Biographies
Colonel James M. Stewart, USAF (Ret.)
Jim Stewart is a career USAF fighter pilot with a background in aeronautical engineering, flight test, and operations research. As a sibling of a military family, his desire for a career in aviation began at an early age while living in Japan. During his tour in the Pentagon, he assisted in bringing several aircraft and space systems from design to operational capability. Jim was solely responsible for the visit of President Regan and Chancellor Kohn to Bitburg Air Base, Germany, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of World War II, an event considered pivotal to the demise of the Berlin Wall.
After retirement from the Air Force, Jim served as president of a publicly traded company in Colorado. He has owned a government contracting business providing technical services to the US Army, Navy, and Air Force. He also built and owned a private sector business in the local community. Jim owns his private aircraft and flies for business and pleasure throughout the United States and Canada.
Jim served the state of Colorado and its governor on the Colorado Commission for Higher Education, and the Sickle Cell Advisory Board. He is a Director Emeritus with Ent Federal Credit Union ($2.7B in assets) after serving as its board chairman for 10 years. Additionally he has served on numerous boards throughout the Pikes Peak Region. Jim has been with the National Museum of World War II Aviation from its inception and is a founding director.
Contact Number: 719-641-0480
Bill Klaers
Bill Klaers got the flying bug in the early 1980s, when he was a general contractor in California. His hobby grew to become his vocation and passion, as he founded and later expanded a company that specializes in the restoration of aircraft. Bill is the president of WestPac Restoration, one of the country's top restorers of World War II aircraft http://www.westpacrestorations.com/
In 1992 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo during WWII, Bill flew his B25 known as "In The Mood" off of the deck of the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier Ranger near San Diego. He has flown the bomber off the decks of other carriers since then, including two flights during the filming of the movie "Pearl Harbor".
Bill relocated WestPac Restoration to Colorado Springs and built the hangar that houses the operations. WestPac will be a key part of the experience for visitors to the National Museum of World War II Aviation as visitors view the restored WWII aircraft and restorations in progress at WestPac, just a few steps from the future site of the Museum.
Contact Number: 719-637-7559
Colonel Victor C. Andrews, USAF (Ret.)
Vic Andrews is a career USAF officer, having served 30 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a Colonel in 1996. His military career included service as a combat pilot, squadron commander, wing commander and Vice-Superintendent at the U.S. Air Force Academy. He served in combat during the Vietnam War, flying more than 400 combat missions and amassing more than 800 combat hours in the F-4D/E. Vic graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Humanities. He holds a Master of Arts in Management and Supervision from Central Michigan University.
After his Air Force career, in 1998 Vic joined the staff of USAA Property and Casualty Insurance, serving as Vice President and General Manager of the Mountain States Regional Office in Colorado Springs. In that capacity he provided leadership to the 1,200 USAA employees in Colorado. Prior to his appointment as VP/GM, Vic served as a military affairs representative. He retired from USAA in 2008.
Vic is a graduate of the Colorado Springs Leadership Institute at the Center for Creative Leadership. He serves on the boards of directors for the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Pikes Peak Region, and the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. He is on the board of trustees of the Pikes Peak United Way, Memorial Health Systems and the Falcon Foundation.
His hope is that through the National Museum of World War II Aviation, his children and grandchildren and all young people can learn the important lessons that WWII taught.
Contact Number: 719-439-9805
John Dibbs
John Dibbs is a specialist air-to-air photographer, author and historical consultant, specializing in WWII aviation. John’s passion for aviation was inspired by his father who grew up during the Second World War near a famous Battle of Britain airfield.
John began his career in a London studio where he cultivated his graphic design and photographic talents. His love and knowledge of aviation led him to work with many of the organizations at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford, near Cambridge. His attention to detail and eye for historical accuracy quickly earned him an unrivalled reputation in warbird photography. He has flown over 900 air to air sorties, in 125 different types and authored 13 books, including the award winning Flying Legends publications. Consultancy and volunteer work has since expanded his portfolio to raise awareness of the role and sacrifice of the Second World War Aviator. British born and raised, John recently relocated to Seattle where he runs The Plane Picture Company.
