ABOUT DVPA
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.
Coming Soon
Vice President
Mark Lambert
Treasurer
Casey Cleary
Secretary
Mark Lambert is Aerial Engagement’s Director of Revenue. Aerial Engagement is a public simulator venue in Scottsdale, AZ. He has a bachelor’s in business management and organizational development from Spring Arbor University and was graduated from the Bank Administration Institute’s Graduate School of Banking. He began life as a radio and newspaper reporter. For the subsequent 35 years he was a licensed insurance agent, working in banking and independent agency settings. Mark is a student pilot pursuing a private pilot certificate with a glider rating. He and his wife of 42 years, Stephanie, live in North Phoenix.
Place of Birth: Waco, TX
Bachelor of Science: 1970 Texas Wesleyan College Clewry
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine: 1978 Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine Internship: 1978-1979 Phoenix General Hospital
Work Experience: 1979-2020 Private Family Practice
Retired: 2020 and sold the medical practice
Flying Experience: Private Pilot 1985
Instrument Rating 1989
Commercial Rating 1990
CFI 1995
CFII 1995
Ground Instructor 1995
Total hours 2200
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.
Chris Mehling
AJ Reynolds
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.
Having begun his career in pharmaceuticals, banking and financial planning, AJ has been involved for the past 20 years helping to grow nonprofit organizations as a consultant, board member and management team member.
AJ grew-up in the Rocky Mountain States of Colorado, Montana and Arizona. AJ earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona. He enjoys aviation because of his father, who was a private pilot. His family took many family vacations in a Cessna 170. AJ began working on his pilot license in 1986 at Deer Valley Airport.
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He is a past President of the Scottsdale Business Alliance and an employee of the year recipient. AJ is passionate about helping others to support worthy humanitarian causes and is honored to have served others through the philanthropy department at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Paul Salmonson
I have been an Arizonan resident since 1983, moving here after graduation from Oregon State University. I married the love of my life (a Phoenix native) and raised two children in Cave Creek, AZ. I like to play sports, sail, motorcycling (dirt / street), and of course fly.
I founded Aterra Designs in 1999 which is a company that specializes in lighting and electrical design services for the home building industry. We have multiple locations throughout the U.S. and focus on being able to combine the latest design techniques with our own software applications, both in 2D & 3D. These applications allow for real time pricing, space visualization, bills of materials, and construction documents.
I first began flying with my father who taught me some basics at eleven years of age. My father was a Captain with TWA for 37 years. He was a flying Sergeant for the Army Air Corps during WWII and flew C-47’s. He trained at Luke Air Force base and flew on D-day dropping paratroopers.
I received my private pilots license in 1983 and have been flying on and off over the years (more off during the Great Recession). I have time in these single engine planes – C150 AeroBat, C172, C182RG, C210, C23, V35B, M20K231, PA38 Tramahawk, PA28-180, PA28R-201-T. In 2017, I acquired a 1/3 partnership in a Piper Turbo Arrow based at KDVT (hanger 35-09). I am instrument rated and have over 800 hours.
Carl Hancock
Carl is the pilot in command of the YouTube channel Fly With The Guys based out of Deer Valley Airport. He's always been an AVGeek and finally perused his dreams of flying in 2015. Since then he's been an advocate for inspiring new pilots and helping them along the way by sharing aviation wherever he can. But that's just his side gig. He's a stay at home dad to 4 crazy kids and loves every minute of it.