FJ Bruisers

2009 FJ Bruiser’s Board Members

Chairman: Doug Dobrynski

Doug has been off-roading since 1994, when it all started off with a 1991 Nissan Pathfinder. During the next several years Doug entertained the idea of picking up an Early Bronco, or Scout, or an FJ40 to make into an off-road/trail vehicle. When the FJ Cruiser was released, Doug thought it would be a good time to replace the aging Pathfinder (it had over 300,000 miles when it was sold) and get something that was moving towards that trail vehicle dream. Hence the FJ was bought in October of 2006 and was off the pavement seeking out trails when it still had 30-day tags on it.

Doug got involved with the club when he heard it was forming and attended the first meeting. He quickly expressed his interest in helping out with the club and over the course of the first couple of months was made Vice Chairman. He served as Vice Chairman for the remainder of 2007 and was reelected for Vice Chairman for 2008. Doug was elected Chairman for 2009.

Doug can be found out on the trails with his trail partner/son.

Vice Chairman: Joe Maiellano

Joe is a Founding Father of the Club (he was present at the first ever run at Green Ridge). In 2007 and 2008 he served as the club’s Secretary, prior to being elected Vice Chairman for 2009. He remembered fondly hearing stories as a kid about his Dad’s beloved soft-top FJ40, so jumped at the chance to buy it’s descendent – the FJ Cruiser – in May of 2006. Follow his build thread from May ‘06 to present here. Joe is a political consultant who lives in Arlington, VA with his girlfriend Sarah (who came up with the name “FJ Bruisers”) and their trail dog Teddy.

Sponsorship & Merchandise Director: Josh “FJ Opus” Kollin

Josh is program director for the graphic and digital design program at Kaplan College.  His nickname, rig, and avatar are a tribute to Opus T. Penguin from the comic strip “Bloom County”.  He resides in Martinsburg, WV with his wife Anna and their cats, Ari and Winnie, and dog Zoë.  Prior to becoming the Sponsorship & Merchandise Director, Josh served as the FJ Bruiser’s Treasurer in 2007 & 2008.

Membership Director: David Savor

David is our Membership Director. David has been off-roading for as long as he has been driving. While not in the FJ he is a now Service Consultant at a local Cadillac dealership in Bethesda MD. He has been a Technician for over 15 years and an avid welder for 5 years.. He has helped many of the Bruisers out of trouble on numerous occasions, earning the title “Medic Mechanic”. His wife Stacie and his Min Pins Karmann and Cooper, are always out on the trail with him. David seems to find all the good deals and there is very little on his rig that he has actually paid for.  If it is not a good deal he finds he will make the component himself.

Secretary: Ryan Young

Ryan began his interest in four wheeling and vehicles after rebuilding and restoring a 1984 4Runner that had been in the family since it was new.  Upon completing his engineering degree in Minnesota, Ryan purchased a new 2008 Sandstorm FJ Cruiser with the intent of continuing his four wheeling trips and other outdoor pursuits in WV with his girlfriend Amy.  Despite limited apartment space, he still finds the room to wrench on the FJ and complete various metal fab projects.  Ryan is currently a composites design engineer with ATK and is serving his first term on the FJ Bruisers board as Secretary in 2010.

Treasurer: Tim Areson

Tim is the Vice president of Intelligent Devices, Inc. a technology company in Owings MIlls, MD. Tim grew up in Indiana where he enjoyed the outdoors as well as his first career as a Police Officer. He is still very active in the Law Enforcement and Government communities in his new career with ID. Tim moved to Maryland in 2004 with his wife Jonna, and two kids Spencer and Mercedes. He has also recently got back into off-roading with the purchase of his FJ in early 2008.

Director of Information Technology: Vaughn Ripley

Vaughn is a Founding Father of the FJ Bruisers. Being the “old guy” in the group, he has been driving offroad since 1983. Prior to the FJ Cruiser, Vaughn has owned and offroaded a full-sized GMC Jimmy, Jeep CJ-5, Toyota 4Runner, 1963 Willys CJ-3B, Dodge Durango and Chevy Tahoe. Vaughn has been stuck more often than many people have wheeled.

Vaughn is the ultimate hobbyist, and you could say that he truly loves life and lives it to the fullest. He enjoys anything that will get your adrenalin pumping. Vaughn loves offroading, rock climbing, skydiving, mountain climbing and motorcycle racing. Along with his adrenaline-based pursuits, Vaughn is also an avid musician and author. All of that aside, Vaughn’s favorite part of life is his family.

Vaughn resides in the Frederick area with his wife Kristine and his two children Trinity and Xander.

Look for Vaughn in the deep mud!

Trail & Safety Director: Jim Zak

Jim, our newly elected Secretary for 2009 became involved with the Bruisers shortly after purchasing his ‘07 Sunfusion FJ, enjoying the off road camaraderie ever since. After surviving a side collision and a roll over in a field with just a bump on his knee, he knew the vehicle he would replace his 6 month old totaled FJ with; a new 2007 Sunfusion FJ. He has gradually built a formidable rig by modding his truck with “found” money to not upset the wife. However, his wife now understands the fun of off roading after attending the 2008 Spousal Bounce & Jounce and now has her own Trail Teams FJ. The whole family now enjoys off roading and expedition travel together every chance they get.

Member at Large:  John Thompson

John leads a team of database administrators for Well Fargo Bank.  While relatively new to off road, John has fallen in love with it.  When on the trail you can usually spot John taking photos of the other trucks in his group.  John resides in Eldersburg, MD with his wife Eve, his twins Lily & Drew, and Cassidy & Pearl the family cats.