Staff

Meet our professional and experienced staff!

Claire came to Fairbanks, Alaska in 1966 with her family and, except for traveling, has been in this great state ever since. She graduated from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks with an AA Degree in Aviation Technology and an FAA Airframe & Powerplant license. Claire holds an FAA Commercial Single Engine and Multi Engine Certificate with an instrument rating. In the 42 years she has been flying in Alaska, she has accumulated over 10,000 hours of flight time and flown across in state in a variety of aircraft for several different air taxis. She started Smokey Bay Air in 1998. In addition to be the owner of the company Claire is also the Director of operations.

Adam hails from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He previously worked for Smokey Bay Air almost 6 years ago. He is now back as our Chief Pilot. He holds an FAA Multi-Engine Land ATP certificate with Commercial Single-Engine Land and Sea privileges, various type ratings and instructor ratings. Adam has been flying jets, turbine powered singles and multi engine aircraft most of the last six years. Adam is married to Kristina, and together they have two beautiful daughters. We are thrilled to have Adam back.

Bill is a licensed Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic with Inspection Authorization with over 45 years aircraft mechanic experience. In 1960 Bill started his mechanics career as an A&P mechanic for the Alaska Air National Guard and Cordova Airlines. In 1965 Bill moved to Kansas and started Sheldon Aircraft Service. Next he moved to Colorado and worked for Valley Airpark and again formed his own business in Colorado, again called Sheldon Aircraft Service. In 1983 Bill returned to Alaska and started Pennisula Aircraft Salvage and Pennisula Air Metals. He has been the Director of Maintenance for Smokey Bay Air since 1998. Bill is also a licensed pilot. He resides in Homer with his wife. They enjoy spending time with their kids and grandkids.

Sonja was born in Switzerland and raised in Homer, Alaska. She is half Swiss and half Native Alaskan, and proud of her heritage. She returns to us after a 2 year hiatius in Hawaii and Oregon. She previosuly worked at Smokey Bay Air for 3 years. Sonja enjoys spending time with her close knit family, traveling, rafting, clam digging, bike riding and swimming in the ocean. Sonja gradutated from Homer High School and attended Seattle Central Community College, graduating with an Associate's Degree. She lives in Homer with her husband, Akin, and 2 year old daughter, Annabelle. With her welcoming smile and great sense of humor, we are glad to have Sonja back at Smokey Bay Air!

Sarah was born and raised in Pasadena, CA. She started flying gliders at 16 and attended flight school in McMinnville, OR where she earned her commercial, seaplane, tailwheel and flight instructor ratings. She worked as a flight instructor, glider tow pilot, and apprentice mechanic restoring aircraft in Oregon. Sarah moved to Alaska in 2005 where she earned her FAA Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics certification. Sarah began flying at Smokey Bay Air Spring of 2007. She lives in Homer with her boyfriend Jimmy, dog Maggie and enjoys hiking, snowshoeing, and playing banjo. She is currently working on her Commercial Helicopter rating and multi-engine ATP rating..

Stephanie grew up in Hopkins, MN and attended college at Wake Forest University in NC for a degree in history. After college, she worked at a gold mine in the Forty-mile region of Alaska. There she learned to weld, and operate and repair Caterpillar tractors. Her trip out of the mine after that first season; a thirty mile hike alone through the mountains to the nearest town; inspired her to become an Alaskan bush pilot. She has flown Twin Otters for skydivers in Mexico and Chicago, and she worked as a flight instructor in Minnesota, before accepting a pilot position at Smokey Bay Air. Stephanie holds an FAA Multi-Engine and Single-Engine Land and Sea Commercial Certificate with an Instrument Rating. Stephanie is an Alaska State certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT 1).

Phaedra was born and raised in Bay City, Oregon. After raising her two boys she came to Alaska for adventure. Coming to Homer for a summer job across the bay, she went back to Oregon and as many do, heard the call of the wild and returned to Alaska. The rest is history. Phaedra loves the great outdoors, the arts and food. Phaedra is well known for her ability to pack a 2 door Geo Metro for weekend camping trips on the Oregon coast with her two boys, with that knowledge she will be a great asset to Smokey Bay Air. Help us to welcome Phaedra!

George was raised in Omaha, Nebraska. He recieved his undergraduate degree from the Univeristy of Nebraska at Lincoln and his law degree from the University of Nebraska. George will celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of his first solo flight this August. He worked in the insurance industry and practiced law before turning to aviation as a professional career. Between undergraduate and law school, he worked at the fish packing plant in Kenai, AK and always wanted to fly in Alaska. George has flown aircraft from Piper Cubs to Boeing 727s. Most recently before joining Smokey Bay, he was flying for Midwest Airlines in Milwaukee, WI. George has over 8,000 hours of flight time. He is happily married to Sheryl and together they have two great kids. His daughter, Sarah, is 9, and his son, George, is 15.

