Presidents of Bonsai Clubs International

If you know a president that has been left off this list, please let us know. Use the contact form available at the bottom of this page.

 

Ransohoff, James B.,Jr., 1962-1963
Miller, Robert C.  1963-1964
Hinds, Horace 1964-1965
Luekins, Wes 1965-1966
Berryman, Frances 1966-1967
Johnstone, Jim 1967-1968
Bob Krohn, 1969-1970
Keith Scott, 1971-1972
Bev Oliver, 1973-1974
Jim Barrett, 1975-1976
Ray Boardman, 1977-1978
John Hinds, 1979-1980
Tom Heitkamp, 1981-1982
Wilma Swain, 1983-1984
Jean Smith, 1985-1986
Donna Banting, 1987-1988
Sig Dreillinger, 1989-1990
Sharon Muth, 1991-1992
Mike Hansen, 1993-1994
Jack Douthitt, 1995-1996
Mary Bloomer, 1997-1998
Solita Tafur Rosade, 1999-2002
Alan Walker, 2003-2004
Linda Brant, 2004-2006
I-Chi Su, 2006-2010
Robert Kempinski, 2011-2012
Tom Elias, 2012-2015
Glenis Bebb 2015 to 2021
Frank Mihalic 2021 to 2023
Chen, Chang 2023

2016-2018 Candidates

Gudrun Benz

Gudrun Benz was born in 1940. She studied languages, Russian and French
at Heidelberg, Germany and Lyon, France. She worked as a teacher in a
secondary school for 25 years.
Already in the 1980 decade she is occupied with bonsai, and since the early
1990 decade with suiseki. She shared the love for both forms of art with her husband Willi and supported him in writing his books and articles on these subjects.
Together with Willi they extensively travelled around China and Japan to
learn about stone appreciation and bonsai/penjing. Gudrun and Willi
attended/participated in numerous conventions in Europe, Asia and America.
Gudrun Benz is a member of the German Suiseki Society board since 1993
and of the European Suiseki Association since 1994. She is editor of the newsletter of the German Suiseki Society and member of the editorial committee of the European Suiseki Association.  

She received a Certificate of Honor and was nominated as Penjing Ambassador of China Penjing Artists Association in September 2013.
Presently she is vice president of the German Suiseki Society and ambassador for Asian countries of the Bonsai Club Germany.

 

Sujata Bhat

Dr. Sujata Bhat is a Bonsai artist and teacher and has been in the field of Bonsai for the past 30 years.

Educational achievements

Sujata Bhat obtained her Master’s Degree in Biochemistry (1982-1984) from the Bangalore University, Karnataka State and was a Gold Medalist in Chemistry.

She obtained the degree of Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in the field of Biochemistry (1985-1990) from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, and has several publications to her credit. During her PhD program she became well versed with handling various aspects of the computer which involved computer simulations relating to molecular modeling of proteins and other small molecules. She worked as a researcher and consultant till 1995 following which she became a full time bonsai enthusiast.

Achievements in the field of Bonsai

Sujata Bhat did her first Basic Bonsai training under the tutelage of Mrs. Santosh Arora in the year 1986, followed by an advanced training course in the year 1992.

She has done several training courses involving various techniques employed in Bonsai under Mr. Nikunj and Mrs. Jyoti Parekh, directors of the Bonsai Study Group of the Indo-Japanese Association, Mumbai.

Sujata Bhat has been part of the Committee of the Bonsai Study Group of the Indo-Japanese Association since 2006.

She is also a part of the editorial team of the quarterly magazine ‘Nichin Bonsai’ published by the Bonsai Study Group of the Indo-Japanese Association and is actively involved in writing articles for the magazine.

She is also involved in promoting the group on various social media platforms and in various computer related activities such as preparation of presentations etc.

She had undergone a certified teachers training course and is involved in training students with the basic knowledge of Bonsai. She has also given demonstrations and has conducted workshops in bonsai in different cities all over India. She has also assisted in demonstrations by Headliners in International Conventions.

