Russ Reichert
Sunrise Surprise Balloon
Russ Reichert and his wife Nellie live in Grants Pass , Oregon .  Russ learned to fly as a child in South Dakota but gave it up to join the navy and then into the submarine service.  He later became an aerospace engineer working for NASA, doing design and building of the fight control computers for the Saturn 1-B and Saturn V.  He also helped design and build the radio communications equipment for the space walk suits.  This also led to doing the same for the radio gear on the moon rovers.  After that Russ went to work for the Tandy Corporation Radio Shack Division, Retiring in 1977 as a vice president.  Russ then did some consulting in the computer industry in the Silicon Valley , Ca. area.  He also bought and sold several companies in the late 80s and early 90s.  Russ moved to Grants Pass in 1988 where he purchased a mini ranch of 20 acres and ran it as a western theme bed and breakfast.  In 1992 he sold the ranch and also met his wife Nellie while taking up a new career of driving a school bus.  Turned out he wasn’t cut out to drive a school bus but he loved the teacher.  They have been active in ballooning for 12 years.  In 1996 he started the Wild Rogue Balloon Festival in Grants Pass , Oregon .  He purchased his first balloon in 2000 and 2^nd balloon in 2003.  Russ and wife Nellie love to travel, and this entices them to attend and fly in many events in the western states. 

Bill Woodhead
His Sky Ministry Balloon
"Arky" is a very bright and colorful balloon with Noah's Ark animals in an ark. Bill Woodhead has been an airplane pilot for over 30 years and a Hot Air Balloon Pilot for over twenty-five years.  He lives in Grants Pass Oregon where he operates HIS SKY Balloons, a hot air balloon excursion company, and the Best Western Inn at the Rogue.   He has flown balloons in a majority of the 50 states, as well as in Canada and Africa .  Bill also flies the “Arky” Balloon for Merritt Ministries.  Bill also serves on the Board for the Northwest Chapter of Pilots for Christ.

Greg MillerI’ll Fly Away Balloon
I started crewing in Salem Oregon in 1990, along with my two sons Cory and Matthew.  In 1995 we bought the balloon we had been crewing for from Art Circo.  I received my Private license in 1996, and my Commercial license in 1997. After living in the Willamette Valley for 35 years, I relocated to Meridian Idaho , (just 5 miles from Boise ), and currently fly there, when I am not attending many of the rallies around the Northwest. The Madras event has always been a fun time for us and we look forward to being there again this year.

Jim Smith
Pacific Peaks Balloon 
As Pacific Peaks Owner and Commercial Pilot, I love to share the thrill of Lighter Than Air Aviation.  Owner and Operator of Pacific Peaks Balloon Company “Captain Jim” (as the kids call him), enjoys sharing the unique experience of Lighter Than Air Aviation with his Customers, students and folks he meets throughout his travels in the Pacific Northwest .  Following a 33 year Banking career, and after crewing for Balloon Teams for 8 years, I began my second career as a Commercial Balloon Pilot in 1997.  I am a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the Balloon Federation of America, the Willamette Society, Washington County Visitors Association, and past National Chairman of the Balloon Federation of America’s Youth Programs. Our company is involved in promoting local Ballooning Events and has provided special flights for Make-A-Wish and other organizations involved in helping children “Live Their Dream” with a Hot Air Balloon Flight. In 2000, I was invited to be one of 29 Pilots to fly in the Nation’s Mayors at the annual Mayor’s Conference in Boise , Idaho . Also in 2000, I was selected to be one of 60 Pilots to participate in Boise Idaho ’s 2000 New Year Millennium Event. I have received the Willamette Aerostat Society’s 2000 Aeronaut OF The Year Award.  I also share the 2003 Award with 3 fellow Pilots. In 2001, I was awarded a Balloon Federation of America National Director’s Award for my participation in BFA Youth Programs.  In 2002 I was the National Chairman of the Balloon Federation of America’s Youth Programs and continue to participate in the program as a Mentor for youth involved in the Art of Aerostation. I have participated in the organization and operation of Festivals involving Hot Air Balloons;
2002, 2003 Woodburn Berry and Balloon Festival, Director of Balloon Operations
2005 Tigard Festival of Balloons, Coordination of Balloon Club’s involvement in the festival
2006 RE/MAX Tigard Festival of Balloons, Director of Balloon Operations
In 2006, I was honored to participate in the celebration of Disneyland ’s 50^th Anniversary “happiest homecoming on earth.”  Portland , Oregon leg of their 12 City Event Tour.  When not flying the “Pacific Fleet”, I often can be found at events and festivals flying one of the RE/MAX Balloons. 

