THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY FALL 2017

Passion,assion Pride & Expectation University President P. Barry Butler on the three traits that fueled a lifelong love for learning and aviation. PAGE 16 FROM THE PRESIDENT

Volume 13, No. 2 Lift, the alumni magazine of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, is published twice Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has which I have now been fortunate to visit on annually (spring and fall). a rich history steeped in the traditions and three separate occasions, offers a smaller, Copyright © 2017 great innovations of the industry that it family-like environment. Project-based learning Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Florida/Arizona/Worldwide serves. As its newly minted sixth president, I and faculty mentorship amplify the educational 600 S. Clyde Morris Blvd. have been given a truly unique honor to lead experience there. Daytona Beach, FL 32114 All rights reserved this great university. Our Worldwide Campus, with more than Senior Executive Director of Development Throughout my career, I’ve kept an eye 135 locations across the globe, 41 online Christopher Lambert, J.D. on Embry-Riddle. Its reputation and place graduate and undergraduate programs Executive Director of Alumni Relations in the world of aviation and aerospace are including a Ph.D. in Aviation, and a growing Bill Thompson (’87, PC) Executive Director of Alumni & unparalleled. I believe everything in my Asia Campus in Singapore, meets the needs Development Communications professional life to date has worked to of military students, working professionals and Anthony Brown Director of Alumni & Development prepare me for this role — and I am grateful on-the-go millennials. And our online students Communications/Editor for the opportunity. receive a top-notch education. In 2017, Embry- Sara Withrow Assistant Director of Alumni Joining the Embry-Riddle community Riddle had the No. 1 Best Online Bachelor’s & Development Communications offi cially in March was a dream come true for Degree program in the United States, Melanie Stawicki Azam Communications Specialist me and my wife, Audrey. With my background according to U.S. News & World Report. Alan Marcos Pinto Cesar in aeronautical and astronautical engineering, While all of our campuses are involved CONTRIBUTORS and my three decades in higher education in research, the Daytona Beach Campus is Melanie Hanns, Director of Media Relations teaching, research and administration, I feel developing a research hub that promises to Molly Justice, Director of Digital the job is a perfect fi t. Likewise, Audrey, a transform the region, the state of Florida Communications Jason Kadah, Director of Communications seasoned educator and an engineer herself, and beyond. The cornerstone building of and Marketing is looking forward to serving as an active Embry-Riddle’s Research Park, the John Daryl LaBello, Multimedia Producer advocate for the university. Mica Engineering and Aerospace Innovation David Massey, Multimedia Producer Trevis “T.J.” Matheus (‘11, PC) In my fi rst few months, I’ve met with Complex (MicaPlex), opened this spring and Lacey McLaughlin, Digital Writer corporate partners who speak with great is already teeming with activity. [See related Connor McShane, Multimedia Producer respect about our students and graduates. stories, pages 10–15] Ginger Pinholster, Interim Vice President for Marketing & Communications I’ve talked with alumni who have expressed Our campuses may be geographically James Roddey, Director of Communications an overwhelming pride and ownership distinct, but they are united by an unwavering Bob Score, Media Production Coordinator in their alma mater. And I’ve observed a commitment to student success. Published by MANIFEST LLC shared passion for all things fl ight among our It’s an exciting time for aviation and Senior Editor students, faculty and staff. aerospace. Tremendous challenges lie ahead, Julia Sullivan but as you and I both know, “challenge” is just Art Director It’s true: Embry-Riddle “lives and breathes Carolyn Miller aviation.” And, yet, it is so much more. another word for “opportunity.” You can expect Production Manager Across the university’s campuses, we Embry-Riddle to be front and center when it Lori Orient Production Technology Specialist are engineering technologies for the future comes to researching and innovating solutions Cheryl Beaver and building leaders in areas as diverse as to industry problems — as well as developing Project Manager Wesley Bresette cybersecurity and intelligence, human factors new knowledge. psychology, forensic biology, spacefl ight Join us on the journey! I look forward Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is an Affi rmative Action/Equal Opportunity operations, business administration, to making new history for Embry-Riddle Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, astronomy, meteorology, space physics — and with you. age, national origin, handicap, veteran’s status or sexual orientation. as of August, aerospace physiology, to name Nonprofi t identifi cation: 59-0936101. just a few. Regards, Change address, unsubscribe or email the Embry-Riddle’s unique campuses (Daytona editor at [email protected]. PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER Beach, Prescott, Worldwide/Online and Worldwide – Asia) bring depth and breadth P. Barry Butler, Ph.D. to our academic programs, research and the President, Embry-Riddle student experience. The Prescott Campus, Aeronautical University Fall 2017

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IN OTHER WORDS ALUMNI @WORK 5 The Way South 20 Coaching Up Prescott Campus roommates unite Embry-Riddle creates leaders 16 for epic motorcycle adventure on the court and in the fi eld Great WINGS OF LEGACY GIVING TO EMBRY-RIDDLE 6 From Sea to Air 22 The Father of Flight Expectations How Corinne Smith launched a Instructors fl ight training career at Embry- Prescott alumni rally to name a Embry-Riddle’s sixth Riddle’s Seaplane Base building and a scholarship fund university president, P. Barry for their retired teacher Butler, discusses his FLIGHT PATH passion for aviation and 8 Safety First ALUMNI IN ACTION teaching and his aspirations David Zwegers takes Embry-Riddle 24 Delivering safety culture to a new level at ‘Real Goodness’ for the future Airbus Americas Veteran John Pray serves America’s military families 10 Igniting through Operation Homefront Entrepreneurship Worldwide Campus student business venture takes fl ight with support from Embry-Riddle CHECK OUT THE LIFT WEBSITE! 12 Aerial Precision Read Lift on your desktop, tablet or First fl ex-lease tenant at phone, and get immediate access Embry-Riddle’s Research Park to video and other web extras. advances UAS technology lift.erau.edu

2 Chatter 4 Feedback 26 Alumni News 32 Class Notes News and notes Embry-Riddle alumni A message from the Find out what your from the world of and friends offer Alumni Association, fellow alumni are up

AIRBUS: AIRBUS AMERICAS /P. MASCLET, MASTER FILMS. FILMS. MASTER MASCLET, /P. AMERICAS AIRBUS AIRBUS: Embry-Riddle comments and opinions upcoming events and more to now

ON THE COVER: President Butler inside Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach observatory, which features the largest university-based research telescope in the state of Florida. Photo by David Massey LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 1 NEWS & NOTES FROM THE WORLD OF EMBRY-RIDDLE CHATTER Back-to-Back Champs Prescott Campus Golden Eagles Flight Team celebrates 11th national Golden Eagles 2017 Championship Team ALTIMETER: championship HIGH POINTS AT EMBRY-RIDDLE Embry-Riddle’s Prescott Campus the United States to compete in re˜ ects our institution’s commit- Golden Eagles Flight Team cap- flight and ground events such as ment to excellence in aviation,” The Prescott Campus placed tured its 11th national champion- navigation, computer accuracy, says P. Barry Butler, president of No. 1 and No. 2 in the collegiate division and No. 2 and No. 5 ship title May 914 at the 2017 preflight inspection and more. Embry-Riddle. “These competi- overall at the 2017 Women’s Air National Intercollegiate Flying Four out of the top 10 scorers tors have inspired us to pursue Race Classic. Association (NIFA) Safety and in the individual category were even greater heights.” Flight Evaluation Conference students from Embry-Riddle’s With the 2017 top title, The Prescott Campus Women’s (SAFECON) competition. A con- two teams – more than any Prescott’s Golden Eagles have Golf Team ended the season sistent powerhouse at the com- other students from 27 compet- now won the NIFA SAFECON No. 2 in the nation at the petition, the team placed Š rst in ing universities. National Championship 11 times NAIA Women’s Golf National 2016 as well, making this year’s Prescott’s Golden Eagles since 1993. The team also has Championship in May. win a back-to-back success. Š nished with 500 points, the an unbroken 33-year record as Embry-Riddle’s Daytona highest in the team’s history regional champion. Elisabeth H. Murray, assistant professor of security studies Beach Campus Eagles Flight — and 100 points above second- The Daytona Beach team and international affairs at the Team placed sixth. place Š nisher University of won the national championship Daytona Beach Campus, is the The NIFA SAFECON competi- North Dakota. in 1992, the Š rst national title for fi rst female president to lead tion brings together collegiate “The success of the Golden the university. the International Network of aviation teams from around Eagles and Eagles ˜ ight teams — Melanie Hanns Genocide Scholars.

Richard “Pat” Anderson, direc- The certifi cation tor of the Eagle Flight Research included an application Center at the Daytona Beach Certi ed ‘Green’ and a Green Audit by Campus, was awarded the The Worldwide Campus at Lindbergh Electric Aircraft the city. Prize on May 20, 2017. Phoenix Sky Harbor is “We are grateful for recognized for its recycling e
orts the support of our stu- Robin Colwell, director of the Embry-Riddle Worldwide dents and faculty, many Campus at Memphis, Tenn., The City of Phoenix recently named of whom recycle at was named a “Power Player the Worldwide Campus at Phoenix Sky home and at work, and in Higher Education” by Inside Harbor a Green Business Leader. The Memphis Business magazine. who contribute greatly campus is the fi rst college or university to our program’s suc- The Prescott Campus’ Phi to receive this designation, which hon- cess,” Zeman says. Beta Lambda (PBL) Business ors companies that actively support sus- Club won the Arizona State A secondary benefi t to recycling for PBL Championship for the 11th tainability and recycling. the campus has been cost savings. “As straight year and had eight top- “We have been recycling at our cam- our diversion rate increased, we have 10 fi nishes at the PBL National pus for many years,” says Nancy Zeman, been able to reduce our campus trash Leadership Conference in June. Worldwide Campus director. “I feel removal costs by over 60 percent,” The Prescott Campus Rocket recycling is an easy way to contribute Zeman says. “I am pleased our campus Team broke six campus records to a better environment for us and for qualifi ed to join this group of businesses on April 23, including highest future generations.” altitude (36,072 feet) and high- who are making a difference in the est velocity (Mach 2.5), with the Zeman learned of the city’s Phoenix area.”

launch of a Mach 3 rocket. green business program on Twitter. — Sara Withrow CONNOR MCSHANE

2 LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU BY THE NUMBERS Innovation at New Aerospace Physiology Program Oers Embry-Riddle Pre-Med Pathway for Embry-Riddle Students

Individuals seeking careers in medical research advance scientific research, human healthcare or those who want to improve the health and and life on Earth.” well-being of pilots, astronauts, flight crew The program is supported both by a letter of Fiscal Year 2006 to 2016 members and air or space travelers, now have a commitment from Florida Hospital and a substan- degree program custom-made for them. tial giŸ from Florida-based philanthropist Helen 66 This fall, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical M. Wessel. Through her generosity, Embry-Riddle Inventions disclosed University’s Daytona Beach Campus launched a will establish a pivotal faculty position, titled Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Physiology — the Dr. Robert H. Wessel and Dr. Helen M. Wessel 81 Inventors believed to be the first undergraduate program of Endowed Chair for Aerospace Physiology. its kind in the nation. — Ginger Pinholster 30 The program offers real-world Provisional patents filed experience in clinical settings, 31 thanks to a partnership between Nonprovisional patents filed the university and six local Florida Hospital branches. 7 “An undergraduate degree U.S. patents issued in aerospace physiology from Embry-Riddle will put students Faculty Invention on track to enter medical school or to pursue careers in the 40 military and civilian sectors,” Faculty hold U.S. patents says Karen Gaines, dean of the university’s College of Arts 150 U.S. patents name faculty and Sciences. “Studying cel- as inventors lular function in space can help

SOURCE: InventER: Hybrid High Performance Annual Innovation Report, Fall 2016 Embry-Riddle takes eight first-place awards at national EcoCAR 3 competition

The Embry-Riddle EcoEagles’ high-performance hybrid- in-kind software grant with a to predict how the products will Eco Super Sport (ESS) electric vehicle, while commercial value of react to real-world forces like Chevrolet Camaro came in demonstrating technologies $36 million from Siemens vibration and heat,” says Patrick first place for Consumer of interest to the DOE and PLM Software. Currier, faculty adviser for Appeal, Craftsmanship, the automotive industry. “This software allows our EcoCAR 3. “It’s an invaluable Autocross, Handling and Contributing to the team’s students to design the car in educational tool for our team.” Braking, and finished second competitive edge was an 3-D and analyze different parts — James Roddey place overall at the year three EcoCAR 3 contest. The 2016–17 EcoCAR 3 team In all, the multidisciplinary student team at the Daytona Beach Campus earned eight first-place awards and $15,500 in prize money at the collegiate advanced vehicle technology competition held May 14-25. The EcoCAR 3 chal- lenge is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and General Motors (GM), and is managed by Argonne National Laboratory. University students from 16 schools are redesigning a LAB: DAVID MASSEY; ECOCAR 3: ADVANCED VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY COMPETITIONS TECHNOLOGY VEHICLE ADVANCED ECOCAR 3: MASSEY; LAB: DAVID 2016 Chevrolet Camaro into a

LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 3 COMMENTS AND OPINIONS FROM EMBRY-RIDDLE THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY ALUMNI AND FRIENDS SPRING 2017

