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Gary Peek (Incumbent)
CENTRAL REGION
St. Charles, Missouri
Age: 56. Electronics Business Owner. First jump: 1981. Total jumps: 7,500. Jumps past year: 150. Licenses and ratings: A-7668, B-12002, C-16850, D-8884, AFF IE, IAD IE, Static-Line IE, Tandem IE, PRO, Master Rigger, Commercial Pilot, SEL. Awards: GW, DW, DDW, GFF, DFF, 4-Stack, 8-Stack, CCS.
"I’m an active AFF, Tandem, IAD and Static-Line Instructor/Examiner, Master Parachute Rigger, jump pilot, parachute researcher and all-around jumper active in many types of skydiving.
I contribute to parachute and skydiving technical research and publications and have made presentations at seven different PIA Symposiums. In the coming years I plan to continue to do this work for the skydiving community as I always have.
I will not describe a political platform that is not realistic, nor will I propose changes to USPA programs that do not benefit all USPA members. First we must bring USPA back to an organization that works for the USPA individual members and not for commercial skydiving interests. Once we do that, the other things will fall into place if we continue our hard work.
I do not make a living in the skydiving industry and I do not own a skydiving business, so I have absolutely no conflicts of interest, and can provide unbiased representation for the individual USPA member.
I am fortunate to always be able to take time out from my job to help USPA members, and I encourage you to contact me if you have any questions about this election and what you can do to help.
(800) 435-1975, M-F 9 a.m.-5 p.m. central, peek@pcprg.com"
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Randy Schroeder (Incumbent)
EASTERN REGION
Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania
Age: 60. Skydiver/Electrician. First jump: 1979. Total jumps: 11,700. Jumps past year: 225. Licenses and ratings: A-6899, C-15061, D-9995, Coach Examiner, AFF IE, Static-Line IE, IAD IE, Tandem I, Senior Rigger. Awards: GW, DW, DDW, GFF, DFF.
"First of all I would like to thank all the members in the Eastern Region for the opportunity to represent you and your interests these past two years. It has been a sincere pleasure taking care of regional business and representing all the members of my district at the biannual Board of Directors meetings.
One of my goals at the beginning of this term was to get appointed to the Safety & Training Committee. Not only was I successful in securing that appointment, I was pleased to find that the chemistry between board members lent to very productive sessions. With the experience I’ve gained, I hope this term to be able to secure further committee positions.
This year not only will you be able to cast your vote by paper ballot through Parachutist magazine, you will also have the option to cast your vote online. Though I would appreciate your support and vote this coming election, the most important thing is to vote. I look forward to serving another term as your Regional Director."
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Todd Spillers (Incumbent)
GULF REGION
Bryan, Texas
Age: 41. Police Officer. First jump: 1996. Total jumps: 4,700-plus. Jumps past year: 200. Licenses and ratings: D-21601, AFF IE, IAD IE, Static-Line IE, Tandem IE, Senior Rigger, Pilot, SEL. Awards: GW, GFF, DFF, 4-Stack, Falcon.
"Dear fellow jumpers, it is time once again for my request of your continued support in allowing me to represent you and serve the needs of all skydivers in the Gulf Region. In my four years as Gulf Region Director and the Chair of the Safety & Training Committee, I have helped guide a great team in accomplishing many difficult tasks, and I believe that I still have much more to give. We must continue to make sound decisions in promoting and protecting the future of our sport for future generations of jumpers. I ask that you make your voice heard and contribute to the betterment of our skydiving community by casting your vote for me, Todd Spillers, as Gulf Region Director."
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Don Carrington
MID-ATLANTIC REGION
Raleigh, North Carolina
Age 59. Editor/Investigative Reporter. First jump: 1971. Total jumps: 4,000-plus. Jumps past year: 70. Licenses and ratings: D-6415, PRO.
"About me: For the past 16 years I have worked for the John Locke Foundation, a think tank that keeps a watchful eye on state and local government activities in North Carolina. I am the lead investigative reporter for our publication Carolina Journal.
Skydiving stuff: I have been a continuous participant since my first jump in 1971, became a Static-Line Instructor and was a 4-way competitor at the 1977 Nationals. I have considerable experience leading demo teams and have delivered shows to at least 2 million spectators at NASCAR races, football games, rock concerts and other events. A few years ago I restarted an old passion for camera flying and now use cameras on most jumps.
