Wendell Wolka has been a collector of many types of numismatic items since the age of 8. He presently collects obsolete paper money and numismatic items commemorating Dr. Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation. He is an active writer, researcher, exhibitor, exhibit judge, lecturer and Summer Seminar instructor.

    Wendell presently serves on the boards of the American Numismatic Association, Central States Numismatic Society, Society of Paper Money Collectors (SPMC) and International Bank Note Society. He is a life member of the ANA and SPMC and holds memberships in numerous numismatic organizations and clubs.

    His awards include the ANA Presidential Award, Numismatic News Numismatic Ambassador award, and numerous awards from the Society of Paper Money Collectors, including its Founders Award.

    During his first term on the ANA Board, Wendell has co-chaired the Exhibit Committee, and has led the effort to revamp, modernize and improve the Association’s “star system” for its dealer members. Wendell believes that there are four things on which the Association needs to focus during the next two years:

    1) Settle outstanding lawsuits as quickly and equitably as possible.

    2) Maintain a balanced budget and, as circumstances allow, rebuild the Association’s endowment and reserve funds.

    3) Provide maximum value to members, with an emphasis on educational opportunities both nationally and locally.

    4) Gain a clear understanding of what is in the ANA’s numismatic collections and develop a strategy and vision for what the collections’

mission is going forward. How can they best be utilized and accessed in sup­port of the Association’s educational initiatives?

    Wendell indicates that “the last two years have been quite challenging, but I believe that the present Board members have risen to that challenge and have made the tough decisions that were required to bring the Association back on course. There is, however, more work to be done before we can say that the job is done and our goals have been accomplished. I earnestly solicit your vote so that I will have the opportunity to complete the critical tasks that you charged me with undertaking two years ago.”