I'm 29...
Started in 1989 when I attended a summer camp at the National Warplane Museum in Geneseo, NY at the age of 10... two weeks of learning and hanging around a B-17, P-40, PBY and a whole lot more... go figure! I became a member after that and enjoyed many years volunteering as a tour guide (youngest one at the museum) and other odd jobs.
My orthodontist was Dr. Bill Anderson (owner of P-40E AK940 at the time) and my monthly appointments became 2 hour talks with him... he took me up for my first light plane ride in a J-3 Cub. I was to fly with him in the P-40 the summer it crashed... thus ending that chance. I subsequently flew with him to other shows in the ME-208 he had (Nord 1101) and was introduced to the Canadian airshow folks at the Spence airfield in Muirkirk... thus resulting in my first mention in a major magazine... "Canadians know how to party!" in an article written by Eric Dumigan (AIRIC)
My first warbird flight was in a BT-13 owned and flown by Bob Moses of Geneseo. He let me fly it for most of the flight... even though I was 14 at the time.
Became a charter member (#250) of the 1941 Historic Aircraft Group when it split from the National Warplane Museum. Led the youth group there for a few years and became the airshow announcer for the 1996 show (after the original announcer backed out at the last minute). Was invited back the year after to announce again!
Went to college at Daniel Webster College for Aviation Flight Operations (Professional Pilot) and got through my Private Pilot certificate there. Changed to Aviation Management major after I realized that airline flying wasn't for me.
First job after college was working for the Collings Foundation as the National Tour Coordinator and Director of Marketing. I managed the B-17 & B-24 tour for 5 years, built the website (most of what is at
http://www.cfdn.org today), and did all the PR and marketing work. It was amazing that I was able to WORK for a living in warbirds!
Now I am the Associate Director of Marketing for Daniel Webster College, working mainly with the MBA for Aviation Professionals program and the recruitment for the aviation program at the undergraduate level. I also have started my own aviation marketing consultancy and have been working with some performers and airshows on developing strategic marketing plans.
Became great friends with Scott (WRG and WIX) midway through my time at CF and have been active on WIX since 2002.
Now live in Chandler, AZ where I am anticipating lots of new adventures in aviation and warbirds!
That's pretty much the quick story for me!