2023 Board of Directors
President, Board of Directors
“We need to identify the kids with challenges – lacking confidence or motivation. Give them a comprehensive ‘mission experience’ - and help jump start their STEM or Pilot careers. Our focus should not be on quantity of students, but on the quality. Lets fill the void of a sample flight with a customized event”.
-Dave Brubaker, former USAF Fighter Pilot and STEM Flights founder.
BOBBI DOORENBOS
Vice President, Operations
Retired Brigadier General and F-16 Pilot, Bobbi was the first female fighter pilot selected by the Iowa Air National Guard after the law was changed in 1993. She is a former First Officer for American Airlines and serves on the Board of Directors of the White House Fellows. In addition to an F-16 pilot, she was Wing Commander of a Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Predator unit. Bobbi is an experienced pilot with a passion for mentoring youth. Bobbi believes that dedication to service and leadership are important qualities for STEM Flights students to learn through flight experiences.
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KEVIN "OMAR" BRADLEY
Vice President, Operations
A retired Air Force Major General and former international airline Captain for Delta, Gen Bradley has flown numerous aircraft and holds an FAA Remote pilot license. He’s also a former F-16 fighter pilot and MQ-9 Predator Wing Commander with extensive experience in Cyber Warfare and Communications. Omar has experienced firsthand the benefit of early mentoring and believes this was key to him finding his life’s passion. As Vice President, Operations & Chief Pilot for STEM Flights, Omar will help expand our program nationally and inspire new volunteer Pilot Mentors.
KENNETH MORRIS
Vice President
Kenneth Morris is a decorated United States Navy Veteran that flew aboard the P3-C Orion and P-8 Poseidon aircraft. As an Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran the awards and medals Kenneth have received are: Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal, NATO medal, Kosovo Air Campaign medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary medal, Sea Service Deployment medal and more.
In December 2018, Kenneth made a successful career change as he was selected as 1 of 7 U.S. Military Veterans from a pool of thousands of decorated candidates, for a new national flying initiative, powered by the U.S. Department of Transportation called 'Forces to Flyers'. Kenneth is the only African American and minority chosen to fly in Texas with this new initiative. This program is designed to address the country-wide pilot shortage while working to provide veterans with the skills and training needed to become commercial airline pilots. Upon completion of the program, Kenneth is passionate about inspiring, motivating, training and introducing young people to the aviation industry.
SAM MOORE
Vice President and Secretary
Sam began flying at a young age in his uncle’s vintage Stearman. From those early days, he saw the love of flying among pilots. He also saw the great care, knowledge, and thought that went into each flight. The background and expertise in STEM and aviation was essential to each mission and to a broader and more in-depth understanding of the world. Sam believes that we are all responsible for making this knowledge and opportunity to students and youth so that they can carry it forward to the next generation.
2023 Advisory Board
Dave Goldfein
General David Goldfein served a 37-year career as a pilot in the United States Air Force(USAF), where he commanded at every level and finished his career as the 21st Chief of Staff of the Air Force.Dave currently serves as a Senior Advisor for Blackstone Investment Group, where he helps senior Blackstone leaders formulate and execute optimal courses of action based on an informed global risk assessment. Goldfein has been named a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institute and a Senior Fellow at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, where he maintains a focus on their Air and Space portfolios.He received his commission from the US Air Force Academy in 1983, with a degree in Philosophy and later earned a master’s degree in Business Administration from Oklahoma City University. He is a graduate of the prestigious Air Force Weapons Instructor Course and the Department of State’s Senior Seminar program as a National Defense Fellow.
Ryan Tollini
As the Head of Aviation for Lincoln Financial, Ryan Tollini has over 8,000 hours of flight time accumulated in his professional life. His passion for safety and flying won him recognition from the National Business Aviation Association, which awarded him as Top 40 Under 40 in the aviation industry. Involved with several industry groups, Ryan serves on NBAA’s Safety Committee, FAA’s Safety Team and as an FAA designated pilot examiner. Ryan serves as a Pilot Mentor and Volunteer for STEM Flights, where he relishes the opportunity to guide young pilots and promote safety best practices.
Rick Knight
Rick found a love for flying early in life which resulted in soloing at 18 years of age. Soon after earning multiple ratings, Rick entered the military and flew the F100 and F4 for 15 years. Being an Air National Guard pilot allowed him to also fly with American Airlines where he retired after 35 years. Rick then became a Check Airman on several aircraft as well as an instructor and program developer for the Airlines Human Factors department. Had it not been for several mentors along the way, his career would not have been as fulfilling and so the values of mentorship is something he wishes to pass down. Rick says "Nothing makes me happier than inspiring young adults to throttle up."
Wayne David Hubbard
David’s early introduction to flying as a teenager led to an aviation career in the FAA, Marine Corps, and GA. His passion for education and community service led him to launch several youth career orientation programs to inspire interest in STEM. In 2013 he founded a nonprofit chess organization which fosters critical thinking skills and mentorship in schools. David believes that, much like airplanes, young people have an origin and unique destination. He enjoys supporting them to achieve their own goals.