UCT North America Leadership

Brian Ward of La Grange, Kentucky, is a member of Gem City Council 3, Dayton, Ohio. He is a past local and regional president recieving his Past Regional President honors in 2019. He served on the UCT International Examining Finance Committee for 3 years. Brian has been involved with UCT since he was a child attending UCT events with his parents. He joined UCT at the age of 19 after attending Navy basic training and college.

Brian graduated from Western Kentucky University in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree. Brian served in the United States Navy as a SEABEE for 22 years with two deployments to Iraq, one in 2005 and again in 2009 and retired from the Navy in 2011. He worked for the Kentucky Department of Corrections for 20 years, retiring in 2022.

Brian is enjoying his retirement now by working as a substitute teacher.

Email: bward@uctna.org

Robert (Bob) Foster of Bentonville, Arkansas joined UCT as an independent insurance agent July of 2019 and is a member of Empower Council 2008, Fort Worth, Texas. He concentrated on the sale of UCT's insurance products with his clients. Bob was elected to the UCTNA Board of Directors in July of 2024.

Bob graduated from Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University) in Springfield Missouri. He obtained a MBA from Webster University of St. Louis, Missouri in 2004 and achieved his Ph.D. from Capella University of Minneapolis, Minnesota in August of 2016. Through the years from growing up and operating a dairy farm outside of Jasper, Missouri, he transitioned to manufacturing, warehousing and retailing. Bob moved from Jasper, Missouri to Bentonville in October of 1994 to work for Tyson Foods and then joined Walmart in 1999. He left in 2017 and became an independent insurance agent. Bob currently splits his time between insurance and being a college professor and mentor at the University of Arkansas.

Bob is an active member in his church, First Baptist Bentonville, serving as a deacon and is part of the team tasked with leading the 1st through 5th grade students through their small group and worship time. He also is part of the organizational change team at his church searching for ways to connect with the ever-changing community of northwest Arkansas.

Bob is a member of the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite and Abou Ben Adhem Shrine and has participated in various fundraising and other charity events over the years since 1980.

Email: rfoster@uctna.org

Doug has been a member of Sudbury, Ontario Council 1051 for 20 years, and he is a past local president and a past regional president of the ACT-UCT Dominion region. On the international level, he has served on several committees over the years. He was chairman of the State of the Order committee, and he currently serves as president of the Canadian Delegation.

Doug started in the insurance business as an agent for Prudential of America in 1969, rising through the ranks to associate vice president of regional marketing. He and his team developed programs, which helped launch Prudential into the mutual fund business, and at a later date, a program for the property and casualty business in Canada. He also served on the agent advisory council of Liberty Mutual Insurance.

Completing his chartered life underwriter designation through the University of Toronto in 1974, Doug is a 48-year member of the CLU Institute and a 52-year member of Advocis, the financial advisor’s association of Canada. He and his son Kevin and daughter Rhonda operated a multiline insurance agency in Sudbury until its sale in 2021. While Kevin and Rhonda continue to work for the new company, Doug retired in 2022.

Doug has been recognized for his involvement in the Heart and Stroke Fund, the Sudbury Astronomy Club, and the Sudbury Ornithology Club as well as his dedication to the Anglican Church of Canada. He is also a supporter of local theater and cultural events.

Email: dhoneyford@uctna.org

Stanna Funk, of Gering, Nebraska, joined UCT in 2003 as a member of Frontier Council 727 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where she served through the line of offices, earning her past local president honors, and was honored as the council’s volunteer of the year for 2006-2007. She transferred to Mile High Council 15, Denver, Colorado, in 2013 and took on the challenge of revitalizing the council, which is now active again. She currently serves as the council’s secretary-treasurer.

She has served through the ColoradoWyoming Regional Council line of offices and earned her past regional president honors and was the region’s 2006-2007 volunteer of the year. She has served on numerous committees on the international level and was on UCT’s Multigenerational Advisory Board.

Stanna holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska, a master’s degree in curriculum & instruction from Concordia University in Irvine, California, and a master’s degree in administration from Concordia University in Seward. She has been teaching for 22 years, the past 14 years at Gering Public Schools where she is also a member of the crisis team. She is also the current vice president of the Gering Education Association. She is vice president of the Gospel Outreach for the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and sits on Faith Lutheran Church’s Board of Evangelism. She also volunteers for the church’s children’s Christmas program and vacation Bible school. She is a Special Olympics Unified Bowling partner.

