Meet our Board of Directors |
| Zach Thompson - President Trego/Dugan Aviation of Grand Island Inc.. Based in Grand Island, Thompson manages a team that provides all aspects of aviation services including maintenance, aircraft fueling and airline ground handling.Before joining the Trego-Dugan team in 2005, Thompson worked for Duncan Aviation in Lincoln. He was a mechanic with Duncan for four years and worked with Great Lakes Airlines in Grand Island for three years maintaining its fleet of aircrafts.His career in aviation began in 1994 when he started rebuilding agricultural aircrafts with Hershey Flying Service while still in high school. He attended Spartan College of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Thompson graduated in 1999 with highest honors and an Associate of Applied Aviation degree. He has a Bachelors of Business Management degree from Bellevue University. In his 20 years of aviation, Thompson has worked extensively on a diversified assortment of general aviation aircraft. He has been involved with buying and selling aircraft, major repairs and upgrades and alterations on aircraft. He has an FAA airframe and power plant license with an inspection authorization endorsement. Thompson also has his private pilot’s license.In his time with Trego-Dugan, Thompson has advanced from shop foreman to vice president/director of maintenance in Grand Island, the company’s largest facility. He is also accountable manager for TDA’s FAR Part 145 repair station in Grand Island.Thompson and his wife, Marcy, have four children. He enjoys camping, flying, hunting and family activities. They are active members of Third City Christian Church. Thompson is past master of Platte Valley Masonic Lodge and a member of Central Nebraska Shrine Club.
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| Mike Wilwerding - Treasurer Mike began his aviation career at Eppley Airfield in 1998 as a GSE Mechanic with Sky Harbor Air Service and transitioned to TAC Air later that same year when TAC Air acquired Sky Harbor Air Service. Over the next several years, he took on roles of increasing responsibility until becoming the General Manager of TAC Air-OMA in 2007. Mike and his wife, Traci, reside in Harlan, Iowa and have four sons. He and Traci enjoy kayaking, bicycle riding and taking trips on their motorcycle.
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| Jason Hartwig - Secretary Jason is a Central Nebraska native and a 2004 graduate of the University of Nebraska Omaha’s Aviation Institute. His background consists of primarily charter and corporate flight department operations spanning sixteen years of professional flying experience. He is employed with Union Pacific Railroad. Jason has been a member of NeBAA since 2011 and served as Golf Chairman for the 2014 tournament event. Jason and his wife Alecia reside in Omaha with their three children: Mara, Amelia, and Griffin.
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Kelly Linse
Kelly Linse began flying for Union Pacific Railroad in early 2012. Prior to this, she was a contract pilot with Tenaska and ConAgra, flew for Jet Linx Aviation, and also Elliott Aviation in Omaha. She has spent her entire career in Omaha, beginning in 1995. She has been on the board with NeBAA since 2007. Her hobbies and interests include spending time with family, running, reading, traveling, and volunteering for several organizations. Her volunteer work includes serving as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), volunteering for South Gate Missions in South Omaha, and serving One Life church in Plattsmouth, Nebraska on their Launch Team. Kelly resides near Plattsmouth, NE with her husband Brendan and two children Joss, 19 and Carissa, 17.
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| Michael White Michael, an Oklahoma native, has more than 10 years of Business Aviation experience that all began right here in Nebraska. He started with NeBAA as Golf Chairman in 2010 and has served on the board since 2012. Mr. White has a Bachelors of Business, a degree in Aviation Science, and graduated from Spartan School of Aeronautics to launch his aviation career. Currently, Michael works for Midwest Aviation as a Captain and Training Manager. Michael, his wife Gillian and 2 children, Morgan and Madelyn live in Omaha, NE.
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| Denis Cahill Denis Cahill was born and raised on Staten Island, NY until joining United States Air Force at age 18. USAF assignments took him to Fairchild AFB Spokane WA, Mather AFB CA, Dyess AFB TX and Offutt AFB NE. Career Highlights: B-52G Crew Chief, Quality Assurance Evaluator, B-1B Crew Chief and Major Command (SAC) Aircraft Maintenance Evaluator. Denis attended Gateway Electronics Institute, Omaha NE, and earned AAS Electronic Technician. He received an A+P and worked at Husker Aircraft Repair, Millard Airport and then obtained a position working on C-21A aircraft at Offutt AFB and ultimately became Site Manager 4 years later. Denis started his position with ConAgra Foods in December of 2002 and earned Inspection Authorization in 2008. He currently hold Lead Technician position with Conagra Brands. He and his wife Therese have two grown children. They enjoy planning and taking vacations, hiking and home improvement projects. Denis enjoys riding motorcycles.
