The Gateway Council Personalities

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive Committee

Rob Dixon, President
In October 2002, Rob spent 14 days paddling the Colorado River through Grand Canyon.  He's shown here strumming through a calm stretch of the river.  In addition to the great scenery, incredible hikes and big waves, the trip netted lasting memories and new friendships reminiscent of an extended hostel stay.

Rob is the board president of Gateway Council of Hostelling International - USA.  He is a long-time board member and was re-elected to a third term as President at the Fall Rally in October.  Rob has helped the council stay viable through some difficult times since 2001 and has reinvigorated the board to focus on an exciting future for Hostelling and Hostelling activities in the Gateway Region.

By day, Rob is a Financial Advisor.  Since 1994 Rob has been helping families and businesses define and pursue their goals.  He provides financial advice and investment recommendations that are creative, proactive and appropriate to his clients' objectives.

J. Christopher Wells, Vice President
Chris is a computer engineer working in medical research, financial services, broadcasting, and aerospace. He has served as treasurer, vice-president, and Moonlight Ramble Chairman.

Rudy Beuc, Secretary Rudy initially became involved with Gateway Council by volunteering for the Moonlight Ramble during the Mid 90’s. Becoming a full fledged member in 2000 he has been active with the council’s efforts to build a new Hostel in St. Louis.

Eric Janson, Treasurer
Eric is a manager in the Assurance Services Group of Rubin Brown, LLP. He serves clients in the distribution, manufacturing, and technology industries and has experience with diversified audit, accounting, income tax, and SEC reporting matters. He has a B.S. in accounting from Truman State University and won the Bronze Medical Award for 3rd highest score in Missouri on the May, 1996 Uniform CPA Exam. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Uniform CPA Exam-Standard Setting Panel (June, 2003). He also works in the Quality Control Department of Rubin Brown and is an instructor for in-house staff training courses there.

Billie Teneau, At Large
Billie is a retired secondary school teacher, having taught Speech, Drama, and English for 35 years in the Ferguson-Florissant School District, the St Louis Visual and Performing Arts Middle School, Washington University evening classes, and St Louis Community College-Florissant Valley. She has served as Gateway Council Vice-President (2 years) and Secretary (4 years). Billie is Co-Chair of the Bicycle Committee and organizes Featured Bicycle Rides. She also volunteers at the League of Women Voters and the Washington University Alumni Association. Billie’s earliest HI/AYH memories go back to Girl Scout days. Alice T. Peck, her Scout Leader, was part-owner of the DeSoto Hostel. As a young adult, Billie worked with CORE (Committee of Racial Equality) to end racial discrimination in St. Louis Public Accommodations. She assisted in writing the book, “Victory Without Violence.” 

Dave Reiter, At Large

Board Members

Jim Jeske
Jim is a retired USAF officer. For many years he also worked as a regional travel director for Maritz. He has been an active HI-USA member since 1983 and has served on the Gateway Council Board of Directors since 1990. He has been a volunteer trip leader and each year leads a hostelling trip to HI-Chicago via Amtrak on Presidents’ Day Weekend. Jim has also served as the Midwest Regional Secretary for Hostelling International from 1994-2004. He also volunteers with several other organizations including the Hispanic Festival Committee and Step-Up St Louis.

Judy Meyer
Judy and her husband George were self-employed for 35 years before selling their business in 
2002. They owned and operated a local 24-hour answering service, Ansaring, and an associated manufacturing company, Telescan, that developed and sold computerized equipment for answering services nationwide. Judy managed the answering service and did all accounting for both companies. She is now active in biking and walking as well as volunteering for the Gateway Chapter. Judy and her husband are also private pilots and have their plane and helicopter based at Parks Airport in Cahokia, IL.

C.B. Neuhoff
“Christy” as she is known to friends has been active for many years as a volunteer trip leader and has served on the Board of Directors in the past as “At Large” member. She enjoys planning rides, especially CAM and the Sandy Creek Century.

Advisory Board

Judy Noah, Advisory
Judy was first employed with the Council as Travel Center and Office Manager from 1988-1991, came back as a volunteer on the board and served 11 years on the executive board, 9 years as President. She is currently on the Gateway Council Advisory Board and is HI-USA Midwest Regional Secretary. Judy is employed in the Sports & Entertainment Sales Department of the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission. She enjoys traveling, hiking, canoeing, camping, writing poetry, painting, and is a member of the Ruby Sisters of the Red Hat Society.

Cheryl Lyons
Cheryl is a grants budget specialist at Washington University and is currently working on a master’s degree there. (She has a B.S. in Managerial Economics). Her first event with the Gateway Council was the Firecracker 100 Bicycle Tour in 1997, and has since completed many Council century tours. An avid cyclist, she chairs and volunteers for several cycling events, including Cycle Across Missouri and The Moonlight Ramble. She has hosteled both in the U.S. and in Europe. 

Elizabeth Parker, Advisory
Elizabeth lives in Richmond Heights with her husband, Chris, and two kids, Nick (7), and Isabella (4).  She is the director at City Museum in downtown St. Louis by day, and in her spare time she likes to do active things with her family, read, see lots of movies, and travel. She enjoys her work very much, and considers it a great blessing to have the opportunity to do something she loves that is creative, satisfying, and makes her kids think she's cool.  She has also had great fun in her involvement with HI-Gateway Council the last two years, and looks forward to all the terrific events planned for 2005!

HI-Gateway Council Staff

Mark T. Cockson, Executive Director Mark has a background in teaching, social work and administration in the not-for-profit world. Mark has a love for travel and nature that he expresses through gardening and photography.