FEEDBACK Correction Needed There is a mistake in the spring 2017 issue. On page 23 [Giving To: A Family Legacy] it states that Marquita Fortner Pfannenstiel (’04, PC) is the fi rst legacy alumnus (child of PILOT an alumnus) of the Prescott Campus. While SHORTAGE it is wonderful to read about a student Despite claims of ‘wolf crying,’ FROM THE EDITOR the aviation industry is facing a big numbers challenge. attending the same college as their parent, PAGE 12 the fi rst legacy alumnus of the Prescott e asked and you answered. Campus graduated in 1996, not 2004. According to early results My mother, J.J. Kloss (now Gagne), of our Web Exclusive Pilot a single mother with three young daugh- ters, proudly graduated from the Prescott Shortage Survey [spring 2017], Lift readers agree that Campus in 1984. I remember being on the No. 1 factor contributing to a defi cit of qualifi ed campus during her school years, and I knew ERAU was my future. Wairline pilots is low starting pay (37 percent). Additionally, 60 percent I graduated from the Prescott Campus in of respondents believe the pilot shortage may ultimately impact safety 1996, with two bachelor’s degrees, exactly 12 years after my mother graduated. On my for air travelers. Check out the fi nal survey results at lift.erau.edu/ graduation day, I was given special recogni- shortage-survey. tion: 1) for being a dual-degree graduate, and 2) for being the fi rst child of an alumnus Our feature on the pilot shortage sparked a healthy debate. We to graduate, mother and daughter. received a number of emails and online comments. And, the spring There is pride in knowing that I followed my mother and my dreams. There is pride Lift, Off the Page livestream event on the topic garnered record atten- in knowing that the campus recognized my dance. Watch it here: lift.erau.edu/videos-spring-2017. hard work and that women who graduated Thanks for joining the discussion. We’ve included some of your after me had a role model. Marquita no doubt has that same pride in following her comments below. father and her dreams; and Embry-Riddle —SARA WITHROW, EDITOR has the honor to appreciate the impact it has on future generations. Matt (Kloss) Miglin (’96, PC; ’00, WW) B.S. Aerospace Engineering B.S. Aeronautical Science Opinions Vary on Pilot Shortage POSTED ON LIFT ONLINE: Master of Aeronautical Science [spring 2017] Pilot Salaries Need to Triple EDITOR’S NOTE: Please forgive the oversight, A Multifactor Problem There is no pilot shortage. PERIOD. There is, Matt. Our database did not indicate a rela- The pilot shortage is related to many fac- however, a major pay shortage in the airline tionship existed between you and your tors, including salary, education expenses industry for pilots. Take a quick look at the cost mother. We’ve since corrected this error. and seniority issues, which is why many of going through ERAU, and then land a $60K Thanks for setting the record straight! pilots work in other careers. In my case, job, which in 10-15 years may or may not lead I have worked for a fl ight-training depart- to a $200K-plus job. Then compare that to a ment for the last 30 years, where I make doctor, a CEO, a lawyer or even a truck driver. more money, considering benefi ts and One will quickly see that the pilot salaries need other factors, rather than fl ying for any to triple to compete with any one of them. TALK TO US commuter. I have 1,213 fl ight hours and Kim Swang (’97, DB) We invite your feedback on Lift multiple ratings and certifi cates. I also hold B.S. Professional Aeronautics content or topics related to the a Federal Aviation Administration Airframe university. Letters may be edited for and Powerplant certifi cate, and I am certi- Skilled Pilots in Short Supply style, length and clarity. Submission fi ed as an avionics technician. It would be In the world of 135 operators, both cargo does not guarantee publication. very diffi cult for me to take a pay cut for and passenger, we are defi nitely seeing what the industry has to offer. a shortage of “skilled” pilots. Those 135 EMAIL: [email protected] Harold E. Calderon (’10, WW) operators absolutely have a smaller pool of WRITE: Lift Editor B.S. Professional Aeronautics people to select from, and we are starting ERAU Alumni Relations to see the bottom scraped out of that pool. 600 S. Clyde Morris Blvd. Chris Rockhold (’94, PC) Daytona Beach, FL 32114 B.S. Aeronautical Science

4 LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU IN OTHER WORDS Sidebar Head University Sidebar body, sometimes copy The Way South is bold like a lead in, URLs are Medium, Prescott Campus roommates unite sidebar italic copy for epic motorcycle adventure looks like this

BY TREVIS “T.J.” MATHEUS the delight of the locals. How could that trail be the continuation of the road, when the road to this point had been so smooth? “Let’s do “You know we could have done this trip in a Honda CRV,” Dom it, Dom,” I said over the intercom. said
atly aer a dinner consisting of papusas in El Salvador. “We Imagine the smoothest road you’ve ever been on; now think could roll the windows down and get the smells; there’d be plenty of the total opposite. It was more of a goat path than a road. And of room for gear in the back. It’s all-wheel drive, and it would still it clearly doubled as a river during the wet season. Soball-sized technically be overlanding,” he added. rocks covered hard pan and smooth car-length-size stones. “Yeah, but there is something more romantic about taking a trip Despite falling hard and bending one of my boxes, the road was a like this on a motorcycle,” I replied. blast. The front wheels of the bikes would whip, slide and bounce Dom and I met on our †rst day at Embry-Riddle’s Prescott over every rock, making control at any speed di£cult to say the Campus in 2007 while getting our vaccinations. He was getting least. “We couldn’t do that in a CRV,” Dom later admitted. jabbed in the arm and as my name was called, he looked my way That night, as I lay in a hammock near the beach, re
ecting on and said, “Hey, I think you’re my roommate!” We have remained the trip so far, I was reminded of a Jimmy Buœett song. Despite the friends ever since. ride being exceptional that day, I realized that even the worst days We both loved motorcycles and would discuss plans for future on two wheels in paradise are better than any other day elsewhere trips late into the night in our dorm room. Back then, we mostly (and our tires are mostly immune to “pop tops”). dreamed of buying Harleys and riding Route 66. Quite a tame trip We are now planning the second leg of our journey from compared to what we had been through over the last couple of Colombia to Peru, which will take place in December of 2017. weeks in Central America — the †rst of three legs en route to Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, aka the “End of the World.” EDITOR’S NOTE: Trevis “T.J.” Matheus (’11, PC) earned a B.S. in Applied Truth be told, driving a CRV to South America would be a lot Meteorology and Dominic “Dom” Metcalf (’11, PC) earned a B.S. in easier but also more predictable. Where is the adventure in that? Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle. In May, Matheus earned a Riding a motorcycle on the other hand is the bipolar approach: the Ph.D. in Geography at Indiana University. He is now an assistant pro- good days are phenomenal but the bad days can be really bad. fessor at California State University Fullerton. Metcalf is an air tra‰c Riding through northern El Salvador to reach the Pacific control specialist at Washington Air Route Tra‰c Control Center in Ocean was one of our best days. Roads that are gloriously Leesburg, Va. For more: thewaysouth.com. smooth (compared to the rest of Central America) snaked up and around the coun- try’s mountainous volcanic network. On this particular day, a high pressure ridge off the coast brought wonderful clear skies and warm weather, letting us dry our undies strapped to the top of our bags. We decided to take the road less traveled through a tiny speck of a town called Santa Isabel. Steep cliœs met the sky on the sides of the road. Occasionally, the verdant branches forming a tunnel over the road would be interrupted by brilliant splashes of bright pink trees in bloom. Upon reaching the sleepy town of Santa Isabel, the map told us to head straight through town. But on the other side, the road ran out at a rocky trail. CTA HEAD “This can’t be right,” I muttered, and we Cta body copy, italics, bold circled around the town three times, much to Dom Metcalf, left, and T.J. Matheus at Lake Arenal in Costa Rica.

SEND US YOUR STORY In Other Words gives you the opportunity to share your industry-related or personal perspective with Lift readers. Email submissions/proposals to [email protected].

LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 5 WINGS OF LEGACY round 1929, on a small, grass airstrip in Ottumwa, Iowa, a father and his 10-year- old daughter took a ride in a replica of The Spirit of St. Louis. That short flight ignited a passion for aviation that eventually led Corinne Louise Smith (’42, MC), née Phillips, to Embry-Riddle’s Seaplane Base in Miami. Smith had wanted to join the Civilian Pilot Training program while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in English at Northwestern University.A Her parents shot down the idea. From But the desire to fly never left her. “When I finished college and went to Miami to make my way in the world, the first thing I did was to Sea to Air try and get into flying,” Smith says. Babs Beckwith, whose brother Smith had dated, told her about Embry-Riddle. Beckwith had earned a pilot’s How Corinne Smith launched certificate, worked as a flight instructor and even mod- eled for promotional materials at Embry-Riddle. “She a flight training career at [Beckwith] encouraged me to get going!” Smith recalls. Embry-Riddle’s Seaplane Base Out on the Causeway Smith started flying lessons in December 1941 at the Embry-Riddle Seaplane Base, a sparse, one-building facility with a dock on MacArthur Causeway. Embry- Riddle co-founder John Paul Riddle operated the facility BY ALAN MARCOS PINTO CESAR in partnership with Miami lawyer and investor John McKay. When it opened in the summer of 1939, it had just two Piper planes, a 40-horsepower Silver Cub and a

Corinne Smith 50-horsepower J-3 Cub, but the fleet quickly grew to six. “There was a little building, just one room and a few aircraft. It was the very beginning when I came there,” Smith recalls. She got a job there as a secretary, in order to pay for her training. “I was working for Mr. [Ed] China in the purchasing department so I could make the $6 an hour I needed to fly,” she says. Smith completed her first solo flight in July 1942. “It was only a matter of seconds when I was skim- ming the bay waters and into the clear blue sky — all alone,” Smith says. The Embry-Riddle Fly Paper, the company newsletter, commemorated the event with a photo of Smith sitting in the cockpit of a Piper J-3 Cub, grinning proudly. The front-page story congratulated her as “another ‘Woman with Wings’ in the Embry- Riddle ‘family.’”

‘Family’ Ties Smith was actually ingrained with the “family” in multiple ways. She spent time with Riddle while she was training and working in Miami, and later she became good friends with Frances Embry, after Frances’ s husband and Embry- Riddle co-founder, T. Higbee Embry, passed away. “John Riddle was so nice. If you wanted to see him at his office, there was no problem whatso- ever getting an appointment with him. I knew his secretary quite well, and she was the same way. It was very open, very friendly. It was just like one big

home,” Smith remembers fondly. CESAR ALAN MARCOS PINTO TODAY: CORINNE SMITH

6 LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU Corinne Smith piloted the Embry-Riddle Waco No. 43 as a fl ight instructor at the seaplane base; and, left, led the Link training division at Embry- Riddle’s Miami Campus.

Riddle invited Smith and other women employed Throttling Down at Embry-Riddle to act as hostesses at the receptions Smith now lives in Vero Beach, Fla., where she has found he would throw for men enlisted in the U.S. Army Air friends in the fl ying community and at the Piper Aircraft Forces. “John Riddle entertained so beautifully for the headquarters. Bambi Miller, coordinator at the Piper Pilot servicemen at his villa on Miami Beach,” Smith says. Shop, describes Smith as something of a celebrity at Piper. At 98 years of age, Smith is searching for a small model A Woman’s Place Is in the Air of a Piper J-3 Cub seaplane, like the one she soloed in so As the school grew and took a bigger stake in the war long ago. Through all of her experiences, Smith still carries effort, Smith’s role grew with it. In July 1943, having a fondness for those Piper Cubs on fl oats: “I love the sea. earned pilot certifi cates for both land and sea, Smith got We’ve lived on boats, and I’ve been on water a lot of my a promotion. She and three other women were working life. I love the seaplane for that reason.” as instructors on Link trainers, an early type of simulator for instrument fl ying. When Chief Link Instructor Buzz EDITOR’S NOTE: Embry-Riddle at War, authored by Embry- Cooper was called to military service, Smith was the obvi- Riddle historian Stephen G. Craft (2009), and the University ous successor; with that change, the Link division was Archives erau.edu/archives were sources for this article. operated entirely by women. Smith says her gender was never a hindrance there. In fact, Embry-Riddle had a large complement of women instructors, as well: No fewer than 17 worked there in 1943. Did You Know? Head in the Clouds The seaplane base in Miami represented a revival of the Embry-Riddle name. Smith left Miami and Embry-Riddle in 1944 with a fl ight John Paul Riddle and his former partner, T. Higbee Embry, had merged their instructor and commercial pilot certifi cation to her holdings with the Aviation Corporation, or AVCO, 10 years earlier in 1929. As name. She went on to fl ight instruct in California, then part of the agreement, they promised to retire the company moniker for a New Jersey and New York, but had one special pupil in decade. Riddle had a mind. “While I was still an instructor, I took my father The Embry-Riddle Seaplane Base fondness for the former up for his fi rst fl ight lesson, and he went on to get his name, and in 1939, he pilot’s license,” she says. branded the seaplane At age 28, Smith married a Navy pilot. He died in base with it (and all of a plane crash just three years later, but she would his future flight train- eventually fi nd her “daredevil” second husband — a ing operations). Embry former P-51 pilot — who led them on many more was not a party to any air adventures. “He would fl y anything he could of Riddle’s business get his hands on, like a Johnson Rocket,” she says. endeavors after 1929. “We didn’t keep it very long.” The high-performance Find out more at monoplane was known for being fast and rather dan- erau.edu/archives. gerous, and the couple had a 3-year-old daughter at

YESTERYEAR: COURTESY OF CORINNE SMITH, WHO GIFTED THE PHOTOS TO THE UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES. ARCHIVES. THE UNIVERSITY TO THE PHOTOS WHO GIFTED OF CORINNE SMITH, COURTESY YESTERYEAR: the time, she explains.

LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 7 FLIGHT PATH s a student and later as a flight instructor, David Zwegers (’98, ’10, DB) never imagined Safety someday he would oversee flight safety for 15 territories and more than 30 countries. Based in Miami, Zwegers works with 29 airlines that operate Airbus aircraft across First the region. He helps them improve their operational safety while working with a David Zwegers takes host of civil aviation authorities and industry organizations. Headquartered in Toulouse, Embry-Riddle safety culture to France, Airbus is a division of the multinational Airbus GroupA SE that manufactures civil aircraft. a new level at Airbus Americas With almost 650 Airbus aircraft in operation in his region and nearly 450 yet to deliver, Zwegers’s job is complex, and it involves lots of travel. Last year he was away from home for 150 nights. “I think the biggest challenge to safety is the BY MELANIE STAWICKI AZAM rapid evolution of the aviation industry,” he says.

David Zwegers at the Airbus flight test line in Toulouse, France. Zwegers oversees flight safety for Airbus for 15 territories and more than 30 countries.

8 LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU “You constantly have to adapt to new business mod- “Every week I would drive to Orlando at 4 a.m. els, regulations, technologies and safety concepts.” Monday, take a 6 a.m. flight to New York City, and While challenging, Zwegers says knowing that return on Friday night,” he says. “That made me realize his work saves lives is rewarding beyond measure — I didn’t want to be an airline pilot.” and it all started at Embry-Riddle. He enjoyed working at JetBlue, but when Airbus advertised his current position in 2013, Zwegers says European Roots it felt like the perfect fit. “I looked at the job descrip- Born in the Netherlands, Zwegers’s father traveled a lot tion, and it was everything I had been preparing my for business, and the family moved to southern Spain whole life to do,” he says. when he was 4 years old. Zwegers was introduced to Zwegers, who lives in Miami with his wife, Lida, aviation at an early age, flying frequently with his family and two daughters, Clara and Sofia, says he feels to visit relatives in the Netherlands. lucky to have the support of the Airbus office in Miami, “For as long as I can remember, I have always which provides the Latin America and Caribbean region wanted to be a pilot,” he says. with customer support, training, field service, market- The high cost of flight training in Europe initially dis- ing and aircraft sales. Zwegers is also type-rated in the suaded Zwegers from pursuing a flying career. To his Airbus A320 and works closely with his airline clients delight, he discovered flight training was more afford- at the Airbus Training Center in Miami. able in the United States, when he moved in 1994 with “It is a team effort to make customers safer by his family to Clearwater, Fla. improving standards, training, technology and pro- With a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical science cesses and procedures,” he says. It can be challenging from Embry-Riddle in hand, Zwegers became a flight to work with a multitude of different countries, who all instructor and training manager for the Daytona Beach have different cultures, national regulations, laws and Campus’ flight department. He later spent two years standards for aviation, he adds. training Air Force cadets in Colorado Springs, Colo., for Embry-Riddle, and coached the Daytona Beach Campus’ Eagles Flight Team for four years. “This is my dream job because I get Developing a Safety Focus Zwegers was happy training future pilots, but in 2006 to be a part of making this whole he was appointed interim director of safety for the industry safer on a scale I never Daytona Beach Campus. He liked the job so much that he asked to be considered and was hired as the per- thought possible before.” manent safety director. —DAVID ZWEGERS, “I found safety was something I cared passionately REGIONAL SAFETY DIRECTOR FOR LATIN AMERICA about,” he says. AND THE CARIBBEAN FOR AIRBUS He worked closely with then-College of Aviation Dean Tim Brady, who had served as a safety profes- Countries in Latin America have varying eco- sional in the U.S. Air Force. Brady’s mentorship helped nomic models and phases of air transportation solidify Zwegers’s growing interest in flight safety. Brady development. For example, some airlines buy tech- also encouraged him to earn a master’s degree in flight nologically advanced aircraft, Zwegers says, but operations and safety, which he completed in 2010. they can’t use all of the safety features because the “Dr. Brady was the one who opened my eyes to navigation system is lacking or obsolete. the importance and selflessness of aviation safety,” “Fortunately, Airbus is present and actively involved, Zwegers says. “He would say, ‘David, we will never with the resources to intervene and help different air- know how many accidents we may have avoided.’” lines and authorities with their challenges, so they can Recalling Zwegers, Brady says, “David had the right implement best practices,” he says. amount of knowledge and the right approach to safety.” Daniel M. McCune, who is associate vice Making His Alma Mater Proud president for safety at the Daytona Beach Campus, Zwegers’s former colleagues at Embry-Riddle say they agrees. “He [Zwegers] had a great talent for deal- aren’t surprised by his success. ing with people, while keeping the safety culture “With his international background and language strong,” McCune says. skills, I think the career kind of chose him,” Brady says. “He is somebody the university can be really Taking the Safety Culture International proud of. He has done great things, and I know he will In 2011, Zwegers left Embry-Riddle to accept a job with continue to do so.” JetBlue Airways in its aviation safety action program. It McCune adds, “David is able to lead and empower wasn’t long before he became the safety management people to where they feel like they are part of the system manager and started commuting from his organization and they want to follow the safety rules.

COURTESY OF DAVID ZWEGERS OF DAVID COURTESY home in Port Orange, Fla., to New York. And that is how you build a safety culture.”

LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 9 ENTREPRENEURSHIPIGNITING Worldwide Campus student business venture takes flight with support from Embry-Riddle

BY LACEY MCLAUGHLIN

nergy and utility companies lose much support and a great team from nearly $2 million in unrealized Riddle that has pushed us along. revenue each time a gas turbine We now have the eye of the Florida engine has a catastrophic failure, investor community.” and spend $3 million in routine maintenance costs each year to A Win-Win Proposition keep those engines turning. His win at the state contest is a win Reamonn Soto believes he for the university, too, says Michael has a multi-million dollar cost-sav- Bowers, director of the Embry-Riddle ing solution: a wireless engine- Center for Entrepreneurship in Daytona monitoring system that can withstand Beach, Fla. Esuper-hot temperatures and provide “It’s a milestone for Sensatek and direct performance measurements. for Embry-Riddle,” Bowers says. “This A graduate student attending Embry- achievement refl ects the hard work Riddle’s Worldwide Campus, Soto and determination of the Sensatek pitched his idea to a panel of judges and team and the university’s efforts to investors on May 19 in Orlando, Fla., support and foster innovation and and they “bought” it. Soto now holds entrepreneurship.” the distinction of being the fi rst Embry- Sensatek is part of a new genera- Riddle student to win the annual Florida tion of technology startups receiving Venture Forum’s Statewide Collegiate funding and in-kind services at the Business Plan Competition. Embry-Riddle Research Park’s John The milestone came just weeks Mica Engineering and Aerospace after Soto’s business, Sensatek Innovation Complex (MicaPlex) in Propulsion, beat out three other student Daytona Beach. teams to win the $10,000 top prize at Sensatek will also receive seed Embry-Riddle’s Launch Your Venture funding, mentorship and entrepre-

competition. Placing fi rst at Launch Your neurial support, as part of a joint effort Reamonn Soto, pictured Venture gave Soto the opportunity to between the university’s research inside the John Mica compete in the statewide event. park and the FireSpring Fund. A Engineering and Aerospace Innovation Complex, “It truly is an honor to represent Central Florida nonprofi t organization, is developing a cost-saving Embry-Riddle as a student entrepre- FireSpring recently invested $25,000 wireless monitoring system neur,” Soto says. “We’ve had so to help kick-start the business. for gas turbine engines.

10 LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU IGNITING MASSEY DAVID

By May, Soto had obtained for turbine engines, he says he discov- $250,000 in grants, prizes and partner- ered several patents from universities ships for research and for building a that he was able to license and use commercial-grade prototype of his wire- to create the concept for his wireless less monitoring sensor. monitoring device. In 2015, Soto received a $4,600 Keeping His Promise grant from Embry-Riddle during a Manufacturing technology that could research competition, which paved the potentially revolutionize energy pro- way for developing the technology. As duction once seemed like an unlikely part of his research, he conducted more prospect for Soto. He struggled with than 240 interviews with industry lead- math and science in high school. ers and representatives. Many of them Believing college wasn’t for him, Soto were Embry-Riddle alumni. joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Soto connected with one of those He later enrolled in a trade school to alumni, Jose Rodriguez (’04, ’12, keep a promise that he had made to DB), a senior propulsion engineer at his mother to continue his education. Lockheed Martin, through LinkedIn. “I was raised in a single-parent “I was happy to mentor him and give home. My mom went back to school him guidance about the industry,” while raising three kids on her own,” Rodriguez says. “Reamonn was polite Soto says. “That instilled a value for and eager to learn.” education in me.” Soto’s team includes his wife and He leapfrogged from trade school co-founder, Azryana Soto, and Mark to community college to a bachelor’s Ricklick, assistant professor of aero- degree in physics. But Soto says he space engineering at Embry-Riddle’s was initially unable to fi nd work in his Daytona Beach Campus. fi eld, so he started washing cars. It was then that he got his fi rst entrepre- From Prototype to Commerce neurial idea: Establish an automotive As Soto, 31, reaches the next stage business to install compressed natural of his venture, he will convert his gas kit conversions. concept from prototype to commer- Soto eventually sold the company cial use. Sensatek recently partnered and leveraged his business skills with Siemens to begin testing the to work as an economic develop- technology at one of its Central Florida ment fi nancial professional at the facilities. Three Embry-Riddle stu- Florida Small Business Development dent volunteers have also joined the Network. He also enrolled at Embry- Sensatek team. Riddle, where he’s on track to earn Soto says the relationship he has a Master of Science in Aeronautics with Embry-Riddle has helped propel him with an emphasis in aviation and forward, and he sees opportunities for aerospace management. engaging more students in the future. “Our next step is to nail our value Energy-Saving Idea proposition and expand our business Soto says a new idea sparked in his model and our team,” Soto says. “I mind a few years ago when an energy think we are just getting started in our plant’s gas turbine overheated in his relationship with Embry-Riddle, and neighborhood. While researching solu- there will be more opportunities to get tions to improve detection systems students involved in the future.”

LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 11 First flex-lease tenant at Embry-Riddle’s Research Park advances UAS technology

BY ALAN MARCOS PINTO CESAR

he fi rst fl ex-lease tenant at Embry-Riddle’s new John Mica Engineering and Aerospace Innovation Complex (the MicaPlex) was founded by Embry-Riddle alumni who met as roommates and scuba-diving buddies. The tenant, Aerial Applications, has already outpaced other unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) service providers in its abil- ity to scan and process images collected by drones. The company launched in 2016 as a comprehensive unmanned aerial operations provider. WhileT it has since stopped offering fl ight-related services, the UAS surveying projects completed dur- ing its fi rst year served as valuable proof-of-concept experiments for an enterprise software and image processing solution that it now plans to license. In the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, which devastated areas from Florida to South Carolina in October 2016, the company scanned 150 square miles of downtown Savannah, Ga., using camera- equipped drones. By using a customized software solution and commercially available hardware, Aerial Applications provided Comcast with a map of the area that marked the downed telecom lines roughly 50 percent faster than existing technology, says Joe Sullivan, the company’s CEO. They were also able to do it on a scale that competing UAS companies could not achieve, he adds. [See sidebar.] The Philadelphia-headquartered company has now set up its entire research and development operation at the MicaPlex, the innovation hub at Embry-Riddle’s Research Park in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Scuba-Diving Connection Three of the company’s founding members are alumni of Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus: Nathan Sullivan (’12), chief technology offi cer; Mike Ledermann

12 LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU Map data ©2016 Google Imagery ©2016, DigitalGlobe, Landsat, U.S. Geological Survey, USDA Farm Service Agency

LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 13 Nathan Sullivan, chief technology offi cer, leads Aerial Applications’ Research and

Development Center housed at Embry-Riddle’s MicaPlex in Daytona Beach, Fla. MASSEY DAVID

(’08), former chief pilot; and Kyle Bembnister (’10), for- that the project earned him a divisional recognition mer director of systems integration. award at Intel. “A very similar design became the Mike, Nathan and Kyle knew each other from their Microsoft Surface 4.” college days, when together they started scuba diving Nathan regularly talked about starting his the natural springs throughout Central Florida. Nathan own company in the budding unmanned aircraft and Kyle soon discovered a mutual interest in embed- industry, and it was his cousin, Joe — now Aerial ded computer and automation systems, as well. After Applications’ CEO — who helped breathe life graduation, Nathan became a software engineer at into it. Intel; Kyle worked at Insitu as a systems engineer. The Wanting to pursue his passion for aviation, two ended up collaborating on Intel’s Llama Mountain Nathan left his job at Intel to start up Aerial project, where Kyle was hired as a subcontractor. Applications. “We had been throwing the idea “We were designing the next-generation tablet around, but never got it going until I had my discus- chassis that would provide much better cooling and sion with Joe,” Nathan says. “He brought the busi- a better user experience,” Nathan says, explaining ness skillset that we didn’t have.”

