Cheryl Frost Charles Hines Balloonmeister 2006-08 President 1977, 1985; Hall of Fame 1984 Cheryl Mathews Frost (Cheryl Lété) has A key fi gure in the Balloon Fiesta’s early been fl ying balloons since the 1980s and history, Charlie Hines was on hand for the was Chief Safety Offi cer and Assistant Bal- fi rst Balloon Fiesta in 1972 and organized loonmeister before guiding Balloon Fiesta chase crews and volunteers in 1973 and fl ying events for three years as Balloonmeis- 1974. When Albuquerque International Bal- ter. She still serves as a member of the AIBF loon Fiesta, Inc. began operations in 1976, Board of Directors. Charlie became the organization’s very fi rst President, and later served as Chairman. Doug Gallagher Jacqueline Hockey Balloonmeister 1985 Hall of Fame 1992; Heritage Award 2016 The 1985 Balloonmeister, Doug Gallagher, The gracious hostess to generations of came up through the ranks as a pilot participants and guests, Jacqueline Hockey and offi cial and did a great Mr. Rogers established the event’s fi rst hospitality suites, impersonation (“can you say, ‘Balloon organized years worth of offi cial galas, and Fiesta?’”) Doug continues to serve the still brings a continental fl air to Balloon Fiesta Balloon Fiesta as a safety offi cer, as he has events. for nearly four decades. Matt Guthrie Bruce King President 2020-21; Heritage Award 2017 Hall of Fame 2010 Ballooning captivated Matt Guthrie at a One of the dignitaries at the very fi rst Bal- very young age, and became for him both a loon Fiesta in 1972 was New Mexico Gover- hobby and a career. He was a launch direc- nor Bruce King, who went on to serve three tor while still in his teens, earned his pilot non-consecutive full terms as Governor. As license, and worked his way up through the the state’s longest-serving chief executive, Balloon Fiesta ranks. As President, he guid- he was a staunch supporter of New Mexico’s ed the Balloon Fiesta through the pandemic largest international event. years of 2020-21. George Hahn Gary King Balloonmeister 1986-87; President 1991; Balloonmeister 2003-05 Hall of Fame 2002 Gary King (no relation to Bruce) was the George Hahn raced powerboats before fi rst Balloonmeister -- the offi cial in charge taking up a slower sport, fl ying hot air and of fl ight operations -- from outside Albu- gas balloons, training and certifying pilots, querque. Gary, who brought extensive promoting ballooning safety, operating a experience fl ying in and running ballooning sales and repair station, and serving the events around the country, served three Balloon Fiesta as Balloonmeister, Board years as Balloonmeister. member, and Board President. Bruce Hale Al Kinney President 1995-96; Hall of Fame 1997 Hall of Fame 1994 A local businessman and contractor, Bruce As a volunteer at the fi rst World Hot Air Hale literally helped build the Balloon Balloon Championships (2nd Balloon Fiesta’s infrastructure, donating time, Fiesta) Al Kinney installed utilities and money, and services. He fl ew both hot air organized concessions and infrastructure. and gas balloons at the Balloon Fiesta, and He was instrumental in obtaining funding spent two years as the event’s President. for the event and coordinating the city bond issue to buy the current Balloon Fiesta Park. Sam Hancock Charlotte Kinney Executive Director 1996 Balloonmeister 1982, 1984 During the crucial year of 1996, when the Heritage Award 2018 Balloon Fiesta moved to its current and per- The daughter of Mayor Harry Kinney, Char- manent home at Balloon Fiesta Park, Sam lotte Kinney was one of Albuquerque’s early Hancock served as the event’s Executive balloon pilots. She broke barriers as the Director. Balloon Fiesta’s fi rst female Balloonmeister and one of the fi rst women in the country in command of a major balloon event. She now is one of the Balloon Fiesta’s historians. OFFICIAL PROGRAM 265