 |
|
|
 |
Invitational Staff |
|
![Robert [Hoot] Gibson, Captain USN (retired)](images/about_staff_hoot.jpg) |
Robert "Hoot" Gibson, Captain USN (retired) - Invitational Ambassador
Robert "Hoot" Gibson, Captain USN (retired) joined the National Aviation Heritage Invitational as the first official Ambassador on December 21, 2004. Gibson is highly distinguished in the aerospace industry. Having graduated from the California Polytechnic State University in 1969, with a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering, Gibson served in the US Navy as a Test and Fighter pilot. He is a graduate of the highly acclaimed US Navy Fighter Weapons School, "Top Gun", and served combat missions in Southeast Asia. Gibson was an Astronaut and Space Shuttle Commander between 1978 and 1995. He flew 5 successful missions with satellites, DOD payloads, and Science Laboratories, commanding four of them. Gibson has logged more than 11,000 hours flight time in more than 50 types of civilian and military aircraft, of which more than 9000 hours are jet and rocket powered. Amongst other recognitions, Gibson performed the first ever docking with Russian "Mir" Space Station, participated in the investigations following the Space Shuttle Challenger accident and is a recipient of numerous NASA awards and military decorations. Gibson currently is a commercial airline pilot for Southwest Airlines, is married to Astronaut Margaret Rhea Seddon, M.D., and a proud farther of four. For a complete look at Gibson's impressive CV, click here.
|
|
 |
Ken Perich - Executive Director
Ken Perich became Vice President - Market Development for Airlines Division of Rolls-Royce North America in December 2000. In this capacity, Ken is responsible for the market development team and sales activities within North America, Latin America and the Caribbean. In addition he is responsible for all aspects of Airline Marketing including major events. Ken joined Rolls-Royce North America in 1988 and prior to his current appointment Ken held the positions of Customer Business Executive and Director- Airline Marketing. During his career with Rolls-Royce, he has been responsible for over $6 Billion in revenue. He has also held sales, marketing and management positions with AAR, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation and Quasar Data Products.
Ken holds a Commercial pilot's license with Single Engine Land, Single Engine Sea, Multi-engine Land, Multi-engine Sea and Instrument ratings. In addition, he holds type ratings in Cessna Citations and Lear Jets, which qualify him to fly over 11 different models of corporate aircraft. Ken also completed Boeing's flight training program on the 757/767 series of aircraft.
He is a Trustee of the National Aviation Hall of Fame, a founding member and the Executive Director of the National Aviation Heritage Invitational, which was established by Rolls-Royce, The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the National Aviation Hall of Fame and the Reno Air Racing Foundation, to promote the preservation of aviation history. |
|
 |
Ron Kaplan - Deputy Director
Ron Kaplan is one of the National Aviation Heritage Invitational’s original founders. At that time he was serving as Development Director of the National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF), and thus served a vital role in coordinating the participation of NAHF enshrinees in NAHI from the start.
Ron’s career in preserving America’s aviation heritage is extensive and varied. From 1994-1998, he was the self-employed founder of Warbird Aviation Art, specializing in hand-painted flight jackets and nose-art replicated on scrap aircraft skin and actual aircraft. Among his clients were Air & Space Magazine, the Smithsonian Air & Space Society, Memphis Belle Memorial Association, Miss America P-51 Air Racing Team, NIKE, and others. A member of the USAF Art Program, one of Ron’s jackets is on permanent display by the USAF at its Pentagon headquarters.
Since 1996, Ron has been a contributing editor to Flight Journal Magazine, and his writing and award-winning photography has appeared in numerous other aviation publications. While at the NAHF, Ron directed its annual enshrinement, known as “the Oscar Night of Aviation,” and founded the acclaimed Reel Stuff Film Festival of Aviation. Having served as the NAHF’s Executive Director since 2005, Ron left the organization in 2009 and currently serves as a consultant to aviation media and museums.
|
|
 |
Charlie Marks – Director of Operations and Logistics
Charlie Marks comes to the National Aviation Heritage Invitational as Director of Operations and Logistics after almost ten years of volunteering with the Reno Air Race Association in Operations, Logistics, Security, Hospitality, and Transpotation.
Charlie graduated from Embry Riddle Aeronautical Institute in Daytona Beach, Florida with a BS in Professional Aeronautics and from the Georgia Institute of Technology with an MS in Management of Technology. His professional experience includes over 19 years with Delta Air Lines in Operations, Planning and Maintenance. He has held the position of Operations Director in both software and engineering firms, and most recently has returned to Delta as a Maintenance Planning Consultant.
A resident of Atlanta, Georgia, Charlie has deep family and friendship ties in Reno and with the Air Races – the Races and NAHI are the highlight of his year!
|
|
 |
Susie Reinke - Director Volunteers & Hospitality
Susie joined the aviation industry in 1976 at Stapleton Intl. Airport, Denver where she was initially employed by an FBO followed by employment with a customs house broker.
Susie relocated to the Washington, DC area in 1981 where she began her career with Rolls-Royce North America and retired after 26 years of service as General Accounting Manager. Susie directly managed Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, and General Accounting staff. She was the accounting liaison between the U.S., U.K., Germany, and Canada affiliates as well as Collection Officer responsible for liaison between RRNA and seven major U.S. airlines in addition to over 50 lesser fleet aviation customers including PBtH customers. Susie was a member of IMA - Institute of Management Accountants.
Susie has been active with the Reno Air Races since 2005 and relocated to Reno in 2007. Susie is also an active member volunteer at the William F. Harrah National Automobile Museum in Reno.
|
|
 |
Colin Powers - Chief Judge
I retired in 1997 after a 35 year career with Hewlett Packard as a mechanical engineer and engineering manager. After retirement, I volunteered at the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville Oregon, working on the Spruce Goose. I became their Director of Restoration in 2004 and retired in 2009. I currently do consulting work for the museum.
My interest in aviation began as a small boy during WW ll. I obtained my private pilot’s license in 1961 and currently have over 2,000 hours. I built a BD-4 which I flew for 17 years .I restored a Cessna 195 which won Champion Custom Classic at Oshkosh in 1995. My next restoration project was a Piper L-4H, which won the Military trophy in Reno 2003 and then the Heritage Invitational Trophy in 2005 and Reserve Grand Champion Warbird at Oshkosh in 2007. This aircraft is now part of the Evergreen Aviation Museum collection. I also have won both the Silver wrench award and the Gold wrench award at Oshkosh with the L-4.
I’ve been involved in judging aircraft at various fly-ins and air shows in the Northwest for the last twenty years. I’m currently Chief Judge at the Madras Air Show in Oregon. For the past five years, I have been one of the Heritage Invitational judges held in Reno and will be Chief Judge 2010. I also will be judging warbirds at Oshkosh this year.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
