Candidate Bio Sheet 2024 OAEA Elections-Read and click on link at bottom of page to vote.
The OAEA By-Laws, Article XII (Elections), Section V provides that: “In the event that there is only one nominee for any office, a ballot vote by OAEA members is not required and the office(s) may instead be filled by a majority vote of the voting members of the Board of Directors who are not currently nominees for that office.”
This election cycle, only 1 nominee for President and 1 nominee for Vice President were received. Therefore, the Board of Directors, by majority vote during the week of 19-23 February 2024, voted for: President Nominee Wayne White, and Vice President Nominee Dr. Dewey Painter.
Accordingly, with this ballot, the OAEA membership will only be voting for two nominees from the 3 candidates for the OAEA Board of Directors. The official 2024 Election results for all offices will be reported after the election of the Directors is completed. Installation of the new officers will be part of the OAEA 2024 reunion business agenda.
President (1 candidate):
Wayne White – OAEA member since 2017. Marine Corps veteran, winter-over manager Amundson-Scott South Pole Station 2017, 2019 and 2020. Member of Explorers Club of New York City and Adventurers Club of Los Angeles. “My platform is simple: #1 To honor and promote the great legacy of Antarctica’s incredible early exploration history, that being conducted by Amundson, Scott, Shackleton and others. #2 To honor and promote the valiant…personnel who built the USAP. #3 To promote our Association and keep it viable and vibrant.”
Vice President (1 candidate):
Dr. Dewey Painter Ed.D, Ph.D. FMC, Ph.D. RE, Ph.D.MS, CEd.D – OAEA member since 2014. Retired U.S. Navy, winter-over Supply Officer McMurdo 1972-73. Lt.Col Chaplain USAF Auxiliary; Founder and Executive Director South East American Indian Council; current Chancellor Taongi National University, Liberia; President of International Education Professional Accreditation Association. Member of numerous other boards and associations; served on Board of Directors for 14 community-based non-profit organizations. Planner and organizer for the 2020 Jacksonville, FL OAEA reunion (which was necessarily cancelled due to COVID).
Director (Board of Directors, 3 candidates, 2 open positions)
Names are on ballot in alphabetic order
- Robert Buettner (Incumbent member of the OAEA Board of Directors) – OAEA member since 2002. Retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer, member of NSFA Summer Support DF’1977-1982 (Communications/Electronics Div) and DF’1986-1990 (3M Coordinator, Command Safety Chief, and Command Training Officer). “I have a keen interest in both the OAEA and the Operation Deep Freeze and have kept up on what is going on with Operation Deep Freeze.”
- Dr. Stephen Cofer-Shabica, Ph.D. Oceanography-Oregon State University – OAEA member since 2005. USARP/Station Science Leader Palmer Station ‘69-71; Antarctic feature ‘Shabica Glacier’ in Palmer Land (1974). President of non-profit Wild Cumberland (www.wildcumberland.org).
- Phillip Zegarelli – Operation Deep Freeze ‘71 and ‘72 staff under RADMs Welch and McCuddin. Junior officer in Operations reporting to Captains Swinburne and Navarette working with CDR Kelsey Goodman. Served as Flag Lieutenant to two flag officers. “Antarctic service redirected my life’s work and future studies.”