SMOKY MOUNTAINBMW CCA
ABOUT THE CHAPTER

More Than Cars. It's a Community.

The Smoky Mountain Chapter is part of the nationwide BMW Car Club of America, serving enthusiasts throughout East Tennessee with drives, track days, tech sessions, and socials.

Chapter Board

Richard L. Stouder

Richard L. Stouder

President

After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, I joined the Army and served for almost 30 years, spending the last 11 in various assignments dealing with the Middle East. After retiring from the military, I took a job with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where I worked in the national security area for 13 years. I was a Porsche owner for over 30 years before discovering BMW — after a visit to the BMW Performance Center, I traded in my X5 for a 2012 M3. Since then I've owned an M2, M3, M4, and now an M5. I joined BMW CCA in 2012 and became chapter president in 2014, where I continue to serve today.

president@smokymtnbmwcca.com
Bob Cottingham

Bob Cottingham

Vice President

Bob and Martha have lived in Seattle, Houston, Dallas, Paris, Baltimore, and now Oak Ridge, joining BMW Car Club chapters along the way (including Lone Star remotely while in Paris). Bob's appreciation for BMW began in college, when he helped a friend replace shocks on a 1600 and admired its engineering. While living in Paris he reconnected with Lone Star friends and attended a BMW driving school at the Nürburgring; that summer of 1990 also included a side trip to the Berlin Wall shortly after it began coming down. A BMW CCA member since 1988, Bob's favorite car today is his 2022 M240i xDrive, which he loves driving on the endlessly challenging roads of East Tennessee.

vicepresident@smokymtnbmwcca.com
Norm Durfee

Norm Durfee

Treasurer

I was born and raised in Knoxville, and graduated from Central High School and the University of Tennessee with BS and MS degrees in engineering. I began my career with Union Carbide at the DOE facilities in Oak Ridge, working in various design and program-management assignments, and later worked for consulting firms on the Oak Ridge environmental program, ORNL campus restructuring, energy efficiency, and EV charging infrastructure. I've stayed involved in inspirational and spiritual teachings since my youth and currently serve as Executive Director of the OASIS Institute — A Center for Attitudinal Healing in Knoxville. A BMW CCA member since 1994, I enjoy life on Tellico Lake and road trips with my partner, Sandy.

treasurer@smokymtnbmwcca.com
Beth Fowler

Beth Fowler

Secretary

Professionally, I am a Mechanical Engineer — and no, I'm not a "car guy." As a child, I loved lying on the floor of my grandmother's living room, poring over the luxury-car ads in her latest copy of Memphis magazine. What draws me to cars is my fascination with design and my passion for driving, and BMW fulfills both. Outside of the club, I like to train for running events — 5Ks, half marathons, and currently a full marathon — and I'm becoming a Certified Personal Trainer. A BMW CCA member since 2014, I drive a 2023 X6 xDrive40i and a 2015 640i xDrive convertible.

secretary@smokymtnbmwcca.com
Chris Cooper

Chris Cooper

Events & Social Media Director

I'm 59, and my wife, Melanie, and I have been married 39 years. We have two children — our daughter, Katelyn (35), and our son, Austin (32) — and live in West Knoxville with our three dogs. For a long time we rode Harleys and belonged to several clubs, but I'd always wanted a BMW and bought my first in 2021; now we have two and enjoy them immensely with our friends. A BMW CCA member since 2022, I love getting together with people who share the same passions, meeting new folks, and driving beautiful roads — favorites include the Blue Ridge Parkway (Pisgah Inn) weekend, the Jordan Motel overnight TN/KY run, and Chapter M Day in Spartanburg.

Mike Chiodo

Mike Chiodo

Information Technology Director

I'm a certified geek with more than 20 years of experience in the IT industry, working with several Fortune 50 and Fortune 100 companies to design infrastructure and develop technical processes for their internal teams. I enjoy breaking down complex problems and creating practical, forward-thinking solutions, often by looking beyond conventional approaches. My love for BMW began when my uncle introduced me to his 323i, a car that left a lasting impression, and after years of hard work I finally bought my dream car: a BMW M4. I especially enjoy the scenic drive from Knoxville to Maggie Valley and the Pisgah overnight trip, along with the club rides and dinners. Outside of technology and cars, I enjoy cooking, grilling, photography, and recreational shooting.

Jeff Houser

Jeff Houser

Membership Director

Bio coming soon

Get In Touch

Smoky Mountain BMW CCA · P.O. Box 6611, Knoxville, TN 37919

info@smokymtnbmwcca.com

Review our chapter By-Laws.