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June 5 - June 8, 2008

Shoot Out Pilots

Name: Sarah and Mark Johnson Balloon: Quietude Sponsor: The Center for Women’s Health Care. Proudly sponsoring the “Shoot-Out’s” only female pilot is The Center for Women’s Health Care. Piloting “Quietude” is Sarah Johnson, accompanied by her husband and crew chief Mark. No strangers to ballooning the Johnson’s hail from Howell, home of the wildly successful Michigan Challenge Balloonfest.

Name: Jeff Pestun Balloon: Special Purpose Sponsor: The Carson Apothecary Shoppe, and McKinley Trucking Flying “Special Purpose” is Jeff Pestun. Husband of Robyn, and father of Andrew and Allison, Jeff is employed by Hope College in Holland. Jeff’s love of hot air balloons began at age 8 years old. From Zeeland, Jeff has been an active pilot since 1999. Jeff also flew away with the first place trophy at the 2007 Michigan Challenge Balloonfest. This balloon is proudly team sponsored by The Carson Apothecary Shoppe, and McKinley Trucking, both of Carson City.

Name: Jim Birk Balloon: Who Cares? Sponsor: Michigan One Community Credit Union Balloonmeister Jim Birk hails from Defiance, Ohio, and will be piloting “Who Cares”. Jim determines tasks for the competition. Sponsored by Michigan One Community Credit Union, of Carson City, Jim is no stranger to Carson City. Returning to defend his 2007 Shoot-Out Title, Jim enjoys competing in this area. Welcome Back, Jim!

Name: Denny Mcguire Balloon: Kaliedoscope Sponsor: Reeder Oil of Fenwick A retired Southfield Fire Department Battalion Chief, Denny McGuire took up hot air ballooning as a way of always being near a flame. No stranger to the sky, Denny serves as a flight instructor at the Livingston County Airport, near his home in Howell, Michigan. “Kaleidoscope” is a beautifully colored; saw-tooth patterned Firefly Balloon. Sponsored by Reeder Oil of Fenwick, we are pleased to welcome our friends Denny and his wife Carol back to Carson City.

Name: Phil Glebe Balloon: Incognito Sponsor: Herald's Dairy Delight / Mancino's, and Barnes True Value Hardware Never “Incognito” is pilot Phil Glebe. Team sponsors Herald’s Dairy Delight/Mancino’s, and Barnes True Value Hardware, are happy to welcome a very dear friend back to town. Phil is another pilot that has flown the skies above Carson City in competition many years ago. Joined by his wife Jan, Phil commands “Incognito” a striking white, red and black balloon. Welcome Back, Phil!

Name: Larry Coan Balloon: Portkey Sponsor: Fry’s Golf Carts, L.L.C. and American Legion Post #380 Pilot Larry Coan makes his second trip to the “Shoot-Out” with PORTKEY. For those of you familiar with the fiercely popular Harry Potter Series, “Portkey” is a direct reference to an integral mode of transportation used by Harry and other members of the magical community. From the Livonia area, Larry and his wife Amy are proudly sponsored by Fry’s Golf Carts, L.L.C., and American Legion Post #380.

Name: Ron Groce Balloon: Afternoon Delight Sponsor: The Country Press and McKinley Portrait Studio A gorgeous yellow balloon with vertical colored stripes is “Afternoon Delight”. Pilot, and flight instructor Ron Groce and his wife Jami hail from Mason, where they share their home with the dogs. Ron and Jami share a passion for the breeding and raising of championship Briard show dogs. Ron has piloted many different balloons during his career, from a huge bear shape to an oddly shaped penguin balloon. Pleased to sponsor “Afternoon Delight” is the team of The Country Press and McKinley Portrait Studio, both of Carson City.

Name: Chuck Walz Balloon: Sunny Trails Sponsor: Graphic Expressions From Munith, Michigan is pilot Chuck Walz and his wife Cindy. This husband and wife team has a lot of fun flying in various races, however they are always mindful of the seriousness of ballooning and kept on track by their crew chief “Squirt the Wonder Dog”. Chuck most recently took the title of the ReMax Balloonfest in Midland last September. A bright yellow, orange and red, “Sunny Trails” resembles a sunset in flight. Exclusively sponsoring this beautiful balloon is Graphic Expressions of Carson City.

Name: Jody Leatherberry Balloon: The Pheonix Sponsor: Calvary Lutheran Church Residing in Stockbridge, Jody Leatherberry returns for his third appearance at the “Shoot-Out”. Assisted by his wife Amanda, and daughters Sydney and Sheridan, Jody is a crowd favorite. Keep your eyes on this balloon, because with the many lakes of Montcalm County, you may have the opportunity to witness one of Jody’s awe-inspiring open water landings. A great guy with a great family, Jody flies “The Phoenix”. Sponsoring Jody and “The Phoenix” is the Calvary Lutheran Church of Carson City.

Name: Joey Gautier Balloon: Joseph’s Coat Sponsor: Drs Seals, Tacia, & Bartz, and Hammond Wholesale Pilot Joey Gautier has rich family ties in ballooning with five brothers, and a niece and nephew that also pilot balloons. Joey is currently serving a term as Vice President of the Southeast Michigan Ballooning Association (SEMBA). “Joseph’s Coat” is a new balloon to the “Shoot-Out”, and is the most recent in the family following “Kilroy, Nudge Me, and Channel 7”. Joined by his wife Pat, Joey is sponsored by the team of Drs Seals, Tacia, & Bartz, and Hammond Wholesale, both of Carson City.