14 LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU It was pure chance that Mike met Nathan. Lured by the promise of the UAS industry, Mike returned to Embry-Riddle in 2013 (he completed his fi rst Embry-Riddle degree in 2008) to expand his knowledge of the technology. He saw an ad for a room in Nathan’s beachside condo on a campus bul- letin board and moved in. “Nathan had known me fi rst as a tenant, but it wasn’t until after I worked for Google [as a contrac- tor on Project Wing] that I learned we had both WEB EXCLUSIVE worked in Silicon Valley,” Mike says. Embry-Riddle Mike joined the business discussions in late alumni entrepre- 2014. He fl ew the drones himself for many of the neurs are every- company’s early projects, and Kyle worked on soft- where. Learn about ware to make fl ying the drones safer and easier. the inventions Both Mike and Kyle, whose expertise is in drone that started in the fl ight, left the company in July 2017, when the minds of Embry- startup shifted its focus to its software assets. Riddle Eagles. Take our quiz: lift.erau. Expanding the Suite and Sta edu/patents-quiz. The company is currently working to develop a web- based software suite that could process data gathered by unmanned aircraft. “We’re building out a user- friendly way for customers to have cloud-based access to drone data,” Nathan says. Now that they’re at the MicaPlex, Aerial Applications has quick access to qualifi ed students and graduates who can work on developing this software. Taylor Guevarez, a current Embry-Riddle student majoring in aeronautical engineering, started working on software code at Aerial Applications even before the company secured its space at the MicaPlex. “I was excited to take part in this industry,” Taylor says, express- ing an interest in working there after graduation. Taylor is one of two interns employed by the com- pany. “The talent pool at Embry-Riddle is a huge help for us. It’s accelerating our development, and we’re fi nding people who can be full-time engineers when they gradu- ate. We hope to keep that talent here,” Nathan says.

Hardware Savvy Brings Competitive Edge

Nathan Sullivan’s Embry-Riddle education in software post-Hurricane Matthew project for Comcast so quickly engineering and his experience at Intel proved valuable and accurately. in building out a powerful computer to stitch together The aerial images were produced at a resolution of 1 images and recognize objects for his startup business. square centimeter per pixel, and the speed at which the “At Aerial Applications, I was able to determine what data were generated and processed far surpassed the com- platform we needed to find the bottleneck in image pro- petition, says Joe Sullivan, CEO of Aerial Applications. cessing. We were able to make cost-effective decisions to “One of the big things that happened there was build our processing spec for the hardware stack,” says completing the project’s 150 square miles in five days,” Nathan, chief technology officer at Aerial Applications. Joe says. “Some of our nearest competitors would take The processing power proved an enormous asset for maybe three days per square mile to complete and pro- the company: It’s part of what allowed it to complete a cess the data set.”

LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 15 GREATEXPECTATIONS CONNOR MCSHANE n his inaugural address to faculty, “I was one of those staff and students in February, kids who could Embry-Riddle’s sixth university presi- dent, P. Barry Butler, Ph.D., said there identify airplanes were three words that he felt defi ned by the sound of our university: passion, pride and expectation. Butler shares all three. their engines. He is passionate about aeronautics That passion for and all things fl ight; he is proud of Embry-Riddle and its accomplish- aviation has only ments to date — and he’s honored grown over the to I be leading the world’s largest fully years.” EXPECTATIONS accredited aviation- and aerospace- focused university. And, he has great P. BARRY BUTLER, expectations for Embry-Riddle’s future. PRESIDENT, EMBRY-RIDDLE In an interview with Sara Withrow, Lift AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY editor, Butler shared the following additional insights.

Q. A er 33 years at the University of Iowa... it must have been dif- top of the list of many institutions is the  cult to leave. How did Embry- cost to earn a degree. As a university edu- Riddle manage to move you away cating the next generation of aviation and from your Iowa family? aerospace professionals, we have to con- tinuously focus on ways to keep our great A. I’ve known about Embry-Riddle for a long programs accessible to all — so that we time. It is a well-respected and internationally maintain a pipeline of the best and bright- recognized university, especially in the areas est going into our fi eld. This means being of aviation and aerospace. As someone with fi scally responsible, working hard to raise a strong interest in both higher education and scholarship funds, and placing our gradu- aerospace, the opportunity to lead such a ates in high-paying jobs after graduation place was compelling. It was an easy decision. so they have a high return on their invest- ment. It hurts when you meet talented Q. What are your impressions of young people who decide not to pursue Embry-Riddle in your  rst few their lifelong dreams because the cost is months as president? What has sur- beyond their means. prised or inspired you the most? Q. As a longtime university A. My fi rst impressions have been noth- administrator, what is the most ing but positive. My interactions over important lesson you've learned the past few months with faculty, staff, about leadership? alumni and students can be defi ned in one simple word: passion. It is a passion for A. Teamwork can accomplish much more who we are and for what we do. There is than individuals acting alone. I’ve had the much to be inspired about when it comes opportunity to work alongside really out- to Embry-Riddle. However, if I have to standing colleagues throughout my career, pick just one area to expand on, it’s our and the team at Embry-Riddle has the same students. Their strong interest in learn- defi ning characteristics. ing more about aviation and aerospace is what I love to see as a professional educa- Q. Until now, you've continued to tor. And it doesn’t end when they walk out teach throughout your time as a of the classroom. I’ve had the opportunity university administrator. Why? to interact with our students outside of the classroom and their excitement about A. Students are the lifeblood of a univer- Embry-Riddle’s mission is infectious. sity. They are the reason why I got into higher education. As an administrator, Q. What is the greatest challenge in it is important to know your students. higher education today? There’s no better way to accomplish this than to teach a class. I enjoy being in the President P. Barry Butler has great expectations for all of Embry-Riddle's campuses. He's shown A. Higher education in the United States classroom sharing what I know with here surveying the Prescott Campus in Arizona. faces many challenges. One that is at the the students.

LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 17 Q. What has been your favorite or Q. What will you miss most most notable research project/dis- about Iowa? covery and why? Getting to A. Driving my snow plow. There’s something A. Along with a colleague from the University strangely therapeutic about clearing snow Know the of Illinois, I worked over a period of 10 years with a powerful machine. More seriously, I’ll President’s to develop a solid propellant combustion miss the people. analysis program called AIM (Airbag Infl ator Wife, Audrey Model) that was used in the design and Q. What's the most important thing Butler, Ph.D. optimization of vehicle airbag infl ators and you want Embry-Riddle alumni to related occupant restraint systems. This was know about you? in the early years of airbags and their func- tioning was not robust enough to handle all A. While I’ve been at Embry-Riddle for only variations of occupant size, ambient temper- a short time, I have developed a passion What do you most look ature, etc. We were able to assist the auto- for the school that quite possibly equals forward to doing as a member motive industry in the development of what their own. It’s an amazing place, and I feel of the Embry-Riddle family? is now a signifi cant factor in improved crash honored to be a part of its future. I am most interested in getting to survivability. We later expanded the modeling know the people and the university efforts to include gaseous infl ators, which better so that I can be a strong and are more common in today’s vehicles. effective advocate for the entire Embry-Riddle community. Q. What about aeronautical/aero- space engineering excites you? What are your first impres- sions of Embry-Riddle? A. Just about everything. But if I have to pick Everyone associated with Embry- just one area, it is propulsion. I was hooked as Riddle is so friendly and helpful and an undergraduate student when I enrolled in has such a passion for the university. my fi rst air-breathing propulsion course. That It’s easy to see why, because it’s such early interest was further amplifi ed when I a cool place — the projects, the majors took a course in rocket propulsion. and the options for student activities are amazing. Q. When/how did you first become interested in aviation? Based on your personal knowledge, what type of A. My father was an Air Force pilot. As a kid, president will your husband I loved going to the airbase with him and be for Embry-Riddle? What attending weekend airshows. I was one of can we expect? those kids who could identify airplanes by Barry is a very down-to-earth person. the sound of their engines. That passion for He enjoys interacting with people and aviation has only grown over the years. hearing their stories. He will be an engaged and forward-thinking leader for Embry-Riddle.

How did you and President Butler meet? We were both teaching at the University of Iowa. Barry was on the thesis committee for a student in my research group in chemical engineering and started attending our research meetings. The rest is history, as they say. We’ve been married now for 30 years (as of August 2017), and we have three adult children: Ben is a WATCH mechanical engineer, Logan is an IT Marc Bernier, director of the Embry-Riddle consultant, and Savannah, the young- Speaker Series, interviews Embry-Riddle est, is a recent college graduate who President P. Barry Butler, just six weeks after will be attending graduate school. Butler's offi cial start at the university: lift.erau.edu/videos-fall-2017

18 LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU WEB EXCLUSIVE Alumni attending the 2017 Experimental Aircraft Association Oshkosh Air Show were asked to share their thoughts about Embry-Riddle and what it means to them with President P. Barry Butler. Here’s what they had to say: lift.erau.edu/videos-fall-2017.

President P. Barry Butler interacts with student members of the Daytona Beach Campus Experimental Rocket Propulsion Lab Club during a spring 2017 rocket launch.

Butler is proud of Embry-Riddle’s growing research facilities, like the Space and Atmospheric Instrumentation Lab at the Daytona Beach Campus. The lab’s plasma chamber, pictured here, is used to conduct plasma physics experiments; e.g., the characterization of plasma diagnostic instruments that are fl own on rockets and satellites. PHOTOS BY DAVID MASSEY DAVID BY PHOTOS

LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 19 ALUMNI @WORK

Coaching Up Embry-Riddle creates leaders on the court and in the field

BY ALAN MARCOS PINTO CESAR

mbry-Riddle is largely known for producing great aerospace engineers, aviation busi- ness professionals and pilots, but its athletics program is also racking up wins in the world of collegiate sports. Daytona Beach Campus alumni Nick Mingione (’00) and Ryan Ridder (’08) both recently earned positions as head coaches at NCAA Division I universities. They carry to these posts lessons learned from their alma mater’s athletics program, and the Embry-Riddle vision of the well-rounded Escholar-athlete. Grateful for those who believed in them, Mingione and Ridder now dedicate their lives to impacting others through sport.

Nick Mingione signals a player during his inaugural year as head coach for the University of Kentucky (UK). UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY

Ryan Ridder at his new home court as head men’s

basketball coach at Bethune-Cookman University. MASSEY DAVID

20 LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU Getting There First Leadership Mingione recently wrapped up his first season as head in Faith coach of the University of Kentucky (UK) Wildcats’ Ryan Ridder, one of baseball team. He started there in June 2016 and led Steve Ridder’s sons, the team to a 43-23 overall record — a record number spent his childhood of wins for any first-year UK head coach. steeped in the values His team’s success earned him the Southeastern of leadership, athletics Conference Baseball Coach of the Year award after and faith. Now, at age just 11 months on the job. He was also named the 32, he is head coach nationwide Perfect Game/Rawlings College Coach at Bethune-Cookman of the Year. As the season came to an end, Mingione University (BCU), an UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY took the team to the Super Regionals — another first NCAA Division I school. for Wildcats baseball. “I grew up in a coaching household. It was a Racking up firsts has been a theme in very special experience because of the emphasis Mingione is welcomed Mingione’s career, starting when he played baseball my dad put on relationships and treating people the to the Wildcats by at Embry-Riddle. Mingione’s pivotal “first” came right way,” Ridder says. “When I started to think UK Athletics Director in his junior year: “When I played at Embry-Riddle, about my future, I knew I wanted to try and help Mitch Barnhart. they had never been to the College World Series young people. I decided I could use basketball as a before. In 1999, I was lucky to be on a team that vehicle to do that.” did it. Ever since then, I’ve strived to do things that After earning accolades as a basketball player at have never been done before.” Father Lopez Catholic High School in Daytona Beach, He began coaching shortly after graduating, help- Fla., he pulled up his roots to attend College of ing Florida Gulf Coast University establish a team for Wooster in Ohio. However, Ridder had coaching top its inaugural baseball season. He returned to serve of mind when he decided to transfer to Embry-Riddle as assistant baseball coach at Embry-Riddle for three in Daytona Beach. “I wanted to come back and play seasons, culminating in a runner-up finish in the 2005 for my dad and get a quality education from Embry- NAIA College World Series. Riddle,” he says. He left Embry-Riddle to work as assistant coach He, like Mingione, chose to major in aerospace at UK for two years, then as assistant coach and studies to give range to his education. Meanwhile, he recruiting coordinator at Mississippi State University played Eagles basketball and served as team captain for eight years. In 2013, he helped take the Bulldogs for two seasons, taking the team to the national tour- to the final round of the College World Series title nament in his senior year. “Playing in a tournament against powerhouse UCLA. game of that caliber with your seven or eight best friends, that’s a great feeling,” Ridder says. Student-Person-Player Ridder worked as assistant coach at several dif- Since Mingione joined UK in 2016, the team has ferent schools in the years following graduation, raised its average GPA to 3.36 while also serving the including one season at Embry-Riddle and several community and enjoying its most successful season at Campbell University, an NCAA Division I school in DID YOU KNOW? in Wildcats history. North Carolina. Most recently, he spent four years Effective July 2017, His experience at Embry-Riddle helped drive as head coach of the Florida Daytona State College Embry-Riddle’s Daytona that success. Embry-Riddle always emphasized the Falcons, where he led the team to four Mid-Florida Beach Campus is now a well-rounded player, he says. “My vision for the Conference championships. fully approved member program here is to create an environment of fam- But it was his Christian faith that drove him to pur- of the NCAA Division ily and of winning — in all phases, not just on the sue an opening at BCU, where he’s just starting his II and the Sunshine field. Our job as coaches, like Steve Ridder [head first season as head basketball coach. “It’s a dream State Conference, fol- men’s basketball coach and former athletic director] come true. It’s great to work in a private institution lowing its successful always said, is to focus on the student, the person where you can share your faith proudly, learn and get completion of a three- and the player.” better from the people around you who are in all dif- year NCAA provisional Mingione cites Embry-Riddle athletics icons Steve ferent steps in their faith,” Ridder says. membership process. Ridder and current Director of Athletics John Phillips, “Everything we do is God first. We open and close The Eagles’ 2017–18 along with his baseball coaches, Todd and Greg in prayer; we retain the big picture. The whole idea of season will be their first Guilliams, as foundational to his coaching career. Todd is coaching and education is about trying to positively in NCAA postseason now an assistant coach to Mingione at UK. influence and help people,” Ridder says, crediting competition. The Eagles “Someone had to believe in me as a player. BCU’s Lynn Thompson, vice president of intercolle- formerly competed in Someone had to believe in me down the road to get my giate athletics, for setting the inspiring tone. the National Association coaching career started at a college,” Mingione says. “I’ve been fortunate that a lot of people took a of Intercollegiate “Without those opportunities, there’s no way I would be chance on me. I’m excited to see where this next Athletics and the Sun doing what I’m doing,” journey leads.” Conference.

LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 21 GIVING TO EMBRY-RIDDLE

AS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT, HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION, EMBRY-RIDDLE RELIES ON AND DEEPLY APPRECIATES CONTRIBUTIONS FROM ITS ALUMNI, FRIENDS AND PARTNERS. ALL CONTRIBUTIONS TO EMBRY- RIDDLE ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT Then students Pat Verdon, left, and Gabriel Navarrete, ALLOWED BY LAW. right, with their flight instructor Dick Samuels in 1988.

“Dick was somebody who meant a lot to a lot The Father of people,” says Testa, a pilot at Aero-Flite Aerial Firefighting. “He had a unique way of expressing his desire to see his students succeed.” Known for his unconventional teaching style, of Flight Samuels, who retired in 2001, taught generations of flight students. Now living in Sun City, Ariz., Samuels says he is “extremely honored” by his students’ Instructors gesture. He spent 22 years as a U.S. Air Force pilot, including assignments as a flight instructor, followed by another 22 years of teaching at the Prescott Campus. Prescott alumni rally to name a “He had so much knowledge,” says Jeralds. “He loved mentoring flight instructors.” building and a scholarship fund Samuels also spent countless weekends leading practices for the university’s Golden Eagles Flight Team. for their retired teacher “He was so dedicated, and as a result, we wanted to do our best,” says Pribyl, a former flight team mem- ber and now senior vice president of aviation strat- egy and programs at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots BY MELANIE STAWICKI AZAM Association. “Dick was very much like a father figure to us,” she says. hen longtime Embry-Riddle Prescott Alexios Stavropoulos (’89, PC), also a former Campus flight instructor Richard E. student of Samuels and now a captain at United “Dick” Samuels taught his students Airlines, says, “He wasn’t shy in telling you that you something, they rarely forgot it. were screwing up and why you were screwing up. “He would be very demonstrative,” But the level of his standards is what we all aspired says Sean Jeralds (’88, PC; ’94, WW), to reach.” an associate professor of aeronauti- Embry-Riddle Professor Emeritus Mike Polay, who cal science and former student and once shared an office with Samuels, says the chief colleague to Samuels. “He would get flight instructor challenged his students and made your attention by using colorful lan- them responsible for their actions and inactions, with Dick Samuels in the guage and metaphors to get his point across.” an emphasis on safety. U.S. Air Force WNow, two of Samuels’s former students, Katie “Dick wouldn’t take excuses, and he’d call them Pribyl (‘00, PC) and Jared Testa (’01, PC), want to on it,” Polay says. “He was tough — but he cared.” ensure that their teacher’s dedication to young avia- Decades later, the lessons that Samuels taught tors won’t be forgotten. The alumni duo are leading them are ever present, his students say. an effort to name an Embry-Riddle scholarship and “There hasn’t been another instructor who has CONTRIBUTE flight instructor building in his honor. had a more enduring and fundamental impact on my Help name the flight To date, more than $50,000 has been raised to flying,” says Pribyl. instructor building at create the Dick Samuels Scholarship, which will Samuels made students want to perform their the Prescott Campus in support flight instructor training for students at best, Jeralds says, and when a student got his honor of Dick Samuels. the Prescott Campus. The ultimate goal is to raise approval, it felt like winning the Olympics. Make a donation today: $100,000, which would both endow the scholarship “I learned from him that no matter how good a crowdfunding.erau. and name the flight instructor building at the Prescott pilot you were, you could always be better,” Jeralds edu/dicksamuels. Campus flight line after Samuels. says. “That is what he gave all of us.”

22 LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU BIOENGINEERING RESEARCH AWARDED Continuing FOUNDATION FUNDS Education Wayne C. Webster BY MELANIE STAWICKI AZAM Endowed Scholarship ioengineering research- Team E ort to support Worldwide ers at Embry-Riddle aim to Mechanical engineering faculty mem- improve hip dysplasia treat- bers at Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus students ment in infants. They’re mak- Campus Eduardo Divo and Victor Bing strides toward that goal, thanks Huayamave and Alain Kassab from the BY SARA WITHROW to funding from the Paul B. Hunter University of Central Florida’s (UCF) and Constance D. Hunter Charitable College of Engineering are working Foundation and International Hip together on the project. Wayne Webster (’98, WW) Dysplasia Institute (IHDI). “The funding has helped us main- largely credits Embry-Riddle for “The International Hip Dysplasia tain and enhance our collaboration with his fi nancial success. A lifelong Institute supports the research at UCF and the IHDI,” says Divo, who is learner and advocate for higher Embry-Riddle because of its recog- the Mechanical Engineering Ph.D. pro- education, he says his Master nized expertise in engineering innova- gram coordinator and associate chair of Aeronautical Science degree tion,” says Dr. Charles Price, M.D., for the department. from Embry-Riddle signifi cantly increased his earnings director of IHDI in Orlando, Fla. The key to the project’s success is — to the point that he was able to retire early. He also Common in infants, hip dysplasia the work of mechanical engineering holds two undergraduate engineering degrees from can range from mild instability that graduate student Anthony Khoury (’16, other universities. resolves spontaneously to complete DB). Grant funds from IHDI are spon- “A college education is something that no one dislocation that may need surgery, says soring his research. can take away from you,” he says. “I can’t encourage Price. Different braces and harnesses “It is the hope of the Hunter young people enough to go to college and stick it out. can relocate hips back into the socket, Foundation that supporting this project I know it’s hard work, but the effort is worth it and but Embry-Riddle is the fi rst to conduct will both benefi t hip dysplasia patients lasts a lifetime.” a biomechanical analysis of bracing and raise awareness and promote fur- Webster can attest to the time and fi nancial techniques, he says. ther research for this condition,” says investment required. He put himself through school, “This project required a new way of Pam Clifton, director of the Hunter working and attending classes full time. But, he looking at a medical problem. The engi- Foundation. The Hunter Foundation was says it was more affordable when he was a student. neers at Embry-Riddle are very innova- founded in 2004 by longtime Embry- “When I started college in 1973, tuition was $16 per tive in this type of cross-disciplinary Riddle supporter Constance D. Hunter, credit hour. I look at the current prices of tuition, and collaboration,” says Price. who passed away in 2014. I’m just astounded.” Webster recently made a planned gift to Embry- Riddle that upon his death will establish the Wayne C. Students Anthony Khoury, Kristin Sverrisdottir and Arka Das with Associate Webster Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship will Professor Eduardo Divo have developed a dynamic computer model for simulation of hip reduction with the Pavlik Harness. Team members not benefi t students with fi nancial need who are study- pictured are Assistant Professor Victor Huayamave and Alain Kassab (UCF). ing engineering in the College of Aeronautics at the Worldwide Campus. “Wayne’s gift will help future students earn their degrees, and it will also serve as a lasting testament to his generosity and his strong support of education,” says Kathleen Hennessy, senior director of develop- ment at Embry-Riddle. A self-professing Christian, Webster says his faith fuels his philanthropy. He says, “Giving back is just part of life, and not just money, but also your time.” Making a planned gift to Embry-Riddle was simple, Webster says. “I highly encourage and recom- mend everyone to give back.” DAVID MASSEY DAVID

LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 23 ALUMNI IN ACTION

Delivering ‘Real Goodness’ Veteran John Pray serves America’s military families through Operation Homefront

BY MOLLY JUSTICE

ervice before self” has guided John I. Pray Jr. (’88, WW) his entire life. He saw this value per- sonified through his father, a deco- rated career Army infantry officer who spent more than three years as a prisoner of war “Sin World War II. Pray then put this value into practice during his own 27-year career in the U.S. Air Force. Now the retired brigadier general has found a new avenue for service as president and CEO of Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit that provides critical financial, housing and support services to military and veteran families.

Inspired by Military Service Pray brings a wealth of personal and professional experience to the organization, which raised more than $45.6 million and helped more than 150,000 Operation Homefront President and CEO retired Brig. Gen. John military family members in 2016. In the Air Force, Pray I. Pray Jr. addresses the audience completed command assignments at the squadron, at the 2017 Military Child of the group and wing levels. He continued serving as the Year Award gala. The annual awards program recognizes executive secretary of the National Security Council, six outstanding young people where he managed foreign policy development in representing each branch of the armed forces, and honors a support of the president and other senior White seventh for innovation. House officials. More recently, Pray spent nearly six years at the United Service Organizations (USO) lead- ing a broad range of initiatives in support of service

members and their families. HOMEFRONT OPERATION

24 LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU “I think it’s important for all Americans to realize, goodness” to military families. He believes in relevant our troops work tirelessly to protect the freedoms programs that truly impact lives. “We don’t want to John I. Pray Jr. greets veterans Melissa and Aaron that we, as Americans, enjoy daily,” Pray says. pay lip service,” he says. Schafer, who received a mortgage-free home in Appreciating the Sacrifice Give for Maximum Impact Chattanooga, Tenn., from Operation Homefront and Educating the public about the amazing work military With about 40,000 nonprofits in the military philan- its corporate partners. families do to sustain their loved ones is one of Pray’s thropy space, Pray says he realizes that people have goals as head of Operation Homefront. “Operation many choices. He suggests potential donors and vol- Homefront is focused on building strong, stable and unteers consider those organizations that focus not secure military families so they can thrive, not simply simply on dollars spent, but on outcomes. “Making struggle to get by, in the communities – our communi- a meaningful difference is the only real measure of ties – they have worked so hard to protect,” Pray says. success,” he says. Assisting the organization in these efforts are “Our military members and their families face many scores of corporate partners and tens of thousands of difficult challenges while they are in the service and as individual donors. Operation Homefront also provides they transition back to their civilian communities,” Pray opportunities for Americans to support military fami- says. “All involved with Operation Homefront are driven lies through volunteer service. by a strong desire to care for our military families in Pray says he’s committed to engaging the public their time of need because they have done so much to assist in the organization’s efforts to deliver “real for all of us in our nation’s time of need.”

LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 25 ALUMNI NEWS

MESSAGE FROM THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

s John Quincy Adams once said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” I feel incredibly blessed to work for an institution that produces leaders. This spring, more than 1,200 new Embry-Riddle Eagles crossed the stage to receive their diplomas. Just like the 125,000 graduates before them, they are ready to prove their worth and make a difference for their companies, families and communities, and ultimately for our planet.

New Leadership In this issue of Lift, we welcome the university’s sixth president: P. Barry Butler. I am proud to say that our newest leader, like those who came before him, cares about Embry-Riddle. WithA a keen focus on our students’ academic excellence, he is dedicated to delivering an unparal- leled educational experience. He values alumni and their ongoing engagement and philanthropic support — and he loves aviation. Furthermore, President Butler wants to meet you. We will announce dates and locations for future presidential receptions in the coming months.

All-Alumni Team Our dedicated all-alumni team is planning and looking forward to another year of out- standing networking and outreach events. Meet our team here: alumni.erau.edu/team. This past fi scal year we met over 6,000 alumni and friends at more than 100 events. Helping us is a team of volunteer Alumni Network Leaders located in communities across the globe. Find the network nearest you: alumni.erau.edu/networks. Our biggest set of events of the year — Homecoming — is fast approaching. Make plans to join us in Prescott, Ariz. (Oct. 5-7), and Daytona Beach, Fla. (Oct. 12-14). Activity- packed weekends are scheduled for all Eagles, regardless of campus affi liation. For more: alumni.erau.edu/homecoming.

Put Your Compassion to Work In addition to being strong leaders, Embry-Riddle alumni are known for being compas- sionate. Each November our alumni put their goodwill to work in their communities dur- ing the Eagles Help campaign. Different alumni groups organize to complete a variety of service projects. We love sharing our alumni involvement in Eagles Help on the univer- sity’s social media channels. Please send your community service stories and photos to [email protected] or use #EaglesHelp when posting them online. I am proud of who we are, and I am excited about our strategic initiatives and growth for the future. We could not do it without your continued contributions of time, talent and trea- sure — and more importantly, your passion to be the best: Lead on.