Why vote for me: Seeking the best balance between freedom, safety and reasonable regulations is an ongoing challenge for the USPA Board to effectively serve the members. I have extensive experience dealing with government officials, significant experience as a senior staff member of a non-profit organization, 39 years of continuous skydiving, and will use that experience to be an effective board member—searching for the best balance. The USPA Governance Manual states that to be effective, regional directors ‘must be visibly present throughout his or her region.’ Since June 1, I have jumped at 12 of the 13 civilian drop zones in the region and attended the USPA Board meeting in New Hampshire. If elected I pledge to be visible and accessible to serve you. I would appreciate your vote."
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Tony Thacker
MID-ATLANTIC REGION
Raeford, North Carolina
Age: 48. Skydiving School Owner/Manager. First jump: 1980. Total jumps: 7,800. Jumps past year: 50. Licenses and ratings: D-7132, AFF I, Static-Line I, Senior Rigger, Commercial Pilot, ME. Awards: GW, DW.
"I have been a USPA member and skydiving for over 30 years with 7,800-plus jumps. I am a former competitor, national champion, U.S. Team member, pilot with over 2,200 hours flying skydivers, AFF evaluator from ’84 to ’90 and skydiving gear store owner. I directed the Carolina Skydiving League from ’01 to ’03, and I was the Meet Director for the 2002 USPA National Skydiving Championships.
Although frequently mistaken as a DZO, I am an owner/manager of a skydiving school at a drop zone. I am also a fun jumper, an AFF Instructor for the last 28 years, a Static-Line Instructor for 29 years.
During the last four years I have supervised over 900 AFF first-jump students and have assisted over 300 individuals to obtain their A license. My interest is all of skydiving, but I am most interested in student training, Safety & Training and Competition. I hope to represent the Mid-Atlantic and all of USPA with hard work, know-how and a can-do attitude.
Given my experience and history I can relate to the issues concerning students, safety, drop zones, DZ owners, instructors, fun jumpers, pilots, competitors, and represent them well to USPA and the surrounding communities.
Blue skies, Tony T"
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Randy Allison (Incumbent)
MIDEASTERN REGION
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Age: 50. Engineering Group Manager, General Motors. First jump: 1984. Total jumps: 3,500. Jumps past year: 75. Licenses and ratings: A-8438, B-13305, C-17689, D-11112, AFF I, Static-Line I, Tandem I, Master Rigger, Commercial Pilot, Instrument.
"I am again asking the skydivers of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and West Virginia for your vote to allow me to continue to represent you on the USPA Board of Directors. After serving on the board for the past three years, I have come to even more firmly believe that USPA is reason we can skydive in the United States with a minimum of outside intrusion and regulation, while maintaining high standards of operation, instruction and safety. I would like to continue to support the organization’s efforts to keep us all in the air as the Mideastern Regional Director.
In spite of the economic downturn, I’m still an Engineering Manager in the automotive industry during the day. More importantly, I’m a DZO, fun jumper, skydiving instructor, rigger, pilot and aircraft owner the rest of the time. My priorities for USPA in the next term:
Continue the organization’s excellent collaboration with the NTSB and the FAA that allows USPA to be recognized as the authority when it comes to self-regulation of the sport.
Support Headquarters’ outstanding government relations activities that so successfully advocate for the rights of drop zones and individuals to maintain and acquire access to airspace and airports.
Maintain our outstanding safety and training standards, methods and credentials.
Continue to serve both the individual and group member. There’s still a place for both in this organization.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns!"
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Bill Wenger (Incumbent)
MOUNTAIN REGION
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Age: 61. Coach. First jump: 1971. Total jumps: 8,950. Jumps past year: 100. Licenses and ratings: C-7576, D-3774, AFF I, Static-Line I, PRO, Master Rigger, Commercial Pilot, Instrument, ME. Awards: GW, DW, DDW, GFF, DFF.
"My jumping career began as a collegiate skydiver at Southern Illinois University in 1971. I entered the Army after graduation and was privileged to be a member of the Golden Knights’ first National Champion and World Cup Championship 8-way team. I have worked in all phases of skydiving: jumpmaster, instructor, tandem master, aircraft owner, pilot, meet director, drop zone owner and manager. I am one of the few who have won a National Championships in both formation skydiving and the classic events, the most recent being at the 2007 Nationals. My current job is coaching and instructing skydiving to cadets at the Air Force Academy. I have attended more than 30 Collegiate National Championships. I believe that collegiate skydivers are the future of our sport.
I have served on the USPA BOD for eight years and now serve as the chair of the Competition Committee. At times I might disagree with our membership or other board members but we must always make our decisions which we feel will best serve the membership. USPA is a lot of things to a lot of different groups and individuals but we must remember that USPA is first and foremost a membership organization.
