Phil then welcomed everyone to the Mercedes Benz Training Center and thanking Mercedes Benz for allowing WSATI to use its facility for our meeting. 

Phil asked 2003 Southern Chapter President Dave Randolph to come forward.  Dave, who has recovered from his near-death experience, and was unavailable to attend the January meeting, was presented with his thank you plaque for being the 2003 Chapter President.

Phil then introduced the 2004 WSATI Southern Chapter Officers who were present: 

Pat Sheets, Sergeant-At-Arms, Vanguard Car Rental (Retired)
Steve Torres, Secretary, DMV Canoga Park
Phil Macklin, President, AllState Insurance

Phil advised the members that Treasurer Bud Hood was writing a search warrant and could not be at the meeting.  Phil also said that Vice President Frank Graber was away on vacation.  Phil said that Sergeant-At-Arms Pat Sheets and 2000 Past President Gary Labb were doing the treasurer duties in Bud's absence.

Phil then had the members in attendance do self introductions.  There were numerous Southern Chapter Past Presidents in attendance: Joan Pitts (1987), Skip Davidson (1991), Ted Saraf (1992), Marianne Finney (1993), Dave Dempsey (1998), Gary Labb (2000), Bill Lovold (2001), and Dave Randolph (2003).

Phil spoke briefly about the untimely death of Carol VanNatter, and then spoke about how WSATI Southern Chapter was planning an award in her honor.

Phil opened the floor for a quick discussion of cases, problems, things of interest to the members present.

Phil then introduced the guest speaker, Pat Wills, Long Beach Fire Department Arson Unit Captain.  Pat spoke about vehicle fires with an emphasis on fraud.  Following his presentation, he was presented with a thank you gift.

Due to some questions that came up earlier when Phil opened the floor, Wayne Hays, Mercedes Benz Training and Education Team Leader was asked if he could speak on several subjects involving vehicle security.  His impromptu lecture was both enlightening and well received by the members.

Phil announced that a Santa Maria Barbecue style luncheon was ready and invited those attending to go outside to the barbecue area.  The Santa Maria Barbecue & Grill catered the lunch.  Barbecued tri-tip, chicken, baked beans, garlic bread, two salads and dessert were on the menu.  If you went away hungry it's your own fault!  Hopefully we will have them back again at a future meeting.  They can be located in Chino Hills.  Call them at 909 933-1822 or via the internet at http://www.santamariagrill.com. 

Following lunch, Phil asked for any nominations for the Bent Screwdriver Award.   Ted Saraf of LoJack nominated the CHP Southern Division Investigative Services Unit and stepped to the podium to explain why.  The members in attendance believed that Ted's nomination had merit and was quickly approved.  Gabe Marquez, a member of the CHP Southern ISU who was in attendance, came up to the podium to humbly accept the award on behalf of his fellow ISU investigators.

Phil then announced that WSATI wanted to give a special recognition award to a WSATI member who recently retired from their job.  Phil then asked Diana Rummel to come up to the podium.  Diana recently retired from being the Executive Director of the Construction Industry's Crime Prevention Program of Southern California after 19 years of assisting law enforcement.  

The raffle was then held. 

Among the many contributors of gifts (LoJack a constant), Marianne Finney provided new gifts from her new company, The Old Julian Avocado Company.

The meeting was adjourned.