LOU Barthelemy

I am asking for your vote to be on the GEBA Board.  I have been in ballooning since 2002, starting as crew for many years then proceeding to obtain my Pilot’s certificate in 2006 with instruction from many different knowledgeable pilots.  I have been a GEBA member since 2004.  Being on the Board I will represent the interests of all GEBA members to include all crew and pilots.  I will use good judgement and knowledge to make decisions.  I will always be open to listening to members’ opinions for or opposing issues.  I have the strength and knowledge to be your representative on the GEBA board with years of crewing and piloting in the ballooning community.  I look forward to receiving your vote.

Safe flying and soft landings,

---

MICHAEL DePew

To my fellow GEBA members,

When I started my term back in 2021, we as a collective group had faced a lot. To say the least not much was certain. But after my time in this group and on the board, I can proudly say we have really come together and shown why we insist on pouring our heart and souls into this thing was call ballooning.

GEBA had grown on me in so many ways. During my time on the board, I was able to not only watch the membership grow, but you all helped me grow as a balloonist and a person. The experiences with this board are something I will take with me forever.

But I have quickly realized, I want to continue. I want to continue putting that team first attitude at the forefront of everything we as a whole do. I want to keep being a figure of support and objectivity. I want us to keep marching forward, and I want to keep building on festival relations, and working with my fellow board members to bring this association the best results and keep working towards an even better future for all balloonists and crew.

I am asking for your consideration in reelecting me to the board for a second term. I pledge a continued sense of camaraderie, and to always be there to hear concerns – to see things from both sides, with the best interest of the group in mind.

Lastly, I want to thank John, Robin, Karen, Mike, Tim, Bruce, and Tony in particular. I have enjoyed my time on the board and working with you all has been my pleasure. I certainly hope for another opportunity to do so.

Thank you all,

---

STAN Hess

Having always had an interest in aviation, I did some fixed wing instruction, but never completed a rating.

It was not until 1982, our local community investigated the possibility of including hot air balloons in the 4th of July celebration.  As a local business, I was asked to sponsor and promote the hot air balloon event.  I committed to sponsorship with the requirement that I get to fly in a hot air balloon.  In 1982, hot air balloons were definitely a novelty.  Tony and Mike Fairbanks were the Balloon meisters.  Well, I got to fly in a balloon as part of my sponsorship during the event.  I was hooked and immediately began piloting instruction.  Within that first year, I purchased my first hot air balloon.  It was a Beautiful balloon, built by Don Piccard.

I did not have a clue where ballooning would take me during the next 4 decades.  What began as a hobby, became an obsession.  Ballooning continued to open doors and opportunities that would not otherwise have been available to me.

Highlights of the 40 Year Obsession:

1982 First flight in a hot air balloon

1984 Commercial Pilot License, Lighter than Air

1984 Won Pennsylvania State Championship

1985 Created The United States Hot Air Balloon Team, a company promoting all facets of ballooning.  The company has operated continuously from 1985.

1985 – 1990 participated in events, Allentown, PA, New jersey, Adirondack, NY, Battle Creek, MI and many others.

1988 – In route to Calgary Olympics, Balloon tether at Mount Rushmore, w/America’s Heritage.

1988 Calgary Olympics flying events daily over Calgary, with highlight Chateau Lake Louise with Dr Clayton Thomas.

1988 April, Trans Australian Balloon Challenge – Trans-continental, Perth to Sydney fly and drive event.

1988 April, Participated, Australian Nationals, Canowindra, NSW

1988 July, Battle Creek event

1989 April, first tour to Eastern Europe, Yugoslavia, Austria, Bob Sparks, Crispin Williams – Thunder & Colt.

1989 June, Battle Creek event

1989 September, Tour, Training, Zagreb, Yugoslavia, Austria, Hungary Bob Sparks, Crispin Williams, Tom Miclousic.

1989 November, Maui, Hawaii, intending to develop profitable tourist ballooning program.  Flew Mt Haleakala, 10,000 ft

1990 June, Helium Gas Flight, instructor Bob Dicks, with Connie Wolf attending, sign off Commercial Pilot License, Lighter than Air – Free Balloon

1998 January, First entry to Swiss Chateau D’Oex, Gstaad Alpine Challenge.  Introduction to Swiss-Alps balloon flight characteristics.  (my first paying passengers in Europe)

1998 August, Flew first 100-year-old passenger, her 100^th Birthday wish to fly in a hot air balloon.

1998 November, First tour to Sendai province, Iwadema, Japan

1999 February, Flew 140,000 cu ft hot air balloon from Gstaad, Switzerland, to Villar Focchiardo, Milan, Italy (Approx 200 miles)

1999 February, First flight, piloting Hot Air Airship in St Wolfgangsee, Austria (VW Airship GBXYF)

1999 October, Jacqueline Bissett photo shoot

2000 January, Chateau D’Oex Balloon Festival

2000 February, Gstaad Steigenberger Alpine Balloon Challenge

2000 February, Austria St Wolfgang Balloon Festival

2000 November, Sendai Province, Iwadeyama Balloon Festival, Japan

2002 January, Chateau D’Oex Balloon Festival

2003 April, Zagreb, Croatia Hot Air Balloon Festival Artist Josip Generalic

2003 July, to October, USA Tour finish at AIBF, “OUST” Product introduction for F.C. Johnson

2004 June, tour Smithsonian Air & Space Museum

2004 July, Keystone International Balloon Festival, Lancaster, PA

2005 July, Lorraine Balloon Festival, Chambley France

2005 -2006 ING Direct USA, City to City Tour NYC to San Francisco

2006 January, Chateau D’Oex balloon Festival

2006 France, Germany, Appenzell, Switzerland – Appenzell Held Trophy, Appenzell, CH

2007 January, Chateau D’Oex Balloon Festival

2008 January, Chateau D’Oex Balloon Festival

2008 February, Gstaad Steigenberger Alpine Balloon Challenge, originating from Gstaad, CH

2008 – 2009 Americans For Prosperity – USA 40 States Across America Hot Air Tour

2009 January, Chateau D’Oex Balloon Festival

2009 CLASSIC WORLD ADVENTURES, Switzerland Summer Tour Appenzell to Chateau D’Oex, VIP Guest     Bud Collins, 4 guests                 see: budcollinstennis.com

2011 January Switzerland Emmental Alpine Balloon Challenge, originating from Luetzelflueh, CH

2013 – 2018 “WICKED” The Broadway Musical National Tour, major cities, highlights Telluride, Colorado   concluding with Albuquerque international balloon Fiesta 2018

2018 August, Israel, Gilboa International balloon Festival, Participated in flights in Caesarea

2020 December, effectively retired, selling The United States Hot Air Balloon Team Company to my eldest Grandson Jacob Frame.

2022 Continuing to fly balloons commercially locally and in the U.S.

2023 January Resurrected as PIC our annual (small Groups) International tours to Switzerland, Chateau D’Oex Festival.  Highlighted by 9 Alpine flights in 10 days.

2023 Returning to Albuquerque Fiesta Flying “WICKED” The Broadway Musical Hot Air Balloon.  One of my favorites.

2024 January Returned as PIC with (small Groups) International tours to Switzerland, Chateau D’Oex Festival.   Multi Alpine flights in 10 days.

2025 January Returning as PIC with (small Groups) International tours to Switzerland, Chateau D’Oex Festival.  Planned Alpine flights, Tours and sightseeing.

4 Generations — 4 generations of Professional Balloonists, Stan Hess 1981 Chad Hess 1995, Lucas Hess 2007, Jacob Frame 2016 — Current

---