Rod Purdum
Homer Balloon
First Balloon flight was in 1978.    Attended Collage of Culture for 5 years.  He is a 5^th grade teacher and a commercial pilot for Vista Balloons. 

Myron E. Steele
Sierra Sunrise Balloon
This aeronaut is a retired Civil Engineer who is doing part-time consulting work in order to support his avocation of Hot Air Ballooning.  He has been following the hot air ballooning recreational path for the past 30 or so years.  His balloon, Sierra Sunrise, is fairly well known in the northwestern and western areas of the United States .  Although he was actively engaged in commercial ride ventures in the early days of his balloon activities, he terminated such work in the mid 1980’s and now exclusively participates in rallies and some fun flying when the bug bites.  His main rally interests are those classified as a fun rally, although he regularly attends Albuquerque and Reno .  The Albuquerque crew has been the same for the past 27 years.  Starting with 4 junior high school boys and then graduating to girl friends, wives, babies, parents and all sorts of relatives.    It is not unusual to have a crew of 10 to 15 people.  Wonderful!  Less work for him.  Competitions have been won and lost.  However, at the present time, if the conditions are not optimum, he does not fly.  He doesn’t have to fly!  His interest in hot air ballooning is to be safe and have fun and provide others with a chance to experience the adventure.  One of the things he greatly enjoys doing is making a ballooning presentation to schools with grades K through 3 or 4.  The children at this age are wonderful when presented with an object as large as a hot air balloon.  He intends to keep doing this as long as possible. 

Koh Murai
YuZakura Balloon
I am predominantly a sport flyer but also provide some instruction.  I also enjoy aerostat construction with my first effort an AX-5.  Currently working on a two seat cloud hopper.  One of my other joys in LTA aviation is working on, executing, and helping others with long distance, long duration, and high altitude flights.  It has been my pleasure to be the launchmaster for 5 world record flights set over 3 flights.  Yet time spent aloft is still the biggest thrill after all these years.  The people you meet and become involved with are right up there with flying.
From 1991-1998 I was involved as launch crew, launch master, and consultant for several trans-global balloon attempts.  These included Earthwinds Hilton, Virgin Global Challenge, ICO Global Challenge, and Global Hilton.  From 2000 – 2005 I was involved with scientific balloon and systems design and flight operations for a small private firm supporting various government and university agencies.  This work included designs and flights in earth atmosphere, near space, and planetary exploration.
History:
1978 - First balloon ride, start crewing and student pilot
1983 – Private certificate – hot air
1988 – Commercial certificate – hot air
1996 – Gas rating
Accomplishments:
FAA Wings (Safety) Level XVIII
FAA Accident Prevention Counselor
BFA Pilot Achievement Award Program Level VII
BFA Crew Achievement Award Designee
BFA Pilot Achievement Award Designee
BFA Certified Safety Seminar Instructor, 1991-
BFA Safety Seminar co-organizer 1991 - 1994|
BFA Board Member 1997 – 1999
BFA Treasurer 1998
BFA – FAI/CIA Sporting Badge Program Chair 2000-
Hot air flights – USA , Morocco , New Zealand .
Gas Flights - USA

Carmen Blakely:
I began my "career" in ballooning 12 years ago by becoming a volunteer crew person for a ride operation in Newburg, OR. The first weekend I was given my first ride and it has all been uphill from there; I knew that I needed to learn how to fly a hot air balloon.  It took till 2000 and a couple of friends to join me and we started the long process of becoming pilots. The three of us earned our Private license and bought our first balloon, Outer Limits, and a used van for a chase rig, and CBC Balloon, LLC was born. (Carmen, Brian, Cheryl = CBC) In the fall of 2001, Cheryl and I earned our Commercial license; by this time we had lost Brian to the pressures of a real job and supporting his young family but kept his "B". We each wanted more flight time so we bought a bigger balloon, Tierra Madre in 2004. The two of us and whatever crew we can get to come with us, travel to Wash, Ore, Idaho, Wym. and Gallup New Mexico, flying in as many balloon rallies as we can manage. To pay for my hobbyI work for an electrical and mechanical engineering firm doing lighting and electrical design. I have two adult daughters and as of this date, one son in law.|

