President:
Mike Bradford
Ph. 775 781 1721
mikeb@lakesideinn.com
Bio: Mike has been fascinated with flight since he was child. Mike is an avid pilot with a background in soaring and powered flight including community involvement supporting aviation at Minden Tahoe Airport. Currently Mike flies a Carbon Cub and a 1942 Navy N3N based at MEV.
Vice President:
Laurie Harden Ricardi
775-790-4394
laurie.harden@mac.com
Bio: Laurie Harden Ricardi is a soaring enthusiast who started SoaringNV in 2008. She is a commercially rated glider pilot and has just begun work on her single engine rating. When not at the airport, Laurie enjoys taking trips with her tow pilot husband, Silvio, in their Cessna 180. She is also a board member of the Minden Soaring Club.
Treasurer:
Kathy Bradford
admin@sportsaviationfoundation.com
Bio: Kathy’s aviation interest started while crewing for her husband, Mike, during soaring competitions in the late 1980’s. She is a private pilot single engine land. She enjoys accompanying her husband on many flying adventures. She is a retired accountant and has been involved with Sports Aviation Foundation since its inception.
Fundraising Chairman:
Fred LaSor
Ph. 775 790-4314
fred.lasor@gmail.com
Bio: Fred LaSor has been an active supporter of the Minden Airport and activities there since he came to the valley fifteen years ago. He is a member of the SAF Board of Directors and recording secretary for that board, President of the Minden Soaring Club, and Commander of the Douglas County Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol. He is also an active glider instructor and tow pilot.
Board Members:
Don Dixon
Ph. 775-721-0173
don.dixon@BakerHughes.com
Linda Mae Draper-Hivert
Ph. 775-225-4951
info@nifti.com
Bio: Linda Mae Hivert (Draper) has been heavily involved with the Minden-Tahoe Airport since 1978. She was co-founder/owner/operator of Soar Minden, glider operation, and NIFTI, flight school. She is ATP rated and flew professionally in Alaska, the Virgin Islands, fire tankers, and for the Nevada Division of Wildlife. Linda Mae is a lifetime member of the 99s, International Organization of Women Pilots and continues to be active. As a longtime Airport advocate, she was instrumental in the creation and evolution of SAF and continues to be heavily involved in MTA activities.
Jim Payne
775-410-7741
jpaviation@aol.com
Jeff Whitaker
775-790-1466
whitaker@wradvisors.com
Bio: Jeff Whitaker is a financial planner with Waddell and Reed by day, and a want-to-be pilot the rest of the time. He has had his private pilot certificate since 2008 and is currently working on an instrument rating. He and Don Dixon are partners in a 2012 Cessna 182 turbo based in Minden. Jeff is past President and current Executive Board member of the Nevada Area Council Boy Scouts of America and helps to coordinate the annual Youth Aviation Adventure with the SAF and the Scouts.
Steve Thaler
775-721-1108
Bio: Steve Thaler has lived in Minden, Nevada most of his life, having worked 30 years in Douglas County with positions in the Sheriff’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office (Special Investigator), China Spring Youth Camp (Manager), and Juvenile Camp Services (Director). He served on the Minden Town Board, Douglas County Board of Commissioners, and many local organizations. In his spare time, Steve likes to spend time with family, restore old cars, work in his garden, sail and gives much time to St. Gall Catholic Church, and the Knights of Columbus.
Brian Dixon
admin@sportsaviationfoundation.com