Gaines Butler Will Be Installed As 2016-17 AMOA President In March

PORTLAND, OR -- The board of directors of the Amusement and Music Operators Association has chosen Gaines Butler, Metro Distributors (Norcross, GA), as its next president. The appointment was confirmed at AMOA's midyear leadership meeting in Portland, OR, last fall. He will succeed Jerry Johnston, Amusement Unlimited (Eugene, OR), in the post.

Metro Distributors is best known as a managing contractor of some 90 operators in 26 states that service jukebox accounts in some 1,400 locations that stretch from Atlanta to Phoenix. It's famous for operating in all of the Waffle House restaurants, which up until a few ago only had 45-RPM jukeboxes. Butler joined AMOA about 25 years ago and has served on more than a dozen committees (chairing a few of those). That said, the incoming AMOA president has been involved in most facets of running the association, from its bylaws and polices to developing its meetings, events and promotions. Butler takes over as AMOA president on Mar. 16.

Elected as first vice-president is Rick LaFleur, L.F. LaFleur & Son (Devils Lake, ND). Jim Marsh, Hart Novelty (Bellingham, WA), becomes secretary-treasurer. Each will serve one-year terms beginning at the conclusion of the Amusement Expo International, which will take place in Las Vegas, Mar. 15-17. The AMOA membership will elect new board members at the association's annual meeting during the trade show and convention.

INCOMING: Gaines Butler (r.), Metro Distributors (Norcross, GA), will begin his duties as AMOA president on Mar. 16. Rick LaFleur (c.), L.F. LaFleur & Son (Devils Lake, ND), will serve as first vice-president, and Jim Marsh, Hart Novelty (Bellingham, WA), as secretary-treasurer.

The board also elected three vice-presidents at its midyear meeting. Chosen are Jim Piontek, Smiley Mel's Coin Machine (Green Bay, WI); Bob Russell, Vend Music of Texas Inc. (Sulphur Springs); and Sam Westgate, J&J Ventures (Effingham, IL). They will serve three-year terms, also starting after this year's Amusement Expo.

The AMOA midyear meeting is a high point of the association's annual calendar. In addition to conducting the board meeting and election of officers, the directors met with AMOA's working committees to deal with association business. Thirty-two of AMOA's 37 directors were on hand for the meeting. With spouses/guests, trade journalists and staff members included, total attendance was about 80 people.

The board and the committees held discussions on such legislative issues as the metallic composition of the U.S. coin set and the extension by Congress of more liberal depreciation allowances in the IRS code's Section 179. New and existing membership programs were reviewed, and the industry leaders took part in planning AMOA's continuing education offerings. Amusement Expo activities, including the Education, Hesch Scholarship and Innovator Awards programs, were addressed. Bylaws were amended, future Political Action Committee initiatives were set and industry promotional possibilities were considered.

In addition to handling this mass of association business, the participants took advantage of the midyear meeting to engage in networking and the recreations offered by the scenic Pacific Northwest venue. These included outings to Mount St. Helens and the Columbia River Gorge, the annual Bob Nims Memorial Golf Outing and two group dinners.

THE MOUNTAIN IS OUT: Last year's midyear leadership meeting was hosted by AMOA president Jerry Johnston and his wife Carol, who live in Eugene, some 100 miles south of Portland. Johnston ends his AMOA presidency on Mar. 16.

WELL DONE! During its midyear meeting, AMOA recognized former RePlay Magazine editor and Portland resident Steve White for his many years of service to the industry and his cordial support of the association. At left, AMOA president Jerry Johnston presents White with a plaque of appreciation. Last spring, White accepted a position in a local law firm after earning his J.D. degree from Lewis & Clark College (Portland). During the meeting, he worked with new RePlay editorial staffer Casey Minter, son of AMOA director Russ Minter, Stick With Us Amusements (Elko, NV), to cover the activities.