2025 Board of Directors Candidates

Glenn Brown
Secretary
The Right Men’s Club

The term of one of our Directors, Randy Cash, will expire in December. Randy has provided amazing support and service as a Director of our club for many years, and we express our heartfelt appreciation to him for all he has done. Randy is also very active with the VFW in the state of Florida, and will soon become the State Commander. We wish Randy continued success in all he does.

In order to fill this vacancy, all Regular Members in good standing (dues are paid) will have an opportunity to vote for a new Director to serve a three-year term. Three well qualified candidates, Gene Barrett, Rob Paul and Ed Thompson, have expressed interest in joining the board, and their names will appear on a ballot to be voted on at our December 6 breakfast meeting. Prior to voting, each candidate will have an opportunity to say a few words. The candidate receiving the most votes will be elected to serve a three-year term.

In recent weeks another of our Directors, Barry Denton, has indicated that due to his business obligations he needs to step down from the Board. We also thank Barry for his dedicated service to our club, and wish him every success. Our Club Bylaws authorize the Board of Directors to appoint a member to complete the remaining term of a Director vacancy, and our Board has decided that it will appoint the candidate who receives the second-highest number of votes at our December Meeting to complete the one-year remaining on Barry’s term.

See Candidate Bio’s Below:

Gene Barrett

Gene Barrett

1650 Crayton Road Naples FL 34102
(610) 750-1934
Born: Stillwater, OK
Grew-up/High School: Sacramento, CA; then Ada, OK; then Fairfax County, VA – Lake Braddock high school
Undergraduate University of Virginia – BS Commerce
Campaign Work Fundraising for CCREC
Charity Board member and president, Aston Middletown Little League (Philadelphia suburbs)
Professional Executive management with IBM 1999 – 2023

Statement from Gene Barrett

I am a lifelong Republican. My father campaigned for Barry Goldwater and, like him, I continue to be a limited-government conservative.

My political approach is to practice sustained outreach to people of all perspectives, to try to win them over to an America-First, limited-government viewpoint. I have participated in the RMCCC’s Membership Committee over the past year and have worked to consolidate and clean up the membership list, while also working to convert it into a modern customer relationship management (CRM) system.

Separately, I became a committeeman for the CCREC in March, and organized and emceed the CCREC’s Lincoln-Reagan dinner, its largest annual fundraiser, netting $175,000. I also organized and ran the 2nd Annual Oakes Farms Classic golf fundraiser in June, which netted $45,000. I am currently serving as the CCREC’s events director, and as the GOTV leader for Collier County District 4.

Robert Paul

Robert Paul

9310 Marino Circle, Unit 303, Naples 34114

410-409-8000

Born: Boston Mass

Grew-up/High School Sharon High School

Undergraduate: Bryant College

Campaign Work: Tim Guerrette

Other: Big Brothers Big Sisters board member, Various Veteran Charities

Professional: President of Swagworld & SwagUSA

Statement from Robert Paul

I’m a business leader and entrepreneur with 35 years of B-to-B sales experience and my #1 goal is to improve clients’ return on investment through delivering quality products and transparent communications. I’ve built two office supply companies from the ground up, and am known for my organizational abilities and management skills. Taking a consultative approach, I provide clients with solutions that speak to their specific issues and goals. I have a reputation for being straightforward and solving potential issues before they become your issues. We enjoy partnering with non profits to help support their missions.

SO WHY SWAGWORLD?
With so many companies offering promotional products, it’s hard to know who to trust. Will they get your logo, right? Deliver on time for that important event? Is the price, right? Will you get the personal attention you need? So why should you trust SwagWorld? Our #1 priority is to make you and your organization shine and we’ve got the people to back it up. Finding the perfect product to represent your brand is our expertise, from unique corporate gifts to inexpensive giveaways, we’ve got what you’re looking for, including many brands you won’t find anywhere else.

SwagWorld’s success is based on the success of our clients and why we offer personal face-to-face and virtual service. By eliminating the automated operator and confusing online product searches, your company can trust SwagWorld to provide the highest quality of service in the market.

Ed Thompson

Ed Thompson

Contact Information:

September 10, 2024

Ed Thompson

3129 Andorra Court, Naples FL 34109

Phone: 646-388-1771

Email: EdThompson@AynRand.bz

Background:

Born: Brunswick, ME August 22, 1949

Grew up/High School: Cold Spring, NY, Evander Childs High School, Bronx NY

Education:

Autodidact

Republican Party Association and Activities:

Life-long Republican. Unofficial campaign work for CCPS school board 2022 and 2024.

Other:

Charities: The Ayn Rand Institute (ARI)

Causes: 1) Education reform—see below. 2) Longstanding activist for Social Security reform (privatizing). Worked on privatizing Social Security in the 90s and 00s with Cato, Heritage, et al. Currently have a call in to Senator Scott and others—the trifecta presents an opportunity for progress.

I am extremely interested in solving the nation’s dismal education system. I see America in a downward spiral, intellectually, morally and politically. If we fix the educational system, we ultimately fix all areas of concern—it all begins in kindergarten, so to speak.

I am so dedicated to this that I have put my money where my mouth is. In 2021 I founded the Conceptual Education Fellowship at ARI. My initial fellow in doing brilliantly. This year I founded the Conceptual Education Program, expanding on the fellowship.

Furthermore, I am well acquainted with all five CCPS board members at a personal level. I am also personally acquainted with Superintendent Dr. Leslie Ricciardelli and major staff individuals. I have met with the CFO numerous times with a view to my learning the budget intimately; I have submitted a proposal to cut ~$15.5M.

Of note, more in keeping with my quest to reform the educational process, I initiated a program with the Chief Academic Officer called “Refocusing: Introspectively-Guided Volitional Attention to Key Concepts.” The first session was held on September 16, in which participants learned how their students can go deeper in their thinking by focusing more specifically on introspectively identified key concepts. The purpose of education is to teach the child how to think.

Professional:

I am the founder and CEO of the Forox Corporation, Stamford CT, manufacturer of ~$50,000 photographic equipment of my own design—35mm cameras for the audio-visual trade. I managed all aspects of the business including international sales, manufacturing, personnel, etc. Alas, the advent of digital and video ended the era of film photography and I sold the business.

As an entrepreneur, one almost of necessity gets involved in real estate. I owned the manufacturing facility I designed and built as well as a number of residential units and other properties, so I became a property manager and landlord. I have since sold all real estate holdings. I am presently self-employed as an investor for my personal accounts and a trust fund.

I am a former chairman of the American Institute for Economic Research (AIER). I am a member of the prestigious Mont Pelerin Society. Sailor, private pilot.