State Liaison
JULIAN PRIDMORE-BROWN
After stints instructing in Asia and back in California, Julian stepped into the role of an airline pilot during what would become a turbulent time for the industry. After the events of September 11, 2001, he returned to flying smaller airplanes as an air ambulance pilot in eastern Oregon while spending off-days flying firefighters around…
Read MoreLORI 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,…
Read MoreJEFF 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…
Read MoreDAVE 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 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…
Read MoreFREEMAN SWANK
Ohio State Liaison RAF Ohio State Liaison Freeman Swank is as comfortable piloting a John Deere tractor or a motorcycle as he is flying his Piper Cherokee. An Ohio native, Freeman started flying in 1971. He was inspired by the Flying Farmers he met while he was in the Farm Science program at Ohio State. …
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