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Palo Alto, CA |
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Contact: Bill Downey - (650) 424-1371
THE PALO ALTO CONCOURS d'ELEGANCEMOURNS THE PASSING OF JIM STEINER |
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| Everyone associated with the Palo Alto Concours was saddened by the loss of one of our event's most capable and loyal supporters. For 16 years Jim Steiner worked tirelessly to keep the Concours on a successful course and on sound financial footing. During portions of that period, he served as the Concours Executive Director, its Business Manager and President of its parent Lions Club. In 1999 he organized the entire advertising and public relations program for that year's event. As a result, he was chosen as that year's recipient of the Craig P. Calkins Memorial Award in recognition of his significant contributions to the Concours' growth. |  |
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Jim was an unlikely Executive Director when he was elected to that position in 1993. Not only did he lack "car guy" credentials (he owned a 67 Plymouth), but he was also a self-described "carmudgeon", more suited to the financial than the frivolous side of the venture. He certainly didnšt have any background related to organizing one of the better car events on the West Coast, but he possessed organizational, management and persuasive skills that were put to the test early and often. "Jim kept us focused on the bottom line," says Executive Director, Hal Schuette. "Lions Club funding and donations to our charities took top priority. Whenever costs threatened to get out of line, Jimšs steady hand would rein us in. But always in a quiet, gentlemanly fashion." Skills in "crisis management" were called upon early for Jim. In 1994, the Concours date was changed from June to May, so he had to work around a conflict with World Cup Soccer. In 1995, he had to orchestrate changing the concours venue to other available athletic field at Stanford. But in 1996, fortune took a turn for the better. Lamborghini was chosen as the featured automobile and real "car guys" started to get more involved. A renewed spirit was injected into the concours, and the result propelled us and Jim on a successful trajectory. Jim and his wife Nina lived together in Los Altos Hills, raised three children and became proud and attentive grandparents. Jim's community interests included serving as Chair of the Los Altos Hills Finance Committee for a number of years and serving as Finance Elder and treasurer of the Union Presbyterian Church in Los Altos. Jim's unwavering dedication to the Concours and to the Lions Club was exemplary, and since his example has set a new standard for integrity and competence for those who follow, we can count on many more years of success for our event. Meanwhile, wešll all miss him greatly. | |
© 2010 by the Palo Alto Lions Charities, Inc., all rights reserved. |
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