Other Interests

SujataBhat is also an Ikebana artist and teacher having completed the 3^rd Term Masters exam from the Ohara school of Ikebana, Japan.

She is also an accomplished sitar (a traditional Indian classical music instrument) artist with several public performances to her credit.

 

Poncevic M. Ceballos

Attorney-at-Law

Curriculum Vitae

FIELDS OF SPECIALIZATION

Corporate

Litigation

Labor

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Laws, 1983

Ateneo de Manila School of Law, Makati, Metro Manila

Bachelor of Arts, major: History and Political Science, 1979

De la Salle College, Manila

Secondary, 1975

Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Manila

Grade School, 1971

San Beda College, Manila

CAREER EXPERIENCES

Professor:

1990-Present           Ateneo de Manila School of Law, Makati City

2010-2011           Liceo Law, Cagayan de Oro City

2011-12           Philippine Christian University Law School

           

Subjects taught: Corporate Practice; Corporation Law; Legal Forms; Proceedings; Provisional Remedies; Evidence; Remedial Law Review; Transportation Law; Intellectual Property Law; Corporate Practice; Commercial Law Review; Negotiable Instruments Law

Dean 2010-2011           

Liceo Law, Cagayan de Oro City

Associate Dean 2012-present           

Philippine Christian University

Pre-Bar Reviewer and Special Lecturer:

Ateneo School of Law

Aklan Catholic College

University of the East

Philippine Christian University

Lex Magnificus Bar Review Center (Cagayan De Oro, Naga)

University of the Philippines, College of Law

Lyceum of the Philippines

University of Cebu

University of Hong Kong

MCLE Lecturer

MCLE Providers: Ateneo School of Law, Office of the Government Corporate Counsel, MORE Center for Legal Excellence Inc., Alternative Law Group

Topics on: Remedial Law, Legal Forms and Legal Writing, Legal Ethics

                       

Recipient of three (3) professorial chairs administered by the Ateneo School of Law

 

Managing Partner: 1995 to present, Ceballos Law Firm

Senior Partner: 1994-1995, Escueta Tan Acut and Madrid Law Offices

President, Ceballos Bar Trends, Inc. -mock bar exams provider in the following centers or venues:

University of the Philippines Law Center

San Beda College, College of Law

University of Santo Tomas, Faculty of Civil Law

Philippine Christian University, College of Law

President (incumbent):

Bohol Enterprises, Inc.

Ceballos Iceworks, Inc.

Angels and Lemons Bistro Inc.

Baesa Summit Holdings, Inc.

Nikapro Realty, Inc.

Banahaw Solid Rock Corporation

Stars Trucks Logistics Corp.

(Past) Corporate Secretary and General Counsel           

Philippine Carpet Manufacturing Corp.

Capital Garments Corporation

PLLIM Investment, Inc.

P. L. Lim, Inc.

Peggy Mills, Inc.

Filsyn Techo-Systems Corp.

Universal Far East Corp.

Chemical Fibers Association, Inc.

Lipave Management Corp.

Philippine Woolen Spinning Corp.

John Nelson and Associates, Philippines, Inc.

Philippine Hotel Owners Association, Inc.

(Past) Assistant Corporate Secretary and General Counsel

Filsyn Corporation

Manila Peninsula Hotel, Inc.

(Past) Confidential Attorney, 1984

Office of Justice Juvenal K. Guerrero

Supreme Court of the Philippines           

(Past) Director

Luzon Apparel Corporation

Trans-Pacific Oriental Holding Co., Inc.

Trans-Pizza Vest Corp.

John Nelson and Associates Philippines, Inc.

Bohol Enterprises, Inc.

Legal Counsel

Dispophil, Inc.

Vazquez Group of Companies

DKG Corp.

DK Management Services Corp.

V8 Commercial Co., Inc.

Blooming Fields (Phils.) Inc.

Blooming Farms (Phils.) Inc.

Liceo de Cagayan de Oro University, Inc.

First Philippine Holdings Corp.

PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES

Married to Leila G. Capino with four (4) children, namely: Poncevic Jr., Robert Joseph, Katrina Abigail and Nicole Victoria.

