Vehicle Selection Committee
Bob Kerner, a seasoned 24-year insurance producer, specializes in private client risk management and has served seven billionaire families. His expertise lies in catering to clients with family offices, utilizing best-in-class practices and a dedicated team. He extends his services to emerging affluent clients, with a minimum of $5 million investible, up to ultra-wealthy families.
Bob’s passion for collector cars is evident through his involvement as a Board Member for the La Jolla Concours d’ Elegance and his longstanding membership in the Classic Car Club of America. His contributions to the Petersen Automotive Museum and his three appearances on the Cars Yeah podcast underscore his dedication to the automotive industry.
In 2021, Bob was chosen as Co-Chairman of the La Jolla Concours d’ Elegance, where he aims to work side by side with Michael Dorvillier and our organizing committee to host world-class events tailored to sponsors, entrants, and patrons, aligning with our vision of showcasing the most remarkable automobiles and top-notch judging.
As a sales executive at Marsh McLennan Agency, Bob’s practice covers all risk transfer needs for ultra-wealthy families globally.
Pebble Beach Concours Docent Chairman, Ironstone Concours Race Car Chairman, Blackhawk Museum Docent, Hagerty Junior Judges Program Leader-Hillsborough Concours and CEO of Lodi Memorial Hospital Foundation.
Often called “Mr. Packard,” Robert Escalante’s entire life has revolved around the Packard automobile and the city of Santa Ana. He grew up in Santa Ana and bought his first Packard at age seventeen. Soon after, he started working at Custom Auto Service, a Packard restoration shop in town. There, he learned the restoration business from the ground up. In 1983, he bought the business, and a year later faced the threat of losing it all through imminent domain from the city that was focused on gentrification. That’s when his real education began. By then, he knew Packards inside and out, but city politics was a different beast. But what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right? Robert persevered and learned how to survive and thrive in local politics. His secret? Get involved! He volunteered to help the city develop four city blocks in the historic area and has since participated in many city projects and served on many different boards. The city of Santa Ana responded, and even proclaimed June 16 as Packard Day. And Custom Auto Service was named Small Business of the Year by the local state assemblyman.
Robert is president of Custom Auto Service but finds time to promote the Packard marque as well as other collector cars in the hobby. He serves on the La Jolla Concours Selection Committee and other car shows and tours throughout Southern California. In 2022, he was elected president of Packards International Motor Car Club.
Today, Robert continues to serve the city in many ways, and with the help of his staff of dedicated professionals, Custom Auto Service is still on the corner of Third and French restoring and servicing Packards. Celebrating fifty-eight years in business, it remains the oldest restoration shop in California.
Patrick has been a car enthusiast since childhood. At 15 years old his Dad gave him a 1930 Model A Ford coupe, which he restored and sold to a collector. The next acquisition was a 1967 GTO six-pack four on the floor. Always wanting a Mercedes Benz, at 27 he purchased a 1960 220se convertible. The next Mercedes was a 1970 280sl #903 (midnight blue) which he restored and won 1st in three Concours d’ Elegance competitions. He and his wife, Katy, currently own a 1970 280sl #904 (blue/gray) preservation example. Patrick has judged at the La Jolla Concours for 10 years and feels privileged to be part of the La Jolla Concours team of volunteers.
In the car business for 29 years, and in the current Iconic Coastal Location for 25 years, owner of Cardiff Classics Thomas Billick, (Tom) is honored to serve on the committee this year. “It’s always a privilege to participate in such a prominent event such as the La Jolla Concours.”
Carl and Vicki Zeiger, pictured in front of their 1941 Cadillac, are both car enthusiasts. Carl is a past Board member of the Classic Car Club Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan, and Vicki is the President of the Classic Car Club of America ( CCCA), headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. They are also members of the San Diego/Palm Springs region of the CCCA, the Southern California region of the CCCA, the Cadillac Club, Packard Club, and Thunderbird Club.
Brad Brindley has been fascinated with automobiles, planes, motorcycles, and motorsport racing since early childhood through a shared passion from his father. Brad grew up building model planes and sport cars, and raced in AMA sanctioned Motocross events.
“My first memories were attending various SCCA production events with my dad at Riverside International Raceway. Additionally, in the pro series he would point out various drivers and their cars, like Phil Hill, Jack Brabham, Carroll Shelby, Ken Miles, just to name a few.“
Brad would join his dad in various British sportscar rallies, which he owned over the years; Jaguar XK120, Austin Healey 100-6, and Aston Martin DB5.
These were formable years for Brad that spurred his curiosity on how things were built and ideas for improvement that channeled his education path in the field of engineering.
Brad graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, and a Master’s in Business and Marketing. The last 26 six years Brad has enjoyed working in the Mission Critical – Data Center industry with more than 40+ years in electrical infrastructure design.
Brad’s first sportscar was a Datsun 260Z, which he himself highly modified from the ground up, and competed in the San Diego Z Club short track and slalom events through the mid to late 70’s.
“Since I could not afford a Porsche as a college student, the goal was a budget build that would outperform a 911 S in every way”.
Powertrain and suspension included a balanced 280Z block, E31 head – cc’ed/ported/polished with 1.74”/1.38” Stellite valves, Schneider racing cam, 10:1 forged pistons, curved 12V distributor with high voltage coil and 9mm wires, modified 2X HJC46W carburetors, headers with 2.5” exhaust, 5 speed manual, and Interpart/Koni suspension combine with polyurethane bushings. Bottom line, goal was a complete success on the track and street!
“Today, I’m a bit more reserved, which I own a 991.1 Turbo S, and I’m a member of PCA. Arguably Southern California auto enthusiast has been a major contributor for all things automotive, which boasts outstanding auto museums and car shows that is easily available and I enjoy attending from time to time. Also, I enjoy the laid back local So Cal cars and coffee events in striking up conversations with some truly passionate car owners”.
Brad admires 50’s and early 60’s European sportscars, and the Art Deco era automobiles and motorcycles; like, Henderson KJ Streamliner, Delahaye, Indian 441, Bugatti Type 57SC, Auburn Boattail, are a few great examples.
Jim is the son of a US Navy officer, who settled in San Diego in the 70’s after living all over the world. His first car was an International Harvester Scout, he had to rebuild the engine to actually drive it. He spent a full 40 year career in the high-tech industry, developing firmware, software, and hardware, with the last 16 years of that with Hewlett-Packard in the All-In-One printer division in San Diego. If you have an HP printer, likely Jim’s designs are sitting on your desk. Jim’s career took a turn in 2007, when he joined the Fire Service, where he worked his way up to the rank of Division Chief, retiring in July of 2024. A lifelong car and equipment nut, Jim’s current fleet ranges from a ‘59 Studebaker 2-ton dump truck, a ‘59 Austin Healey Bug-Eye Sprite up to a ‘72 GMC 5-Star Class 8 water tender. There are a few Porsches in there as well. And more than a few tractors and vintage bulldozers.