Outreach-KONTAKT Franken elects new board

The new board of officers of Outreach-KONTAKT Franken (Photo: Bryan Gatchell)

ANSBACH, Germany (Feb. 13, 2017) – Members of Outreach-KONTAKT Franken, USAG Ansbach’s official German-American friendship club, gathered Tuesday evening for elections and voted on a new board for the year 2017.

Board members are elected for a one-year term; they represent the friendship club in an official capacity, and plan and organize events and activities throughout the year.

The newly elected board officers are:

• Presidents: Anne-Yvonne Hardwiger (German) and Gary Sowders (international)
• Vice presidents: Michael Bergner (German) and Ryan Kester (international)
• Secretary/Treasurer: Stefanie Bohl
• Members at large: Dennis Gardner and Ingrid Stuiber (German), Shannon Kester and Tom Holmes (international)

The Outreach-KONTAKT program gives American Soldiers, family members and civilians an opportunity to learn about Germany and understand its culture alongside Germans and citizens of other countries. It serves as a bridge to overcome cultural differences. Club members are goodwill ambassadors for both the United States and Germany. It is U.S. Army Europe’s (USAREUR’s) only regulatory outreach community relations program and connects the Army and local communities in current, enduring, and former USAREUR communities.

Outreach-KONTAKT Franken election night (Photo: Bryan Gatchell)

Outreach-KONTAKT Franken is open to everyone and is always interested in finding more community members to join them and become a part of German-American friendship. Club members meet at least twice a month for regular meetings called Stammtisch and participate in other activities throughout the year.

To learn more about Outreach-KONTAKT Franken, visit Outreach-KONTAKT Franken.