The wonderful people without whose help there would be no Concours.
Our People
The wonderful people who organize and run the Concours.
Steve Pedone
At the age of 13 years my passion for cars began. I was detailing one car a day for my father to sell and being paid $50.00 for each car. During the same period of time, my father’s uncle, who owned a wrecking yard, starting me in the art of rebuilding starters, generators and distributors and re-grooving tires (those of you old enough will know what that is). At the ripe old age of 15 I was recruited to campaign a 1964 Chrysler Melrose Missile at local and national drag strips. The car won many NHRA championships. From 1969 thru the late 70’s I was racing motorcycles for World Honda at Laguna Seca, Indianapolis, Lime Rock and many other tracks.
In more current times, I have been involved in procuring automobiles for major motion pictures, 2010 Giants Victory Parade in San Francisco, Veterans Day and Christmas Parades. I am the Logistics Coordinator for the Spirit of ’45, an organization that benefits WWII Veterans. My role there is to source out vintage cars for their parades and events. I provided cars for countless numbers of High School Homecoming Parades and many local car shows. Most recently worked with the City of Menlo Park to bring Classic Cars to their ongoing Block Party. The addition of the Classic Cars brought attendance from 2,000 to 7,000.
My experience working on Concours level events includes seven years working on the Palo Alto Concours with two years as Associate Executive Director, under the leadership of Hal Schuette, Executive Director. I Developed and produced a first class automobile show at the Dolce Hayes Mansion. I was on the Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance committee as Field Logistics Director
Dave Buchanan
Dave Buchanan, Alameda Concours founding member and executive consultant, is a retired business CEO who enjoys collecting and restoring vintage cars. His passion is racing his vintage 1956 Alfa Romeo Spider.
Dave’s collectible cars have appeared at Pebble Beach, Italy’s Villa D’Este Concorso, Alameda, Hillsborough. His 1928 LaSalle won Best in Show at the 2003 Palo Alto Concours. His Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Cabriolet completed a 4 ½ year renovation in 2017, then went on to win many awards including Best of Show.
Myles Kitchen
Myles H. Kitchen is a car guy whose interest in cars began as a child building model cars, and is still going strong. During his career as an engineer and entrepreneur, Myles focused on electronics and technology for the auto industry, spending time at Motorola, National Semiconductor, Intel, and several other recognized technology firms. Today, Mr. Kitchen owns a specialized consultancy assisting start-ups to Fortune 100 firms alike on all aspects of Automotive Electronic technology, including serving as a forensic expert in Automotive Electronics.
And, his car interest extends to his hobbies. Interesting cars he has owned or restored include vintage Mustangs, Shelbys, Lotuses, Jaguars, Ferraris, Audi Quattro, and Austin Mini Countryman Estate woodies.
He is an accomplished vintage racing driver and instructor, and a three-time champion of the United State Road Racing Championship (USRRC) Seniors Tour, Under 2.0 liter GT class in 94, ’95, & ’96 in his 1965 Lotus Cortina Mk1. He’s believed to be the only person known to have campaigned a Lamborghini Countach in a sanctioned race in North America (1997 Palm Springs Vintage Grand Prix in the Al Burtoni land speed record holder). He was fortunate to be asked to pilot the Lemans winning Ferrari 275GTB/4 Speciale of the late Preston Henn around Laguna Seca at speed. And, he’s been guilty of co-piloting a 1964 Falcon in the 24 Hours of Lemons series. He’s raced at tracks that include Weather Tech (Laguna Seca) Raceway, Sonoma Raceway (formerly Sears Point), Thunderhill, Willow Springs, Seattle Intl. Raceway, Portland Intl. Raceway, Buttonwillow Raceway, Pomona Raceway, and the Bonneville Salt Flats.
He’s also raced on street course races in Palm Springs, Steamboat Springs, Los Angeles (Rt. 66), Reno Hilton GP, Concord Airport GP, and the Virginia City Hillclimb.
He’s a past President & Director of the Ferrari Club of America, Pacific Region, and can be seen at many West Coast car events. He’s a lifetime member of the Society of Automotive Engineers, and member of the Intl. Association of Electrical & Electronic Engineers.
He’s a former member of the Motor Press Guild, and has been active in numerous marquee car clubs and organizations including the Ferrari Owner’s Club, Shelby American Automobile Club, Golden Gate Lotus Club, Classic Sports Racing Group, Vintage Auto Racing Association, Society of Vintage Motor Racing, Rocky Mountain Vintage Racing, and Sports Car Club of America.
In 2004, Myles organized spelling out “Ferrari” using 52 red Ferraris with the help of Ferrari owners at Concorso Italiano as tribute to their International Meet. His car was the dot on the “I”.
His voice has been heard as commentator at Concorso Italiano, the Palo Alto Concours d’Elegance, the Marin-Sonoma Concours d’Elegance, the Chateau Julien Ferrari Concours, the Avila Beach Concours d’Elegance, the San Luis Obispo Concours d’Elegance, the Danville d’Elegance, the Point Alameda Concours, and Coyote Creek Concours (Silicon Valley).
