car collector and author Colin Comer has also been associated with the Milwaukee Concours since its inception. Beyond serving on the event committee and chairing numerous car classes over the years, Colin has also served as a judge for 11 of the event’s 13 years, including three years as an Assistant Chief Judge and the past two years as Chief Judge. Colin is the founder of Colin’s Classic Automobiles in Milwaukee, Wis., as well as the Marketplace Director for Hagerty Insurance, a Contributing Editor for Road & Track, Vintage Motorsport, and former Editor-at-Large for Sports Car Market and American Car Collector magazines. Colin has also judged at many other concours events including the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Colin’s voice and advocacy for the hobby is far reaching. He is a champion of the principle of preservation over restoration as well as encouraging people to drive their collector cars to truly experience them. Among his many accolades Autoweek magazine named Colin an automotive industry “Mover and Shaker,” and Esquire magazine declared his Shelby Cobra Fifty Years the “Greatest Car Book of All Time.”
With more than 25 years of experience in financial services, Westphal leads the Northshore market for Robert W Baird and Co. and provides comprehensive wealth management strategies designed to assist clients in the pursuit of their needs and goals. Previously he was associated with Piper Jaffray which was later acquired by UBS, and also served as an investment management consultant for 10 years with Smith Barney. After graduating with a B.B.A. in finance and real estate from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Paul earned his Series 7, 8 and 65 securities licenses. He also holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®) designation. Paul is active in community service through his support of the Milwaukee Community Service Corporation, the Boys & Girls Club and Big Brothers and Big Sisters organizations. He coordinates the youth judging program for the Milwaukee Concours d’elegance which involves youth from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee in the concours judging, using the Hagerty Youth Judging program as a guide.
In related news, The Masterpiece Ltd., board announced that Gary Messing who had served as President, will leave the board as of Dec. 31, 2017. Continuing board members include: Bob Budlow, Colin Comer, Carl Jensen, Mike O’Krongly, Karl Wuesthoff, Ralph LaMacchia, Ron Pace, Jim Wallner and Paul Westphal. The 2018 officers are: President – Mike O’Krongly; Vice President – Bob Budlow; Secretary – Ron Pace; Treasurer – Renee Messing.
The 14th annual Milwaukee Concours d’Elegance is set for the weekend of Aug. 4 – 5, 2018. The venue– Veterans Park on Milwaukee’s lakefront –remains the same as in past years. The weekend schedule includes:
Saturday: a driving tour for entrants in the concours d’ elegance and show & glow car club exhibitors in the morning, mid-day seminars featuring car collecting/restoration experts, and the evening Style & Speed Social.
Sunday: the Milwaukee Concours d’Elegance, a judged competition, and show & glow paddock in Veterans Park on Milwaukee’s lakefront.
The Masterpiece Ltd., host of the Milwaukee Concours d’Elegance, is organized and operated exclusively to support other public charities including but not limited to those operating in southeastern Wisconsin which provide medical and social service care and relief to underprivileged children and families through various motor vehicle-related fundraising events.