National Association for Members [ NAM ]

2004 Examination of David Vopnford
July 28, 1998, Des Moines, IA

The following are some of the highlights:

Sales were targeted at 50-65 year old people who wanted to go to Florida in the winter time. That's why the Florida parks were overburdened.

Mr. Vopnford was asked if he has consulted with Mr. Alleman from time to time. The response: "He calls me." Seemed evasive, misleading and intended to give a false impression. (Many members have reported the frequent meetings of David Vopnford, Sr. and Steve Alleman since the bankruptcies of subsidiaries.)

An occasional attempt was made to be 'cute or evasive' and testimony changed from time to time. "Was there any 'separate' accounting of the income and expenses of the subsidiaries?" The answer seemed to be yes, or no. Depended on which answer would serve his purpose.

When wire transfers of TAI money was being discussed, he said that he "never used a bank in Missouri..." Later in a discussion of bank accounts that were opened in order to avoid detection by creditors, he stated that he opened accounts in Missouri, Texas, Atlanta." How can we reconcile these two statements?

It was alleged that "cash" was being sent to TAI from the parks "toward the end" in order to protect the funds from creditors. (Several park managers have stated that this was a long standing and standard operating procedure for the company.)
Show me the Money! Asset Leakage:

Thousand Adventures loaned a lot of money to a company called "DBV, Incorporated", a Nebraska corp. owned by David and Barbara Vopnford and another person. (DBV, Inc. later filed bankruptcy and was sold to the other partner in a contested situation. An examination of those bankruptcy records did not reveal that TAI was listed as a creditor in that bankruptcy.)

The large boat that was purchased by TAI, the "Icelander", was used only as an office and a hotel in "Orlando" by Mr. Vopnford. It is alleged to be moored at "Monroe Harbor" in Orlando. A 'smaller' boat, the "Living Legend" is also supposed to be there.

So what's next? Park Status ?
Mr. Vopnford alleged that Travel America abandoned Thorenhaven, the park in Weeping Water, NE, that the Buffalo Corp. donated $500 to volunteers at the park to purchase a lawn mower but there are no paid employees, and that he intends to run it. He stated at one point "You can have it if you want it." He alleged that Thorenhaven, was transferred to Travel America and the mortgages were held by 2 or 3 Texas banks. He didn't reveal which banks those might be.
Country Meadows (IN) was transferred to Travel America and they abandoned it. Also abandoned was Hickory Ridge (IA), and Thorenhaven (NE) according to his testimony.
He said that the following parks are gone:
Alum Cove (OH), Indian Bluffs, (KY), Country Creek (??)
Camplands Water (OH), Ocean City Leisure (MD), Cottonwood Marina (NE?),
Lake Village (OH), Headwaters Resort (MI), Indian Falls Lake (NY),
Leisure Lake (OH), Travel Inn (MI), Breckenridge Lake (TN),
Mountain Top (OH), Whippoorwill Ranch (MN), The Lakes Resort (TN),
River Bend (OH) Castle View (MO), Woodland Camp (??),
Twin Lakes (OH), Diamond Harbor (MO?),
Family Time (LA), Currituck Shores (NC),
(all of the Florida TAI parks - 10 parks)
Crab Tree Resort (IA) (May have been taken back by the Mortgagor).
Send us your input for our newsletter. Members will have to help us keep track of these so we can update the list.

This report is based on my understanding of the testimony of Mr. Vopnford. We haven't been able to rely on statements from him or his people a lot in the past.

Dan Hopper, Chairman
Members Committee