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June 3 - June 6, 2010

Shoot Out Pilots

Name: Sarah and Mark Johnson Balloon: Mardi 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, of Carson City. While Pilot Sarah Johnson is not new to our event, her balloon "Mardi" is! Accompanied by her husband and crew chief Mark, they chose to name their new balloon ‘Mardi’ not only because the balloon came from Louisiana, but also for their love of New Orleans. 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: Mckinley Trucking and Wiles Sales 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 8 years of age. 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 McKinley Trucking, and new sponsor Wiles Sales, both of Carson City.

Name: Jim Birk Balloon: Who Cares? Sponsor: Herald’s Dairy Delight / Mancinos, and Dr. Chris and Tara Herald Family From Defiance, Ohio; Balloonmeister Jim Birk will be piloting "Who Cares". Jim determines tasks for the competition, and determines if the weather is safe enough for flight. Sponsored by Herald’s Dairy Delight/Mancino’s, and the Dr. Chris and Tara Herald Family, Jim is no stranger to Carson City. Returning to defend his 2007 Shoot-Out Title, Jim’s history in ballooning in this area goes back nearly 35 years, along with our former mayor Dan Herald. Welcome Back, Jim!

Name: Wes Dickerson Balloon: Fore Sponsor: Harvey’s Milling Company and Carson City Lumber New to Carson City this year is Wes Dickerson of Milford. A veteran pilot of over 30 years, Wes is a retired metallurgical engineer, a husband of 40 years, the father of two children, and two grandchildren.. "Fore" is sponsored by Harvey’s Milling Company, and Carson City Lumber. Please welcome Wes as one of our three new pilots in this year’s shoot-out.

Name: Brian Prokuda Balloon: Sunrise Sponsor: Prein & Newhof, of Ada Returning after a two year absence is "Sunrise". From the Fenton area, Brian and his wife Kelli Prokuda make a great pilot/crew chief team. While Brian also enjoys sailing and piloting airplanes, he also enjoys instructing new pilots. "Sunrise" is proudly sponsored by Prein & Newhof, of Ada..

Name: Larry Coan Balloon: Superfluous Sponsor: Lux & Schnepp Funeral Homes and Hammond Wholesale Pilot Larry Coan makes his third trip to the "Shoot-Out", but with a new balloon named "Superfluous". Joined by his wife Amy, and his daughters Teri and Robin, Larry comes to us from the Livonia area. Lux & Schnepp Funeral Homes, and Hammond Wholesale, both of Carson City.

Name: Ron Groce Balloon: Afternoon Delight Sponsor: Evil Engineering, of St. Johns The gorgeous yellow balloon with vertical colored stripes is "Afternoon Delight". Pilot, and flight instructor Ron Groce and his wife Jamie join us from just down the road in Mason, where they share their home with their many dogs. Ron and Jamie share a passion for the breeding and raising of championship Briard show dogs. Ron has piloted many different balloons during his career, from a Mrs. Butterworth to an oddly shaped penguin balloon. Pleased to sponsor "Afternoon Delight" exclusively is Evil Engineering, of St. Johns.

Name: Chuck Walz Balloon: Lucky Trails Sponsor: American Legion Post #380 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 are kept in line by their crew chief "Squirt the Wonder Dog". A bright yellow, orange and red, "Lucky Trails" resembles a sunset in flight. American Legion Post #380, is proud to be the exclusive sponsor of "Lucky Trails"..

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 other things you would find in an ocean scape. 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, and throughout the country.

Name: Shawn Raya Balloon: Fast & Serious Sponsor: Grub and the Midtown Bar Shawn Raya, of Oxford, with his wife Sandra will be piloting this eye catching Cameron Z style balloon titled "Fast & Serious". Sponsoring Shawn is grub, and The Midtown Bar, both of Carson City. Five years ago, Shawn won first place at the Shoot-Out. Keep your eye out for this black, white, red, yellow and blue check pattern balloon. "The Raya" is assisted by his crew, wife Sandra are their children, Joshua, Audrianna, and Ashley.

Name: Jerry Stephan Balloon: Jedami Sponsor: Michigan One Community Credit Union 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 exclusively by Michigan One Community Credit Union, of Carson City.