Bonsai Artist, Lecturer and International Show Judge and president of Philippine Bonsai Society Inc. for ten (10) years

International Director, Bonsai Clubs International (incumbent)

 

Chen Chang

Mr. Chen Chang, the Chairman & CEO of Panyu Chu Kong Steel Pipe Co. Ltd., began his Penjing creation life since early 1960s. Mr. Chen has a special liking of Penjing. In his free time, Mr. Chen works on his trees with wholeheartedness to improve his techniques, and has published a paper on “The Source of ‘Clip and Grow’ Technique in Bonsai of Lingnan Style” in the 6^th academic seminar of Chinese Penjing. By now, Mr. Chen Chang’s Jinlong Garden owns over 3,000 tress, many pieces of his works have displayed at major exhibitions, and has won a number of awards, such as the China Treasure Award of the 7^th World Bonsai Friendship Federation Convention and the 12^th Asia Pacific Bonsai and Suiseki Convention & Exhibition. For Mr. Chen’s great contributions, he was invited to serve on the board of directors of many Penjing organizations, and was appointed to be the General Director of Flower Bonsai & Suiseki Branch of Chinese Society of Landscape Architecture, the Vice-Chairman for the China Region of Bonsai Clubs International (BCI) and the Chairman for the China Region of World Bonsai Friendship Federation.

 

Les Dowdell

I started my first bonsai in 1974 and then helped to found the Bonsai Society of Edmonton in 1981. I have been the main instructor and president of the Society since the beginning. We used mainly local and native species as raw material for our trees. I now grow and train over 150 bonsai in my back yard. Since 1986 I have been teaching bonsai to members of the public at the regional botanic garden.

I have been a Director of Bonsai Clubs International from 2000 until 2014 when I took a break from the duties of being a Director. During that period I have attended a number of BCI conventions and events in various countries. I have tried to make positive contributions to the operation of BCI and look forward to assisting the organization in the future.

 

Frank J. Mihalic

Besides growing up under his father’s watchful eye and guidance for the last 51 years, He has traveled to the Far East over 25 times, working with many Bonsai Masters and Growers around the world. Refining and honing my skills, and learning new techniques and importing bonsai trees to the USA. Frank and his father Tony are co-owners of Wildwood (Bonsai) Gardens in Chardon, Ohio, USA www.wildwoodgardens.com

His father Tony Mihalic started in bonsai in 1946. He is one of pioneers of Bonsai in the USA. Tony is best known for his expertise in the forest planting and rock-planting style of bonsai in the USA. They were just featured in a book “Bonsai School” by Craig Cousins from Scotland this book was printed in 2004 in the UK & USA. Frank was just featured in Craig Cousins newest book that came out in 2007 “Bonsai Workshop” in the USA. Frank has written many Bonsai articles published worldwide, too numerous to mention.

Frank started teaching Bonsai in 1979 at Lakeland College and at their nursery Wildwood Gardens. Since there was not a good Bonsai Beginners book in the USA, he wrote his first Bonsai Beginners book “The Art of Bonsai- Made Easy” in 1979. This book has been used for his classes ever since.

In 1979 he started a small publishing Company “Ichiban Publishing”,   www.ichibanpublishing.com . This company was founded to publish Bonsai Instructional materials to further the knowledge and interest of Bonsai worldwide.

1979 He wrote & published “The Art of Bonsai –Made Easy” Bonsai Book, NOW in its 10^th edition

1982 He wrote & published “The Art of Bonsai” VHS Video & in 2003 converted it into a DVD

1984 He wrote & published “The Art of Bonsai” Instructional computer CD ROM, Version 1.4

(The 1^st Bonsai CD Rom in the world!) (Ver. 2.5 in the fall 2007)

2000 Japan Airlines & the Nippon Bonsai Association, Awarded their top 100 contest winners in the world a copy of Franks Bonsai Book “The Art of Bonsai” and a copy of his Bonsai Computer CD Rom.

