Thanks so much to all who applied this year! The applications
were overwhelming to say the least; in terms of not only volume but
quality. There were so many great candidates that it made it
EXTREMELY DIFFICULT for us to decide on the finalists.
First, here are the members that will be staying on for another
year:
Dan Lucas, now a 3rd year Flight
Crew Member. Dan is a good all-round rider in VA that rides
AM/DH/FR/DJ/XC and even an occasional CX ride. Dan may crash a lot,
but its his crashes that help us make bikes that hold up to
anything that can be thrown at them.
Jerry Hazard, now a 2nd year
Flight Crew Member. Jerry resides in CO and pretty much rides
anything with two wheels. Jerry's photography and blog posts always
inspire us to get out there and ride!
Neal Bryant, now in his 2nd year
on the Flight Crew. What Neal lacks in riding experience (he's been
riding for only about 2 years avidly) he makes up for in heart and
the ability to try anything and succeed at it. Neal works in the
film industry and has made all of us step up our game when it comes
to video production.
Todd Haskins will be staying on
and an official Airborne Test Pilot. Todd will continue to be
active and integral in product development and feedback. Todd
brings a "level-headed-ness" and years of industry experience to
the crew.
In addition to the folks above that are staying on for another
year, we are adding the following new members:
Dane Sink and Kim
Sink, a great husband and wife duo based in Bend,
Oregon. Bend is a mecca for all sorts of riding and we are excited
to have such a great team based in that area. Dane and Kim are not
only great riders but awesome at blogging and photography.
Robert Robertson, an XC/AM rider
currently serving in the US Army and stationed in Germany. Rob will
be racing the Leadville 100 this year with the Flying Frogs US Navy
SEAL Team later this year.
Michael Mequi, a teacher living in
Denver, CO that races and rides XC. Michael has been riding for
many years and has been responsible for getting many folks into the
sport. Michaels job as a teacher gives him lots of riding time
during the summer.
In addition to the Flight Crew Members, we are also bringing
some racers on board:
Niki Dallaire, a Pro that races XC
and Cyclocross and just won this past weekend at the US East Cup
Race in Conyers, GA on her nearly stock Goblin 29er. Niki is a
consumate professional in terms of racing, training, and public
relations.
Emily Walling, a Cat 1 racer in
both XC and DH. Emily is a local near us here at Airborne World HQ
and frankly we don't like riding with her because she embarrasses
all of us men with her speed and fitness.
Look for both Niki and Emily to tear it up on both the regional
and national levels this season.
So that's it! We have an awesome group of folks representing
Airborne this year online, at races, and on the trails. With their
help Airborne is set to have another great year in 2012.
Please help us welcome all of the new and returning people!