Name: Joey Gauthier Balloon: Joseph’s Coat Sponsor: Dr. Seals, Tacia, Bartz, & Daws and Winn Telecom 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 Membership Chairman of the Southeast Michigan Ballooning Association (SEMBA). "Joseph’s Coat" is the most recent addition to 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, & Daws, of Carson City, and Winn Telecom of Mt. Pleasant.

Name: Jim Lykins & Robert Lykins Balloon: BOO & Jack Sponsor: Renaissance Power Jim Lykins and his son Robert Lykins, of Lake Orion fly BOO! & Jack. This Halloween themed balloon team, are proudly sponsored by the team of Renaissance Power of Carson City. With its haunted house and trick-or-treaters, this design will really stand out during one of this weekends featured "Glows"…but keep an eye out for Jack as well. He’s a little orange balloon that is transforming into a Jack-O-Lantern.

Name: Paul Petrehn Balloon: Zulu Lima Sponsor: The Laurels of Carson City and Fulton Making his fourth 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 a new multi-colored balloon named "Zulu Lima" sponsored exclusively by The Laurels of Carson City and Fulton. 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: Barnes True Value Hardware and The Country Press Making his third appearance in Carson City, 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 is joined by his wife Cindy, his Crew Chief, and a Registered Nurse. Dave is proudly sponsored by Barnes True Value Hardware, of Carson City, and The Country Press.

Name: Mark Enszer Balloon: Celebration Sponsor: Carson Apothecary Shoppe and Four D Farms Making a return visit this year is pilot Mark Enszer. A driver for UPS, Mark has been married to his wife Marsha for 30 years, and they share three children. Mark and his balloon Celebration are proudly sponsored by Carson Apothecary Shoppe, of Carson City, and Four D Farms of Perrinton.

Name: Roger Beebe Balloon: Skittles Sponsor: Kellam and Associates, P.C., of Lapeer Kellam and Associates, P.C., of Lapeer is the proud exclusive Sponsor of Roger Beebe, and his beautiful Balloon "Skittles". We are pleased to welcome Roger and his wife Jane back to the Shoot-Out after a one year absence. Happily retired, The Beebe’s are from Ceresco, Michigan, a small town near Battle Creek. Roger also flies in Midland and in the Michigan Challenge in Howell. Welcome back Roger and Jane!

Name: Matthew Niemi Balloon: Fast Track Sponsor: McKinley Portrait Studio and Brown’s Auto Service McKinley Portrait Studio, and Brown’s Auto Service, both of Carson City team up to sponsor Carson City’s own; pilot Matthew Niemi and his balloon Fast Track. Matt completed his private pilot training with fellow Shoot-Out pilot Ron Groce, and continues to study toward his commercial pilot rating. This is Matthew is hoping for some great weather so that he may try his hand at a couple of competitive flights…a new challenge. Matthew and his family and his family enjoy the summer spent spending time with, and flying with their new ballooning family.

Name: Ron Centers Balloon: Rerun Sponsor: First Source and Dr. Frank and Anna West We are proud to welcome Pilot Ron Centers of Portage, as he flies "Rerun". A skilled commercial pilot, Ron has flown in many interesting venues, such as the opening ceremonies of the 1980 Winter Olympic Games, in Lake Placid, New York, and the North Pole. We welcome Ron and his family to Carson City, as he is sponsored by First Source, and Dr. Frank and Anna West, all of Crystal.

Name: Joe Zvada Balloon: Free Bird While Pilot Joe Zvada is new to the shoot-out roster, this is his first year as more than just a "Trophy-Crew-Member", with his leg in a cast. Notably one of the nicest guys known to all of ballooning, domestic and abroad, Joe, in his nine years of flying, credits his greatest of accomplishments a sixth place finish in the 2008 World Championships in Austria. Flying "Free Bird", Joe is the Founder and CEO of Team Zvada Racing (TZR) which fields the Free Bird Balloon in competitions around the world. You can see Joe and the TZR team at one of the many stops of the 2010 Bye Bye Birdie Farewell Tour as they say goodbye to the current Free Bird Balloon. Welcome Back, Joe!