Staff Spotlight on Volunteer Services Manager Troy Troxel October 17, 2023 AFW Volunteer Services Manager, Troy Troxel, with his wife Alison and their three children. Q + A Could you tell us a bit about yourself? I was born and raised in Southern California and still reside here in Oceanside. I grew up surfing and golfing. I am a private pilot with about 250 hours total time. I am married to my best friend Alison, and we have three kids (Reid 10, Archer 8, and Lola 6) as well as a dog named Ziggy and two… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Introducing AFW’s New Volunteer Services Coordinator July 25, 2023 Meet our new Volunteer Services Coordinator, David Nathan! David holds a master’s degree in sociology from the University of Cincinnati. He joins our team with more than 12 years of experience in aviation and holds a pilot license and instrument rating through Sporty’s Academy. Before joining AFW in 2023, he served in roles as Lead Flight Coordinator & Charter Sales Representative. Additionally,… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Spotlight on a Board Member: Meet Eric Chadwick July 25, 2023 With a longstanding interest in aviation, Eric went on a discovery flight in 2018 and was instantly hooked. “Angel Flight West was on my mind from the very first day of flight training,” says Eric. “I knew aviation was not accessible to everyone and that learning to fly would be a great way to further my philanthropic ambitions. During training, I was focused on building time to meet the 250-hour AFW requirement for Com… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Introducing AFW’s New Director of Outreach May 1, 2023 We’re thrilled to share that Russell Stearns has joined Angel Flight West (AFW) as our Director of Outreach! Russell holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from California State University. As Director of Outreach with AFW, Russell oversees strategic planning and initiatives related to volunteer recruitment and healthcare collaborations. Russell is excited to be part of the organizatio… Jessica Hayes Read More »
From Cheri’s Desk: Spotlight on an Angel May 1, 2023 Tiffany S. was born in 1993 and a mere six days later she was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Tiffany’s condition was manageable for many years, but when she was 17, she was listed for a double-lung transplant. Tiffany received that surgery the same year and before she was 18, she had two new lungs – and a new lease on life. However, five years later, Tiffany’s body began to reject the orga… Cheri Cimmarrusti Read More »
Meet AFW’s New Safety Officers April 12, 2023 Meet Alexios: My name is Alexi Stavropoulos and I am deeply honored to be serving as AFW’s Safety Officer along with Bruce Poulton. I am grateful to own a Cirrus SR22T. Without a doubt, my favorite flying activity in my Cirrus is to fly for AFW when my work schedule and weather permits. Both have been a challenge as of late. Otherwise, I love staying in the pattern, humbling myself! And of course, flying with my family.… Jessica Hayes Read More »
In the Hangar: Meet Our New Board Members! February 14, 2023 Angel Flight West is proud to welcome two new board members to our team: Daniel Cheung and Emily Deaton. Both Daniel and Emily join AFW’s Board of Directors with a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and passion for charitable aviation. We’re thrilled to have them serve as we continue to deliver health and hope throughout the Western states. Daniel Cheung is a CPA and he co-founded Aviation Tax Consultants… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Wingspan: Winter 2022 December 6, 2022 Welcome new Montana and Hawaii wing leaders! Mark Haakenson – Montana Wing Leader Mark Haakenson on an angel flight with his sweet co-pilot, Evelyn Mark Haakenson joined Angel Flight West as a Command Pilot in August of 2016. He is an 8,200+ hour ATP pilot with his CFII/MEI as well as an A&P with Inspection Authorization (I.A.). He works out of Great Falls (GTF) flying a Citation V (560) for a couple of brothe… Ivan Martinez Read More »
Helpful Hints from the Communications Corner December 4, 2022 Ways to Help We’d love to see more photos submitted from our Earth Angels! You can submit photos with your mission report or email [email protected] if you’re having trouble with submissions. Speaking of photos, VPOIDS requires photos to be 200 KB or larger. If you’re having any issue submitting photos, please send them directly to us at jessi[email protected]. Note: Even if you don’t see yo… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Cheri Reflects on 25 Years of Angel Flights December 2, 2022 I hit a couple of milestones in my life recently. One was a birthday… and I’ll leave that number for you to wonder about! The second was 25 years with Angel Flight West and that is something I am quite proud of. I started working at AFW as an assistant… it was only 12 hours a week… and I was looking for a little something to do to fill an empty nest. And fill that nest it did!… Cheri Cimmarrusti Read More »
Volunteers Give Others a Chance for More Time December 2, 2022 Tony sat down across from me in an empty Angel Flight West (AFW) cubicle, and we started chatting about the organization. Having countless missions under his belt from over five years of flying, he asked about the coordination team, listing everyone by name and inquiring about the new additions to the staff. His spontaneous drop-in was as welcome a surprise as ever, but especially… Alexandro Ramirez Read More »
From Operations Coordinator to Mission Assistant: Natalie Takes to the Skies October 7, 2022 As the central nervous system of Angel Flight West, the Mission Operations Team coordinates each of 5,000+ flights that crisscross the Western United States every year. Made up of five dedicated coordinators, this team verifies passengers are safe for flight, talented volunteer pilots are on-hand to complete each mission, and flight schedules are thoroughly vetted. Through it all, its members stay in close com… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Wingspan: Welcome New CO/WY Wing Leaders! August 15, 2022 We’re excited to announce new leadership in the Colorado and Wyoming Wings! It’s my pleasure to introduce Stan VanderWerf as incoming Wing Leader for the Colorado Wing! Stan VanderWerf serves District 3 on the Board of County Commissioners for El Paso County and is presently the Chair of the Board. Commissioner VanderWerf also serves as a voting member, and the only elected official, to the Colorado State Bo… Ivan Martinez Read More »
In the Hangar: Meet Our New Board Members! August 5, 2022 Angel Flight West is proud to welcome two new board members to our team this year: Georgia Griffiths and Bill Banta. Both Georgia and Bill join the AFW Board with a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and passion. Georgia and Bill have both been volunteer pilots with Angel Flight West for over ten years, and we are thrilled to have them serve in this new capacity as we continue to deliver health, hope, and happiness througho… Jessica Hayes Read More »
AFW Provides a Haven from Chaos February 20, 2022 Technological progress has hit the fast forward button on our society, and, at times, it seems like we’re all playing catch-up. We find it increasingly difficult to take a pause to reflect or find a foothold at this blistering pace. With endless distraction and information overwhelm, it can be hard to appreciate just how historically momentous this time is. We attach grand labels like “The Great Resignation” or “… Alexandro Ramirez Read More »