Email: sfunk@uctna.org

Rick Redman of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has been a member of Baton Rouge Council 499 since 2007. He is currently the council’s secretary-treasurer. He is both a past local president and a past regional president of the Mississippi-Louisiana region. He was honored with the Voris King Award (Fraternalist of the Year) by the Mississippi-Louisiana Regional Council in 2016. On the international level he has served on the examining finance committee for five years, four of those years as chairperson.

Rick graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting. He spent 15 years in Dallas Texas working in corporate accountancy for Southwestern Contracting, Triangle Pacific Corporation, Lennox Industries, and the BritWill Company while earning his CPA certification. He retired from accounting to open a Minuteman Press printing business. After three years of managing and marketing the business, he sold it to go into sales full-time for Sears Roebuck and Honda, Nissan, and Ford dealerships. He relocated to Baton Rouge in 1998, where he rejoined Sears in appliance sales and retired in 2017.

An active member of his community, Rick has served as an usher at Healing Place Church and Purpose Church. He gives his time to such causes as Special Olympics, Louisiana Public Broadcasting, Braveheart Children in Need and Cheering for Chico. He also supports Pinbusters, Capital City Rollers, and Special Friends, which help individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Email: rredman@uctna.org

Scott Newcombe of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, has been a member of Tri-City Council 823 in Fitchburg since 1988. He is a past local president and a past regional president, and he currently serves as secretary-treasurer of Council 823. He has held multiple committee appointments over the years and served as Regional Convention Coordinator for many years. He was facilitator of the regional convention held virtually in 2020 and 2021. On the international level, he has attended three UCT conventions, served on multiple committees, and functioned as Zoom facilitator for the 2021 virtual convention.

Scott has worked as a Project and Program Manager for over 25 years. He is currently Manager of IT Governance at Foundation Medicine where he is responsible for implementing key governance policies and processes and leads the FMI Enterprise Tools Governance Team.

Scott is active within his community. He has been Twin City Youth Hockey President for five years, spent 15 years as Twin City Youth Hockey/Massachusetts Hockey Tournament Director, and served in scouting as both a Cubmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster. He has been a board member of the Fitchburg High Alumni Association for over 20 years, and he served as Lay Leader of Leominster United Methodist Church for more than 10 years. He is currently Chairperson of Trustees and Media Coordinator.

Email: snewcombe@uctna.org

David (Dave) Van Order of Columbus, Ohio, is a member and past local president of UCT’s M.J. Terapak Council 144. He is also past regional president of the Ohio Regional Council. He has served on a number of committees at the local, regional and international levels.

Dave is quite active in his community. He is a founding member of Columbus’ United Westside Coalition, which helps citizens make their needs known to the Columbus City Council, and he is serving a 4th term on the Westland Area Commission. He raises money for and supports organizations like Flying Horse Farms, Hearts of Unlimited Boundaries, St. Stephen’s Community Center, Holy Family Soup Kitchen, Special Olympics and Charity Newsies.

A graduate of The Ohio State University with a degree in organizational communication, he is the purchasing manager at Capital Lighting.

Email: dvanorder@uctna.org

Kathleen (Kathy) Masse of Manchester, New Hampshire, joined UCT in 2010 following the death of her father, Past Regional President Francis Walsh. She is a member of Manchester Council 195 and has served in many capacities in that council. She is a past regional president and past regional chaplain of the New England Regional Council, having served for many years on the executive committee, and is currently the chair of that committee.

Kathy was born and raised in Manchester. She graduated from Hesser College and was employed for more than 40 years as a legal secretary. She retired in 2013 and has found other ways to fill her time. She is a regular volunteer at the Elliot Hospital and is very active in her parish church community, St. Pius X Parish in Manchester, serving as a Eucharistic Minister and as secretary-treasurer of the Social Committee. She also taught religious education for more than 30 thirty years. 

