Officers

Buzz Wollam — Director

I was born in Southern California, exposed to all the things kids do around beaches, cars, and motorcycles. I begged my parents for my fist mini bike a Taco 44. I spent hours taking it apart and putting it back together, attempting to make it go faster and faster. My worst wreck ever was on that bike. Walking away minus some skin, I went on to a Honda Trail 90, and then got into the desert riding thing at El Mirage Dry Lake and Red Rock Canyon. In the 70's I tried to become responsible... I married Nan Marie in 1974 and joined the Glendale Police Dept. My occupation was hazardous enough, and I got rid of the bikes. We started raising a family. Matthew was born in 1976, and unfortunately passed away in 1981. Krisitine was born in 1980, and Joseph in 1984. I became a burglary detective, and a K-9 officer where I patrolled the streets for 5 years with Krueger, a 140 pound Rotte. But my dream was to get back on a bike. In 1986 I became a police motor officer. I became a motorcycle training instructor and an Accident Reconstructionist. After ten years, dept policy dictated that I could no longer do that job, and I decided to run the family business, a rehabilitation hospital, where I am today. One thing was still lacking though, and that was a bike. Then I met this guy name Elliot who kept coming around on a white Heritage, encouraging me to get back in the saddle. The bug took hold once again and I bought a black Ultra Classic Police Special. It has been a wonderful experience, riding with my wonderful and tolerant wife, and making so many great friends in our chapter. Being Director has it challenges, but is vastly rewarding and fun. I look forward to many more fabulous rides and meeting new folk as they come into the chapter.

See you on the road... Buzz

Drew Case — Assistant Director

It all started when I was 2, and I cut an extension cord with a pair of scissors. Since that initial snap, pop and jolt, life has been about experiencing the mechanical world and the unexpected. As soon as I could, I rode. I wore out bicycles, unicycles, built all sorts of coasters and raced down the hills of Oakland, Berkeley, and Piedmont.

Motorcycles came next, and being the late 60's, they had to be custom, so I took them apart and put them back together again... my way. From Triumphs to Sportsters to Panheads, Evos and twin cams I used to love the feeling of the wind in my long hair back then.

I have ridden all over the US, and have traveled the west coast extensively.

"Faster horses, even faster women, older whiskey, and more money"

Hope you love to ride as much as I do.

Peter Nielsen — Secretary

I grew up on a Wisconsin farm, with my first bike being a Yamaha 100. This was acquired by selling an old horse. The first time I rode the bike, I ran into the side of a barn, leaving it bent and scratched from day one. I used this bike primarily for riding up the gravel road to round up the cows for milking.

Off then to college, my next bike needed to get me up and down the Interstate, so a Honda 305 was called on to do the job.That next summer, saving up money while driving a pea harvester for Jolly Green Giant, the now long haired radical traded in the Honda for a used 650 Triumph chopper, inspired by Peter Fonda's Easy Rider bike. Upon riding it home from the dealer, and not being used to the heft of the bike, I overshot the driveway at a burger stand and all but put it through the glass window where a befuddled couple sat wondering if I was going to land in their lap.

I finally mastered that machine, riding across Canada and the Great Lakes... in one heavy downpour, (the bike having no front fender) I had to lean to one side so the water shooting up from the tire, would go straight over my shoulder. It turns out I had run into Hurricane Agnes, and had to hole up for 3 days in Pittsburg.

My riding days took a 25 year hiatus after I got married. Karen, my wife, didn't like to ride, so I sold the chopper and bought a home. While visiting my dad during his last days back in Wisconsin, I gazed across the street into a Harley Dealership, and decided for my 50th birthday, I would buy what was to me, the ultimate motorcycle, a Harley-Davidson Sportster. And that is what I did just as soon as I returned to California. I was yet to break in another new riding experience, and in typical fashion, proceeded to run into a car in front of me, and fly over the handle bars. I was OK except for a bruised ego, and I used the excuse to change the paint from boring grey to vibrant red.

That was 5 years ago, and I think by now I have finally become a good rider. I use the bike for my real estate business, and enjoy arriving for my appointments with clients in full leathers.

Sandee Fersuson — Past Secretary, Welcome Wagon Officer

I had always been just a "sidekick" on my husband Bear's Harley, and was happy to be there. What changed all that, was a trip to the Hollister rally where I saw a Harley that would be the perfect gal bike. That was the first time it crossed my mind that I could ride my own bike. I decided to take a rider safety course, and was prepared to either love it or hate it. Needless to say, I loved it. I wound up riding back and forth to work on a Honda 250 for 5 months while searching for the perfect Harley for me. In November 2004, I bought a Springer Softail which I absolutely love. I have spent a great deal of time personalizing the bike, which speaks to my personality very well. I joined the local HOG chapter in December 2004, and have enjoyed the camaraderie and friendship of others including many other women who relish in the sport as well. I have attended primary officers training and have been the chapter's secretary for that past 2 years. I am now in the process of training my successor, and will continue to participate in chapter events.