Jim is a native Alaskan who grew up next to Merrill Field in Anchorage. Over the years, Jim has lived in 14 towns and villages throughout Alaska. Upon joining the US Navy in 1972, Jim attended US Navy Electronics School and attained the rank of E-5 in 3 years. After being discharged from the Navy in 1976, Jim earned his pilot certificate and started flying commercially in 1983. Jim has accumulated over 10,000 accident free hours of Alaska flying time. This experience is mostly in 200 and 400 series Cessna's, Caravan and Twin Otter aircraft landing at over 100 different airports and many other off airport locations in Alaska including glacier landings on Mt. McKinley. In 1992 Jim graduated from UAA in Anchorage with an A&P certificate and began working on aircraft full time. He has since attained an Inspection Authorization. Jim has worked on a multitude of aircraft over the years from Turbo Props to J3's. In 2006 Jim completed a ground up show quality restoration of a Piper J3C-65 that was featured in the Alaska Airmen's Association Trade Show that year. Jim enjoys living in Homer, raising his foster children and misses his grown daughter Rachel, now attending college.

Wes comes from a family of pilots and grew up flying with his father in the mountains of Colorado. After spending three years in the U.S. Army’s elite 1st Ranger Battalion, Wes moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma where he attended the highly prestigious Spartan School of Aeronautics and the University of Tulsa. He graduated Cum Laude with a double major in International Business/Spanish, and a minor in Economics. Wes has flown planes as large as the Gulfstream III corporate jet to the small, but venerable, J-3 Piper Cub. Wes holds an FAA Multi-Engine Land and Single-Engine Land and Sea Commercial Certificate with an Instrument Rating, as well as a Senior Parachute Rigger certificate. Wes is an Alaska State certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT 1) and Firefighter. Although Wes has flown in the United States, Europe, Africa, and Mexico, he believes that Alaska is the most beautiful flying he has done in his lifetime.

Christina is back at Smokey Bay Air after a 2 year hiatus. Christina is originally from Ohio and lives in Anchorage. She commutes down to Homer for work. She is currently attending UAA in pursuit of a BS in Aviation Management. On September 3rd she earned her Private Pilot certificate. She is currently pursuing her instrument rating. Her ultimate goal is to become a professional pilot. She has two wonderful pups, Augra and Jaco. We are jazzed to have Christina back at Smokey Bay Air.

Mark has lived in Alaska for many years. He hails originally from the White Mountains of Maine and New Hampshire. He enjoys flying and commercial fishing in Bristol Bay. Mark has accumulated 6,000 hours flight time flying on wheels and floats throughout the state. Mark holds an FAA Single-Engine Land and Sea Commercial Certificate with an Instrument Rating. Mark lives year round in Homer with his wife, Lisa, and son, Fritz. His daughter, Thorey, is off to college this year. In addition to working part time at Smokey Bay Air for the last 7 years, Mark owns and operates a Cessna 206 float plane operation out of Beluga Lake called Steller Air.

Sarah was raised in Kansas City, Missouri. She attended the University of Missouri - Kansas City and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Communications in 2005. She has exceptional customer service skills and looks forward to providing an outstanding experience at Smokey Bay Air. Sarah's next goal is to become a pilot. Sarah enjoys hiking, running and biking. She is dangerously single and lives in Homer with her very old, arthritic, one eyed dog, Oscar. She is excited for her family to come visit her in Alaska. This is Sarah's second summer season with Smokey Bay Air. We are very glad to have her back! Sarah is an Alaska State certified Firefighter.

Paul grew up in San Diego, CA and learned to fly when he was 14 years old. Paul has worked as a flight engineer on the C-141 and C-5 transports, traveling to every part of the world. He was a pilot for the US Army in the Marshall Islands and a contract pilot the the Edwards AFB Flight test center. He began flying in Alaska in 1988, in Kotzebue. Paul holds an FAA multiengine and single engine ATP certificate with commercial and instrument single engine sea privileges. Paul has accumulated more than 10,000 hours of flight time. Paul works for Smokey Bay Air in Ft. Wainwright on our BLM, Alaska Fire Service contract.