Mark Earle
Mark Earle has 35 years of experience in aviation and airport management. In his current position, as Director of Aviation at the Colorado Springs Airport, he is responsible for overall administration and operation of a commercial service airport that serves a region encompassing central and southern Colorado, eastern Kansas, and northeastern New Mexico. In addition to the airport, Mark oversees planning and development of a 1,000-acre business park, and works closely with the Department of Defense in support of the Airport's largest tenant, Peterson AFB, host facility for NORAD/Northern Command, U.S. Air Force Space Command, and U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command.
Throughout his career, Mark has actively supported historical museum and archival projects. While working at Richmond International Airport, he was involved in special projects at the Virginia Aviation Museum. He was instrumental in the development of the Silent Wings Museum, located in Lubbock, Texas, which tells the story of the U.S. military combat glider program in World War II. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Silent Wings Museum and the Texas Aviation Heritage Foundation, as well as the Advisory Board for the Vietnam Center and Archive at Texas Tech University.
In 2003, Mark worked with the National Museum of World War II Aviation to establish a long-term lease on the Colorado Springs Airport. He joined the Museum's board of directors in April, 2009.
General Ronald Fogleman, USAF (Ret.)
Gen. Fogleman was Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He is a 1963 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, and holds a master’s degree in military history and political science from Duke University, Durham, NC. He instructed Cadets in history at the Air Force Academy.
Gen. Fogleman has more than 7,600 flying hours in fighter, transport, tanker and rotary wing aircraft, including 806 hours of flying combat during 315 missions. He commanded an Air Force wing, an air division, a numbered air force, a major command and a unified command. He retired from the Air Force in 1997.
During his career, Gen. Fogleman received numerous awards and decorations
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Fogleman
John Henry
For 15 years, John Henry served as executive director of corporate communications in USAA's 11-state Mountain States Region. He was as the region's lead communicator for media, member, employee and government relations. John was also part of a six-person team that had direct responsibility for the development and implementation of corporate communications in support of all operations of USAA property and casualty insurance.
John retired from USAA in early 2007 and today consults on communications and public relations for nonprofit organizations, businesses and government entities.
Prior to joining USAA, for 17 years John owned an advertising and public relations agency based in Colorado Springs, serving clients over a four-state primary market. In his career he also worked as a broadcast news director and news reporter, and he worked for the city of Colorado Springs in public communications.
John's father was a decorated USAAF bombardier/navigator serving in the Pacific Theater of World War II, flying missions in B-25 aircraft, responsible for very low-altitude bombing of Japanese warships. John is proud to honor his father's service by volunteering to help found the National Museum of World War II Aviation in Colorado Springs.
Contact Number: 719-433-3025
Lieutenant Colonel Charles (Chic) Myers, USA (Ret.)
Charles (Chic) Myers, CEO of Integrity Air, has been flying for 40 years and holds an MBA - Aviation from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with concentration in business aviation. He formed Integrity Air, Inc., a business-aviation management, leasing and brokerage firm serving corporations in the Rocky Mountain region. In 2008 he created Executive Aviation Services, to provide executive-level hangar services to business-jet owners in the Front Range of Colorado.
Chic is chairman of the Colorado National Business Aviation Association member companies in southern Colorado. His career includes a variety of aviation-management leadership positions where he is a recognized expert in business-aviation management, operations, charters and leasing.
Chic was the Commencement Speaker at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 2008 graduation ceremony. He completed a distinguished 25-year military career as a senior officer serving three combat tours as a Combat Arms Army Officer. He is a charter board member for the National World War II Aviation Museum to be located at the Colorado Springs Airport and shares a deep desire to tell the story of the “greatest generation”, mobilization of the country and the role that aviation played in the winning of World War II.
Kurt K. Peterson
Kurt Peterson is the managing principal of KPM Consulting LLC and is the president and co-owner of Black Rapid Inc., a company engaged in the photography industry. He has more than 25 years of executive leadership experience in project and business management within the real estate development and construction communities. Kurt has played the leading role in representing project owners throughout his career while overseeing all aspects of the business. He has successfully completed contracts totaling more than $1 billion while managing project budgets ranging up to $750 million. In addition he has operated construction companies with an annual volume exceeding $150 million.