Kathy is married to Jeff Masse and together they have four children and seven grandchildren, who all keep her busy in her “spare” time.

kmasse@uctna.org

Glen Riensche is President of Advanced Insurance Services, Inc. He graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in Chemistry, Math, and Physics. He entered the insurance business in 1978 and remains active in individual and group health. 

Glen spent his early years in the life insurance business, recruiting and hiring agents. In 2005, he started a successful financial planning company, which he handed off to his two junior partners in 2020. He continues working to help people learn how to access affordable healthcare and live healthy lives.

Glen has served as local and regional president and has been a member for over 25 years. Glen is committed to strengthening the organization through innovation, the use of technology, and membership growth. In 2025, he helped start Council 463 in Chandler, Arizona, under the Business Builder Hub model. This part of UCTNA focuses on helping young people build their businesses so they can be more active in the fraternal activities that UCT fostered for generations.  

griensche@uctna.org

Dana Wright of Lynchburg, Virginia, has been a dedicated member of United Commercial Travelers (UCT) since 1991 through Roanoke Council 174. A respected leader within the organization, Dana has served as Past Regional President of the Kentucky–Virginia–West Virginia–Maryland–Washington, D.C. Region and has held numerous local and regional leadership positions, including serving twice as Regional Grand Counselor.

Professionally, Dana has devoted more than two decades to serving the City of Lynchburg, advancing into management within the Department of Human Services. Throughout a distinguished career, Dana has held positions including Children's Services Act Coordinator, Utilization Management Specialist, Family Advocate for Central Virginia Community Services, and Youth Planner.

Dana attended Pfeiffer University and earned a master's degree in Counseling from Liberty University. A trained facilitator through organizations including the American Lung Association, Dana has led workshops and presentations on race and racism, poverty, personality types, stress management, and time management for city departments, community organizations, youth groups, and civic leaders. Dana has also addressed Lynchburg City Council, presented to more than 2,000 students at a community "Just Say No" event, teaches Sunday School, and has been recognized with the 2017 Leadership and Service in the Community Award. In addition, Dana is a member of Psi Chi and has served on the United Way Day of Caring Committee, reflecting a lifelong commitment to leadership, service, and community engagement.

dwright@uctna.org

Rick Gruszecki of Beloit, Ohio, is a member and past president of Alliance, Ohio Council 261. In 1989 Council 261 named him Man of the Year for his service to his council and community. He has spearheaded the council’s junior golf tournament since 1989 and coordinates sponsorship of the Great Pumpkin Race and annual safety poster contest.

Rick is also past regional president of the Ohio-Pennsylvania Regional Council and in 2014 he was named the Ohio Regional Council’s top volunteer. He is a past chairperson of the Medal of Honor Committee. He has also served on several committees on the international level over the years.

He is a retired employee of Mr. Tire in Alliance. Before that he worked at Terry’s Tire Town and several dealerships for over 30 years. He was a member of the Auto Service Guild.

Rick has been a member of Damascus Friends Church, where he served as a youth leader and on various committees. He has also been a coach of Little Warrior Basketball.

Janell Gautreaux of Denham Springs, Louisiana has been a member of United Commercial Travelers since 1986. She has served as Past Regional President of the Mississippi-Louisiana Region. Janell is a member of the Baton Rouge, LA Council 499.

Alan Poplewski of Saginaw, Michigan, is a Past Regional President of the United Commercial Travelers (UCT), having received Past Regional President honors in both 1995 and 2017. Throughout his years of service, he has served on numerous UCT International committees and has also held the office of Local President.

Alan began his UCT membership with Saginaw Council 452. When that council closed, he transferred his membership to Coldwater Council 452, where he remains an active member today.

Growing up in a UCT family, Alan became involved in many local UCT activities as a child through his father, who was an active member. He officially joined UCT in 1963 at the age of 18.

Alan proudly served in the United States Army from September 1965 to September 1967, including one year of service in Vietnam. Following his military service, he enjoyed a distinguished 33½-year career with General Motors, retiring as a skilled trades tool sharpener at the Saginaw Steering Gear Division.

Today, Alan remains active as the Driver Coordinator for Garber Buick in Saginaw, Michigan. In his spare time, he enjoys tackling home improvement projects and staying busy with a variety of activities.