He has participated actively in ballooning organizations such as the Balloon Federation of America, for which he was editor of the monthly pilot newsletter from 1975-1977, and which he served as vice president and a director from 1978-1981. Later, he served as President of The Lighter-Than-Air Society, from 1983-1986, as a founder and director of the Northeast Ohio Balloon Pilots Association, and as president of the Balloon Flyers of Akron, the nation’s largest and oldest gas balloon flying club.
He met Tom Gatch at the First World Hot Air Balloon Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1973, and became the media director for Gatch’s trans-Atlantic balloon attempt.
In 1985, he and flying partner Mike Emich set a U.S. distance record in a 19,000 cubic foot hydrogen balloon, flying from Akron, Ohio, to Northborough, Massachusetts. For their flight, The Lighter-Than-Air Society presented them its Achievement Award, and the Balloon Federation of America bestowed its Shields-Trauger Memorial Award in 1986, the highest award in American ballooning.
He owns and operates two hot air balloons, and has served as an Official Observer for several world distance and duration records for airships and balloons. In addition, he has organized and managed numerous balloon rallies, and served as an instructor for gas and hot air balloon pilots.
He has written dozens of articles about sport and scientific ballooning; served as editor of Balloon Life magazine; led the effort to persuade the U.S. Postal Service to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the invention of the balloon in 1983 with a series of stamps, and has been retained to make gas balloon flights for the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force
From 1991 to 1993, he served as media director for the Earthwinds Trans-Global Balloon Flight, generating extensive national and international print and broadcast coverage for the project.
He has served as vice president for corporate communications of Airship Management Services in Greenwich, Connecticut, the world’s most experienced operator of large airships, where he arranged the donation of a commercial airship for use by the U.S. Navy during Fleet Week New York during 2002 and 2003, demonstrating the airship’s value in a homeland security function. He delivered the keynote speech at the Fourth International Airship Convention in Cambridge, England in 2002.
He has worked as a newspaper reporter, and in numerous public relations and public affairs management assignments. He also served for 30 years as a public affairs officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve, achieving the rank of Captain.
The author bundled up for protection from the 18 degrees below zero temperature in the desert at Stead Air Force Base near Reno as crews prepared Earthwinds for its first flight. (Photo by Bill Swersey)