I have the experience and the ability to represent the Mountain Region at USPA. I will always be available to the membership of the Mountain Region and promise to immediately respond to e-mails and phone calls. I will be your, ‘the members,’ voice at USPA."
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Merriah Eakins
NORTH CENTRAL REGION
South St. Paul, Minnesota
Age: 35. Music and Skydiving Instructor. First jump: 1998. Total jumps: 3,500. Jumps past year: 300. Licenses and ratings: A-31051, D-22063, Coach Examiner, AFF I, S&TA. Award: GW.
"I have been a Nationals competitor for 10 years running, which has given me an understanding of the diligence it takes to be a competitor in the sport, and the need for constant supervision of the rules and regulations. I was the USPA National Freestyle Champion in 2005 and 2009; I earned silver in 2000 through 2004 and in 2007, and bronze in 2006. I have been an AFF Instructor for eight years and am constantly concerned about my students and their future in the sport. I am a Coach Course Examiner, and it has given me an appreciation for the need to create standard teaching methods. I have a sincere appreciation of the challenges of owning a small drop zone. I helped my parents run theirs for over 10 years.
While I consider myself to be very knowledgeable about the sport, I also know that I am a student. I am willing to hear other opinions and learn from others. I wish to represent the average skydivers, weekend warriors, competitors and the instructors who wish to support the sport and continue the legacy left behind by those who have worked so tirelessly to create what we have today.
If elected, I pledge to help continue to polish the student instructional programs, and to help maintain Nationals as an event for everyone in USPA. I also pledge to remain a student of the sport, visit my regional drop zones and constantly look for input from the members of USPA to bring to the meetings."
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Marylou Laughlin (Incumbent)
NORTHEAST REGION
Granby, Connecticut
Owner, Thru Wild Eyes Photography and The Framing Corner. First jump: 1988. Total jumps: 4,400-plus. Jumps past year: 20. Licenses and ratings: A-10137, B-13738, C-19660, D-12418, Private Pilot, FAI Judge: Canopy Piloting, Accuracy; National Judge: Canopy Piloting, Style & Accuracy, Canopy Formation, Formation Skydiving. Awards: GW, DW, DDW, DDDW, GFF, DFF.
"It has been an honor for me to serve as the NE Regional Director since 1999. I am a member of the Competition Committee. I also represent the U.S. as the U.S. Delegate to the IPC, and I am an IPC Vice President, the Chair of the IPC Canopy Formation Committee and a member of the IPC Canopy Piloting Committee.
Skydiving has been a major part of my life for the last 22 years. I have been involved with many of the disciplines of jumping. Besides being on the 81-way FS and the 25-way CF New England records, I have been on eight (S&A and Para-Ski) U.S. teams and earned 19 national medals, including six gold. I have had the honor of judging the 246-way FS world record, the 70- and 85-way CF world records. I have judged at the U.S. and Canadian Nationals, the Collegiate Nationals, World Cups and World Championships. This has given me a wide range of experience both nationally and internationally learning the many different points of views of the world of skydiving.
I have really enjoyed traveling and talking with you, the member, and serving the Northeast as your voice at USPA. I have tried to look at issues objectively and work through problems diplomatically. I look forward to the opportunity to continue to represent you and skydive with you for the next two years."
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Jessie Farrington (Incumbent)
NORTHWEST REGION
Shelton, Washington
DZO. First jump: 1965. Total jumps: 8,000-plus. Jumps past year: 250. Licenses and ratings: B-7727, C-6325, D-6853, Coach, AFF I, IAD I, Static-Line I, PRO, Commercial Pilot. Awards: 8-Stack, CCS.
"I have enjoyed working on the board representing the interests of the Northwest.
My experience as a DZO and an active skydiver and instructor keep me in touch with all aspects of the sport. I am always willing to listen and try to find solutions to the real problems that face our sport.
I am a firm believer in education rather than regulation.
I would appreciate your support and look forward to the opportunity to serve the NW for another two years."
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Craig Stapleton (Incumbent)
PACIFIC REGION
Herald, California
Age: 48. Dentist. First jump: 1986. Total jumps: 6,700. Jumps past year: 400. Licenses and ratings: D-12018, PRO. Awards: GW, DW, DDW, 4-Stack, 8-Stack, CCS.
"It has been an honor to be the Regional Director for the Pacific Region for the last year and a half. While I have no business interest in skydiving, I am very involved in the sport through competition. I started in 1986 in Indiana, and have been a competitor since 1990, having accumulated almost 7,000 jumps. As a member of the U.S. Team, I have the privilege of representing USPA and its members around the world.