Kurt was the director of Paul Allen’s vintage aircraft collection where he oversaw the acquisitions, restoration and operation of the flying collection worldwide and was a founding member in establishing the museum for Mr. Allen’s collection. Kurt also managed the development process and financial planning for cultural and educational facilities globally focused on Art, Science and Technology. He brings to the National Museum of World War II Aviation leadership, planning experience and budgeting knowledge.
Kurt’s in-depth experience within the public and private sectors along with developing non-profit organizations, both nationally and internationally, is what brought him to Colorado Springs. Kurt was instrumental in the early phases of the Museum development process, working to establish the foundation of the organization. His father was a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the Air Force and a B17 navigator which inspires Kurt’s continued involvement.
Contact Number: 206-245-7848
Gen. Victor E. Renuart Jr. USAF (Ret.)
Gen. Victor E. "Gene" Renuart Jr. retired from the USAF July 1, 2001 as the Commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs.
Gen. Renuart’s command assignments include a NATO support group and two fighter wings. He also was Commander of the 76th Fighter Squadron during operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and supported Operation Deny Flight as Director of Plans for the NATO Combined Air Operations Center at Headquarters 5th Allied Tactical Air Force. Gen. Renuart served as the U.S. Central Command Director of Operations, overseeing the planning and execution of all joint and allied combat, humanitarian assistance and reconstruction operations for operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
Prior to leading NORAD and the U.S. Northern Command, General Renuart was the Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense, Washington, D.C. He served as the principal immediate office adviser to the Secretary in all matters pertaining to the department.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_E._Renuart,_Jr
Gen. Renuart is rated as a command pilot, with more than 3,900 flight hours, including 60 combat missions. He has flown the F-16, F-15, A-10, C-130, HH-60, and training aircract.
Kathryn Janak
Kathryn Janak brings 25 years experience from the architectural design and project management arena in her role as Project Manager for the Museum. Prior to being appointed to the Project Manager position, Kathryn has been closely involved in the Museum’s development since 2007 as the Design and Architecture Advisor. Ms. Janak provided valuable input in the programmatic and concept development phase for the Museum, and also designed the WestPac Restoration’s administrative office space.
Ms. Janak received her BS in Environmental Design at the University of Colorado at Boulder, and her MA in Interior Design at the University of Colorado at Denver, College of Architecture and Planning. Kathryn has won several competitive design industry awards for her design and management role on both commercial interior design and senior housing projects.
Ms. Janak passionately believes in the Museum’s mission and provides guidance on design and planning issues, councils on issues related to museum advancement and handles the day to day activities associated with the Museum’s overall development. A Colorado native, Kathryn comes from an Air Force heritage. Her father was a Command Pilot with over 10,000 hours who flew in World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam War, and received the Air Medal for his service in the Berlin Airlift. Kathryn’s mother was an USAF First Lieutenant and flight nurse.
Contact Number: 719-637-7559
Harold and Susan Skramstad
Harold and Susan Skramstad are internationally recognized museum planning consultants. Harold Skramstad served for more than fifteen years President of Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village. Prior to that, he served as Director of the Chicago Historical Society, and, prior to that, in several senior administrative posts at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History. Susan Skramstad served as the Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement at the University of Michigan's Dearborn Campus.
They have served a wide variety of clients both in the United States and abroad in the planning of new museums as well as providing strategic, interpretive, and fundraising planning services to existing museums.
Their work has been recognized at the highest levels. In 1992 Harold Skramstad received the Charles Frankel Prize (now renamed the National Humanities Medal) from President George H. W. Bush for his achievement in bringing the humanities to a broad public audience. In 1994 President Clinton appointed him to the National Council on the Humanities. During his term on the Council he served as the Chairman of the Public Programs Committee. In 2002 President George W. Bush appointed him to the Presidential Commission to establish an action plan for a new National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Contact Number: 303-449-1571