Larry & Terri Ratkoviak
Wind Dixie

Larry & Terri Ratkoviak are the proud owners of two balloons, Scarlet  Ribbons and Wind Dixie.  Larry is a fixed wing pilot a balloon pilot for   over 40 years.  Terri has been ballooning for over 15 years.  Terri and Larry met during a balloon flight in Truckee, CA. in the early '90's.      That was 12 years ago and now they are happily married and the       proud parents of four-year old Riley Dean Ratkoviak.  Riley has taken  to ballooning just as his parents have.  Getting up early doesn't seem to bother him at all, just as long as a nap is in order later on.            Ballooning for this family is all about the people, the comraderie and    then the flying.  We enjoy flying, but meeting new people and being   able to share our passion for this sport is really where we enjoy our    time.  We hope you enjoy this event.

Laura Hancock                                                                    Morning Glory 
Laura Hancock has been ballooning in Oregon for 20 plus years; first   as an awestruck fan when the Rose Festival Balloon Rally was at Delta Park, Sunset High, the Greenway, and Cook Park with her four   kids in strollers, watching in awe.  After a birthday flight in 1990 with  Vista pilot John Kent, she was hooked.  The day after her first fllight  she became a crew person and then the head of field operations, private pilot and commercial pilot for Vista and the a pilot for Portland Rose and Derek Hancock, her long lost adpoted brother from England. Laura has put on crew schools, been Vice President of the 4th   Parallel Balloon club for a year and the President for 2 years.  She has been a judge at the Great Reno Balloon Race, a guest speaker at safety seminars and this year, organized the Oregon Balloon Safety Seminar in March.  Although her first flights were in seaplanes and gliders in New York, her passion was ballooning and she earned her     private and commercial ratings in 1996 and 1997.  She was given her  first balloon in 2001 by a complete stranger at the Tigard Festival of   Balloons.  Morning Glory is a 1978 Raven 77 with an Aerostar  envelope, thanks to ballooning partner, Bales.  And that little red haired son, Spencer, that started his ballooning in a stroller, is now her crew chief and studen pilot, when he's not off studying aerospace engineering.  This season Laura will be flying in Winthrop,   The Tulip, Walla Walla, Madras, Tigard, Albany, Montague, the Alvord from her back yard in Newberg, Oregon and hopefully Gallup.

Ron & Sandy Groves                                                    
7th Heaven                                                                       
Ron & Sandy Groves, May 1973 Received Studen Pilot Certificate-      Lighter than Air Free Balloon Limited to Airboren Heater.  March 1974  First free-flight balloon ride.  Started training. Perris, CA. September   1974 Received Commercial Certificate- Lighter tha Air Free Balloon Limited to Airborne Heater.  March 1975 Maiden flight of our first  balloon, 7th Heaven. Perris, CA.  March 1978 Had the opportunity to   log a raining flight in the Goodyear Blimp, Carson, CA. December 1978 Did a high altitude flight to 16,700-ft. ASL. Perris, CA. December 1979 Took my daughter for her first flight at four weeks old. May 1982 Flew as co-pilot in the Denstiny Gas Balloon at the 4th Annual    Gordon Bennett Gas Balloon Race, Fountain Valley, CA. July 1982  Flew as co-pilot in the Destiny Gas Balloon at the McDonnell-Douglas  Aero-Classic Gas Balloon Race, St. Louis, MO. September 1983-1997   & 2006 Flew at the Great Reno Balloon Race, Reno NV. August 1989   Flew at Fraternite 89 (the Bicentennial of the French Revolution)  Lorraine, France.  August 1991 Returned to Lorraine, France and flew at Fraternite 91. March 1974- August 2003 Operated a hot air balloon ride business 7th Heaven Balloons, in Southern Ca.  September 2002- Nov 2004 Operated a hot air balloon ride business in Sedona, AR.    November 2005-present. Moved to Salem, OR. Operating a hot air      balloon ride business in the area.