One of the true highlights of the activities at the FIVA booth at Rétromobile was the formal announcement of the appointment of FIVA’s representatives for North America. The appointments which were announced by FIVA President Alberto Scuro, reflect FIVA’s commitment to not only increase its presence in North America but also to strengthen its ties with stakeholders and enthusiasts.
The appointees need little introduction to the historic vehicle world and the FIVA family. Donald Osborne is one of America’s most distinctive and respected voices in the world of historic automobiles. A historian, appraiser, consultant, and television personality, he has spent decades illuminating the artistry, engineering, and cultural significance of cars. With his signature bowtie and eloquent storytelling, Donald Osborne brings the past to life, connecting people not just to the machines, but to the dreams and ambitions that created them.
Long before his television fame, Donald Osborne’s passion for automobiles was rooted in a deep appreciation for design. Trained in the arts and performance, he developed a keen sense of how beauty and purpose can intertwine - a perspective that would shape his entire career. He combined this aesthetic sensitivity with rigorous research, becoming a trusted authority on European and American cars of the 20th century.
Donald Osborne gained widespread public recognition as a regular contributor and co-host on Jay Leno’s Garage, where his expert insights and charming wit made the nuances of automotive history accessible to a wide audience. Off screen, he has served as a judge at the world’s most prestigious concours events, including the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and has worked as an accredited appraiser, helping collectors and institutions understand and preserve their treasures[rs2] .
From 2020 to 2025, Donald Osborne served as CEO of the Audrain Automobile Museum and its associated concours in Newport, Rhode Island. There, he expanded the museum’s reach and reimagined it as a vibrant hub for car culture, bridging the elegance of the past with the excitement of the present. His leadership helped turn the Audrain Concours into one of the most talked-about events on the automotive calendar. He remains a Consulting Director of the Audrain Group.
Today, Donald W. Osborne stands at the intersection of scholarship, performance, and passion. Whether on stage, on camera, or under the concours lawn sun, he remains one of the automotive world’s most elegant and articulate ambassadors and FIVA is proud to welcome Donald to the global family of FIVA.
Donald is joined by Mark Gessler, a name well known in the FIVA family, having joined FIVA in 2009 and serving not only as a board member, but also Chairman of the Technical Commission. As the founder and former President of the Historic Vehicle Association of the United States, Mark was the creator of the National Historic Vehicle Register in partnership with the United States Department of the Interior and the Library of Congress. Through these initiatives, he established enduring national standards in the United States for recognition and documentation of historically significant automobiles and their cultural impact.
In light of such a distinguished background, Mark Gessler’s appointment should come of no surprise, especially as for over fifteen years Mark has served as a judge at leading concours including the Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance and the Amelia and directed notable heritage projects such as ‘Cars at the Capitol’ at the National Mall in Washington D.C. Today, Mark not only continues to be an active member of the FIVA Technical Commission but also spends his time running the Scuderia Sports, an international racing team with multiple podium finishes and overall victories. It bears mention that between 2018 – 2024 he served as a consultant to 1000 Miglia Srl for development of its US programs and remains today as a member of the Scientfic Advisory Board of Registro Mille Miglia which establishes eligibility standards for the globally renown race.
Before focusing on automotive heritage, Mark spent over twenty-five years in human genomics as an entrepreneur and public company CEO and led one of the world’s largest genomic database initiatives.
The appointment of Mark Gessler as North American representative reflects the intersection of expertise, global stewardship and long term vision. Through his sustained leadership within FIVA and his contributions towards international standards of authenticity, documentation and preservation he continues to shape the framework by which historic vehicles are understood and protected. His work within FIVA reflects FIVA’s commitment to responsibility and cultural continuity on a global scale which will no doubt be reflected in his new appointment.