About Us

The Packard Motor Car Foundation

The Packard Motor Car Foundation was founded in 1997 as a non-profit section 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, dedicated to the preservation of the products, history and properties of The Packard Motor Car Company. It is managed by a Board of Trustees from a broad spectrum of the old-car hobby who donate their expertise and skills from a wide range of business backgrounds.

The major project of The Foundation to date has been the acquisition of a portion of the Historic Packard Proving Grounds that is being saved as a Historic Site. The site is recognized by the state of Michigan as a Historic Site and has been added to the prestigious National Register of Historic Places.

Packard Proving Grounds

Authentic Packard LLC

This organization was formed by a group of Packard enthusiasts in the Metropolitan Detroit area to save historical artifacts that otherwise would have been lost. Authentic Packard LLC will manage the removal of the wood from the Factory, prepare it for sale and market the wood for the Foundation with a portion of the proceeds to benefit The Packard Proving Grounds Historic Site. Members of Authentic Packard LLC include:

Robyn Roose Beckett

Robyn Roose Becket of Ulrich Lumber

Robyn is the granddaughter of Mark C. Roose who purchased Ulrich Lumber & Builders Supply in 1927. She has been the Office Manager for 27 years. Robyn organized the salvage operation work force, the business aspects of the salvage operation, and continues as head of business operations of Authentic Packard LLC.

Robyn is on the Board of Directors and oversees the Hoo-Hoo International clubs (HHI) located in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and western New York. Operating since 1892, HHI is one of the world’s oldest service organizations. Its members are interested in the welfare and promotion of the lumber industry. For more information about HHI, please visit their website at Hoo-Hoo.org. Robyn was also named the first woman President of the Detroit chapter of Hoo Hoo International. She continues to serve as President, promoting friendship, education, and community service to chapter members in the metro Detroit area.

Ulrich Lumber has been a member of the Michigan Lumber & Building Materials Association (MLBMA) for over 40 years. Robyn is a member of the Pro Building Showcase Trade Show Committee of the MLBMA. This committee is responsible for developing the largest annual Michigan trade show, where suppliers, retailers, and consumers attend to view and buy the latest building materials in the lumber industry. Feel free to visit the MLBMA.org website for further information.

Robyn has been a Director of the non-profit organization All The World’s a Stage (ATWAS) since 2007. This award-winning theatre arts organization was established in the Metro Detroit area in 1990. Their vision: “To inspire and empower young people through innovation and artistic programming to achieve an enriched and rewarding life”. For more information, please visit the ATWAS.org website.

Paul Johnson

Paul’s experience includes being a general contractor and developer for 37 years, curator of Fenton History Center, trustee and vice president of the Bemus Point Historical Society (two Chautauqua Region, NY museums). He has participated with Packard historian Terry Martin in Chautauqua region Packard research, and had early input in the conversion of the Packard Pool to become the National Packard Museum in Warren, Ohio. During the 100^th Anniversary of Packard, he organized the New York celebration, which included a dinner reception at the home of W.D. Packard (Chautauqua, NY), the public display of Packard #1 at the home of James Ward Packard (Lakewood, NY), and a dinner cruise on Chautauqua Lake, with Warren Packard III.

Paul is a member of the House and Grounds Committee of the Packard Proving Ground Historic Site, Utica, Michigan, and is acting as the manager of the Packard Factory Wood Project including the now-completed salvage operations at the East Grand Blvd. factory. He is writing a book connecting the three locations (Chautauqua Lake Region, NY, Warren, OH, and Detroit, MI) of Packard significance with James Ward Packard and the Packard Motor Car Co.

Paul also maintains a New York State Public Vessel Captains license which enables him to operate the Bemus Point-Stow Ferry as a volunteer a few times each summer. The ferry has been operating continuously since 1811, and will be celebrating it’s 200^th Anniversary next year.

Mark Roose

Mark is the grandson of Mark C. Roose, who purchased Ulrich Lumber & Builders Supply, Inc. in 1927. Mark has been the General Manager and Purchaser for 35 years.

Mark was the first to identify the rare value and re-cycling potential of the wood as he toured the Packard factory. His vision and expertise has birthed the salvage project, manufacturing possibilities, and connections to reuse and recycle this historical resource. Mark oversees re-manufacturing operations of the Packard factory wood.

Mark and his sister Robyn represent the third generation to operate Ulrich Lumber…their sons will be the fourth generation.

Ulrich Lumber & Builder’s Supply, Inc.

Ulrich Lumber at Packard Factory

Ulrich Lumber & Fuel founded in 1923 by Arthur Ulrich. Mark C. Roose purchased Ulrich in 1927. The business first began as a coal yard, but transformed into a lumberyard during World War II. During that war, the Company became focused on crating and shipping tank parts for the Detroit Tank Arsenal. Lumber was at a premium and Mark C. Roose had the vision and determination to create a business that has survived 87 years.

Ulrich Lumber has once again adjusted its focus to the re-cycling of high quality building material, through the salvage and re-manufacturing of historic wood. Custom millwork, including laser engraving for trophies or plaques is available for their customers.

Ulrich Lumber & Builders Supply, Inc. is located at 6470 E. 9 Mile Road, Warren, Michigan 48091. To learn more about Ulrich Lumber, please visit their website at UlrichLumber.com