By Mac Christie
The CPCA has a new president, after Ray Mitsuing was elected to the position by his fellow drivers at a recent year-end Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association meeting. A veteran driver of more than 20 years, Mitsuing was given a two-year mandate.
“The boys wanted change within the association,” said Mitsuing. “I’ve got to work with the board of directors and try to get the association moving in the right direction.”
Mitsuing said he’s focused on growing the CPCA, adding he’ll do that by trying to add more running days to the schedule and additional prize money.
“We’ve got to try and work hard to get enough money in the purses so it’s worthwhile for people to stay in the association,” he said. “We’re losing drivers every year to the World (Professional Chuckwagon Association).
“If we keep doing that we’re going to eventually run out of drivers.”
The CPCA recently lost three drivers to the WPCA, after Logan and Gary Gorst, as well as Roger Moore decided to move to the Alberta WPCA circuit for the coming year.
CPCA marketing manager Bryan Hebson said Mitsuing is a good choice for the position because he’s very knowledgeable of the sport.
“As the former chief of the Loon Lake band he’s had some leadership roles in the past,” Hebson added. “He’s open to new ideas and he’s definitely committed to helping grow the organization.”
Hebson said the leadership change, which saw Mitsuing replace Coleman Carey as president, was simply an instance of people looking for fresh ideas.
“Every organization goes through leadership change, regardless of who they are,” he said.
As far as growing the association, Hebson said the group could see the addition of more shows to the schedule, but noted existing ones would probably see expansion first.
In addition to the election of Mitsuing, the association also named Dallas Dyck a director, replacing outrider Dustin Gorst, who is also moving to the WPCA.
At an upcoming meeting later this month, the organization will also be filling the bookkeeper position, previously held by Shalyn Gorst.
