Posts by ewhite
NEW KANSAS LIAISON LUKE REBER
The RAF warmly welcomes Luke Reber to the State Liaison team. Luke was born and raised in McPherson, Kansas, where his passion for aviation began at an early age. Inspired by his father, Luke earned his Private Pilots License at 17, and has since added an instrument rating, seaplane rating, and a tailwheel endorsement. Over the past…
Read MoreED COOPER
Ed wanted to fly as long as he could remember. Growing up as an “Air Force Brat,” his early life involved living on air bases, watching airplanes and living among Air Force pilots. His father flew P-47, P-38 and P-51 fighters in the South Pacific during the Second World War. Ed has enjoyed GA flying since getting his…
Read MoreLIZ TOUCHSTONE
Liz grew up in Louisiana, but she has lived in Georgia with her husband Mike for the past 35 years. They have two grown sons, John and Will. Liz’s interests include reading, DIY projects, walking/hiking, hanging out with friends, and accompanying Mike on camping trips, fishing excursions, or flights in his Carbon Cub. She enjoys…
Read MoreJOHN HODGSON
John was blessed to have two neighbors with 1000s of hours in Cessna 185s, and obtained his private pilot license with their encouragement in 2013. They introduced him to the magic of backcountry Idaho and the amazing capabilities of a 185. He purchased his own at the Big Creek Lodge in 2014. John was introduced to the RAF…
Read MoreVOLUNTEERS DIG DEEP TO MAINTAIN FACILITIES AT TRIGGER GAP
It all started years ago by building a relationship between The Nature Conservancy and the RAF. Arkansas pilots and RAF Liaisons Harper Goodwin and Dave Powell connected with the regional folks at The Nature Conservancy, the organization known for its efforts to advance effective, lasting land and environmental conservation. Shortly, they found common ground between…
Read MoreDOUGLAS LUMGAIR
California State Liaison Douglas Lumgair grew up in San Diego with summers in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where his great love for the outdoors took shape through backpacking, fishing and horsemanship. “At age 17, I set out across the country and Alaska, working various jobs and building real-world experience,” he says. By his mid-20s, with some…
Read MoreJacob Schultz
Tennessee Ambassador Day job: Corporate pilot at Rogers Group in Nashville Favorite airstrip: Sky Ranch TN98 Next adventure: Explore more airstrips in Tennessee/Falcon 2000LXS training in February
Read MoreKARI DEFREEST
Alaska Ambassador Day Job: I am an occupational therapist and a certified hand therapist. I specialize in treating people living with persistent pain and rural healthcare. Favorite airstrip: This answer changes periodically but currently it’s Hugh Smith Lake in the Misty Fiords National Monument. Next adventure: Isn’t every day an adventure? But, my next big…
Read MoreMIKE GINTER
Maryland Ambassador Day job: SVP, Air Safety Institute Favorite airstrip: High Rock, MD Next adventure: Gain more backcountry experience in Arkansas and Idaho
Read MoreMATT FOSTER
Director Matt Foster grew up immersed in aviation. At a young age, Matt’s dad introduced him to flying and camping in the Idaho backcountry. He was a successful business owner who was able to use General Aviation aircraft for business as well as pleasure. Raised on an airpark, Matt soloed on his sixteenth birthday, got his private at age 17,…
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