Meet the Mentors
Larry Sullivan
Founder
President, Treasurer
I came to aviation late in life after dreaming about flying my whole life. Obtained my Private Pilot license in 2008 and spent 4 years building a Bearhawk, 4-place aircraft which I finished in 2015. Retired from my neurology practice in 2020 and considered building again but decided it would be more fun to do with others, thus Kettle Moraine Youth Aviation was born.
Howard Kaney
Vice President
Howard Kaney inspires student interest through aviation-related activities. He is an FAA Safety Team representative, President and scholarship coordinator of Kettle Moraine EAA Chapter 1158 in West Bend, WI, and an instrument rated private pilot. Howards serves as CEO of Terra Vigilis, Inc, a company utilizing unmanned aircraft operations to positively impact water quality and protect America's infrastructure. Howard is currently building a Vans RV-9A aircraft. It will be done on Tuesday. . .
Steve Krog
Secretary
Steve Krog, Certified Flight Instructor, has been flying for over 54 years and flight instructing for 50 years. The love of flight and sharing that passion is his primary focus when working with students.
Rick Hildebrandt
Retired-Tool and die maker/designer, engineering manager, internationally certified project manager, private pilot, RV12 airplane builder. I love to give back by sharing my experience and skills with anyone wanting and willing to learn from my many years of humbling mistakes.
Scott Weiss
Hello my name is Scott Weiss. I have always wanted to become a private pilot in fact I had an introductory flight at Crites Field in Waukesha in the early 1980’s but like many others life got in the way. Forward to 2020 and Joshua my son asked if he could join this aviation club. We attended the first introductory meeting and I said for sure he could join. I only wish this would have been formed earlier when he was a freshman as he was already a senior and didn’t get to pursue becoming a pilot. When he graduated I met with Larry and said I thought this was such a great program and opportunity and that I wanted to give back. So he asked if I wanted to be a mentor and I said yes. I am now starting to study to take the written test and hope to take flight lessons when my kids have graduated college. I can not thank everyone involved in this club enough including the students as I truly believe I am learning as much from them as I am helping!
Bob Kuenzi
Bob Kuenzi is a Retired New Product Development & Manufacturing Process Engineer, who worked at Maysteel Industries – Allenton WI for 48 years providing Custom Metal Enclosure Solutions.
He is a Lifetime EAA Member, Certified EAA Museum Docent, Treasurer of EAA Chapter 1158 West Bend, and Co-Chair of 1158’s Air Camp Program for 13 to 16 Year Olds.
A Member of the Commemorative Air Force – WI Wing and a Slinger High School – Technical Education Advisory Board Member.
February 2023.
Dan Coffey
Raised on a dairy farm in Wisconsin and earned my private private license in 1991. Had an interest in aviation that peaked when neighbor got his ultra lite flying. My dad and I put a runway on the farm back in the 1980’s that still exists today. I found and restored a piper J3 cub that hadn’t flown in 30 years that I still own and fly. I also own a Luscombe and am building a Tailwind. As a mentor for KMYA I really enjoy working and learning with the students.
Wayne Wendorf
I’m Wayne Wendorf, a mentor with KMYA. I’ve had an interest in aviation for my entire life. I'm a volunteer with EAA and Vintage Aircraft Association in Oshkosh Wisconsin for 20 years.
I've helped restore a few aircraft and have been mentoring with KMYA since its inception. I'm currently working on my sport pilot license. I enjoy sharing my love of aviation with the students.
Mark Murphy
I grew up attending the EAA Air show, spent 23 years in the Air Force as a F-117/F-1 Crew Chief. I appreciate the role aviation has played in my life, and I want to help students experience the amazing opportunities aviation can create in their lives too.
John Semenske
Got my Private Pilot's license in 1998. Then put flying on hold while my 4 awesome kids were young and busy with activities. I enjoy helping kids learn. Got back into flying in 2014. I have a Grumman Cheetah at the Hartford Airport and I'm a Young Eagles pilot. I am also building an RV12iS in my garage at home (same plane that KMYA is building).
Robert Lee
Graduated from Slinger High School in 1981.
At the age of 22 I started my trucking business and have run Lee Trucking, LTD. for 34 years.
I earned my private pilot license in 1996, instrument flight rating in 2008, and helicopter rating in 2014. I enjoy flying and passing on my knowledge and passion of aviation to others.
Shane Morris
Shane Morris earned his pilot license in 2008 and enjoys flying small planes for recreation. He is restoring a 1947 Luscombe."
Tyler Regli
Tyler Regli grew up with an interest in aviation for as long as he could remember. He attained his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering with a focus in aerospace in 2018 and received his private pilot certificate in 2019. Tyler is an engineer working on industrial gas turbines across the country and world. He is currently building a kitfox which he hopes to fly in the California and Montana back country. Tyler grew up on a farm and in the forestry industry in northern California. God is always first, followed by family, friends, and aviation!
Dave Gajafsky
Retired Property, Casualty, Life and Health Insurance manager and agent Alumna: Green Bay East H.S., 1960; University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1966, BS Military: US Army, 1966 -1968, Vietnam Era Veteran
Aviation: Private Pilot, 1968; Commercial Pilot, 1976; Instrument, 1978;
American Champion Aircraft, 1997 - 2003, Inspector, Manager Inspection Department,
Production Test Pilot
Holland Airpark (36WI), 2008 - 2018, Airport Manager
Aircraft Built and Flying: Zenith Zodiac, CH601HDS, Completed 2002 Experimental Aircraft Association, member since 1979; Chapters 18, 307 and 1158
Mike Weyer
I'm 90% Owner of Falls Manufacturing, a steel fabricating company in Richfield just north of Cabela's, and 50% owner of Game Room Gear in Slinger where home fun begins. I went for a skydive while in the army and became hooked on the sport completing over 2000 jumps. That furthered my interest in "All Things Sky" so I took flying lessons, purchased a plane that was a basically a scarecrow in a field and made it airworthy. I used it to fly skydivers for several years before getting into my current businesses & family life that took me out of the sky. Now I'm contemplating retirement at age 71, and I'm really enjoy having this airplane building mentoring opportunity. Life is good.
Adam Rehberger
Hi! My name is Adam Rehberger and I’ve been a mentor with KMYA since it began in 2021 which was the summer after I graduated high school. I started off in more of a student roll, learning as much as I could about the process of building an RV-12. Now I’m a supervisor teaching all of the students as much as I know about that process. I just soloed and am making progress on securing my private pilot's license. This club has been an amazing opportunity for so many people and I have learned so much from everyone involved. I’m excited to see how far the club grows!
Call
4147195000