Debra Suhrke — Treasurer

I had only been on the back of a motorcycle a few times before I met my husband, Dennis. We had a lot of fun on a couple of different Harleys. We married in '74, had Michelle in '75, then our son, Den, Jr. in '77. We sold our bike about '79. Now, Den and I are busy raising our granddaughter, Ashley, almost 16, and she's keeping us young and crazy. I am a licensed barber and roofing contractor, but mostly a "doula". I specialize in helping laboring women through birth, then provide postpartum care for new moms and babies. (It's so funny when my clients see me in my leathers!) I enjoy listening and dancing to live music and now that the Ashley is growing older, riding again. In Dec. '04 we bought our '05 Road Glide for my birthday and Dennis' Christmas present. I consider it to be our mental therapy and couple counseling. We've got over 35,000 miles now. I've been your treasurer for 2 years and know where every nickel is and where it came from, but couldn't do any of the detail work without Donna's expertise. I look forward to attending another POT (Primary Officers Training) in May, and bringing some knowledge and excitement to share. I've made so many friends since joining HOG and love the sense of community in our Golden Gate Chapter. Being part of National HOG and the bigger family of a Worldwide HOG is amazing to me. Unless it's raining or we're working, we're riding. I'm the one in back waving to everybody.

Elliot Karlan — Event Officer

I rode my first motorcycle in 1966... a BSA 650 something. The guy who let me ride it asked.... "Do you know what you are doing?" I replied with a quick and emphatic "no." He let me ride it anyway... a pivotal point in my life.

From there it was a succession of Honda 50's 175, CB 350 & Scramblers, 450, 750-4's, Yami's, Trumpets and right side shifting Beesa's.

I rode in all kinds of weather, with nary a woolen shirt, jeans with holes, plenty of worn out sneakers, and sometimes only one glove. This back in the days of no helmet as well. When the helmet law came into being, I actually stopped riding for a short while in protest. Once back in the saddle again, having kids did not deter me... I threw them on the back and down the road we went. I bartered and traded my way to my first Harley, an AMF Sporty... That lasted two months and I knew there would be no turning back.

The next ride was a '92 Springer Softail with Buckhorn Pullback handle bars... That would be my learning curve for dialing a bike into my program, instead of trying to make a silk purse from a sow's ear.

All those previous bikes had chosen me, and finally it was time for me to do the choosing. I would never go back to a 21 inch bicycle wheel again... I bought an '04 Heritage, and proceeded to change everything until it fit me like a glove... and speaking of gloves.... it took me damn near 40 years to figure out that leather was essential to comfortable riding. I don't eat meat, but I wear lots of cow.

Two years ago, my sweetheart rented us an Ultra for Father's Day, and once again I entered that territory of no return. WE BOUGHT AN 06 ULTRA CLASSIC TOGETHER. I had never known what a windshield was, and all of a sudden, 500 miles was no longer a backache. I ride them both, keeping a perspective on "looking good" and "feeling good". Riding is inherent in my soul and in my life... I discovered the HOG chapter in 2004, and have been integral and involved ever since. I am the chapter Photographer and Event Officer. If I see you on the street next to a Harley... I will sign you up.... "Enjoy The Ride"

Bear Ferguson — Safety Officer

After entering the computer field in 1970, after leaving the Air Force, I became an Information Technologist. I've owned my own company for 8 years, and am also the CIO for another company. A San Francisco born native, my family moved to a small farm in Schelville in Sonoma County when I was 8 years old. I began racing go carts with my friend who later drove midget racers. My first 2 wheel experience was a Vespa. After that, I purchased a 73 Yamaha Custom Chopper, with a very tall sissy bar topped with a peace symbol.Going cross country, I was stopped in every town by troopers protecting their citizenry from from "peace-niks" like me.

My further history of bikes was the typical succession of Viragos, Shadows etc. In 1996, on a new Honda Shadow, I rode in to the Harley Davidson dealership in Santa Cruz to fill out loan paperwork. I proceeded to an air show in Watsonville, where the new Honda was subsequently crushed by a bus. Fortunately, I was at the air show at the time, and not on the bike. I called Harley-Davidson in Santa Cruz, and rode home that day on my first Harley Davidson. I currently ride a highly customized 2002 Road King.

