16 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2022 Media Guide [CONTINUED] COOL THINGS TO SEE & DO 2009 – Kim Vesely Kim Vesely has been writing about balloonists and ballooning as a former TV news reporter and freelance writer for more than 30 years. She has covered many of ballooning’s great “firsts” including the Double Eagle II trans-Atlantic crossing, Double Eagle V trans- Pacific crossing, and the Kitty Hawk flight across North America. Since 2002, Kim has served as editor of the Balloon Fiesta program; additionally, her work has appeared in Ballooning, Balloon Life, and other publications. She has written more articles for the AIBF program than any other person, often without byline. She served on the Balloon Fiesta Board in 1988-89 and currently serves on the AIBF Heritage Committee and on the Board of Trustees for the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum. 2008 – Dr. Tom McConnell Dr. Tom McConnell, is known by most as “Father Time,” and is best known as the pilot of “Zia” (the New Mexico State Flag balloon) that has in itself become a widely recognized symbol of the Land of Enchantment. Tom is one of Albuquerque’s earliest balloon pilots, part of the second “class” of balloon pilots trained through the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association (AAAA) in 1973. 2007 – Bob and Marge Ruppenthal This dynamic duo has often been referred to as “long-time” supporters of Balloon Fiesta. They both served as President of the Board of Directors for Balloon Fiesta. Marge was president in 1980 and 1981; Bob was president in 1989 and 1990. Marge took the helm of the organization as Executive Director in 1989, and served in that capacity for eight years until 1996. The Ruppenthals caught the “ballooning bug” in the 70s, bought a balloon, became pilots, and the rest is history. 2006 – John Davis John Davis’ longtime involvement with ballooning and Balloon Fiesta is legendary. John is the longest serving active member of the Balloon Fiesta Board of Directors (1976-present). John has served as Balloonmeister and as President of Balloon Fiesta. He has also served on the board of the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association (AAAA) and as Balloonmeister of several national and international events including the US National Balloon Championships twice – 24 years apart. 2005 – Sid Cutter Sid Cutter’s vision put Albuquerque on the map as the hot air balloon capital of the world. Sid had no idea that a little birthday party surprise for his mother would evolve into the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Thanks to Sid’s sense of adventure and tenacity, the Balloon Fiesta has grown from a modest gathering of 13 balloons in 1972 to the largest gathering of hot air balloons in the world.