2000 Frank was the 1^st foreigner to be awarded a Special Membership into the Cheju Bonsai Association in Cheju, Korea.

2001 He founded & published “Bonsai Online Magazine” (The 1^st Internet Bonsai magazine in the world!) He still continues as the publisher (for 10 years)

2004 He wrote & published “Bonsai for Kids” (The 1^st Bonsai book for kids in the world!)

(Spanish version in 2005, French, Italian & Japanese in the summer of 2007)

2005 He wrote & published “Bonsai for Kids” Computer instructional CD Rom (The 1^st Bonsai CD ROM for kids in the world!)

2005 Elected, 2009 re-elected to the Board of Directors of the American Bonsai Society ABS, in the USA

2006 Elected, 2010 re-elected 2014 re-elected to the Board of Directors of Bonsai Clubs International BCI

2007 Frank and excerpts of his book “Bonsai for Kids”, were featured in multiple issues of Bonsai World Magazine in Japan in preparation of the Japanese version coming out in the fall of 2007. This will be the 1^st Bonsai book to be printed in Japan in Japanese (2007) by a non-Japanese author.

Member of the:           

Great Lakes Bonsai Club (Erie, PA),

Ohio Great Lakes Bonsai Club (Chardon, OH), Midwest Bonsai Society (Chicago, IL)

American Bonsai Society (USA) ABS, Bonsai Clubs International (Worldwide) BCI

Golden State Bonsai Federation (California) GSBF, Cheju Bonsai Growers Association (Cheju, Korea), and many more.

Three times had one of his Bonsai Tree’s in the top 100 in the world, in the Japanese World Bonsai Contest www.worldbonsaicontest.com (1999, 2003, 2006)

1^st Runner up in the Worldwide Bonsai Contest BCI/Centre’- Italy 2006, (Honorable Mention 2003,)

www.bonsai-bci.com

1^st Runner up in the John Naka (Best Bonsai in North America)Contest ABS in (2006)

www.absbonsai.org

 

Nikunj S. Parekh

Nikunj S. Parekh is a Bonsai Artist and teacher of this venerable Oriental Art for more than 35 years. He is Co-founder and Director of Bonsai Study Group of The Indo-Japanese Association, Mumbai, which is one of the largest and most active body of Bonsai lovers, hobbyists with 23 chapters affiliated across India and one chapter in Muscat, Oman.

Since 1989, he is founder, Chairman Emeritus of Bonsai Friendship Federation of India and a Director of World Bonsai Friendship Federation. He is also a director of the largest non-profit organization, Bonsai Clubs International, USA since the year 2000.

He is actively involved with multiple Bonsai Events in India since 1979. He has participated in many International and World level Bonsai Conventions in Japan, China, Taiwan, USA, Europe, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Sultanate of Oman, Kenya, Australia, and South Africa.

He has been Editor of Nichin Bonsai, magazine since 1985 and consistently handled this publication since 1985. He has contributed many articles, given TV shows on art of Bonsai, gardening and Terrariums in many National and International publications including Bonsai Magazine of BCI.

He has participated in many International Garden shows as judge including BCI and ASPAC events. Currently, he is the President of 61-year-old organization namely: The Indo-Japanese Association, Mumbai. He has won many awards, prizes for his photo entries at BCI, WBFF and other countries and a regular contributor as feature contributor.

He has developed a farm facility for growing Bonsai material with many indigenous trees and has made contribution to develop Potensai materials and additives needed for Bonsai at most affordable and reasonable prices in India. His contribution has been recognized, the last being Emperor of Japan's Award for promoting Oriental Art and Culture in India for last more than three decades.

Teaching and sharing knowledge on Bonsai is a mission with him. At one time or other, most of Indian Bonsai Hobbyists, artists or Professionals have undergone training with him. He prefers to delve deeper into the meanings of the meditative aspect of Bonsai and shares knowledge with everyone.He is a graduate, Bachelor of Science with Chemistry as Major and Botany as minor. He has co authored two books on Bonsai, namely, Wonder World of Tropical Bonsai and Wonder World of Bonsai & Saikei, in English & Hindi and thousands of copies have been sold since 1984 till today.