Respectfully & Forever an Eagle,

Bill Thompson (’87, PC) Executive Director

Join the Eagle Network: facebook.com/ERAUAlumni alumni.erau.edu/join

twitter.com/ERAU_Alumni instagram.com/erau_alumni/

alumni.erau.edu/LinkedIn

26 LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU

SPRING 2017 COMMENCEMENT

DEGREES AWARDED GRADUATES RANGED (TOTAL)* IN AGE FROM: 20 TO 64 MOST POPULAR MAJORS 1,256 BY CAMPUS: B.S. in Aerospace Engineering Doctoral degrees: 6 (Daytona Beach Master’s degrees: 250 & Prescott) Bachelor’s degrees: 969 B.S. in Aeronautics Associate degrees: 31 (Worldwide)

GRADUATING WITH ACADEMIC HONORS: NUMBER OF COUNTRIES 28% REPRESENTED:

FEMALE MALE 59 GRADUATES: GRADUATES: 22% 78%

*Includes all May 2017 graduation ceremonies (Daytona Beach Campus, Prescott Campus and Worldwide Campus ceremonies held in Daytona Beach and Prescott)

LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 27 Flying Into the Wind William ‘Bill’ Bayliss discovers the joy of airships

BY SARA WITHROW

illiam “Bill” Bayliss (’07, ’14, PC) “It had control surfaces the size of barn doors,” wanted to be a commercial pilot, but Bayliss says. A cable and pulley system connected he wasn’t a huge fan of automated these control surfaces to a large wheel and rudder ped- aircraft systems. In 2013 he threw his als in the cockpit. Depending upon the wind, it could fi xed-wing training to the wind. take a lot of muscle to fl y it, Bayliss says. Now an employee of the Goodyear Another Embry-Riddle graduate, Matthew St. John Tire and Rubber Company, Bayliss (’96, DB), chief pilot at the Goodyear Airship operation is one of only 10 airship pilots in the in Southern California, taught Bayliss the ropes. United States, and one of approxi- “There are no blimp simulators,” Bayliss says. mately 20 such pilots worldwide. “You need 200 to 300 hours in the seat to learn it. “I really like the older style of fl ying. I enjoy fl ying Blimping ain’t easy.” Wby the seat of my pants,” Bayliss says. Bayliss earned his airship wings on July 11, 2014, approximately nine months after starting his train- Flying a Blimp Isn’t for Everyone ing. Earlier this year, Goodyear retired the old-school Old-style piloting is just what Bayliss got when he GZ-20A blimp from its fl eet. “I was the last pilot ever started at Goodyear and learned to fl y the last of two trained to fl y one of those airships. Now they’re in operating GZ-20A blimps. museums,” Bayliss says. “That’s kind of special to me.”

28 LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU the Wind Flying Into

EDUARDO DURAN on themast.” You’re stillfl ying theairship until you putitback Bayliss says. “But we stilldon’t have autopilot. pellers andadvanced avionics. maneuverable, withthree vectoring engines,four pro- and willcompletethemodernfl eet in2018. company’s Wingfoot Lake airshipbasein Akron, Ohio, Wingfoot Two. A thirdiscurrently beingbuiltat the (for new technology) airships,WingfootOneand technologically advanced thantheoldGZ-20A.” it’s technically notablimp,” hesays. “It’s much more Goodyear Blimp. “It’s actually asemi-rigidairship,so In May, Bayliss passedhischeck rideonthenew High-TechAirship “Now it’s aglass cockpit, it’s allfl y-by-wire,” The new airshipmodelis larger, faster andmore Goodyear operatestwo Zeppelin-designedNT (pictured here). new Goodyear Blimp, theZeppelinNT completing histyperating for the William ‘Bill’ Bayliss isallsmilesafter ings, includingtheairsystem andfuelsystem for trim.” another. You’re moving aboutfour tofi ve different levers onaverage duringland- adjustingthevectorsconstantly andthrust. Ifyou change one,you have tomove tion,” Bayliss says. “You’re takeoff andlandingconfi gura- include thesidestick in 15control pedestal, ifyou the enginesoncenter are 14 different controlsfor is challenging tofl y. “There capabilities, theZeppelinNT going todoitfor aslongthey letme,” Bayliss says. of myself aspretty lucky.” always smilingwhengetting onandgetting off ofmy aircraft,” hesays. “I think airlines, Bayliss says hecouldn’t behappierwithhiscareerpath. “People are While many ofhisfellow Prescott Campusclassmatesarenow fl ying for the Life for Pilot Blimp A it. Itwas awesome. Iwas soproudtobeaGolden Eagleandbethere.” there tohelpcelebrate. “I drove down toColumbus[Ohio]andwatched themwin 11th nationalchampionship inMay [Seerelatedstory, Page 2],thealumnuswas basically mademewhoIamtoday.” ship experience,” Bayliss says. “Hands down ithadahugeroleinmy successand just for thefl ying skills,theprecisionlandingandnavigation, butalsotheleader- team whenitwon itsfi rstback-to-back nationalchampionships and2008). (2007 Campus GoldenEaglesFlight Team. Hewas chief pilotandthenpresidentofthe for sixyears attheuniversity, Bayliss was amemberoftheaward-winning Prescott Aeronautical Science,anM.S. inSafety Scienceandworking asaninstructor pilot he wears now chief asassistant pilotatGoodyear. InadditiontoearningaB.S. in Hesays hisexperiencepreparedhim well atEmbry-Riddle for themany “hats” bases each year. “As apilot,you’re partofthein-fl team,” ightservice Bayliss says. fl ights,inadditiontodonatingridecertifi catestovarious charities nearitsthree coverage for events, theairshipfl iescorporateguestsandinvitation-only passenger In additiontoadvertising Goodyear tireseverywhereitgoesandproviding aerial Skills PeopleRequired: and fl Itcangetpretty yingthething. busy.” tor willyell atyou,” Bayliss says. “Of course,you’re toairtraffi alsotalking ccontrol blimp shadow. You can’t putthat[shadow]orthefi onthestadium eld, orthedirec- era needtobepositionedcorrectly topleasethe TV networkdirectorsontheground. age was provided by theGoodyear Blimpin1955 attheRose Parade inPasadena, Calif. purposes. We invented live aerialcoverage,” Bayliss says. The first-ever live aerialcover- ambassadors for thecompany. Goodyear isknown for beingapublicrelationstrailblazer, anditspilotsarefront-line MavenRelations Public Despite itsadditional He doesn’t planonhangingup hisairshipwingsanytime soon, either. “I’m Bayliss continuestosupporttheGoldenEagles.Infact, whentheteamwon its “I have nodoubtthattheGoldenEaglesFlight Team preparedme—andnot “You have togettherightsunangle,andyou have towatch outfor thathuge The blimppilotispartphotographer, too. The airshipanditsexternally mountedcam- “Goodyear hasbeenoperatingairshipsfor 100 years, 90years for publicrelations 20 worldwide. of approximately United States and one 10 airship pilots inthe Bayliss isone of LIFT

FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 29 “Women can not only be in the military, but they can do in the military whatever they set their minds to do.” – Retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant O­ cer 3 Lori L. Hill

Vice President Richard Cheney presents the Distinguished Flying Cross to Chief Warrant Offi cer 3 Lori Hill on Oct. 16, 2006. Hill was in a cast for six months as her shattered leg bones healed. She got pregnant shortly thereafter and decided to retire from the Army in 2007. “I would not be the person I am today if I had not spent 20 years in the Army,” she says. “I loved Super Heroine fl ying in the Army.” Blazing Trails for Women Alumna is one of few military women Hill says she was a shy 17-year-old from Springfi eld, Ore., who joined the service to get money for college. to earn a Distinguished Flying Cross She became an OH-58D Kiowa Warrior pilot and an aviation safety offi cer in the Air Cavalry and served in for heroism Germany, Korea and Iraq with deployments to Desert Shield/Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. “The hardest thing about learning to fl y a helicop- ter is to hover,” Hill says. “But it is like riding a bike. BY MELANIE STAWICKI AZAM Once you get it, it seems so easy.” When she started fl ight school at Fort Hood, Texas, he last time retired U.S. she was one of a handful of other female pilots. She Army Chief Warrant Offi cer was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry 3 Lori L. Hill (’06, WW) fl ew Regiment, 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Ky., a helicopter, she was in Iraq. where she was the fi rst woman to be assigned to B She had a gunshot wound Troop. Hill says she stood her ground and worked hard, and her helicopter was tak- which helped her earn the respect of those around her. ing enemy fi re, forcing her to “I honestly believe a woman can do any job she make an emergency landing. wants to, but she has to meet the same standards “You could just hear the males do,” Hill says. bullets pinging and fi ring off While serving, she earned her bachelor’s degree the helicopter,” Hill says, recalling that in aeronautical science with minors in safety and busi- dayT in March 2006. “I did not know I ness from Embry Riddle’s Worldwide Campus. got shot. I felt pain but kept going.” Lori L. Hill with her Hill’s actions led to her becom- Kiowa Warrior A New Chapter ing one of the few military women Since retiring, Hill has focused on being a mother to her awarded the Distinguished Flying two boys, Jacob, now 9, and Dylan, 7. Her husband is an Cross (DFC) for heroism. She is also a Purple Heart recipient. active-duty helicopter pilot with 28 years of service. The Now married with two young sons, Hill will be a featured speaker at the DFC couple were at one time in the same squadron. Society’s biennial convention Sept. 24-28, 2017, in Dallas. The event theme is “Sometimes he will fl y past our house for our Heroic Women of the DFC. boys to see him, and I’ll miss fl ying,” Hill says. Currently, she is substitute teaching, volunteering HE APPEARANCE OF U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD) VISUAL INFORMATION DOES NOT IMPLY OR CONSTITUTE DOD ENDORSEMENT. OR CONSTITUTE IMPLY DOES NOT VISUAL INFORMATION OF DEFENSE (DOD) DEPARTMENT APPEARANCE OF U.S. HE Award-Winning Heroism at her children’s school and pursuing a master’s degree T Hill was conducting a routine reconnaissance fl ight in her Kiowa Warrior when she in elementary education. She says that every so often, and her co-pilot were asked to assist a ground unit being fi red upon. While trying to someone she knows now will stumble upon the photo suppress the enemy fi re, Hill’s helicopter was hit and lost hydraulic power. She was of her receiving the DFC award from then-Vice President left struggling to control and land the chopper. Richard “Dick” Cheney, and they’re amazed that it’s her. Hill says she didn’t even realize she had been shot in the ankle until she had “Women can not only be in the military, but they landed and sat down to take off her boot. can do in the military whatever they set their minds

“The bullet went through my heel and up my ankle,” she says. to do,” Hill says. ARMY NEWS SERVICE U.S.

30 LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU CAREER CORNER IT’S TIME TO COME HOME WEB SAVE THE DATE EXCLUSIVE Make plans to visit this fall! 2017–18 Industry/Career Expos Watch a behind-the-

FRIDAY, SEPT. 8 scenes look at how Seattle, Wash. Embry-Riddle alumni OctoberWest Alumni Weekend help shape one of & Wings Out West Air Show THURSDAY, OCT. 5 the largest air shows Prescott, Ariz. PRESCOTT, ARIZ. and aviation conven- OCT. 5–7, 2017 THURSDAY, OCT. 12 tions in the world: Daytona Beach, Fla. the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Alumni Homecoming Weekend WEDNESDAY, FEB. 7, 2018 AirVenture Oshkosh. Daytona Beach, Fla. DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. lift.erau.edu/osh17 OCT. 12–14, 2017 For additional information and job resources: careerservices.erau.edu.

LIFELONG LEARNING Get the details: Embry-Riddle Professional Education alumni.erau.edu/homecoming

Embry-Riddle offers educational opportunities for pro- fessionals and organizations in the aviation and aero- space industries. View upcoming seminars and certifi cate courses: proed.erau.edu. Scott Yoak

EVENTS ON THE RADAR

For the most up-to-date list of events, visit alumni.erau.edu/events. SEPT. 8-9 OCT. 15-18 DEC. 18 Industry/Career Expo & Worldwide Air Traffi c Control Association Daytona Beach Campus Campus Commencement Conference and Exposition Commencement Seattle, Wash. National Harbor, Md. Daytona Beach, Fla. Alumni Reception, Oct. 16 SEPT. 16 Worldwide Campus OCT. 26-28 2018 Commencement Society of Women Engineers FEB. 7 Honolulu, Hawaii Conference Industry/Career Expo Austin, Texas OCT. 5-7 Daytona Beach, Fla. Industry/Career Expo & NOV. 1-5 FEB. 27 – MARCH 1 OctoberWest Alumni Weekend/ Society of Hispanic Helicopter Association Wings Out West Air Show Professional Engineers International Heli-Expo Prescott, Ariz. Kansas City, Mo. Las Vegas, Nev. OCT. 9-13 NOV. 13 Alumni Reception, Feb. 27 Human Factors and Ergonomics Alumni Speaker MARCH 21-25 Society International Annual Meeting Series Live National Society Austin, Texas A livestreamed event with host of Black Engineers Alumni Reception, Oct. 10 Marc Bernier Convention OCT. 10-12 DEC. 2 Pittsburgh, Pa. National Business Aviation Worldwide Campus MARCH 22-24 Association’s Business Aviation Commencement Women in Aviation Convention & Exhibition Dallas, Texas International Las Vegas, Nev. DEC. 16 Reno, Nev. Alumni Reception, Oct. 10 Prescott Campus & Alumni Reception, OCT. 12-14 Worldwide Campus March 23 Industry/Career Expo & Alumni Commencement Homecoming Weekend Prescott, Ariz. Daytona Beach, Fla.

LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 31 for the Daytona Beach Campus’ Bob Snuck (’88, WW) is the manager CLASS College of Engineering. In May 2017, of the Beverly Regional Airport in he completed a Ph.D. in Aviation at Beverly, Mass. Snuck fl ew helicopters in Embry-Riddle. the military and worked for the Federal NOTES Aviation Administration until his retire- Jerry Walters (’83, WW) is the ment in 2005. Most recently, he man- utilities director for the City of Fort aged Pittsfi eld Municipal Airport. Smith, Ark. Jeffrey S. Osterlund (’89, DB) was To share your Class Notes with Lift and your fellow Stephen Blanchette (’86, PC) inducted into the American Institute of alumni, join Embry-Riddle’s online community joined The Aerospace Corporation as Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) the director of software systems and Associate Fellow Class of 2017 on at alumni.erau.edu/join today; or submit your acquisition on April 3, 2017. Jan. 9, 2017. He has been a member announcements through email to [email protected]. of AIAA since 1987, when he joined Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. while at Embry-Riddle. Osterlund is For guidelines, visit alumni.erau.edu/notes_guidelines. Theo Dressler (’86, DB) is the currently the space and launch vehi- senior aerospace science instructor cles engineering capability integration with the Air Force Junior ROTC at manager for The Boeing Company. Polytech High School in Woodside, Del. 1990s Juan Fuentes (’86, ’91, WW) is Career News and holds multiple Federal Aviation a terminal district manager for the Scott Germain (’90, PC) was upgraded Administration certifi cations for both Federal Aviation Administration to an A320 captain at American Airlines. rotary and fi xed-wing aircraft. (FAA) and is responsible for the Based at Los Angeles International 1970s “Paradise District,” which includes Airport and living in Phoenix, Ariz., 18 FAA airport traffic control towers Germain also fl ies an AT-6, B-24 and B-17 Robert J. Gross (’77, DB) was 1980s and/or terminal radar approach con- for nonprofi t organizations. promoted to senior trial counsel trol, and 22 federal contract towers for the U.S. Department of Justice, David Bejou (’81, DB) is provost and in Central Florida and south to Puerto Kenneth G. Moen (’90, WW) earned Civil Division, Torts Branch, Aviation executive vice president for academic Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. his Accredited Airport Executive desig- and Admiralty Litigation Staff, in affairs at SUNY Empire State College, nation from the American Association of Washington, D.C. Gross has defended which has eight locations in Central Cortland E. Mehl (’87, WW) gradu- Airport Executives in July 2016. Moen the United States (including the Federal New York. Bejou was formerly dean ated from Capella University with a retired as an air traffi c controller (ATC) Aviation Administration and U.S. Air of the College of Business and Social doctorate in business administration, in 2009. He served as an international Force) in aviation-related tort cases and Sciences at West Virginia State specializing in global operations and ATC instructor at Baghdad International was a speaker on several occasions at University. supply chain management. He was Airport in 2010. He has worked at the Embry-Riddle’s Annual Aviation Law and inducted into the Delta Mu Delta Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority in various Insurance Symposium. John Maris (’82, ’83, ’17, DB) was business honor fraternity at gradua- capacities since 2011, and is currently named Defence Executive of the Year tion, and his dissertation topic was the general aviation property manager Darrell Pope (’78, WW) was by the Canadian industry publication “Managing the United States Airline at both the Reno-Tahoe International promoted to senior vice president Canadian Defence Review. Maris is Pilot Shortage.” Airport and the Reno-Stead Airport. of fl ight operations at Dynamic founder and president of Marinvent Aviation in Bridgewater, Va. Pope Corporation, a Montreal-based aero- joined Dynamic Aviation as a pilot in space research and development CAMPUS LEGEND 2009. He is a retired U.S. Army pilot fi rm. He is also a former chair of the Aerospace Industries Association BFTS No. 5 British Flying Training School of Canada, which is the national MC Miami Campus association representing Canada’s DB Daytona Beach, Fla. aerospace manufacturing and services PC Prescott, Ariz. sector, and a current member of the WW Worldwide Campus Embry-Riddle Industry Advisory Board Kenneth G. Moen

John Maris Jeffrey S. Osterlund

Darrell Pope Cortland E. Mehl Scott Germain

32 LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU Steve Nordlund (’90, DB), former Kimberly J. Becker vice president of strategy for The Boeing Company’s Defense, Space and Security business, will head Boeing HorizonX, the Chicago-based manu- facturer’s new venture-capital arm. Nordlund was involved in launching Insitu, which Boeing acquired in 2008. Brig. Gen. Patrick J. Doherty Rear Adm. Daudi Barnes Sarah Kalmeta and Dee Dee Doherty Donna Cottrell He is also a former chief information offi cer for Embry-Riddle. Matthew K. Fay Brian Roggow

Michael G. Petridis (’91, WW) is a senior partner at VIP Jets, an aviation consulting and merger and acquisition advisory fi rm in the Dallas, Texas, area. He is also the author of Fighter Pilot

Follies, published in 2007. Petridis Mark von Laer David Casey Steve Nordlund piloted what he calls some of the world’s best fi ghters, the McDonnell Douglas-made F-15 Eagle and the F/A-18 Hornet, in Europe during the Cold War. He received an honorable Rear Adm. Donna Cottrell (’97, David Casey (’98, WW) was Academy and related Spacesuit discharge after 11 years of active duty WW) is director of the U.S. Coast promoted to director of avionics Technician course. Johnson also in the U.S. Air Force. Guard Joint Interagency Task Force at Central Flying Service. He was owns New Star Aviation, an aero- West (JIATF West). Located at Camp previously a sales leader for the space diversity outreach and inclu- Dana Harris (’92, WW) was hired as Smith on Oahu, Hawaii, JIATF West is company’s jet group. sion program in St. Paul, Minn. a professional maintenance, repair and the U.S. Pacifi c Command’s executive overhaul technician at Paz Aviation. agent for executing Department of William W. Weakley (’98, WW) Steven Province (’05, WW) was Defense counterdrug activities. will fulfill the remaining term of named interim president of Providence Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Greg his brother, Bruce Weakley, on the Healthcare Network in Waco, Texas. Laxton (’95, WW) now leads Boeing Brig. Gen. Patrick J. Doherty (’97, Herkimer County Legislature in New Business Jets. Most recently, he WW) and his wife, Dee Dee Doherty, York. A retired naval officer with Brian Roggow (‘05, PC), aviation served as sales director for Air China, were announced as the winners of 23 years of service, William was safety program manager at the Embry- Air China Cargo, Shandong Airlines the 2017 Air Education and Training a member of the U.S Navy Flight Riddle Prescott Campus, was selected and Shenzhen Airlines. He joined The Command Gen. and Mrs. Jerome F. Demonstration Squadron Blue Angels Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Boeing Company in 2004. O’Malley Award on Jan. 30, 2017. from 1980 to 1984. Safety Team Representative of the Doherty is the 82nd Training Wing com- Year for his region in the 2017 FAA Retired U.S. Air Force Brig. mander at Sheppard Air Force Base in General Aviation Awards. Gen. John Michel (’96, WW) was Texas. The O’Malley Award recognizes 2000s named to the board of directors of the wing commander and spouse team Jim Elensky (’06, WW) is deputy Groen Aeronautics Corporation, a whose contributions to the nation, the Jonathan Rider (’00, WW) is now chief of the Haines City, Fla., Police gyroplane and gyrodyne rotorcraft Air Force and the local community best senior vice president and chief operat- Department. Elensky was formerly technologies company based in Salt exemplify the highest ideals and posi- ing offi cer at SeaChange International, captain at the Polk County, Fla., Lake City, Utah. tive leadership of a military couple serv- advancing from chief information Sheriff’s Office, where he worked for ing in a key Air Force position. offi cer. Rider joined SeaChange in April nearly 25 years. ; COTTRELL: U.S. PACIFIC COMMAND PACIFIC U.S. ; COTTRELL: Daudi Barnes (’97, PC) is founder, 2016. president and chief engineer at Matthew K. Fay (’97, ’03, WW) was James Carter (’08, WW) has joined Advanced Mobile Propulsion Test inducted into The Boeing Technical Retired U.S. Army Master Sgt. Traxxall Technologies in Wichita, Kan. in Durango, Colo. Barnes was the Fellowship as an Associate Technical Tanya Whitney (’00, WW) was Durango Chamber of Commerce 2015 Fellow in April 2017. His area of honored at the Louisiana State Sarah Kalmeta (’08, PC) is regional Entrepreneur of the Year and is a certi- expertise is aircraft scheduled main- University Women’s Center Esprit de operations director for Universal fi ed pilot. tenance program development and Femme Awards Sunrise Celebration Weather and Aviation. Based in optimization. Only the top 1.5 percent on March 30, 2017. Hong Kong, she is responsible for Kimberly J. Becker (’97, WW) was of Boeing’s workforce become fellows, operational management and day- hired as San Diego County Regional Fay says. Fellows are responsible Michael Johnson (‘05, WW) is to-day leadership in the Asia-Pacific Airport Authority’s second president/ for setting the technical direction for co-chair for The Mars Generation region across all of the company’s CEO, effective May 1, 2017. She was Boeing and resolving critical issues. Student Space Ambassador business units. previously director at Mineta San José Leadership Program Advisory International Airport, where she had Mark von Laer (’97, DB) is now chief Board. A program supervisor with Ryan Ridder (’08, DB) was named

U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY SENIOR AIRMAN KYLE E. GESE SENIOR BY AIR FORCE PHOTO U.S. worked since 1995. She also worked fi nancial offi cer of Andritz AG, headquar- the Minnesota Department of the 12th head coach of Bethune- at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey and tered in Graz, Austria. Von Lauer was Transportation, he is a 2016 gradu- Cookman University’s men’s basketball Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport for most recently chief fi nancial offi cer at ate of the Advanced Polar Suborbital team. (See related story on Page 20)

DOHERTY: DOHERTY: a total of 10 years. Lürssen Werft GmbH & Co KG, Germany. Science in the Upper Mesosphere

LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 33 Liz McCoy Steve Athearn and Karyn Baker Lauren Gulley and Trey Cox

Josh Sprague Andrew Goins

Timothy Timmons Brett Watts, Blair (Boies) Watts and Halsey Watts

Elizabeth Geren

Br. Samuel Philip Hakeem, O.P. Kasey Dixon

Br. Samuel Philip Hakeem Andrew Goins (’12, ’15, WW) was joining the NTSB, Sumwalt was a pilot Ado K. Sanusi (’16, WW) was (’09, PC), a member of the Order selected to attend U.S. Air Force for 32 years, including 24 years with appointed CEO of Aero Contractors of Preachers (Dominicans), was Offi cer Training School, with an Piedmont Airlines and U.S. Airways. by Assets Management Company ordained a Catholic priest on May expected entry date of early fi scal He is also an inductee in the South of Nigeria. Previously, Sanusi 20, 2017, at St. Pius V Catholic year 2018. Flight training will follow in Carolina Aviation Hall of Fame. was deputy managing director Church in St. Louis, Mo., by Pueblo, Colo. of Arik Air, the largest local carrier Archbishop Robert Carlson. His Liz McCoy (’15, WW) was pro- in Nigeria. first Mass was celebrated May 21, Martin Connor (’13, PC) was moted to regional sales director 2017, at St. Pius V. He celebrated upgraded to captain for SkyWest for Embraer Executive Jets. She is a Mass of Thanksgiving on June Airlines. responsible for new aircraft sales in 4, 2017, at his home parish, the Michigan and Kentucky. Her previous Family News Prince of Peace Catholic Church, in U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Nicholas role with Embraer was as a business Albuquerque, N.M. Hakeem studied Middleton (‘13, DB) graduated from development manager. space physics at Embry-Riddle. specialized undergraduate pilot train- 2010s Following graduation, he studied ing at Seymour Johnson Air Force U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Jonathan optics at the University of New Base, N.C. Wright (‘15, DB), who is the son of Brett Watts (’11, ’14, PC) and Mexico in Albuquerque for a year, Lt. Col. John Wright (‘84, DB), is Blair (Boies) Watts (’14, PC) before leaving the program to enter Timothy Timmons (’13, WW) was nearing graduation from Air Force welcomed daughter, Halsey Watts, the Dominicans. In May 2017, he named 2017 Flight Instructor of Pilot Training at Sheppard Air Force on March 15, 2017. graduated from the Aquinas Institute the Year for Arizona by the Federal Base in Texas, and was recently of Theology in St. Louis, Mo., with a Aviation Administration’s Scottsdale selected to fl y the F-16, just as his dual Master of Divinity and Master Flight Standards District Office. father was in 1985. of Arts in Theology degree with hon- He was also recently designated Marriages/ ors. Hakeem’s first assignment will a Master Flight Instructor by the Kasey Dixon (’16, WW) is provid- Engagements be at Blessed Sacrament Parish in National Association of Flight ing HondaJet Southwest Customer Madison, Wis. Instructors. Timmons is a Medevac Support for Cutter Aviation and is pilot for Precision Air Transport flying based in San Antonio, Texas. She the Rockwell Turbo Commander. started her aviation career in the U.S. 1980s 2010s Army, specializing on the AH-64D The Hon. Robert L. Sumwalt III (’14, Apache Longbow Attack Helicopter. Steve Athearn (’85, DB) and Josh Sprague (’10, ’14, WW) WW) was nominated by President Dixon is a certifi cated Airframe & Karyn Baker (’85, ’87, DB) were was hired as program coordinator Donald Trump, and confi rmed by the Powerplant mechanic and a fi xed- wed in Tacoma, Wash., on Oct. 27, for Sinclair Community College’s U.S. Senate on Aug. 3, 2017, to a two- wing and remote pilot. 2016. Steve works for The Boeing Aviation Technology department year term as chairman of the National Company in Seattle, Wash. in Dayton, Ohio. In addition, he Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Elizabeth Geren (’16, DB) was hired continues to manage the property Sumwalt has been a member of the in February 2017 as a systems engi- rental businesses he co-owns with NTSB since 2006, and served as vice neer associate at Lockheed Martin in his family. chairman from 2006 to 2008. Before Colorado Springs, Colo.

