MaPS CU CEO Revved Up About Rebuilding

SALEM, Ore. - For Marion and Polk Schools Credit Union President/CEO Dan Penn not much can beat tearing apart and rebuilding a fine automobile or truck. "This started as kind of a hobby- whenever anything breaks at home from furnace or water heater to garbage disposal I've never been afraid to take things apart and have always been able to put it back together," said Penn. Penn says that hobby extended to cars when he bought a '62 Corvette in 1974 that needed a lot of work and basically taught himself how to do it on his own. He eventually sold that car in 1985 and then moved on to a '58 Corvette that was just a shell and frame in 1994. Between cost and running into challenges that he didn't understand or needed help with the project took some nine years to complete. Generally working on the vehicles one at a time sneaking in time at night, on weekends or even vacations he says finding space in his garage for the cars while still having room to work on them is one of the greatest challenges. Penn has also rebuilt and converted a '46 Ford pickup into a flatbed truck, which his wife drives around, and is currently working on a '54 Ford pickup and a Mustang. "Part of the intrigue in working with old rigs is not buying one that is complete," said Penn. "It is amazing the people who are into this. There's a real network here in Salem and they are the ones I turn to when I need answers." Penn adds that his wife is also a true partner in his obsession. "She has a very constructive mind and if I can't figure something out she usually comes up with a solution-she's very creative in that sense," said Penn. "She's also really great at it and there are areas that are too small for my hands but she is able to get in there." -mdigiovanni@cutimes.com