	Smokey Bay Air	1-888-482-1511
	2100 Kachemak Drive, Homer AK 99603	907-235-1511
	reservations@smokeybayair.com	Fax: 907-235-1501
	©2008 Smokey Bay Air. All rights reserved.
*Serving Kachemak Bay, Glacier & Volcano Tours, Statewide Charters, Bear Viewing, Fly-in Fishing & more*

	Claire came to Fairbanks, Alaska in 1966 with her family and, except for traveling, has been in this great state ever since. She graduated from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks with an AA Degree in Aviation Technology and an FAA Airframe & Powerplant license. Claire holds an FAA Commercial Single Engine and Multi Engine Certificate with an instrument rating. In the 42 years she has been flying in Alaska, she has accumulated over 10,000 hours of flight time and flown across in state in a variety of aircraft for several different air taxis. She started Smokey Bay Air in 1998. In addition to be the owner of the company Claire is also the Director of operations.
	Adam hails from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He previously worked for Smokey Bay Air almost 6 years ago. He is now back as our Chief Pilot. He holds an FAA Multi-Engine Land ATP certificate with Commercial Single-Engine Land and Sea privileges, various type ratings and instructor ratings. Adam has been flying jets, turbine powered singles and multi engine aircraft most of the last six years. Adam is married to Kristina, and together they have two beautiful daughters. We are thrilled to have Adam back.
	Bill is a licensed Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic with Inspection Authorization with over 45 years aircraft mechanic experience. In 1960 Bill started his mechanics career as an A&P mechanic for the Alaska Air National Guard and Cordova Airlines. In 1965 Bill moved to Kansas and started Sheldon Aircraft Service. Next he moved to Colorado and worked for Valley Airpark and again formed his own business in Colorado, again called Sheldon Aircraft Service. In 1983 Bill returned to Alaska and started Pennisula Aircraft Salvage and Pennisula Air Metals. He has been the Director of Maintenance for Smokey Bay Air since 1998. Bill is also a licensed pilot. He resides in Homer with his wife. They enjoy spending time with their kids and grandkids.
	Sonja was born in Switzerland and raised in Homer, Alaska. She is half Swiss and half Native Alaskan, and proud of her heritage. She returns to us after a 2 year hiatius in Hawaii and Oregon. She previosuly worked at Smokey Bay Air for 3 years. Sonja enjoys spending time with her close knit family, traveling, rafting, clam digging, bike riding and swimming in the ocean. Sonja gradutated from Homer High School and attended Seattle Central Community College, graduating with an Associate's Degree. She lives in Homer with her husband, Akin, and 2 year old daughter, Annabelle. With her welcoming smile and great sense of humor, we are glad to have Sonja back at Smokey Bay Air!
	Sarah was born and raised in Pasadena, CA. She started flying gliders at 16 and attended flight school in McMinnville, OR where she earned her commercial, seaplane, tailwheel and flight instructor ratings. She worked as a flight instructor, glider tow pilot, and apprentice mechanic restoring aircraft in Oregon. Sarah moved to Alaska in 2005 where she earned her FAA Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics certification. Sarah began flying at Smokey Bay Air Spring of 2007. She lives in Homer with her boyfriend Jimmy, dog Maggie and enjoys hiking, snowshoeing, and playing banjo. She is currently working on her Commercial Helicopter rating and multi-engine ATP rating..
	Stephanie grew up in Hopkins, MN and attended college at Wake Forest University in NC for a degree in history. After college, she worked at a gold mine in the Forty-mile region of Alaska. There she learned to weld, and operate and repair Caterpillar tractors. Her trip out of the mine after that first season; a thirty mile hike alone through the mountains to the nearest town; inspired her to become an Alaskan bush pilot. She has flown Twin Otters for skydivers in Mexico and Chicago, and she worked as a flight instructor in Minnesota, before accepting a pilot position at Smokey Bay Air. Stephanie holds an FAA Multi-Engine and Single-Engine Land and Sea Commercial Certificate with an Instrument Rating. Stephanie is an Alaska State certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT 1).
	Phaedra was born and raised in Bay City, Oregon. After raising her two boys she came to Alaska for adventure. Coming to Homer for a summer job across the bay, she went back to Oregon and as many do, heard the call of the wild and returned to Alaska. The rest is history. Phaedra loves the great outdoors, the arts and food. Phaedra is well known for her ability to pack a 2 door Geo Metro for weekend camping trips on the Oregon coast with her two boys, with that knowledge she will be a great asset to Smokey Bay Air. Help us to welcome Phaedra!
