Ruritan National Convention Program 2026

President-Elect Merlin Scales 3470 Riverside Drive Mount Airy, NC 27030 Phone: (336) 325-5990 Email: merlinscales@hotmail.com CLUB: A member of Ararat Club since 2007 and a member of the Red Bank Club since 2023; Ararat Club President in 2011, 2014-2016 and 2021; Ararat Club Vice President in 2019; Ararat Club Director in 2010, 2012 and 2022; President-Elect Merlin Scales 3470 Riverside Drive Mount Airy, NC 27030 Phone: (336) 325-5990 Email: merlinscales@hotmail.com CLUB: A member of Ararat Club since 2007 and a member of the Red Bank Club since 2023; Ararat Club President in 2011, 2014-2016 and 2021; Ararat Club Vice President in 2019; Ararat Club Director in 2010, 2012 and 2022; President-Elect Merlin Scales 3470 Riverside Drive Mount Airy, NC 27030 Phone: (336) 325-5990 Email: merlinscales@hotmail.com CLUB: A member of Ararat Club since 2007 and a member of the Red Bank Club since 2023; Ararat Club President in 2011, 2014-2016 and 2021; Ararat Club Vice President in 2019; Ararat Club Director in 2010, 2012 and 2022;

Have also served as Ararat Club Secretary and Treasurer; Has served as Chairman for all club committees; Ararat Club Ruritan of the Year twice. DISTRICT: Dan River District Zone Governor 2022 and 2024; Dan River District Fundraising Chair in 2024; Zone Governor of the Year winner. NATIONAL: National Director 2023-2025; Member of the Publicity & Public Relations Committee 2023-2024; Co-Chair of the Communication Committee for 2025; Headed the Big Rudy 35 th Anniversary fundraiser; Head of the Ruritan Henry Commemorative Rifle fundraiser; I am a Ruritan Forever in the Ararat and Red Bank Clubs; I am a Tom Downing Fellow; President’s Golden Key holder; Have attended both National Conventions and Summer Leadership Conferences. EDUCATION: Mount Airy Senior High; Associate’s degree in Electronic Engineering from Surry Community College; Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Surry Community College; Basic Law Enforcement Training at Surry Community College; Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Gardner Web University. OCCUPATION: Raised on a family tobacco farm; worked in a textile mill; worked on a powerline crew; worked as an HVAC service technician; Worked for 13 years in Law Enforcement, starting as a Patrol Officer and becoming Chief of Police; Former Deputy Sheriff in North Carolina and Virginia; Built and managed “Rabbit Ridge” gun shop and shooting range for 22 years until selling in 2021; Currently a Magistrate in Surry County, NC. OTHER: Member of Hunters Chappel in Ararat, VA, and have served on the Board of Directors; Member of the Mount Airy, NC, Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star; Life member of the Renfro Masonic Lodge in Mt. Airy, NC; Past Master of Renfro Masonic Lodge 2015 and 2018; Life member of Oasis Shrine; Life member of Shriners International; Life member of NRA and National gun rights association; Certified pistol, rifle, shotgun, personal protection in the home Instructor and Range Safety Officer. Have also served as Ararat Club Secretary and Treasurer; Has served as Chairman for all club committees; Ararat Club Ruritan of the Year twice. DISTRICT: Dan River District Zone Governor 2022 and 2024; Dan River District Fundraising Chair in 2024; Zone Governor of the Year winner. NATIONAL: National Director 2023-2025; Member of the Publicity & Public Relations Committee 2023-2024; Co-Chair of the Communication Committee for 2025; Headed the Big Rudy 35 th Anniversary fundraiser; Head of the Ruritan Henry Commemorative Rifle fundraiser; I am a Ruritan Forever in the Ararat and Red Bank Clubs; I am a Tom Downing Fellow; President’s Golden Key holder; Have attended both National Conventions and Summer Leadership Conferences. EDUCATION: Mount Airy Senior High; Associate’s degree in Electronic Engineering from Surry Community College; Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Surry Community College; Basic Law Enforcement Training at Surry Community College; Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Gardner Web University. OCCUPATION: Raised on a family tobacco farm; worked in a textile mill; worked on a powerline crew; worked as an HVAC service technician; Worked for 13 years in Law Enforcement, starting as a Patrol Officer and becoming Chief of Police; Former Deputy Sheriff in North Carolina and Virginia; Built and managed “Rabbit Ridge” gun shop and shooting range for 22 years until selling in 2021; Currently a Magistrate in Surry County, NC. OTHER: Member of Hunters Chappel in Ararat, VA, and have served on the Board of Directors; Member of the Mount Airy, NC, Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star; Life member of the Renfro Masonic Lodge in Mt. Airy, NC; Past Master of Renfro Masonic Lodge 2015 and 2018; Life member of Oasis Shrine; Life member of Shriners International; Life member of NRA and National gun rights association; Certified pistol, rifle, shotgun, personal protection in the home Instructor and Range Safety Officer. Have also served as Ararat Club Secretary and Treasurer; Has served as Chairman for all club committees; Ararat Club Ruritan of the Year twice. DISTRICT: Dan River District Zone Governor 2022 and 2024; Dan River District Fundraising Chair in 2024; Zone Governor of the Year winner. NATIONAL: National Director 2023-2025; Member of the Publicity & Public Relations Committee 2023-2024; Co-Chair of the Communication Committee for 2025; Headed the Big Rudy 35 th Anniversary fundraiser; Head of the Ruritan Henry Commemorative Rifle fundraiser; I am a Ruritan Forever in the Ararat and Red Bank Clubs; I am a Tom Downing Fellow; President’s Golden Key holder; Have attended both National Conventions and Summer Leadership Conferences. EDUCATION: Mount Airy Senior High; Associate’s degree in Electronic Engineering from Surry Community College; Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Surry Community College; Basic Law Enforcement Training at Surry Community College; Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Gardner Web University. OCCUPATION: Raised on a family tobacco farm; worked in a textile mill; worked on a powerline crew; worked as an HVAC service technician; Worked for 13 years in Law Enforcement, starting as a Patrol Officer and becoming Chief of Police; Former Deputy Sheriff in North Carolina and Virginia; Built and managed “Rabbit Ridge” gun shop and shooting range for 22 years until selling in 2021; Currently a Magistrate in Surry County, NC. OTHER: Member of Hunters Chappel in Ararat, VA, and have served on the Board of Directors; Member of the Mount Airy, NC, Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star; Life member of the Renfro Masonic Lodge in Mt. Airy, NC; Past Master of Renfro Masonic Lodge 2015 and 2018; Life member of Oasis Shrine; Life member of Shriners International; Life member of NRA and National gun rights association; Certified pistol, rifle, shotgun, personal protection in the home Instructor and Range Safety Officer.

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ors Meeting Board members

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