I still believe the average skydiver is the backbone of our sport and our association. The low-time jumper today is the chief AFF Instructor or a world record organizer, or even a board member of the future! We need to expand our membership, protect our members and drop zones from intrusive regulations, and continue to promote our sport in a positive manner. Like our membership, USPA is an evolving and growing organization that needs positive leadership.
Thanks for your support and your vote!"
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Victor Johnson (Incumbent)
SOUTHERN REGION
Panama City, Florida
Age: 70. Air Force, retired. First jump: 1962. Total jumps: 3,039. Jumps past year: 39. Licenses and ratings: A-9785, B-13466, C-19397, D-12441, Master Rigger, Private Pilot, Regional Judge: Canopy Formation, Canopy Piloting. Awards: GW, DW, DDW, GFF, DFF, DDFF, 4-Stack, 8-Stack, CCS.
"We are entering a new era in voting. You are now able to vote either with the traditional paper mail-in ballot or with the new electronic method. Hopefully, the online voting will increase voter participation. If able, please try the new method and let your USPA representative know what you think. Thank you for letting me represent you for the past four years, and I would appreciate your support in this election ... My philosophy as Southern Region Director has been to do what is best for the individual member but to balance that with what is best for the entire skydiving community. I have no obligations to any special interest groups and am free to represent you. USPA is your organization; please vote … every vote counts!"
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Lee Schlichtemeier (Incumbent)
SOUTHWEST REGION
Plano, Texas
Age: 66. Physician. First jump: 1989. Total jumps: 436. Jumps past year: 0. Licenses and ratings: A-12933, B-15032, C-22640, D-16256, Commercial Pilot, Instrument, SEL, National Judge: Style & Accuracy, Formation Skydiving, Canopy Piloting. Award: 4-Stack.
"To the USPA members of the Southwest Region:
I would like to request your support in my bid for re-election as the Southwest Regional Director of USPA. I pledge to continue to work very hard to balance the interests of the individual members of the Southwest Region with the collective interests of the entire membership of USPA and in the association’s twin efforts of keeping skydivers skydiving safely and in promoting the sport of skydiving.
I consider my primary goal to be the encouragement and protection of the individual skydiver, especially the students and low-experience skydivers. We need to give them the best the sport can offer in terms of: (a) providing a framework of instructional programs to serve them; and (b) qualified ratings holders to oversee and deliver instructional programs. This provides them the opportunity to safely enjoy and progress in our sport in any of the disciplines they may choose. This can and must happen at any size drop zone and with any airplanes or facilities. I strongly encourage the development of competition in the various disciplines at the local and regional levels as well as at the national and international level. We must protect our sport against overly aggressive or unnecessary government (local, state or national) involvement in our sport, but we must also understand our own obligations in providing safe venues for skydivers. We must be progressive and supportive in developing new ideas and disciplines in our sport and encourage their safe utilization and enjoyment."
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Scott Smith (Incumbent)
WESTERN REGION
North Hollywood, California
Age: 48. Stuntman. First jump: 1978. Total jumps: 11,000-plus. Jumps past year: 350. Licenses and ratings: D-6627, Coach, AFF I, Tandem I, PRO, Private Pilot. Awards: GW, DW, DDW, GFF, DFF, 4-Stack, 8-Stack, CCS, 3DW, 4DW, 5DW, 6DW, 7DW, DDFF, 3DFF, 4DFF, 5DFF, 6DFF, 7DFF, 8DFF.
"I have been skydiving since I was 16. I remember that jump like it was yesterday because it truly changed my life. Skydiving has been a major part of who I am ever since that day, and I have never looked back.
Instead of growing tired of skydiving I continue to find myself challenged. My first decade in the sport started off doing RW, competing in 4-way and doing large formations where I was part of several world records. Then my focus shifted to competing and coaching in Freestyle and Skysurfing where I enjoyed a lot of success including a world championship.
In the last several years I have been giving back in the way of judging and teaching. My fun jumps are a little bit of everything including wingsuiting, freeflying, as well as CRW where I was able to film the 100-way world record. I have also been fortunate enough to work on film and TV projects such as "Entourage," "Triple X," "Stunt Junkies" and numerous commercials.
Over these last 30-plus years much has changed in equipment and how we skydive. But the one thing that has remained constant and has kept me drawn to skydiving is the incredible people we meet and lifelong friendships we build. Our sport is not about Skydiving, it is about Skydivers.
It has been a privilege to represent the skydivers in the Western Region over the last several terms on the USPA Board. I look forward to continuing that and appreciate your support."
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