State Liaison
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…
Read MoreR.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…
Read MoreWAYNE 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.…
Read MoreSTEVE 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…
Read MoreRAY JILEK
South Dakota State Liaison Ray grew up on a family farm in southwestern North Dakota and moved to the Black Hills of South Dakota in the late 80s where he met Laura, the love of his life. Laura and Ray now live in Spearfish and have two daughters. Ray learned to fly in a Cessna…
Read MoreBILL REPUCCI
South Carolina State Liaison After graduating with an engineering degree from Western Michigan University and spending four years living with roommates who were in the aviation program, Bill began flight training shortly thereafter. In the ensuing 30-plus years he has flown over 90 different makes and models of aircraft. “I have some very generous friends, for…
Read MoreANDREW TURNER
Pennsylvania State Liaison Andy Turner was introduced to aviation at a young age, buckled in the rear seat of his parents’ TriPacer. Always interested in outdoor pursuits, he earned a Ph.D. in Environmental Science from Michigan State University, and now lives in Clarion, Pennsylvania, where he works as a professor of Biology and Geosciences at…
Read MoreJUDSON RUPERT
Pennsylvania State Liaison Jud was born and raised in central Pennsylvania where he says he helped his A&P/IA father, “as much as I was allowed.” He attended Penn State University where he received his BS in Aeronautical Engineering, followed up with his MAS from Embry-Riddle. He was a member of the US Naval Test Pilot…
Read MoreRICHARD MAYES
Oregon State Liaison Richard grew up in Texas and earned his private pilot’s certificate at age 18. After completing a couple of engineering degrees in California, Richard decided – without much forethought– that his future lay in Alaska. Earning his commercial, instrument, MEL and SEL ratings, he flew to remote locations throughout the state for…
Read MoreSTEVE THOMPSON
Oklahoma State Liaison Steve Thompson was raised on a farm in southern Oklahoma. He was born in 1966 and since his earliest memories he knew what he wanted to do. Fly Airplanes. At age 14 his dad introduced him to a coworker that was in the Civil Air Patrol and soon he started taking flying…
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