State Liaison Archives - Page 2 of 6 - Recreational Aviation Foundation

TODD BANKS

Kansas State Liaison Todd, a Wichita native, began flying while in high school. After taking a 30 year break to raise kids and see them off to college, flying was again at the top of his to-do list. He started re-learning tailwheel skills after acquiring a yellow Cub. While working on a land clearing timber…

BILL MCCORMICK

Kentucky State Liaison Growing up in St. Joseph & K.C. Missouri, Bill had always wanted to take flying lessons and started them in 1997 but then a move, life, work, etc. got in the way. While on a fishing trip in western Alaska with his brother in 2011, he caught that “Bug” again. Getting rides…

LORI MATERI

Wyoming State Liaison Lori grew up the youngest (with a twin sister) in a large aviation family. Her father served as navigator on a B-29 during WWII, and later piloted his family around the country in a PA-11, a Skywagon, and a Piper Navajo. Her childhood was filled with Sunday afternoon flights in the PA-11,…

CHRIS MCATEE

Wyoming State Liaison Chris McAtee grew up around aviation in Wyoming. He served in the Air National Guard from 2003-2009, working on C-130 engines and propellers. He is an A&P/IA and an EAA tech counselor and currently serves as Director of Maintenance for a Part 135 operation based in central Wyoming. After flying sporadically since the…

JEFF RUSSELL

Director A lifelong resident of Wisconsin, Jeff Russell grew up in Sheboygan and now resides near Madison, WI. He flies a SuperCub and Cirrus out of the Morey airport in Middleton. Young Jeff was exposed to general aviation while flying with is dad in their Cherokee 235. It wasn’t until 1998 that circumstances allowed Jeff…

EVAN DAVIS

West Virginia State Liaison Evan got his first GA airplane ride about the age of 12 in a Mooney, followed by some actual stick time in a home built Pietenpol, “which sunk the hook deep,” Evan says. He began flight training in 2013, and after some hard work and dedication, he got his license, “and…

DAVE WHITELAW

Washington State Liaison Dave was born and raised on an Indian Reservation in E Washington, he learned to love and respect the outdoors- camping, hunting, fishing and working. His father owned and operated a logging company which he worked for while going to high school and college, learning the value of hard work and being…

R.M. "BOB" BURLEY

Vermont State Liaison What began as frequent 12 mile bicycle rides to a local Vermont airport in the early 1950’s quickly evolved into a full-fledged airport rat manifestation. Along the way, peripheral excursions have included: retired international corporate executive (F-10 company), former Air Force officer, pilot, stints as Highway Engineer, logger, Operations Director for a…

WAYNE LOEBER

Utah State Liaison Wayne was born on a sugar beet farm outside Sheridan, Wyoming in 1946 and did not experience running water or electricity until the age of 10 when he moved to Southern CA. Wayne attended high school and college in CA where he soloed in a Super Cub at the age of 17.…

STEVE LEWIS

Tennessee State Liaison Steve was born and raised in northeast Tennessee. He graduated from East Tennessee State University in 1971. Having commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant through ROTC, he went on active duty in the U.S. Army in the early 1970s. His first civilian job was as a flight instructor at Tri-Cities airport, (KTRI) which eventually…