In the late '70s and '80s the Shopsmith store in San Carlos Ca. had get-together's on Thursday evenings. It was a chance to share ideas and see the new Stuff.
From that group a few of those attendees broke off to have their own get-together's with the interest more focused on round things, "Turnings". At the same time another group was having meetings once a month at a woodworking store across the bay in Alameda. Their interest was also Woodturning. That was at the beginning of the (8/26/89) Bay Area Woodturners Association. Some of the Shopsmith folks even joined that group.
Back at the Shopsmith group they decided to start their own Woodturning Club. They elected a staff and that was the beginning of the(4/12/94) West Bay Woodturners. It didn't take very long for WBW to outgrow the Shopsmith store. They moved to a few other locations and finally settled at a High School shop in San Mateo, CA. Members came from all over the bay area including San Jose.
A few guys that were traveling to the WBAW meetings decided to have a get-together in San Jose to see if they could start their own woodturning group. They began with once a month Wednesday evening meetings. It did not take very long for the word to get out and as more people became interested and involved, in the late ninety's ( 9/3/97) they became the Silicon Valley Woodturners.
Silicon Valley Woodturners over the years
As with any great organization, building a great organization is not an easy task. It has taken dedication from many volunteers over the years to build the Silicon Valley Woodturners to what it is today. Though we can not list every volunteer who has contributed over the years, here's a list of president's and the people who have served on the board over the years.
2024 - Present
Jerry Galli
VP/Program Chair
Jim Loney
Member at Large
Tim Cole
Secretary
Tom Stutz
Treasurer
Kevin Lee
President
2023
Jim Loney
President
Kevin Lee
Secretary
Jimmy Vidunas
Secretary
Barbara Loney
Treasurer
Steve Dahout
Member at Large
Matthew Bartlett
Treasurer
Jerry Galli
VP / Program chair
2022
Steve Dahout
President
Jerry Galli
VP/Program Chair
Tom Nelson
Treasurer
Kathy Infante
Secretary
Matthew Bartlett
Treasurer
Greg Peck
Secretary
Mike Lanahan
Member at Large
2019 - 2021
Ray Hari
President
Mark Koenig
VP/Program Chair
Paul Rygaard
Secretary
Paul Rygaard
Member at Large
Don Bonnett
VP/Program Chair
Joe Martinka
Treasurer
Greg Peck
Member at Large
Greg Peck
Secretary
Jim Loney
Treasurer
Mike Lanahan
Member at Large
2017- 2018
Paul Rygaard
President
Mike Lanahan
VP/Program Chair
Tom Schmida
Treasurer
Mark Koenig
VP/Program Chair
Joe Martinka
Treasurer
Greg Peck
Secretary
Mike Lanahan
Member at Large
2016
John Whittier
President
Mike Lanahan
VP/Program Chair
Mike Lanahan
Member at Large
Greg Peck
Secretary
Tom Schmida
Treasurer
2014 - 2015
Mike Lanahan
President
Dennis Lillis
VP/Program Chair
Bob Gerenser
Member at Large
Gary Keogh
Secretary
Dick Westfall
Treasurer
2013
Bob Gerenser
President
Colin Mackenzie
VP/Program Chair
Grant Beech
Treasurer
Lonnie Hurst
VP/Program Chair
Dick Westfall
Secretary
2011 - 2012
Ard Sealy
President
Grant Beech
VP/Program Chair
Bob Gerenser
VP/Program Chair
Howard Cohen
Secretary
Grant Beech
Treasurer
Craig Thorson
Treasurer
1997 - 2011
Rich Johnson
President
Bob DiVita
VP/Program Chair
John Whittier
VP/Program Chair
Phil Roybal
Secretary
Jim Gott
Treasurer
Herb Green
VP/Program Chair
David Feind
VP/Program Chair
Howard Cohen
Secretary
Craig Thorson
Treasurer
Ayman Sayed
VP/Program Chair
Lou Gonzalez
Secretary
Jay Mueller
Treasurer
President Ard Sealy recognizes Rich Johnson for his outstanding service during the 2011 April meeting.
