1

                                                                   EXHIBIT 99.17

                        CONSENT OF NOMINEE JOHN SCHAPER

         Pursuant to Rule 483 of the General Rules and Regulations under the
Securities Act of 1933, I hereby consent to the use of information about and
all references to me in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus which is a part of
this Registration Statement.


                                        JOHN SCHAPER
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                        John Schaper


May 28, 1996