Name: Don Wertman II Balloon: Ocean Fantasy Sponsor: West Town Auto Service and Parts Plus “Ocean Fantasy” features a collection of scuba divers, fish, and many things you would find in the ocean. Piloting, Don Wertman II is sponsored by West Town Auto Service and Parts Plus of Carson City. A crowd favorite at any event, Don is a second-generation pilot and flies in competition across the state of Michigan.

Name: Shawn Raya Balloon: Fast & Serious Sponsor: Décor Installations of Bergenfield, New Jersey Shawn Raya, of Oxford, with his wife Sandra will be piloting this eye catching Cameron Z style balloon titled “Fast & Serious”. Sponsoring Shawn is Décor Installations of Bergenfield, New Jersey. Keep your eye out for this black, white, red, yellow and blue check pattern balloon. Assisting as crew for Shawn and Sandra are their children, Joshua, Audrianna, and Ashley.

Name: Jerry Stephan Balloon: Jedami Sponsor: VanBeelen Tax Service and the Carson Apothecary Shoppe An acronym for the Stephan Family’s first names, “Jedami” stands for Jerry, Daria, and Mike whom are all pilots of this beautiful balloon. “Jedami” is a vertically step-striped balloon of black, teal, and bright rainbow colors with pennants to match. The Stephans are from Howell, and are proudly sponsored by the team of VanBeelen Tax Service and the Carson Apothecary Shoppe.

Name: Jim Lykins Balloon: Boo Sponsor: The Bruce Tasker Family and the Midtown Bar Jim Lykins, of Lake Orion flies BOO!, a Halloween themed balloon. With its haunted house and trick-or-treaters, this design will really stand out during the Saturday evening “Glow”. The Bruce Tasker Family and the Midtown Bar, both of Carson City are proud to sponsor Jim this year.

Name: Paul Petrehn Balloon: ZL Racer Sponsor: The Laurel’s of Carson City Making his third trip to Carson City Paul Petrehn is not new to the skies. The Petrehn’s lineage in ballooning goes back to the 70’s when his father first started piloting hot air balloons. The youngest of 11 children (six of whom are also pilots) Paul is flying the wildly colorful “ZL Racer” sponsored exclusively by The Laurel’s of Carson City. A factory sales representative for Cameron Balloons, one of Paul’s most memorable flights was recently flown during the 2006 World Championships in Montegi, Japan where he finished proudly in 11th place.

Name: Dave Mohr Balloon: Rainbow Twist Sponsor: Dynegy of Carson City New this year to the Shoot-Out is veteran pilot Dave Mohr flying “Rainbow Twist”. One thing he enjoys more than competing is piloting someone on their first ride in a balloon. A mold maker by day, Dave his wife Cindy is the Crew Chief, and a Registered Nurse. Dave is proudly sponsored by Dynegy of Carson City.

Name: Phil Clinger Balloon: The Jester Sponsor: J.D. VanBuren Sand & Gravel and Freedom Engineering & Millwright Hailing from the Battle Creek area is Phil Clinger, joined by his wife and Crew Chief Tammy. Phil enjoys competitive ballooning, and has competed in many contests in Michigan as well as Ohio. With over ten year’s experience, and over 350 hours in the air, the one thing that Phil holds most important is the close friendships he and his family have forged in the ballooning community. You can visit Phil at www.altitudeendeavors.com. “The Jester” is sponsored by J.D. VanBuren Sand & Gravel, and Freedom Engineering & Millwright both of Carson City.

Name: Paul Felty Balloon: Hoist the Colours Sponsor: Belt’s Towing and Auto Service and Four D Farms New to the sky, Paul Felty is one of our youngest pilots. A senior at Indiana Sate University, Paul has been to Carson City as a crew chief before, and now owns “Hoist the Colours”. His balloon is a 1979 Adam’s Pop Top. While not attending school in Osceola, IN, he resides in Terre Haute, IN. Paul is joined by his fiancée Heidi who will also serve as his Crew Chief. Paul is sponsored proudly by Belt’s Towing and Auto Service, and Four D Farms.

Name: Paul Quandee Balloon: Cherrie Bomb Sponsor: Harvey's Milling Company and Carson City Lumber Harvey’s Milling Company and Carson City Lumber are proud to team sponsor Paul Quandee and his “Cherrie Bomb”. A balloon of bright red and yellow, “Cherrie Bomb” will be hard to miss. Traveling from Elkhart, Indiana, Paul is joined by his wife Marith. One of Paul’s more recent competitive victories was at the 2001 Michigan Challenge in Howell.

Name: Derrick Jones Balloon: Reflections Sponsor: Kellam and Associates, P.C. Kellam and Associates, P.C. are proud to sponsor Derrick Jones and his balloon "Reflections". Derrick hails from the Battle Creek area where he coordinates The Holiday Balloon Fest that is held the first weekend in December. Derrick is joined by his crew chief John Gibbons.