Fran Kaya

Senior National Stewardship and Donor Relations Director

Bethesda, Maryland

Fran Kaya works for the national headquarters of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. In her role as Senior National Stewardship and Donor Relations Director, Fran partners with chapters – including in Central Ohio – to raise awareness and much-needed funds to cure cystic fibrosis and to provide all people with the disease the opportunity to lead long, fulfilling lives.

Fran joined the CF Foundation nearly 14 years ago and is passionate about their work because she gets to interact with so many amazing CF community members and feels she is helping to make a difference. Fran lives with her husband and two teenage children in Bethesda, Maryland.

Gary Patterson

PRESIDENT, SHELBY AMERICAN INC.

As president of Shelby American, Gary Patterson oversees all manufacturing, sales, operations, distribution and marketing. He has been a key Shelby team member since the birth of the continuation Cobra in 1996 through current Mustang and Ford F-150 and F-250 based vehicles.

Patterson manages a broad range of business initiatives all over the world. Recently Shelby has started production operations and suppliers with strategic partners in MI as well as sales and consumer initiatives and experiences around the globe. Those programs interact directly with enthusiasts, suppliers, and media around the world. Patterson also has oversite with the Cobra dealer program and Shelby Mod Shops worldwide.

He has also been a liaison with all military branches throughout his tenure at Shelby. He has hosted various military groups at the factory, promoted job opportunities at Shelby for those transitioning out of the service and been a key contact with military bases across Southern Nevada. A major supporter of the armed forces, his two sons currently serve in the United States Air Force and Coast Guard.

Gary has been at the forefront of countless charitable operations over decades helping to raise millions of dollars for first responders and groups like JDRF and Autism national charities.

The Northeast Texas Community College is a beneficiary of the Carroll Shelby Foundation and Shelby American often takes their top students and gives internships at the Las Vegas factory. Often, these lead to full time jobs after the internship is completed.

Patterson was the Chief test and development driver for Shelby for many years until taking on his present role. He has been deeply involved in the creation and refinement of every Shelby vehicle since the company moved to Las Vegas. He has also served as a factory team driver for Shelby American at many events over nearly 3 decades.

Patterson is on the NADA advisory board and is an Optima Batteries Power Pro Ambassador for Motorsports. He also serves as a technical advisor for the Ultimate Street Car Association competition held in Las Vegas annually.

Patterson has always been involved in motorsports and raced everything from tricycles to sports cars. His love for Mustangs began when his father brought home a 1965 hi performance convertible. Those early years led to his first car purchase, a 1969 Mach 1 Mustang which he still owns. Patterson drag raced that car while in high school and later became involved in autocross and competed in a modified Corvette. He currently owns several key Shelby development vehicles that he helped to create over the years.

Patterson began his Open Road Racing career in 1991 by helping with technical inspections at the Silver State Classic Challenge Open Road race in Nevada. He served on the Board of Directors and was Race Director of the Silver State Classic Challenge Open Road race from 1998 to 2004. In 2001, Patterson helped to start the Sandhills Open Road Challenge based in Nebraska. The event quickly established itself as a great venue for motorsports enthusiasts and helping to bring revenue to small towns helping to raise millions of dollars through this non-profit organization. This money has helped to provide much needed safety equipment for first responders and even helped to build a new community center.

Prior to joining Shelby in 1996, Patterson was Operations Manager of the TJ Maxx distribution center. For 15 years in this field, Patterson established himself as a leader of associate teams. Patterson has served as President of the Mustang Club of Las Vegas, Vice President of Competition for the Central Buckeye Corvette Association and was an NCRS judge.

Patterson graduated with a BSBA from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls in 1982. His many awards include one from Fort Findlay, his hometown in Ohio, for outstanding achievements in his field.

Patterson was promoted to President of Shelby American in December 2016 and is currently the longest standing president in the history of the company outside of founder Carroll Shelby.