	George was raised in Omaha, Nebraska. He recieved his undergraduate degree from the Univeristy of Nebraska at Lincoln and his law degree from the University of Nebraska. George will celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of his first solo flight this August. He worked in the insurance industry and practiced law before turning to aviation as a professional career. Between undergraduate and law school, he worked at the fish packing plant in Kenai, AK and always wanted to fly in Alaska. George has flown aircraft from Piper Cubs to Boeing 727s. Most recently before joining Smokey Bay, he was flying for Midwest Airlines in Milwaukee, WI. George has over 8,000 hours of flight time. He is happily married to Sheryl and together they have two great kids. His daughter, Sarah, is 9, and his son, George, is 15.
	Jim is a native Alaskan who grew up next to Merrill Field in Anchorage. Over the years, Jim has lived in 14 towns and villages throughout Alaska. Upon joining the US Navy in 1972, Jim attended US Navy Electronics School and attained the rank of E-5 in 3 years. After being discharged from the Navy in 1976, Jim earned his pilot certificate and started flying commercially in 1983. Jim has accumulated over 10,000 accident free hours of Alaska flying time. This experience is mostly in 200 and 400 series Cessna's, Caravan and Twin Otter aircraft landing at over 100 different airports and many other off airport locations in Alaska including glacier landings on Mt. McKinley. In 1992 Jim graduated from UAA in Anchorage with an A&P certificate and began working on aircraft full time. He has since attained an Inspection Authorization. Jim has worked on a multitude of aircraft over the years from Turbo Props to J3's. In 2006 Jim completed a ground up show quality restoration of a Piper J3C-65 that was featured in the Alaska Airmen's Association Trade Show that year. Jim enjoys living in Homer, raising his foster children and misses his grown daughter Rachel, now attending college.
	Wes comes from a family of pilots and grew up flying with his father in the mountains of Colorado. After spending three years in the U.S. Army’s elite 1st Ranger Battalion, Wes moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma where he attended the highly prestigious Spartan School of Aeronautics and the University of Tulsa. He graduated Cum Laude with a double major in International Business/Spanish, and a minor in Economics. Wes has flown planes as large as the Gulfstream III corporate jet to the small, but venerable, J-3 Piper Cub. Wes holds an FAA Multi-Engine Land and Single-Engine Land and Sea Commercial Certificate with an Instrument Rating, as well as a Senior Parachute Rigger certificate. Wes is an Alaska State certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT 1) and Firefighter. Although Wes has flown in the United States, Europe, Africa, and Mexico, he believes that Alaska is the most beautiful flying he has done in his lifetime.
	Christina is back at Smokey Bay Air after a 2 year hiatus. Christina is originally from Ohio and lives in Anchorage. She commutes down to Homer for work. She is currently attending UAA in pursuit of a BS in Aviation Management. On September 3rd she earned her Private Pilot certificate. She is currently pursuing her instrument rating. Her ultimate goal is to become a professional pilot. She has two wonderful pups, Augra and Jaco. We are jazzed to have Christina back at Smokey Bay Air.
	Mark has lived in Alaska for many years. He hails originally from the White Mountains of Maine and New Hampshire. He enjoys flying and commercial fishing in Bristol Bay. Mark has accumulated 6,000 hours flight time flying on wheels and floats throughout the state. Mark holds an FAA Single-Engine Land and Sea Commercial Certificate with an Instrument Rating. Mark lives year round in Homer with his wife, Lisa, and son, Fritz. His daughter, Thorey, is off to college this year. In addition to working part time at Smokey Bay Air for the last 7 years, Mark owns and operates a Cessna 206 float plane operation out of Beluga Lake called Steller Air.
	Sarah was raised in Kansas City, Missouri. She attended the University of Missouri - Kansas City and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Communications in 2005. She has exceptional customer service skills and looks forward to providing an outstanding experience at Smokey Bay Air. Sarah's next goal is to become a pilot. Sarah enjoys hiking, running and biking. She is dangerously single and lives in Homer with her very old, arthritic, one eyed dog, Oscar. She is excited for her family to come visit her in Alaska. This is Sarah's second summer season with Smokey Bay Air. We are very glad to have her back! Sarah is an Alaska State certified Firefighter.
	Paul grew up in San Diego, CA and learned to fly when he was 14 years old. Paul has worked as a flight engineer on the C-141 and C-5 transports, traveling to every part of the world. He was a pilot for the US Army in the Marshall Islands and a contract pilot the the Edwards AFB Flight test center. He began flying in Alaska in 1988, in Kotzebue. Paul holds an FAA multiengine and single engine ATP certificate with commercial and instrument single engine sea privileges. Paul has accumulated more than 10,000 hours of flight time. Paul works for Smokey Bay Air in Ft. Wainwright on our BLM, Alaska Fire Service contract.