34 LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU Austin and Sophia Donohoe 2010s attended the event. Donovan’s wife, Annamarie, was also honored for Candace L. Pitman (’11, DB) and her years of support of his piloting John R. Davis (’09, DB; ’16, WW) career. The Donovans now reside in are engaged to be married. The two Scottsdale, Ariz. met and became friends in 2007 at Walter C. Donovan Jr., center, Annamarie the Daytona Beach Campus. Pitman Deborah Donnelly-McLay (’97, Donovan and Tony Alfaya says, “It was a friendship that lasted WW) was a pilot fl ying the United through our undergraduate years, Parcel Service (UPS) Boeing 757 on new jobs, and, in my case, two years April 22, 2017, in the Thunder Over abroad. Sparks fl ew at a camping Louisville Airshow, which featured weekend with mutual friends in 2014.” the fi rst all-female fl ight crew in the Davis proposed on March 30, 2017, at airshow’s history. The 757 was fl own the base of the SR-71 (Pitman’s favor- and supported by a team of women ite airplane) at the Pima Air Museum who work for UPS that included two Brian Jackson, left, and Jay Williams in Tucson, Ariz. — also the site of their pilots, an observer in the cockpit, one fi rst “offi cial” date. The couple have aircraft maintenance supervisor and planned a Dec. 9, 2017, wedding in two aircraft maintenance technicians. Venice, Fla. Donnelly-McLay is a 20-year veteran of UPS and is based in Miami, Fla. Lauren Gulley (‘11, DB) and Trey Cox (‘12, DB) were married on Sept. Brian Jackson (’00, PC) and Jay 4, 2016, in Nisswa, Minn. Gulley is Williams (’02, PC), who fl y for Aero pursuing a Ph.D. in Kinesiology at the Air and the Lifemed Alaska Medevac University of Houston and Trey is a contract, shared the cockpit during project engineer at MEI Technologies. a recent mission to Western Alaska. They reside in Houston, Texas. Jackson says, “Aviation is a small world. It’s great to cross paths with Austin Donohoe (‘13, DB) married fellow alumni, even after 15-plus Sophia Carr on April 8, 2017, at St. years, and share memories of our time John Chapel in Plymouth, Mich. The at ERAU.” wedding party included best man Alex Tiefenbrunn (’13, DB). Donohoe is Dustin Mosher (’12, PC) is a fl ight the assistant race engineer for East test engineer for Virgin Galactic’s Lansing, Mich.-based 3GT Racing, a SpaceShipTwo. team that fi elds two Lexus RCFs in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Samuel Joplin Stanley “Mike” Johnson, right, Championship. Carr is the assistant (’13, WW) gave the keynote address at on The Price Is Right director of career services at her alma Missouri State University-West Plains’ mater, Hillsdale College. The couple commencement ceremony on May 20, reside in Holt, Mich. 2017. Joplin is an F-15 instructor pilot with the 159th Fighter Wing of the Louisiana Air National Guard at Naval Air Station-Joint Reserve Base, New Other Orleans, La. While serving as a tradi- Walter C. Donovan Jr. (’70, DB) tional guardsman, he is also a Boeing Candace L. Pitman

Capt. Deborah Donnelly-McLay UPS and John R. Davis received the Federal Aviation 777 pilot at FedEx Express. Administration Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award on March 1, Stanley “Mike” Johnson (’14, DB) 2017, at a ceremony held in the was a guest announcer for an episode atrium of the College of Aviation of The Price Is Right, during season at Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach 46 of the TV game show. He was also Campus. Retired as a captain at a former contestant on the show in FedEx in August 2012, Donovan has 2013. Johnson worked in local radio more than 20,000 fl ight hours and a in production and on-air duties, but 50-year accident-free fl ying record. recently accepted an offer with the He is also a retired lieutenant colonel Federal Aviation Administration for in the New York Air National Guard. an air traffi c control position. Johnson Several Embry-Riddle alumni, who is pictured, right, with Drew Carey, are friends Donovan met as a stu- center, and George Gray, the show’s dent and member of the Alpha Eta usual announcer. Rho professional aviation fraternity, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Samuel Joplin

LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 35 Athletics of Fame. They include (pictured, from Halls of Fame left) Sam Vazquez (‘11, DB), men’s Nine standouts in Embry-Riddle athlet- cross country/track and fi eld; Jason ics were recognized this year. Cruse (‘00, DB), men’s basketball;

On April 21, 2017, the Prescott Elina Johansson (‘11, DB), women’s Kelsey Anderson Campus welcomed three new mem- soccer; Abby bers to its Athletics Hall of Fame: Hall (‘12, DB), Derek Sanders (’00, PC), wrestling; volleyball; Phillip Kelsey Anderson (’13, PC), women’s Reamy (‘10, ‘13, soccer; and Isabela (Lachowski) DB), baseball; and Martinet (’09, PC), volleyball. Russell Snyder Earlier in the year, on Feb. 3, the (‘11, DB), men’s Daytona Beach Campus inducted six cross country/track Isabela (Lachowski) new members into its Athletics Hall and fi eld. Martinet Derek Sanders Daytona Beach Campus Athletics Hall of Fame inductees

EAGLE AUTHORS

Sarah J. Nilsson, Esq. (’03, ’06, WW) authored Drones Across America, ON THE BOOKSHELF Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Brent Carter (’91, DB) co-authored the Regulation and State Laws. It was nonfi ction book Intrepid Professionals: published in 2017 by the American Bar How Principles from the Military Mindset Association. The book provides a frame- Build Extraordinary Leaders, Teams and work for federal and state drone laws Businesses in June 2017, with retired U.S. and explores policies and best practices Army Chief Warrant Offi cer 2 Chris Schafer. for the operation of UAS. Nilsson is a lawyer and an assistant “This book fi lls the gap experienced by professor of aviation at Embry-Riddle’s Prescott Campus. many civilian companies who are eager to Charles Erlinger Jr. (’94, WW) hire veterans but have little understanding on how to best authored The American Savior under leverage their experience and capabilities after they are his pen name, Everett Heath. The hired,” Carter says. The book includes real stories and related novel was published in 2015. Erlinger research that “balance the problems and pragmatic solu- is a retired veteran of the U.S. Air tions of our time against the contemplative answers of great Force, and is also a retired Delta Air philosophers, scientists, thinkers, explorers, historians and Lines pilot. Erlinger says his fi ction notable military warriors.” Included at the end of each chapter writing evolved from being a lifelong is what Carter calls “Actionable Intelligence,” thought-provok- songwriter. ing comments and questions that aid the reader in thinking G. Gary Westfal (’90, ’94, WW) authored Fear is a Thief: critically about the topic at hand. Carter is CEO of Corporate Five Powerful Truths to Help Overcome Your Biggest Fears. Affairs at SolidRed Concepts. The book was published in 2015. “Fear is a Thief exposes Tyson Roser (’11, WW) authored fear and gives the reader a fresh new Spiritual Banana Republics and the Return approach to managing fear using fi ve to Spirit-Filled Ministry. Published by fundamental truths,” Westfal says. Christian Faith Publishing in January 2017, A writer, speaker and coach, Westfal his book refl ects on global missions and is president of G-Life Enterprises the truth and consequence of human Corporation. He is also a former mem- involvement in ministry, with the goal of ber of Embry-Riddle’s adjunct faculty. illuminating the “biblical way of ministry, where God is in control with his people and his church functioning properly.” Roser attended Embry- Riddle’s Prescott Campus before completing a B.S. in Professional Aeronautics through the Worldwide Campus. ARE YOU AN AUTHOR? He is a veteran naval aviator and now serves as the pastor Eagle Authors features traditionally and self-published books overseeing international ministries and the Spanish commu- authored by Embry-Riddle alumni and faculty. To have your book nity of The Bridge Church in Carson City, Nev. considered, email: [email protected].

36 LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU Andrew C. Becker MARCH 14, 2017

U.S. Air Force Maj. Andrew C. Becker (’07, In Memoriam DB), who commissioned out of Embry- Riddle’s Air Force ROTC Det. 157, died March 14, 2017, in the crash of a recon- 1940s 1990s naissance and surveillance aircraft dur- ing a training flight in New Mexico. The Alan Bruce (’41, BFTS) Richard T. Carter (’94, DB) 33-year-old married pilot from Novi, Mich., Nov. 7, 2016 Feb. 13, 2017 was one of three service members killed when the single-engine U-28A crashed T.J. Lees (’41, BFTS) near the Clovis Municipal Airport. Co-pilot 1st Lt. Frederick Jan. 15, 2017 2000s Dellecker, 26, and Capt. Kenneth Dalga, 29, were also killed. All three were assigned to the 318th Special Operations Retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Deborah Butts (’01, DB; Former Squadron at Cannon Air Force Base. Henry Kurtz Weiser (’42, MC) staff) Inspired to join the military following the 9/11 attacks on March 19, 2017 Jan. 11, 2017 American soil, Becker enrolled at Embry-Riddle and joined Det. 157. Following his commissioning and graduation, he Retired U.S. Navy Capt. Anthony Tommasino (’03, WW) progressed through flight training to become a pilot and Hoyt Porter Maulden (’43, MC) April 14, 2017 member of the Air Force Special Operations Command. March 30, 2017 During his seven years of active duty, Becker served nine U.S. Navy Lt. Eric W. Ferguson deployments into various combat areas, including 459 com- Retired U.S. Air Force Reserve (’08, DB) bat sorties and 2,260 combat flight hours, earning 22 medals Col. Raymond J. Wienk (’44, MC) March 30, 2017 and a number of awards, promotions and honors. Sept. 22, 2016 Becker’s parents, Gary and Stacey Becker, have estab- lished an endowed scholarship in their son’s name that will 2010s reward future Det. 157 cadets who exhibit the dedication, 1950s leadership and service for which their son was known. William “Bill” Robert Chadney “This scholarship will ensure that Maj. Becker’s legacy lives Kenneth McNeil Armstrong (’10, WW) on within Det. 157, and it will serve as an inspiration to every- (’54, MC) Feb. 7, 2017 one who has chosen to wear the uniform of the U.S. Air Force,” Jan. 7, 2017 says Bill Thompson (’87, PC), executive director of alumni rela- Air National Guard tions at Embry-Riddle. To contribute: givingto.erau.edu/give. Maj. Brian P. Murray (’11, WW) 1960s Feb. 22, 2017

Abbey Trinca William E. Pitts (’60, MC) James Fernando (’13, PC) FEB. 27, 2017 April 1, 2016 April 29, 2017

Daytona Beach Campus student Abbey Trinca, 21, died unex- pectedly on Feb. 27, 2017. 1970s “Abbey was an outstanding student in our human factors Friends program and a great representative of our university on the golf John E. Quicksall (’71, DB) course and in the community. It’s heartbreaking to see a young Feb. 3, 2017 Gary Lee DeWindt life cut short,” says John Phillips, director of athletics at the (Former DB Flight Instructor) Daytona Beach Campus. Joseph F. Golinski Jr. (’79, DB) Dec. 21, 2016 Trinca came to Embry-Riddle in 2013, after graduating from Jan. 18, 2017 the Maribyrnong Sports Academy in Melbourne, Australia. She Robert Wayne Harsha was an accomplished four-year letter winner for the Eagles’ (Former WW Adjunct Faculty) women’s golf team, a conference assistant for Embry-Riddle 1980s Aug. 16, 2016 Residence Life, and was a part of Embry-Riddle Athletics’ game operations/facilities and weight William Michael “Mike” Grubbs Richard E. Waddell room staff. Prior to coming to Embry- (’84, DB) (Former DB Library Director) Riddle, Trinca won the Victorian School March 29, 2017 Jan. 25, 2017 Sports Award for golf in 2012. “At age 17, Abbey came across the world from Australia to pursue her dream of aca- demics and golf,” says Embry-Riddle’s Head Women’s Golf Coach Maria Lopez. “She Help Us Memorialize Embry-Riddle Eagles worked three jobs and competed as a col- Notify the alumni relations office have died. For obituaries legiate athlete, all while being a Dean’s List at [email protected] if you are and up-to-date death notices: student. She was sweet and a kind spirit aware of any classmates who alumni.erau.edu/passings that will be missed and treasured.”

LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 3 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 600 S. Clyde Morris Blvd. NON-PROFIT ORG. Daytona Beach, FL 32114 US POSTAGE PAID LIFT

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Known as the world’s leader in aviation and aerospace education, Embry-Riddle is equipped for and experienced in research, specifically associated with eight areas of focus: Applied Science, Aviation, Business, Computers and Technology, Engineering, Safety, Security and Space.

Open for business in 2017, the John Mica Engineering and Aerospace Innovation Complex (MicaPlex) is the cornerstone building of the Embry-Riddle Research Park. This unique 50,000-square-foot, cutting edge innovation hub is designed to support partner companies and organizations with research in aviation, space, engineering, unmanned systems and the environment.

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