Jo McKenna

Email: my_build@shaw.ca
Town & State: Merritt, B.C. Canada
Web Site: http://www.kitcentral.com/cgi-bin/showprogress.cgi?builderid=49

Type of car: 1997 Monterey SV (projected)
Body: NAERC (projected)
Chassis: my own custom tube chassis
Engine: 350 SBC
Transmission: Audi 5000 5spd. manual
Starting Date: September 2001
Projected Finished Date: March 2003
Influences: Geoff Gaucher (close friend R.C.M.P. officer) Dale Van Blokland, Robert Proulx (Exotic Glass) Paul Clack (Exclusive Motor Sports) Rick Page and Ron "Fletch" Fletcher

I was born right here in beautiful Merritt, BC Canada and moved to Timmins, Ontario Canada when I was 2 years old where I was raised. My father is a very hard working foremen for a large paving crew and just plain refuses to retire out of enjoyment of his work, and my mother is an accomplished office system specialist, building offices and office systems for new businesses.

I returned to British Columbia at the age of 21 and have been here ever since. I worked for a railroad salvage company based in Portland Oregon called OnTrack Trading, ripping out the historic Kettle Valley Railroad which runs right through our small town of 9-10 thousand citizens. That contract ended in 1992 forcing me to look at other avenues for a career.

I started installing flooring in 1993 kicking off a 4 year apprenticeship with a very reputable business called D and Y. My apprenticeship ended in 1997, leaving me on my own. The geographical area we covered until 2000 is nothing short of impressive! The economic times have changed a lot in the last ten years or so, and once again I was looking at another career solution. I still continue to install flooring in my spare time as a way of funding my build project.

I now work for a company called Titan Supply (formerly Strongco Supplies) which deals with industrial supply and power transmission products. We have 15 branches throughout western British Columbia and eastern Alberta, and it looks as though we may be adding two more branches here in British Columbia. The people I work with are some of the best people I've ever met!

My hobbies include handgun shooting, snowmobiling, skydiving and drafting. I've been known my whole life as someone who always has "something" on the go. I take my hobbies very seriously and try to never start something I can't finish. I use my hobbies as a way to escape from the day to day rush and find it to be an excellent stress reliever!

The "true" love of my life is my family! I love my children more than life itself, and try never to miss an opportunity to let them know every single day! When I think of moments in my life when I feel I've made a difference, my family comes to mind first and foremost! To them I owe everything! My fiancé, Susanne, has played an absolutely essential role in my progress. Her patience is without a doubt her strongest quality! That's not to say it's her only quality! ;-) Lamborghini DREAMS of living up to her level of quality! (Ok... she's not looking now! ;-) )

My inspiration for this build has come from many different sources, and I have to admit, some unexpected sources. I was very fortunate very early on to find irreplaceable friendships when I was looking only for information. Ron Fletcher, Rick Page, Robert Proulx, Paul Clack... it would be wrong to leave anyone out! Each and every time I opened my e-mail it felt like I was hearing from family. It didn't take me long to realize that building this car was simply a bonus to having made great lasting friendships! Speaking for myself, if I was unable to finish my replica, it would not be a great loss, as the friendships I have made are, and continue to be, worth every ounce of effort!