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| Board Of Directors |
| The Tailwind Foundation's Board of Directors is a group of volunteers with an outstanding combination of aviation, business, and
non-profit experience. The foundation is truly fortunate to be directed by this group of pilots who are willing to donate their time supporting aviation in Northwest Arkansas. |
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Chip Gibbons
Chip has been a pilot since 1975, is a Certified Flight Instructor, and has his multi-engine
instrument rating.
He and his wife Becca founded Tailwind in 2004 and have been instrumental in the foundation's organization and operation since then.
Chip is involved with the local Experimental Aircraft Association chapter, having served in all capacities as an officer and board member, in
the EAA's Young Eagles program, and is the AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer for the Bentonville airport.
Chip graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1981 with a business degree and since then has worked for Halliburton Services,
Ernst & Young, J.B. Hunt, and as a small business owner.
Chip is a resident of Rogers and currently flies an A36 Bonanza and an Extra 300/L. |
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Greg Hughes
Greg holds his private pilot's certificate with a multi-engine rating. He has been a pilot since 1986 and
a multi-engine pilot since 1994.
Greg graduated first in his class from the Tulsa Technical School of Aviation in 1988 and earned his airframe and powerplant ratings soon after.
In 1992 Greg opened Precision Aircraft Maintenance in Siloam Springs and was awarded the FBO contract at Smith Field in 1997.
While he operated the FBO
and maintenance facilities, Greg also became a partner in Mid-America Avionics, an FAA certified repair station for avionics and flight instruments, and
in Plane Colors, Inc., an aircraft paint and refurbishing shop. In 2000 Greg moved his operation to Bentonville where he opened Hughes Aviation at
Louise Thaden field.
After selling his business in 2003 Greg became a realtor in Springdale, where he lives and works. Always a grass-roots aviatior, Greg is currently looking for his next
airplane. |
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Haley Olson
Haley is an ATP and a CFI, CFII, and MEI. Her first flight lessons were a high school graduation present from her
father.
Haley graduated from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan where she also instructed for three years.
In 1997 she joined Wal-Mart as a corporate pilot and is now flying
as a Captin in Lear 31's, 31A's, 35's, and 45's. Haley has participated in the Wal-Mart pilot hiring committee for the past year and a half where she serves on the
resume screening committee, the simulator evaluation group, the interview panel, and also as the assistant to the committee head.
With over 5,000 hours total time, 2,800 in jets, Haley is easily the highest time pilot on the Board of Directors. |
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Dan Shewmaker
Dan holds his commercial pilot's certificate with single and multi-engine
instrument ratings. He earned his pilot's license in 1983 at Vance AFB in Enid, Oklahoma.
Dan graduated with a business degree from the United States Air Force Academy in 1982 and was assigned to fly the F-4 Phantom in 1983. In 1986 Dan was
assigned to fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon. In 2001 Dan became an F-16 instructor pilot with the 188th Fighter Squadron in Ft. Smith.
He was promoted to
Operations Group Commander of the 188th Fighter Wing in 2003, then to Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer with the Air Force National Security Emergency
Preparedness Agency in 2003, a position he still holds.
Dan's aviation interest isn't all military however. He has owned an A36 Bonanza, a BE58 Baron, and currently flies a Beech King Air 90 in his business. |
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