Ard presented a plaque to Rich Johnson in recognition for his outstanding service to the Silicon Valley Woodturners club as our founder and past president from 1997 to 2011. The walnut and maple plaque was laminated by Mike, and engraved by Ard and Marcus. Rich was subsequently made our 1st lifetime member, by unanimous vote.
Timeline
Dec 2022
Jim Loney elected as President of SVW
Sep 2022
SVW wins "Best Chapter Website" award
The website designed by Ray Hari for Silicon Valley Woodturners honored with the Best Chapter Website Award by the American Association of Woodturners.
Nov 2021
Steve Dahout elected as President of SVW
Oct 2020
SVW website redesigned by Ray Hari goes online
Apr 2020
SVW starts conducting all meetings online
SVW teams up with WBW to have joint meetings online using Zoom.
1st Wednesday, 2nd Monday, & 3rd Wednesday (sawdust).
Mar 2020
Last social gathering (meeting) of SVW for 2020
COVID-19 pandemic forces SVW to change course of our meetings. SVW
decides to forego social gatherings for the sake of the health of its members.
Nov 2018
Ray Hari elected as President of SVW
Nov 2016
Paul Rygaard elected as President of SVW
Nov 2015
John Whittier elected as President of SVW
Sep 2014
SVW starts meeting at Santa Clara High School woodshop
3000 Benton Street, Santa Clara, California 95051
Jul 2014
Club meetings moved to the TechShop San Jose
the TechShop San Jose, 300 S. Second Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Jun 2014
Last club meeting at Rich Johnson's woodturning center
Nov 2013
Mike Lanahan elected as President of SVW
Aug 2013
Meetings moved back to Rich Johnson's woodturning center
Jan 2013
Non-profit status approved
with an effective date of Jan 02, 2012
Jan 2013
SVW website created by Rich Johnson goes online
Nov 2012
Bob Gerenser elected as President of SVW
Feb 2012
New logo used for the first time
Jan 2012
SVW incorporated
Dec 2011
Moved to the Eagle Lodge in Willow Glen
The Eagle Aerie, 1036 Lincoln Ave., San Jose, CA 95125
The meeting was moved back to the FIRST Wednesday of the month.
Apr 2011
Moved to the First Congregational Church of San Jose
1980 Hamilton Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125
The meeting was moved to the LAST Wednesday of the month.
Mar 2011
Last club meeting at Rich Johnson's woodturning center
Nov 2010
Ard Sealy elected as President of SVW
Apr 2001
SVW starts using Yahoo Groups.
Sep 1998
SVW newsletter gets the name Chips & Chatter.
Sep 1997
On Sep 3, 1997 SVW becomes an affiliate of AAW
Jul 1997
SVW starts meeting at Rich Johnson's woodturning center
14979 Joanne Ave, San Jose, CA 95127
1st Wednesday of the month, 6:00pm
Jul 1997
Rich Johnson becomes first president of SVW
Jul 1997
On July 16, 1997 Silicon Valley Woodturners was formed
Early 1997
Some woodturners on their way to WBW meet in San Jose
Apr 1994
West Bay Woodturners (WBW) was formed
They start meeting at a high school shop in San Mateo, CA
1986
American Association of Woodturners (AAW) established
Headquartered in Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA.
Founded at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Jun 1944
Birth of David Ellsworth
1726
English settlers bring the Windsor chair to America
They have turned legs.
3rd century
B.C.
Flat wooden dish turned in Mycaene, Greece
It was later found in a pit grave.
6th century
B.C.
Wood turning practiced in Egypt
70 million
years ago
Palm trees make their first appearance
95 million
years ago
Magnolias, laurels, maples, sycamores, and oaks inhabit earth
The age of hardwoods
250 million
years ago
Primitive conifers inhabit earth
The late Permian to Triassic period.
Ginkgo trees appear.
360 million
years ago
Giant trees inhabit earth
Carboniferous period