2012 KCBS Board of Directors Election
Candidate: David Londeen
1. Please describe the skills you possess (which you believe are stronger than the other candidates) which would make you an asset as a board member, in dealing with the challenges facing KCBS, and give an example of how those skills would serve the KCBS Board of Directors and its membership.
My background in BBQ began in the Judging area, starting in May 2007. Since then I have attained the Master Judge level (30 Plus contests) and have also moved into the cooking side, along with the rest of my family, being Head cook of the Swedish Pig Competition BBQ Team. My wife Virginia and I are Contest Representatives for KCBS and we have obtained Certified Table Captain status this year. I am involved with the Minnesota 4H program and have coached a National Champion Chicken and Turkey BBQ contestant. My three sons are Boy Scouts so I am involved with their Troop as a leader. My professional background is over 30 years in the insurance business as an independent agent and business owner. My varied BBQ experience will be an asset to the BOD.2. If you are a Cook, Judge, Rep or Backyard Cook, please identify the major KCBS issues concerning, one of areas in which you are involved. Describe the major issue, your strategies to correct or improve the issue, and what you see as the biggest challenge to the success of your plan.
I have the good fortune to be involved in all aspects of BBQ as a cook, judge and Rep. I am able to see and come into contact with issues affecting each different area of competition. Because of that insight, my focus is on the overall improvement of all parts. In order to have the chance to continue to grow and expand- they all need to work together. My objective would be to facilitate that sort of understanding between groups. I think an immediate goal is to maximize the consistency from a judging standpoint to ensure that all competitors get the same level playing field at any contest that they may participate in around the country. Part of that goal is to make sure that the judges are doing the very best job possible for the cook teams. Developing useful material to have available to the Judges is the biggest challenge to achieving this goal.3. Identify your major short term goal and the major long term goal, if elected to the Board of KCBS and your plan to implement change or improvement in order to carry out each of these goals.
My short term goal would be to test and implement the new scoring program so as to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the Rep teams in getting accurate scoring data in a timely fashion. My long term goal is to continue to improve upon the consistency of our judging standards and work on the development of available training materials and updates, so as to keep the judges current with the KCBS standards for judging. Our judges are a dedicated group who do their best at providing the fairest judging possible. Many travel as much as the cook teams and we should recognize their efforts. Without good judges, consistency is much more difficult to obtain. KCBS should make sure that judges have the tools necessary to maintain the high standards expected by the cooks. Our goal is to have the most consistent judging possible at all contests.4. If elected please explain "your level of commitment, time and energy" for committee projects and monthly reports, board meetings and attendance, as well as representing KCBS to the public and being responsive to our members.
My level of commitment to the job will be whatever it takes to do the job. I understand that by being on the BOD, it is my duty and responsibility to be accessible to members who wish to voice their concerns. They should and will receive replies to questions they may have.5. Please describe your previous participation in KCBS activities and years of experience.
As previously stated I have been a Judge since 2007, have cooked for three years, and been a Contest Rep for one year. We are a BBQ family. Besides the fact that my wife and I Cook, Judge and Rep, 3 of our kids are Judges and all 4 cook. Like many cooks and judges, we travel. From Lake Placid, NY, to Dillard, Ga, Bentonville, AR, to Kansas City for the Royal. It has been great to see BBQ in many parts of the country. Truly BBQ is the American cuisine.6. Please explain why you want to be a member of the KCBS Board.
Over the past four years I have traveled a fair distance to be involved in BBQ. The thing that remains a constant wherever I go is that the BBQ community is a great bunch of people who enjoy getting together to do what they love to do. I have met some tremendous people in all avenues- cooks, judges, reps and organizers. It takes all of them to make things work. The growth of BBQ as a sport is ever expanding and the opportunity to be a part of it with KCBS is a wonderful opportunity. I take seriously the responsibility of being a Board member as our task is to make sure that the organization stays on the right track and the best interests of KCBS and the BBQ community are protected.
