Officers

Joe Abrahamson

President

I started flying at age 18 in 1976 in the MidWest. About 6 years later went to A&P school in Douglas Arizona, then moved to Tucson where I ran a maintenance operation for several years before being promoted to copilot on a Vickers Viscount (4 engine turboprop) and from there copilot on a Learjet.

Have lived in 12 countries so far and seen 114 more in the process. Was a medivac pilot in Berlin Germany, then military with McDonald Douglas and Boeing in Saudi Arabia on F-15’s. Returned home after the Gulf War and ended up in Dallas flying for Bombardier. Was offered a job here in Phoenix/Scottsdale flying for one of the owners of the Phoenix Suns & AZ Diamondbacks and have been here for the last 23 years. Started the flight department from scratch and we now fly a brand new Challenger 350 with a new Global Express 5500 being delivered in December 2023.

Have been at Deer Valley airport (on and off) for the last 35 years. Currently hold ATP/A&P/IA ratings (from several countries) and fly a 1949 Aeronca Sedan for fun.

Casey Cleary

Secretary

Board Members

Ron Diedrichs

Concentration in Human Resources Management, MBA Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington, 1983. Airline Transport Pilot (ATP), AsMA Board Cert. Aerospace
Physiology, Aerospace Medicine, Human Factors Engineering, Man/Machine Systems Design & Integration (Avionics, RAAS, EGPWS, FMS, TCAS, Fly-by Wire), Technical Product Risk Analysis, Loss Prevention Control & Engineering

FLIGHT EXPERIENCE – 7800+ Hours – C150/172/177, T37/T38, KC135/RC135, B727, A320/340, and Beech B36TC. Arizona State University, Faculty Instructor: Safety, Accident Investigation / NTSB, Aerospace Physiology & Human Factors, Altitude Chamber. Director Clinical Hyperbaric Medicine. Type Ratings A320 & A340 Type rating B707 via FSDO & USAF History. Current FAA Safety Representative for Scottsdale FSDO, and Aerospace Human Factors Consulting LLC. Manager Flight Technical Services Honeywell International, Aerospace Electronics. Trans World Airlines Pilot. United States Air Force, Lt Col, Retired).

Richard Schmidt

Richard Schmidt is a Commercial pilot, CFI-A&I, A&P/IA, and a FAASTeam Representative. He owns a Beech B55 Baron and a Van's RV-8A. He enjoys formation flying, and flies as a charter pilot in Barons and King Airs at Southwest Aircraft Charter. Richard has led DVPA’s effort with the City on Battery Maintainers and the re-write of the GA Handbook and the Independent Mechanics and Flight Instructor regulations.

Jim Garner

A&P, I.A., Certified Repair Station, Private Pilot with Instrument Rating. I fly a Cessna 205 for about 150 hrs. a year. Current DVT SASO, 2 companies, Av8tor Avionics, that performs Transponder and Altimeter 2 year CERTs, and Garner Group, that consults on other Aircraft Issues. Past Contractor and Building, Electrical, and Plumbing Inspector. Operated an Aircraft Maintenance Shop in Payson for 17 years. One of 7 original Directors of Payson Regional Airport Authority, that ran Payson Airport for 4 years. Married, long, long time and live in Chandler, AZ area.

Bill Woods

I've been flying out of Deer Valley Airport for 37 years. Starting in 1985 and for several years I rented a Cherokee 140 from a DVT based flying club. In 1988 I purchased a 25 percent share in a Cherokee 180 which I flew until 1999 when I purchase the Bonanza I still own. My Bonanza is hangared on the north side.

I was first elected to the DVPA Board of Directors in 2010 and served in various capacities for two three-year terms.

My daytime job is financing real estate as a mortgage broker.

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Chris Mehling

Erich Moulder

Back seat experience in Vari-Eze, right seat experience in 1944 Beechcraft Staggerwing D-17S, Glasair RG, Beechcraft Bonanza, and Cirrus VK-30. PIC Cessna 150, 172 & Skyhawk, Piper Cherokee & Warrior, Beechcraft Musketeer. I have a Family history from birth of Pilots, airplanes and aviation both commercial and general.

Former Chapter Secretary/Treasurer for Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club (NY & AZ), Former Chapter & State Treasurer for Gold Wing Road Riders Association (AZ). Current Chapter Treasurer for Eagle Wings Motorcycle Association (AZ).

Retired from Suffolk County Police (NY) and Phoenix Police (AZ). Current community activist and motivator to improve quality of life in my community, city, state and country.

Erich works on the Deer Valley Pilot Board as the new webmaster and is slowly improving the frequency and accuracy of information we provide. Erich works for United Airlines on the Boeing 787 out of LAX. He enjoys flying the long He relishes the long flights to Asia and Australia. Erich recently moved from San Diego where he used to fly biplanes with San Diego Sky Tours.