Meet the CCYA Board

As every private pilot knows, one of the true joys about being able to fly an airplane is to be able to share that unique experience with others and see the true enjoyment on their faces, kids and adults alike.

After serving the youth of our community for over 30 years through numerous organizations as well as being a private pilot for 25 years, I had the opportunity to create a truly unique program for community youth called the Capital City Young Aviators Program. In addition to offering flying as a fun and unique experience to local youth, we believe this opportunity can also act as an impactful life changing catalyst providing the drive needed for each student to not only get through school, but to help them dream about what they might want to do after school as their career of choice..

With our relationship with Capital City Aviation pilot training school, Columbus State Community College, United Way of Central Ohio and many other partners, we are able to work together to provide the experience needed to give each student the chance to not only gain a new experience, but also build on their community network & career opportunities. This CCYA program offers multiple class situations and airport visits, each student will get to fly in a small airplane (for nearly 45 minutes) and actually take the wheel (yoke) and fly it themselves. A true hands-on experience and feeling of accomplishment to say the least. In addition to the actual flight experience, the CCYA program provides education opportunities, career discussions, as well as providing an additional focus on community service, which we believe is a cornerstone to holistic growth as a young adult.

As a 501C3 non-profit organization and at no cost to the student or their families, we provide this unique youth program by partnering with other great youth organizations. Through these approved partnerships, each organization will nominate students that they feel would benefit by being a CCYA Young Aviator. Overall, we see our program experience, additional fuel to the fire of the great work these other organizations are already doing. I thank everyone in the community, our volunteers and board members that have already participated in developing this program these past few years, we could not be where we are without your incredible effort. And to those that might be interested in supporting this great program going forward, I humbly ask you to please join us and consider supporting us through donations or company sponsorship opportunities. Your support counts and will truly help a local child experience a potentially life-changing experience. 

I have over thirty years of experience in the transportation industry, a majority of that time in the aviation field. During that time, youth outreach and engagement has been a priority of mine. The outreach programs I’ve implemented and those with which I am currently involved focus primarily on underrepresented youth, underemployed individuals, and minority recruitment. 

At Columbus State, we welcome and engage all students in creating pathways that allow them to pursue their life goals. We recognize that more can be accomplished collaboratively than individually, and we seek like-minded partners to advance our shared goals. Of the many programs with which I have been involved, CCYA is one that is best poised to help our region’s at-risk youth achieve life-defining dreams. The organization shares many of the same values that we do here at Columbus State Community College: Inclusion and Diversity; Quality Programs and Instructors; and Learning a wide array of skills that will help individuals succeed not only in the classroom and at work, but also in life. 

Please join with us to strengthen the future of Central Ohio by supporting meaningful engagement of our region’s youth.   

I am incredibly grateful for the transformative impact that the Capital City Young Aviators Initiative has had on some of the lives of our local youth that are at-risk, and it's an honor to be part of this empowering program as an instructor and volunteer. As someone who personally navigated the challenges of my youth without the guidance of such a remarkable initiative, I truly wish something like this had existed for me. Watching these young minds flourish with newfound confidence, skills, and career development ideas has been nothing short of inspiring. The program's commitment to providing a supportive environment for these youths to explore their potential and discover meaningful career paths is commendable. It's not just about teaching; it's about instilling hope, fostering growth, and opening doors to a brighter future.

As a police officer, I have been faced with and observed many things. One of those things that is evident is that these young individuals face unique challenges that warrant our attention. Without sufficient guidance, many of these youths exhibit signs of frustration, aimlessness, and a lack of direction. The absence of positive role models and mentorship contributes to a sense of disconnect from societal norms. This not only places them at risk of engaging in undesirable activities but also impedes their overall development.

Being part of Capital City Young Aviators has not only allowed me to contribute to the success stories of these incredible individuals but has also given me a profound sense of fulfillment in knowing that we are shaping the leaders and changemakers of tomorrow. This initiative is not just a program; it's a beacon of hope, resilience, and opportunity for those who need it the most.

I am the founder and Executive Director of Festa. Since 2007 while serving our neighbors, we have been connecting children and their families to resources. We care deeply about building connections that change lives. One such connection is with Capital City Young Aviators (CCYA). In January 2023, a High School Senior shared with us his dream of becoming a pilot after spending 11 years in a refugee camp and watching one plane fly overhead per month wondering who was flying it and where they were going. 

