1998
Butch and Betty Berrey
Butch is one the original Charter members that formed the Jacksonville Beach Bop Association in 1977. He has held an elected position for 16 years and served as the club President for many years.
Betty has been a part of the JBBA since 1980 and was a driving force behand the scenes handling any and all unwanted tasks.
Butch has chaired and Betty has handled registration and housing for the JBBS’s “Boogie On The Riverwalk”. They have taught thousands of people to dance and have given workshops and dance exhibitions both locally and nationally. In 1995, Butch was the first “non-Shagger” to receive the prestigious Shagging Icon Award which he shares with Betty
1999
Willie and Diane Santacruz
Willie and Diane have danced together for most of their lives. They are Honorary Lifetime Members of the St. Louis Imperial Dance Club.
Willie is the Past President of the St. Charles Imperial Dance Club in St. Charles, MO and the Midwest Swing Dance Federation. Diane served on the Board of The St. Charles Imperial Dance Club.
Thet have danced on the TV show “Dance Fever” and have sucessfully competed numerous times, given workshops and exhibitions at various dance conventions around the country, and are responsible for developing the judging criteria for the Midwest Swing Dance Federation. In 1995, Willie and Diane were inducted into the Midwest Swing Dance Federation’s Hall of Fame.
Rich Kopels
Rich has been dancing since he was a teenager, mastering many different dance styles. He has been a member of the Atlanta Swing Dancers Club since it’s inception and has served as President, Social Director, and Treasurer. Rich is an ambassador of swing dance, supports and attends many local and national dance events, often providing workshops and exhibitions. He is responsible for creating and maintaining web sites for the ASDC and the American Bop Association.
He managed ASDC’s co-sponsorship of it’s first national event, “Smoky Mountain Boogie” in 1999. Rich has also served as his clubs’ representative to the ABA and ABA Treasurer.
Eman and Nitz Alderman
Eman and Nitz are founding members of the South Side Imperial Dance Club. They have served on the Board of Directors and have always offered their services to teach, coach, and judge dance competitions. In 1987, Eman and Nitz successfully started a Junior dance program that has served as a model to many clubs across the country for Junior dancers.
Many of their awards include the 1990 South Side Members of the Year, the 1993 U.S. Open Humanitarians Award and the 1999 South Side Members of the Year. In 1998 they were inducted into the Midwest Swing Dance Federation Hall of Fame.
2000
Paul Hennessey
Under Paul’s direction, Cincinnati Bop Club was formed in 1991. He served as President and Co-Editor of the club newsletter since its inception. He was also the club DJ for many years, has organized and taught dance lessons for several more.
Paul chaired the clubs’ annual convention “Move Across The River” each year. In the American Bop Association, Paul served as Vice President, Chairman of the Membership Committee, and as Club Representative. He has also produced and distributed the ABA newsletter. Paul is also a member of the Association of Beach & Shag DJs and the National Association of Rhythm & Blues DJs.
Cal Shaw
Cal, an original member and Past President of the Derby City Bop Association, was active in the DCBA for many years. Later he moved to Clearwater, Florida and became a member of the Tampa Bay Beach Boppers. Cal served as President of another dance club association for 2 years, saw it through 2 difficult years which culminated in its dissolution and the formation of the American Bop Association in 1996. He served as President of the ABA from 1996 until 2003.
Cal’s leadership has helped the ABA grow to its present strength and built a base for future expansion.
2001
Jim and Lennie Laux
Jim joined the Midwest United States Imperial Club in 1990, served as President for 2 years and Dance Director for 4 years. He later joined the Little Rock Bop Club where he served as President. Jim Chaired the ABA Hall of Fame Committee and the ABA Bylaws Committee for years and was his Clubs’ representative to the ABA since its inception and as President of the ABA for several years.
Lennie joined the LRBC in 1993 and served on the Board for 5 years. Together, Jim and Lennie chaired the LRBC’s annual convention “Bop On The Lake”, designed the club’s dance instruction program, taught weekly dance lessons, and managed to increase membership and attendance at the club dances.
Ron Wallace
Ron was a member of the Cincinnati Bop Club. Before that, he co-founded the Derby City Bop Association where he helped set up the Club Charter. During the first 5 years of the clubs’ inception, Ron served as President, DJ, Dance Instructor, Event Chairman, and Music Director at different intervals.
He was the first President of the National Association of Rhythm and Blues DJs and a member of the Association of Beach and Shag Club DJs. Ron has DJ’ed at many major events throughout the U.S. expressing his love for music. Additionally, he was a co-founder of the Derby City Bop Club where he served as Club DJ and Dance Instructor