Myles is also an amateur musician (guitarist) and has often been asked to curate specialty recorded playlists as background for various car events and concours.
Myles & his wife Donna, reside in Aptos, CA.
Ron Kimball
In his 30-plus year career, Ron Kimball has been recognized as one of the world’s premiere automotive photographers. He has succeeded in capturing strikingly detailed images of vehicles dating back to 1897 and has one of the most comprehensive image collections in the industry. He has accomplished great feats in photography including running Ron Kimball Studios, a highly successful photography studio, and opening a stock photography agency, Kimball Stock. Both of which service the print and digital needs of ad agencies and publishers around the world. The company’s million-strong image collection includes all of Ron Kimball’s automotive photography as well as animal photography from other high-profile wildlife and domestic animal photographers.
Headquartered in Mountain View, CA, Ron Kimball Studios and Kimball Stock continue to photograph vehicles for and license to top clientele around the world, including advertising agencies, book publishers, greeting card companies, calendar companies, and many more.
Ryan DeRespini
My name is Ryan DeRespini and I am in charge of Field Security and day of Registration. I have been a member of the Alameda Point Concours d’Elegance since it was “just an idea” in the Alameda Police Chief’s Office. I have been with the Alameda Police Department since 2004 and am currently assigned as the Traffic Unit Sergeant. I was in the permit and planning stages of this event from the second Steve and Kathy Pedone started bragging about its potential.
I have been a gear head since I was three and sat in my grandpa’s 1927 T Bucket. I have a 1969 Chevrolet C/10 pickup I proudly display at the event and hope I can inspire my 4 year-old son to be just as crazy about automobiles as me some day.
Kim DeRespini
My name is Kim DeRespini and I am the Volunteer Coordinator. I got involved with this event in 2017 after my son, Ryan, told me what a great Concours this was. Like Ryan, I grew up around cars with my dad and have been to more car events than I can remember. My first car was a 1968 Pontiac Firebird and I currently drive a 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer Super Sport. While likely not a Concours trophy contender, I’m proud to be a mother of three, grandma of five, and still have a 400 horsepower daily driver!
If you see me on the field, we can always use more volunteers! Please come say hello!
Gil Gilfix
Gil has been involved in the Concours community for many years. He was the Executive Director of the very successful Palo Alto Concours for ten years, chaired the Media Volunteer Group at the Pebble Beach Concours for a number of years, and was a member of the Board of Directors for the Marin/Sonoma Concours. He is presently an advisor/consultant at the Alameda Point Concours.
He has shown his cars at every level of competition, including a class win at the Pebble Beach Concours. He is an accredited SCCA judge for the Italian Sports and Racing class, a Ferrari judge (308/328 class) and an Honorary Judge at numerous events. He has owned Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Alfa Romeos, Mercedes Benz and even American Classics. He and Vicki now live in Santa Clara, CA
Susan Rabin
Susan Rabin, who sings the National Anthem for the Alameda Concours, is a singer, playwright, actress, as well as a practicing attorney. She earned B.S. and M.A. degrees from Northwestern University. Susan portrayed Mama Rose in the Alameda Civic Light Opera production of GYPSY, and has recorded and toured internationally with “Dan Hicks and The Hot Licks.”
Her plays, Aunt Lakie’s Not Coming to Dinner and NOSEJOB performed in San Francisco. Susan’s musical play, RAINBOW, was produced by the Mill Valley Center for the Performing Arts. Her new comedy JIVE will premiere this coming July 7 – 14 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts.
Susan is married to vintage racecar driver, car collector, and board member of the Alameda Concours, Dave Buchanan.
Roy Riccetti
Born in San Francisco and raised in San Bruno, Roy Riccetti is a native Californian who grew up as part of the West Coast hot rod scene. Much more comfortable building and working on mechanical things than driving, he started out by purchasing a boat and outboard motor that needed work when he was 12. From there he progressed to building or helping to build and drive street rods, destruction derby cars, drag race cars, go karts, stock cars, race cars, autocross cars and many Corvettes.
After spending time in college, Roy joined the Coast Guard, working on small boats, before settling in San Mateo and marrying the love of his life, Barbara. To support his “auto addiction”, Roy worked as a construction engineering project manager and Manager of Corporate Real Estate, 40 years of which was with the Facilities Division of Varian Associates, Inc., in Palo Alto. As a second job, he and Barbara rebuilt, rallied and autocrossed various sports cars including Austin Healeys, Mustangs and Corvettes.
Fulfilling a lifelong dream, Roy finally purchased a 308 Ferrari a couple of years ago, which is now being successfully shown at Concours events around the area. Roy belongs to the Ferrari Club of America and the Gilroy Elks.
