In the summer of 1969, Richard and Steven Sisson answered a Washington Post classified ad for Cadillac parts being disposed of by the widow of a Mr. Lineback in Silver Spring, Maryland. He had owned several 1938-40-era senior Cadillacs and had left this Earth prematurely.  After being led to the parts stash in the basement, getting near the parts proved a little bit difficult due to a certain Ron VanGelderen rummaging through them.  Actually he was more going back and forth, loading the trunk of his car with the best goodies.  After quick introductions, the search was on for anything that might be useful for the 1946 Cadillac Convertible that Steven was then fixing up.  Ron asked Richard and Steven about any cars that they might own, and in turn they learned that Ron owned a small fleet of some 4 or 5 collector Cadillacs and that he had recently moved to McLean, Virginia from Chicago. They invited Ron to their Dad’s nearby home where the ‘46 Convertible was resting.  Talking there, they were amazed to learn that Ron had come from a very active Cadillac LaSalle Club (CLC) Region in Chicago and had already become distressed to learn that there was no active local Region in the Washington, DC area.   

A few weeks or a month later, Ron called Steven and asked if he could come up with a mailing list of interested Cadillac fanciers in the area.  Steven said yes because he was a member of the local AACA Region and CHVA Region and knew a lot of people.  He did come up with some 20-25 names and forwarded them on to Ron.  Ron in turn came up with having a CLC meet at Turkey Run Park in McLean, Virginia in October 1969.  Ron did the inviting and the people came.  It was fun and some 12 cars were shown.  All of this must have gotten to Ron because a month or so later he was on the phone wanting to have a get together at his home in McLean. 

Ron mentioned that he wanted to explore the idea of having a local Region. He and his wife Sherry hosted the function and did all the mailings. The first meeting took place in November 1969 with some 15-20 potential members in attendance.  Some of them were Juan Aranda, Glen Cole, Bryce Frey, Glen Murphy, Bill Thomas, Joe Schutz, Richard Sisson and Steven Sisson.  Ron led the meeting and announced that he wanted to get a local Region started.

After some discussion, it was decided that the Region would be called Potomac and Steven Sisson would be its first Director.  The first order of business was to apply to the National Club for provisional status and to get a good mailing list organized.  These things were done and the Potomac Region was off.   After helping to form the Potomac Region, Ron VanGelderen later served as National President of the CLC (1972-1978 and again from 1984-1986).

The infant organization was very loose in a number of ways, including not even requiring dues for the first couple of years. The hat was passed around at the various get-togethers and this brought in enough money to buy paper supplies and pay for postage.  Steven more or less ran the club from his office across the street from The Washington Post on 15th Street.  Bryce Frey was the keeper of monies, while Steven served as newsletter writer/editor.  Different people came up with ideas for gatherings, meetings and so forth.  Actual dues were put in effect when it became necessary to buy trophies to give out at the national sanctioned shows. 

From the beginning, the Potomac Region kept growing.  Its members in the early years of the ‘70s include a number of members who remain active today such as Juan Aranda, Bryce Frey, Richard Sisson, Steven Sisson, and Bill Thomas, who were present at the first meeting at Ron VanGelderen’s house in 1969, as well as Charlie Lightbown, Henry Ruby and others.

To show how a car club can be run on a low budget, the June 1971 Potomac Region News reports that, at an upcoming concours, it “…is currently planned that a CLC car emblem will be given as a first-place prize and one of the new patches will be awarded for second-place winners in the three classes." 

Besides the DC area enthusiasts, Cadillac and LaSalle owners from Pennsylvania and New Jersey made the journey south to attend Potomac Region events during the '70s. These included Gary Anderson, Lew Howells, Bill Lanning, and the late Gus Drake. 

Steven Sisson, who by then was the CLC's Eastern Vice President of Regions, felt that there was a need for a CLC Region in Pennsylvania, because, "we have a large number of members residing there, but no Region for them to be involved with." Steve published an open letter to CLC members residing in Pennsylvania in the February 1975 The Self-Starter, promising that if a CLC Region could get started in Pennsylvania, “The New York, Potomac, and New England Region people will assist you in getting started and I assure you I will give you all of the guidelines necessary.”  From this appeal came the Valley Forge Region which has not only flourished but has become one of the most active Regions in the CLC.

