DVC Member Receives NAMGAR’s Mac Spears Founder’s Award

Bruce Woodson, NAMGAR Vice Chairman & George Merryweather, NAMGAR Chairman present Lee & Liz Niner with the Mac Spears Founder’s Award at GT 34 in Hot Springs, AR last July.

The North American MGA Register, NAMGAR, recognizes people who make a difference to the MG community, especially as it pertains to MGAs.  An award was created in the name of the first chairman and one of the founding members of the North American MGA Register, McGehee “Mac” Spears.  Each year the NAMGAR Board of Directors solicits nominations for this award.  Candidates should be someone who is a considered leader amongst his or her peers, taking a leadership role and ensuring that the MG “Marque of Friendship” is not just a slogan but an actual way of life.  The nominee should be someone who gives more than he or she receives.  Nominees should truly encompass the MG spirit, by actively promoting MGs, their club(s), Chapters or NAMGAR.  This award is not necessarily given every year nor do the recipients have to be NAMGAR members.  It has been previously awarded eight times since NAMGAR’s founding in 1970.

At the GT 34 Awards Banquet at Hot Springs, AR last July, The NAMGAR Board of Directors presented the Mac Spears Founder’s Award to Lee & Liz Niner.  Their contributions over a thirty year period to MGs and NAMGAR in particular were summarized by NAMGAR Chairman, George Merryweather.  “They served as NAMGAR treasurers for ten years working with three chairmen and did much to mechanize and computerize the treasury and financial reporting.  They have currently served as NAMGAR Chapter & Interest Group Coordinators for four years and have established an annual meeting and publish Email newsletters which provide the chapters and interest groups a voice and involvement.  They also have written a column in MGA! Magazine, ‘The As Have It’, for many years which many of us can relate to in our daily experiences with MGs.  On a local club level, Liz has been treasurer of the Delaware Valley Classic MG Chapter (DVC) for twenty-five years and Lee has served as Chairman and Events Coordinator as well as edited the newsletter.  Lee & Liz were part of the driving force in getting the DVC to affiliate with NAMGAR and NAMGBR in the 1990’s as well as originating their club’s annual car show, and memorabilia show.  They were requested and readily accepted the responsibility of being the Treasurers for the all MG event “MG 2001” held in Minneapolis, MN.  They belong to all three major MG registers and have attended many of their events throughout the years.  They love everything MG as evidenced by their extensive collection of MG memorabilia in their home which they fondly refer to ‘Our MG Crappola Collection’.  Lee & Liz drive and maintain three MGs and in general are wonderful ambassadors for the MG marque and NAMGAR in particular.”