Roy’s experience working on Concours level shows includes time with the Palo Alto Concours, working the Media Tent with the Pebble Beach Concours and working Registration and field layout for the Marin Concours and the Alameda Point Concours
Matthew Aebersold
Matthew Aebersold is a developer living in Gig Harbor, WA. He builds, designs, and customized themes for Shopify, as well as all other front-end web development tasks. In addition, he's writing a MERN-stack app which will be a tool
to help car enthusiasts buy and sell cars and parts. In his limited spare time he's re-building a Porsche 924 Turbo, playing games, and trying to find and build the perfect mechanical keyboard.
I have volunteered with different non-profit museums and history groups for the past 20+ years. I have filled many roles as a volunteer - docent, committee member and chair, volunteer coordinator, board member.
I am an introverted person who likes to help an organization from behind the scenes. I am a planner and highly organized (it’s totally okay to tease me about my lists). I have a highly-developed political antenna. I am great at trouble-shooting with a knack of identifying potential liabilities and addressing them before they are problems.
On event days I shine! I love to think on my feet and solve problems. From greeting VIPs to making sure that the garbage is dealt with, I ensure that guests have a good time at the event. I make the rounds of the event site many times (almost hourly) during the event day – checking in on volunteers and participants, trying to get-ahead of any problems, taking suggestions for next year, etc.
I am always willing to hear new ideas or to take the name and information of a new volunteer. Please feel free to shoot me an email or text.
Dave Dell'Aquila
Dave Dell'Aquila, born in Japan and raised in Silicon Valley, has a passion for cars that started at age 10 when he was fortunate enough to get a personal tour of the Maserati factory by then Chief Engineer Giulio Alfieri. In high school, his parents purchased a 1968 MGB-GT which was handed down to Dave while he was in college.
Dave attended UC Davis to study Computer Science at the beginning of the personal computer revolution, and was quickly drawn into the rapidly evolving world of user experience design. Dave’s interest in cars and photography was further inspired by his two older brothers who managed to turn their hobbies into their professions. Dave spent the next several decades working in the software industry, and after getting married and raising two boys, the little MGB-GT started to suffer from neglect. As his boys grew up, they too developed an early fascination with cars, and when they were old enough, they both learned how to drive and work on cars using the MGB-GT as their classroom.
It didn’t take long for Dave to discover the community of other like-minded vintage sports car enthusiasts who love the unique experience that can only be delivered from an all-analog sports car from the golden era of sports cars. Dave his family have become regular participants in the annual two day rallies around Northern California using that same little MGB-GT that’s been in his family since high school.
Dave and his family love driving great roads, and have amassed a collection of great driving machines with a rich racing history, including an MGA Twin Cam, Triumph GT6+, several MGB roadsters, BMW E36 M3, E39 M5, and a 2.5L Mazda MX-5. Family road trips have ventured to Europe where they’ve re-traced the route of the Mille Miglia, spent days exploring the Italian and Austrian Alps, and driven hot-laps at the Nurburgring.
Wanting to share this experience with others who may not have the resources to own a classic car, Dave started Sports Car Adventures with the intention of sharing the unique driving experience with those who might not otherwise be able to feel what it's like to drive a classic sports car on California’s best backroads.
Steve Pedone
Chairman
Dave Buchanan
Concours Advisor
Myles Kitchen
Master of Ceremonies
Ron Kimball
Event Photographer
Ryan DeRespini
Day of Registration & Head of Security
Susan Rabin
National Anthem
Roy Riccetti
Concours Advisor
John Ficarra
Concours Development Director
Patrick Hoskins
Field Operations Manager
Ray Muscat
Show Car Placement Director - Field Design
Leann Griffin
Volunteer Coordinator
Dave Dell'Aquila
The Drive Chairman
Kathy Pedone
Registration and Co-Chair
Matt Aebersold
Website and Brand Design
Dusty Perryman
Ticket Booth Manager
Dusty Perryman
Ticket Booth Manager
Bio Coming Soon
Brian Bliven
The Drive Co-Chair
Brian Bliven
The Drive Co-Chair
Bio Coming Soon
Kate Pedone
Guest and Concours Relations
Kate Pedone
Guest and Concours Relations
Bio Coming Soon
Lesleigh Schmidt
Patron’s Pavilion and Vendor Tent Manager
Lesleigh Schmidt
Patron’s Pavilion and Vendor Tent Manager
Bio Coming Soon
Veronica Costa
Merchandise Manager
Veronica Costa
Merchandise Manager
Bio Coming Soon
Kim DeRespini
Volunteer Coordinator
Gil Gilfix
Concours Advisor
Hal Schuette
Executive Director
Ed Therrien
Concours Founding Associate
Rick Gilfix
Trophy & Stage Manager
Best in Show
1965 Pontiac Catalina 2+2
Owner: Ron Berglund
Ferrari
Class F1: Ferrari 12 Cylinder to 2007
First Place
2001 Ferrari 550 Maranello Owner: Kenneth Woolcott
Second Place
2000 Ferrari 550 Maranello Owner: Tony & Pat Theophilos
Third Place
1999 Ferrari 550 Maranello Owner: Payton Dobbs
Class F2: Ferrari 8 Cylinder 1994 to 2007
First Place
2006 Ferrari F430 Spyder Owner: Denise & Benjamin Gage