Denise Dull

President

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AIR SHOW APPOINTS FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT IN 42 YEAR HISTORY

For the first time in its 42-year history, the organization has named Denise Dull, President of its Executive Leadership Team. Denise joined the board last year for the 40th Annual AirShow serving as a Co-Director of Vending & Concessions. "I’ve volunteered at the AirShow for several years and absolutely love it! I get to bring the non-profit work I do every day with housing for low income military families, together with creating an amazing event around Veterans and our military. How is that not a dream come true!”

Denise was recently added to the Southeast Council of AirShows (SECAS) Board of Directors during their annual conference. She has enjoyed learning more about the production, sustainability and future of Air Shows over the past year and looks forward to continually developing a family friendly, community oriented event in Punta Gorda. "The Florida International Air Show is very well respected by performers and the Air Show Industry. My goal is to make sure our community understands just how much everyone loves to come and be a part of our show. I want to share the enthusiasm, excitement and energy that resonates with our board and volunteers and have the whole community be a part of the Air Show team!" Denise started her AirShow experience volunteering to man the gates of the VIP area, moved on to vending ice cold beverages and then began her commitment serving on the Board of Directors. Her favorite part of the show is the smiles on the faces of the crowd when the jets fly over the flightline. "An AirShow is like taking football, pizza, beer, baseball, fireworks, Nascar and Skynyrd and rolling it all up with a bang! If you've not been to an AirShow, you're missing a lot of fun. And we all need more of that.


FAVORTE PLANE

Jets of course!

Major Mike Anderson

Vice President

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AIR SHOW APPOINTS FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT IN 42 YEAR HISTORY

Originally from Chicago, I moved to Charlotte County in 1987 and starting working for Public Works, I then moved on to the Sheriff's Office in 1989. During my time in the Sheriff's Office I have been fortunate to rise to my current level of Major in charge of the Bureau of Law Enforcement. I have a Master's degree in Criminal Justice Administration and a graduate of the FBI National Academy. I raised two wonderful daughters in Charlotte County and have 7 grandkids. During my 29 years in Law Enforcement I have worked both the Summer and Winter Olympics and traveled around the work for the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. Some of the charities that I am passionate about include, Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity and Big Brothers Big Sisters.


I attended my first airshow in 1984 while visiting my parents who had just moved to Charlotte County. It was an awesome event and to be finally part of the team will make each show even more special.

“I look forward to my grandkids coming to the Air Show each year to be as amazed as

I was my first time.”


Christine Mann

Secretary


Tony Smith

Treasurer


FAVORITE PLANE

Loud and FAST! Any jet will do however the A-10's just look cool.

Dana Carr

Chairman

Dana has been with Air Trek since its inception in 1978. An ATP pilot with more than 8,000 hours of flight experience, he is type rated in the Cessna Citation and holds Commercial Pilot single engine land and sea and Helicopter licensure by the FAA.

Dana was approved by the FAA to serve in the required position of Director of Operations in 1984 and has served in that position for the past 28 years. He is currently holding the position of Board Member. He has been continually qualified as a pilot for Air Trek since 1979.


Dana has served for 9 years as President and/or on the Board of Directors of the Professional Aeromedical Transport Association (PATA). From 1999 to 2008 he served on the Board of the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) as a representative from the National Aviation Transportation Association (NATA). Dana has been awarded the Certified Medical Transport Executive (CMTE) designation by the Association of Air Medical Services. He currently serves as an active member of the Air Charter Committee of NATA.


In 2006 Dana was responsible for spearheading the development of Air Trek’s Safety Management System (SMS) which was one of the first to be accepted in the USA. Canada and European countries now require SMS for their aviation operators and soon it will be required in the U.S. As a result of Dana’s safety minded vision, Air Trek’s SMS has been in place for years.


Dana’s main responsibility is overseeing daily operations and logistics of the company which can include multiple simultaneous operations both domestically and on other continents.

“The Florida International Air Show has a special place in my heart with many family memories.”

I have been involved in every Air Show since the 1st one in 1982, mostly as an on airport business helping with whatever was required for the show to go on. Our business and children grew along with the Air Show. To have been part of the TEAM who worked to bring back the Air Show in 2016 and fast-tracked to the 2018 Air Show President is indeed an honor.


Connie Hite

Director of Aviation

Connie Hite was born and raised in Indiana but has found her way to Florida joining the FIAS Board of Directors  as the newest Director of Volunteers.  Connie is a retired Special Agent with the United States Secret Service,  having served twenty-eight (28) years in Federal Law Enforcement.  Some of Connie’s past experiences include coordinating personnel and logistics for Presidential Inaugurations, United Nations General Assembly and multiple other world stage events. She began her aviation career in 2019 and became a Certified Flight Instructor for Paragon Flight Training in 2022, which coincidentally was the year she took fastest Piper aircraft and second place overall as part of an all women team participating in the cross country Air Race Classic. Connie is a strong advocate for women in aviation, serving as Chairman of Paradise Coast 99’s, a local chapter of the women pilot organization. She loves bringing awareness to the vast opportunities available to anyone in the field of aviation, no matter what their age may be.


Steve Lineberry

Director of Advertising & Media

Steve Lineberry, Media & Public Relations Director has been a member the FIAS Board of Directors since 2017. His first Air Show was in 2004, when he worked as a member of the Port Charlotte Sunrise Kiwanis Club in their food tent cooking hundreds of hot dogs and hamburgers. In 2017, Steve joined the FIAS Board of Directors and was responsible working with media companies across SW FL to market the Air Show. He has worn several hats throughout the various Air Shows – Media Marketing and Ticket Coordinator.  When asked why he worked hundreds of hours as a Volunteer – Steve replied – “The Florida International Air Show is a lot of work and working alongside the FIAS Board of Directors to ensure the best Air Show possible has been extremely gratifying. But most importantly, the FIAS Air Show gives back a portion of the net proceeds to over 30 working non-profits and it is an opportunity to make my corner of the world a little bit better.”


Abigail White

Director of Volunteers

Meet Abigail “Abby” White, born and raised in Southwest Florida with a passion for the outdoors and adventure. Abby's journey into aviation began with hobby drone flying, which led her to earn her Part 107 commercial drone license in 2021. This achievement opened up new opportunities, and she went on to become a private pilot, earning her license just before the 2023 air show.


Abby is an active member of the local 99s Women Pilots chapter and aims to make aviation her career. In 2023, she served as the Assistant Director of Volunteers at the Air Show, working closely with her mentor, Connie Hite. This year, Abby is honored to take on the role of Director of Volunteers, looking forward to leading the team through another exciting air show. She welcomes any questions about volunteering for the 2024 Florida International Air Show.


Ed Buns

Director of Logistics

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