Over the years, Potomac Region members too numerous to mention kept the momentum going.  Steven Sisson served as Director of the Region from 1969 until 1976.  The successive Directors have been Charlie Lightbown (1977-1982), Ralph Bennett (1983-1984), Bill Thomas (1985-1992), A. Keith Peirce (1992-1996), Nick Wilson (1997-2001), Bill Sessler (2002-2004) and Vince Taliano (2005-present).

For a time during the ‘80s, the Potomac Region became less active, and questions were raised about its continued viability.  In an interesting irony, the Valley Forge Region -- which had begun with an enthusiasm sparked by the Potomac Region -- provided welcome support to its neighbor to the south. Several Valley Forge Region members joined the Potomac Region when it was trying to build its membership back up, and a considerable number of cars with Pennsylvania and New Jersey license plates regularly attend the Potomac Region’s meets and shows.

Just as the Potomac Region inspired its visitors from up north to start the Valley Forge Region, it assisted with the formation of the Hampton Roads Region in the Tidewater area of Virginia and more recently, has assisted the Central Virginia Region in Richmond, Virginia with the development of their Regional boundaries.

In 2005, the Potomac Region received the CLC Norm Uhlir Regional Activity Award for the first time in its long history.  The Region was recognized for its remarkable resurgence and innovative initiatives (e.g. electronic distribution of newsletters, neighboring Region ambassadorship program, etc.).

When talking about the success and longevity of the Potomac Region, a lot can be said by the fact that the two men who formed it in 1969 are still actively involved.  Ron VanGelderen, who now lives in Georgia, is still a member and attended the Region's 35-Year Anniversary Dinner Cruise in 2004.  Steven Sisson, the Region's first Director, is now the Activities Director. He is involved as much today as he was in the early years.

Like any Region that has lasted over 35 years, it has had high points and low points, but the one constant has been the unbelievable support received from Daniel Jobe and Capitol Cadillac.  Capitol Cadillac is a historic dealership, which was established in Washington, DC in 1934 by Daniel's grandfather, Floyd Akers and celebrated its 70-Year Anniversary in 2004. For many years, the dealership was located at 22nd and M Streets, in what is now a busy commercial area with shops and restaurants.

About 1979, the dealership moved to its present facility in Greenbelt, near the intersection of the I-495 Beltway and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. The two annual shows that Capitol Cadillac sponsor rival any in the country and the awards given to the winners demonstrate their amazing generosity. 

The Region's most recent resurgence started in 2003 and was led by Bill Sessler, the Region's immediate past Director, and Richard Sills.  Bill understood the importance of having regular meetings; a monthly newsletter; and increased activities.  Richard provided the National CLC perspective needed to take the Region to the next level.  He has been invaluable offering timely input on a wide range of CLC topics. 

With the resurgence came a dedicated group of members committed to helping the Region improve including Randy Denchfield, National Director; Sandy Kemper, Secretary; Diane & Henry Ruby, Car Show Coordinators; Harry Scott, Treasurer; Richard Sisson, Membership Chairman; and Vince Taliano, Newsletter Editor.  Also making significant contributions are Automobilia Auctioneer George Boxley; and Car Show Displayers Derrick Fisher and Jim Govoni.

CLC members living in the Region have taken notice and the membership numbers reflect that. 2006 membership hit an all-time high and it is expected to grow even further.

In addition to the CLC Norm Uhlir Regional Activity Award, the Region also received the 2005 CLC Newsletter Excellence Award.  The Caddie Chronicle newsletter is the Region's crowning achievement and has played a major role in its resurgence.  No other Region in the country has such a group of talented newsletter columnists, which includes Rita Bial-Boxley, Chris Cummings, Jim Govoni, Vern Parker, Bob "Iron Man" Ruckman, Richard Sills, Richard Sisson and Steven Sisson, and the quality of the newsletter reflects that. 

Thanks to the Potomac Region, and all of the support it receives from its members and from the CLC, the Cadillac- LaSalle hobby remains alive and well in our nation's capital!