This spring, I had a meeting with Festa’s longtime partner, Central Ohio United Way, and I shared the story of this young man’s dream and how Festa was working to help him navigate his education options. After hearing my story, they said, “You won’t believe this but right before we got on this meeting”, our executive director told us there was a new organization called Capital City Young Aviators, and they were looking for young people who want to experience flying and possibly becoming a pilot. The program includes aviation education opportunities, hands-on exposure to airports, airplanes and control towers as well as culminating in an actual 45-minute flight around Columbus.

I was able to connect this high school student with Capital City Young Aviators club. He joined in 2023 where he had a fantastic experience and ultimately was able to take control and fly a plane, with me as a proud passenger (with an expert trainer of course)! His road to becoming a pilot will be long, but his experience with CCYA was so motivating it gave him the motivation to keep pursuing his dream. This whole experience was at no cost for this young man due to the generous donations supporting CCYA. I hope many other young people get this wonderful experience! 

As a ward of the court, I felt as though I was just lost in the system and going through the motions.  After I had made enough poor decisions, my social worker sat me down and let me know the work she was trying to do on my behalf was being undone by my poor decisions.  This was the wakeup call I needed.  Her interest in my wellbeing was motivating...and I wanted to prove to her that her interest was not in vain.  I was able to take on my 1st Volunteer position, working at a Retirement Home at the age of 11, and that further opened my eyes to the value of giving back to the community. Over the years I have Volunteered with the Salvation Army, Youth Sports Programs, YMCA, Future Possibilities, and am now a CASA Guardian Ad Litem for FCCS. These experiences have had a profound impact on me and I only hope each volunteer and child gain the same enlightenment I have received over the years.

Now a CCYA Board member, CCYA encourages our young participants and volunteers to lean into their own experiences and discuss their career paths as well.  Our program is officially off the ground, with clear skies ahead, but we are always looking to bring in partners to enrich our program and make sure we don’t get stuck in the same flight pattern.  If this sounds like a place you’d like to be, whether to help mentor, teach, learn, or grow, come join us, who knows you just might help someone achieve their dreams…that someone could even be you!

“It’s not where you’re from, it’s where you’re going…” ~J.Collins  A little nugget I like to throw out to the youth I work with…so the question is, “Where are you going?”   

Working for a specialty medical sales and distribution company, we strive to save and improve patient lives through what we do. Through this, I am so proud to be able to serve on the board of CCYA as acting Secretary. Working with kids has always been near and dear to my heart having coached youth and high school soccer, teaching Sunday school, being a girl scout troop leader as well as other community service opportunities. There are so many worthwhile opportunities to give back, but I am particularly excited about the work CCYA is doing. 

I am fortunate to grow up with a truly supportive family who always encouraged me that I could accomplish anything and that the sky was the limit. I realize however that this is not everyone’s story and some may feel limited by their personal circumstances, perhaps not having strong mentors in their lives or access to opportunities to grow and develop. This is what I love about CCYA, it can be a game changer by showing youth that the sky really IS possible. Whether it is opening their eyes through an experience to go up in an airplane, or broadening their horizons on what a career could potentially look like outside of what they typically see in their everyday lives, CCYA can open doors to many new opportunities. While this program provides a unique insight into aviation and experiences around that industry, what I really like about it is that the children do not have to exclusively want a career in this field to benefit. It is about empowering young people to invest in themselves, learn about what can await them in the future, and through the generosity of caring companies and individuals, any child’s narrative can truly change. 

To me, this program is about cultivating each child’s hope and showing them that they can strive for their dreams. It is an honor to be involved with this type of organization and we would love for you to consider individually or corporately becoming a sponsor of this worthwhile program.

In a world where early exposure to aviation careers remains scarce, this youth program breaks barriers by providing firsthand experiences rarely accessible to young people, especially those of color. Recognizing the stark lack of representation for people of color in aviation, Capital City Young Aviators serves as a beacon of hope, offering invaluable exposure and hands-on learning opportunities. The partnership between KIPP Columbus and this pioneering organization underscores a dedication to fostering diversity and inclusivity in the skies. As they continue to collaborate, the future holds the promise of empowering more aspiring aviators, propelling them toward brighter horizons within the aviation industry.