Dennis Suhrke — Head Road Captain

I bought my first Harley in 1968 from a gypsy joker on the run from the law for 800.00. It was a 1951 Panhead, rigid frame, suicide clutch and no front brake. Great bike for those hills of San Francisco. Gave up riding about twenty five years ago so that my children and wife would have a "live" father and husband around. Roofer by day, musician by night, golfer when I feel like it, and '05 road-glider the rest of the time. The kids can take care of themselves.

Maura Simmons — Membership Officer

I was born in Brooklyn in "19 none of your business" but moved to Marin while still in grammar school. I currently live in Greenbrae with my only daughter and her husband. I have worked in the grocery business for over 30 years, and am looking forward to retirement soon so I can get on the bike and ride to my heart's content. I have wanted to ride ever since my baby brother took me around the block on his first bike in High School. I jumped at the chance to to buy a friend's "under-used" Sportster, took the rider's course, and began my favorite hobby.

I have recently sold that Sporty, and am looking forward to my first big twin Harley, which will last for many seasons to come. I enjoy the friendship and company of bikers in my local Chapter where I am the membership Officer.

Luana Gerhardt — LOH Officer

I come from a long line of bike riders. It started with my grandpa who rode Harleys back in the 1940's, so I guess you could say it's in my blood. My first motorcycle memory was when I was about two. I was at a family picnic in the little town of Kernville when a pack of bikes rumbled in to town. I remember being completely mesmerized by them and wandering off to get a closer look. That experience made a lasting impression on me, and left me with an undeniable desire to have them in my life.

I grew up in the Mojave Desert where dirt bike riding was a part of our recreation. My older brother loved to take my sisters and I out in the desert and ditch us. It was either keep up or get left! That's probably where I get my competitiveness from when it comes to keeping up with the pack.

As I entered my teenage years I became more interested in horses, so the bikes took a backseat for a while, although a Harley never failed to turn my head. I grew up, moved away to college, got married, had three sons, got divorced and raised my boys.

The passion for a Harley remained buried deep inside my soul. I'd hear bikes roar past and long for the day when I'd be out there with them. I was determined that when my youngest son moved out I'd get my bike, and that's exactly what I did.

I bought my 1st Harley in April of 2006, a Dyna Street Bob, took the Motorcycle Safety Course, and started riding. I was fortunate enough to meet up with a group of ladies that welcomed and nurtured me as a new rider. Their support was invaluable, and some of those women remain great friends to this day. I cherish each one of them.

So there began the journey that continues to this day. I love to ride. It's one of the best gifts I've ever given myself, and I can't imagine my life without it. Wanna go for a ride?

Bill Koltoff — Historian

I was born in San Francisco's1947. I have been married for 40 years to the same woman. I have 3 daughters, 1 son, 3 grandson, and 2 granddaughters, I have been a sheet metal worker since the age of 16, and own my own company. I like weight lifting, boating, scuba diving, pistol, rifle, and shot gun shooting, and MOTOR CYCLE RIDING.I got my first motor cycle at age 16 (a 650 Triumph Bonneville) and later got into semi-professional Drag Racing (55 Chevrolet "B Gasser" street class) and race car building. Riding Harleys is right up at the top of my passions, providing good company and personal pleasure. I have my two bikes (Dyna Wide Glide and Screaming Eagle Ultra Classic) I enjoy the HOG club, HOG activities, and all the HOG members. I particularly like being on the board, watching this chapter grow.

Chris Schmid — Sgt at Arms

I work for Germany's biggest steamship company (container vessels) and am in charge of the Finance/Business Admin dept for the US West Coast.

I grew up in Stuttgart Germany, and, descending from traveling people, I left my home ground behind and said good-by to the Vaterland at age 27 to explore the world. Since then I have lived in New York, Kuala Lumpur and the last 3 years in Marin County California.

I met my wife Ann-Katrin in Hoboken, and married her quickly and straight away in Las Vegas (no, Elvis was not present). My love for the motorcycle world developed at age 18, but unfortunately all I could afford back then was a Piaggio (am I really admitting to a scooter here...?) I quickly discovered that this was not my ride, but luckily my best buddy was rich enough to own 2 Harleys, and he loaned me his Fatboy when I had the need to ride.

Harleys are very expensive in Germany, and due to my constant moving, I had never got around to buying my own. Finally in July of 07, I bought my beloved 07 FLSTN, and the ongoing customization project is only at 30% - Lots yet left to do. In November I joined the local GGHD HOG and discovered that there are lots of good folks around!

My command of the German European language has come in handy, as we have affiliate chapters in Germany and other European countries. We have visitors coming from these countries, and I have been given the role of Official Interpreter Liason. I am also the chapter's Sgt. at Arms.