James Keena, longtime member and still an active member of the Highland Park Society of Model Railroad Engineers, Inc, was named the Los Angeles Division of the National Model Railroad Association 2022 Member of the Year.

While James toiled quietly, keeping the finances of the club in order, he was also heavily involved in the LA Division as the Chief Clerk/Paymaster for 8 years (and doesn't that make sense?).

Here is the text that accompanied the brief article in Issue #4/2022 of the LA Coupler, the newsletter of the Los Angeles Division of the NMRA:

“First joining the NMRA in 1979, James has long been a “cornerstone” of the Los Angeles Division. Providing countless years of volunteer service, he has been a clinician (How many of you have attended one of his hands-on weathering clinics?), authored numerous articles in the pages of our LA Coupler newsletter, as well a being a frequent Celebration of Model contributor.

James also has served with distinction as the Division’s Chief Clerk/Paymaster for 8 years, chaired both its Contest and Achievement Programs, presided as Registrar at both the 2016 and 2020 annual PSR conventions, and been the primary driver (along with wife, Edna) of multiple SpringRail and FallRail meets.

Congratulations James. Recognition well deserved.