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| Gary Hausmann I flew charter in Norfolk for 2 years in the early 1980's, and I have been flying Corporate Jets in the Omaha area for over 31 years; the last 14 years with Werner Enterprises. I have been Chief Pilot there since 2002. I have a Bachelor of Science degree from Kansas State University; married to wife Renee and have 3 children. My son Jerod is in the Air Force, and currently stationed at Offutt AFB and flying RC-135's there. His two daughters are both Registered Nurses in the Omaha area.
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| Paul Higgins Paul grew up on a ranch near Valentine NE and graduated high school from Mount Michael (Elkhorn NE). He completed an aviation degree and multiple ratings from Embry-Riddle, Prescott AZ. Paul has worked as a flight instructor and/or corporate pilot for several Nebraska companies including Trego/Dugan Aviation in North Platte and the former NBC Bank in Lincoln. He currently is employed by Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. in Lincoln, helping to pilot and manage the company’s Falcon 50 aircraft. His family consists of wife, Jodie, and three children. The family is active in their church and the children’s schools. Paul enjoys spending time outdoors, hunting and fishing.
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| Kevin R. Nichols Originally from central Illinois, graduated from University of Illinois in 1977 w/ Bachelor of Science in Education. Public school teacher in both Chicago and St. Louis areas, then gravitated to aviation as a career, working second jobs to pay for flying. Worked as corporate pilot in St. Louis for almost 15yrs, then moved to Omaha in 1995, and have worked for Union Pacific Railroad, Mainko Aviation and ConAgra Foods in their corporate flight departments. As VP of Aviation for ConAgra Foods, responsible for overall employee and fleet management, fiscal operations of company aircraft along with oversight of our SMS and fuel programs. Besides flight responsibilities, directly responsible for budget and strategic assignments.
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| Lee Bowes Born in Lincoln, NE, Lee spent his childhood weekends at KLNK, terrorizing the ramp with his go kart. Many summer weekends were spent supporting Midwest Aerobatic Club (Ed Bowes, Harry Barr and friends) airshows in the region. Lee was slow to begin his own pursuit of flight, but when he did, he was in the air most weekends in a Grumman Yankee or a sport parachute rig. After receiving his Communication degree from Union College (Lincoln, NE), Lee found himself with a choice to join the Air Force, or Duncan Aviation. He chose Duncan Aviation, and 20 years later he serves as the Regional Manager for the Central U.S.. Aside from aviation, Lee is an active musician, auto racer, and traveler, and enjoys life with his wife, Michelle, and their two boys.
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| Bill Sibbernsen I was born and raised in Omaha, NE, and graduated from Creighton Prep High school in 1987. I attended the University of North Dakota from '87-'92 and received a B.S. in Aeronautical Studies with a minor in Meteorolgy. I was a flight instructor at Millard airport from '94-'97 and went on to Mesaba Airlines from '97-'00. From '00-'03 I was a First Officer at Midwest Express Airlines until September 11 happened and was furloughed. I accepted a job at Jet Linx for the next 7 months until I was hired by ConAgra Foods in 1994, and remain employed there. I have been Chief Pilot at the Omaha base since 2013. I have been married for 21 years and have three sons, ages 16, 13 and 10. I have been a member of NeBAA since '04 and Chaired the 2008 NeBAA golf tournament.
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| Larry Bartlett I was born & raised in Willow Island, NE. Graduated from Cozad High School in 1969, attended University of Nebraska – Lincoln from ’69 -’71. Learned to fly at Gothenburg Aviation, Gothenburg, NE in 1971 and then worked at the same from 1973 until 1980 - flight instructing, flying charter, and doing agricultural aviation work. In 1980, moved to Scottsbluff, NE where I flew charter and later in the year the company moved the family to Alliance, NE where I managed the FBO and continued the flying duties. In 1982, I accepted a position of Chief Flight Instructor for Lincoln Aviation Institute with Duncan Aviation in Lincoln, NE. I also worked as a FAA Designated Pilot Examiner during that time. My duties at Duncan have included Chief Pilot and now Senior Pilot. I have been married 43 years and have three children, Trevor, Heather, & Heidi and six grandchildren. |