Developing Team of dedicated Bonsai artists and reaching Towns and Villages of India for improving standard of Bonsai in India and neighboring countries is his mission of life.

He is keen Nature lover, and listening to Healing Music for Peace of mind is his other passion.

 

Helen Su

Present:

Collector’s Choice, General Manager (Importer of Whiskey, Cognac and Wine)

Bonsai Clubs International, 1st Vice President

Education:

Chinese Culture University, College of Arts, Masters Degree

Experience in Bonsai and Stone Art:

1999 The Fifth Asia-Pacific Bonsai, Stone & Pots Expo, organizer

2004 International Bonsai and Stone Exhibition (BCI, Taiwan), Executive Office

2005 Washington Sackler Art Museum Antique Pots Exhibition, Coordinator

2010 International Bonsai Expo, Executive Committee Deputy Secretary

International Bonsai and Stones Magazine Chinese Edition, Chief Editor.

Experience in Art:

Member of 'Post Cubist" painters

Member of Shamao Mountain Art Association

National Palace Museum Taipei, Volunteer Tour Guide for 12 years

 

 

Here are the supplementary committee groups and the individuals contributing to sustaining operations at BCI.

 

Finance Committee	Nominating Committee	Instructors Register	Promotions	Contracts & By-Laws
Chen Chang (Ex-Officio) China Send a message
Roger Snipes (Chair) USA Send a message	Glenis Bebb (Chair) Australia Send a message	Sujata Bhat India Send a message	Min Hsuan Lo Taiwan Send a message	Les Dowdell (Secretary) Canada Send a message
Glenis Bebb Australia Send a message	Les Dowdell (Secretary) Canada Send a message	Helen Su Taiwan  Send a message	Bonnie Moore Canada Send a message	Vic Ceballos  Philippines Send a message
Min Hsuan Lo Taiwan Send a message	Helen Su Taiwan  Send a message	Min Hsuan Lo Taiwan Send a message	Sujata Bhat India Send a message	Glenis Bebb Australia Send a message
Sujata Bhat India Send a message	Sujata Bhat India Send a message	Budi Sulistyo Indonesia Send a message	Susan Lee Philippines Send a message	Min Hsuan Lo Taiwan Send a message
Larry Stephan USA Send a message	Massimo Bandera Italy Send a message	Glenis Bebb Australia Send a message	Larry Stephan USA Send a message	Sujata Bhat India Send a message

BCI Executive Committee

BCI Directors volunteer their services to BCI and are voted into office at the annual general meeting during the BCI Convention and serve a two-year term. They participate in BCI activities at their own expense. Our Directors on the Executive Committee are dedicated to improving BCI's services to our members. Please contact a member of the Executice Committee if you have any questions, concerns or comments and allow a few days for a reply. 

 

President Chen Chang China Send a message	1st Vice President Sujata Bhat India Send a message	2nd Vice President Min Hsuan Lo Taiwan Send a message
Executive Director Glenis Bebb Australia Send a message	Secretary Les Dowdell  Canada Send a message	Treasurer Roger Snipes  USA Send a message
PAST PRESIDENT Frank Mihalic USA

BCI Publications

BCI Publications are a major source of revenue for BCI and are essential to BCI's mandate to promote bonsai and viewing stone appreciation around the world.

BCI Bonsai and Stone Appreciation Magazine

Our full color Bonsai & Stone Appreciation Magazine, published quarterly, contains illustrated articles written by leading specialists informing you about current activities, techniques, and news from throughout the world. Learn about public and private collections of stones and trees, upcoming BCI conventions, tours, and other benefits in each issue. Members have the choice of receiving a printed magazine or viewing it on line via our Members Only section of our website.

Photo Albums of Photo Contest Finalists

Hard cover, top-quality publications showcasing BCI members' best trees and stone are published by BCI and offered to our members at attractive pre-publishing rates. The photo albums also contain informative essays or articles that enrich our understanding of bonsai and viewing stones.