Honoring Heart: Joe Simmer, 2025 Tolonen Award Recipient
2025 Tolonen Award Recipient, Joe Simmer.
Every year at the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, the Packard Motor Car Foundation presents the Tolonen Award to a volunteer who exemplifies extraordinary dedication, service, and heart. Established in 2014 and named in honor of Dave and Sue Tolonen—the couple whose tireless stewardship helped save the Packard Proving Grounds—the award recognizes the individuals who continue that legacy of protection, restoration, and unwavering commitment.
This year, the Packard Proving Grounds is proud to honor Joe Simmer as the 2025 Tolonen Award recipient.
A Path Found by Chance, Guided by Purpose
Joe’s introduction to the Packard Proving Grounds came unexpectedly—by way of the Shelby Farmers Market in 2023.
“My wife and I were walking around and I saw a sign that said you could volunteer,” Joe recalls. Recently retired and looking to give back, he filled out an application that same day. A phone call and a tour later, he found himself stepping into a world he hadn’t yet realized would capture him so deeply.
His very first shift was at Chic & Unique, assisting with tours alongside longtime volunteer Rick Mayer.
As Rick walked him through the Lodge, the museum, and the layers of history embedded in every corner, Joe realized something profound:
“I realized this isn’t just automotive. It’s family history, military history, architectural history. It’s got a lot of facets.”
That discovery drew him in—and it hasn’t let go since.
Preserving History, One Document at a Time
An M4 Sherman tank inside the Packard Proving Grounds’ Tank Test Center during WWII – part of the rich history that deepened Joe Simmer’s connection to the site.
Though Joe contributes in many areas, he quickly gravitated toward the lesser-known military history of the Proving Grounds—a chapter often overshadowed by Packard’s automotive legacy.
Early on, volunteer Kim Par handed him a binder of military testing snippets. Buried inside were fragments of reports—over 600 of them—documenting crucial World War II vehicle testing performed on-site. Some were Packard-related, others were not, but all were deeply significant.
Seeing a gap, Joe stepped in.
When he learned there was no complete list of these reports, he began creating one. Today, he has located abstracts for roughly 70–80 military testing reports, uncovering details that even longtime volunteers didn’t know existed.
His research has extended far beyond our walls.
In his words:
“I’ve actually found documents created in Great Britain when the British military came over. When I brought that to people’s attention, they didn’t realize it. They didn’t know what was happening here.”
Joe’s work ensures that this critical chapter of our history—one that helped shape wartime innovation—is not lost.
Strengthening the Foundation from Within
Joe has played a key role in modernizing the PPS’s IT infrastructure.
Joe’s contributions aren’t limited to research.
He has also been a driving force behind major upgrades to the Packard Proving Grounds’ IT infrastructure—work essential to the day-to-day functioning of a nonprofit preservation site.
Much of this, he credits to learning from fellow volunteer and trustee Ken Schneider:
“The knowledge base he has from working on renovation projects has really helped me understand the place better.”
Their collaboration represents the best of PPG volunteerism: people from different backgrounds combining their strengths to make the site better than they found it.
Finding Community and Purpose
When asked what keeps him coming back, Joe didn’t hesitate:
“Definitely the people. There are a lot of people there from different walks of life… and we’re all trying to achieve a common goal: to make the place the best it can be.”
Like many volunteers, Joe brings skills from his professional career—problem solving, project management, and creative thinking—and applies them in ways that elevate the entire foundation.
His contributions reflect a truth many share: the Packard Proving Grounds is not just a place to volunteer; it’s a community.
A Moment of Honor and Humility
Joe accepts the 2025 Tolonen Award in recognition of his dedication and service.
When asked how he felt hearing his name announced as the Tolonen Award winner, Joe said:
“I was honored… It was very humbling. I go there and I try to do the best I can.”
For Joe, the award symbolizes more than recognition—it’s a reminder of the responsibility shared by everyone who loves the Proving Grounds:
“This is a significant historical site. A lot of people before you worked hard to keep it from becoming the post office. You’re working to continue that legacy.”
Preserving the Past, Preparing for the Future
Looking ahead, Joe hopes to continue expanding our understanding of the military history rooted here.
One project especially close to his heart is digitizing the PPG’s enormous archive of historical materials—binders, folders, reports, and documents that are currently accessible only in person.
“We’ve got a lot of historical information that other places may not have… Getting it digitized so it can be easily retrieved and presented to a broader audience is something I’m quite interested in.”
He also hopes future volunteers will continue uncovering documents that further illuminate the site’s World War II significance:
“We were the last commercial proving grounds in America that the military held onto during the war. That tells you how important this place was.”
A Message to Future Volunteers
Joe’s advice to those who may be considering volunteering:
“If automotive isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other areas. Family history, architecture, landscaping, military history… there’s something for everyone.”
And he’s right—the Packard Proving Grounds is multifaceted. Every volunteer, no matter their background, plays a unique role in preserving it.
Celebrating Joe—and Every Volunteer Who Makes PPG Possible
The Packard Proving Grounds thrives because of dedicated volunteers like Joe.
Joe’s story represents the very heart of the Packard Proving Grounds:
ordinary people doing extraordinary work, driven by curiosity, passion, and a deep love for a place that holds so much American history.
The Packard Proving Grounds exists today because of volunteers like him.
Because of people who give their time.
People who bring their skills.
People who believe in the mission enough to keep it alive for future generations.
Please join us in congratulating Joe Simmer, the 2025 Tolonen Award recipient—and in thanking every volunteer who continues the legacy of Dave and Sue Tolonen through their dedication.
Interested in becoming a part of the PPG volunteer community? Click Here
