NOTICE OF ELECTION
A member may not vote in this election in person at the annual meeting; it must be done via electronic ballot.
A Presidential-appointed Ballot Certification Committee will tabulate the election results and announce the election outcome at the annual meeting of members on July 25, 2025. The membership meeting will be held in the Vicki Cruse Educational Pavilion at the IAC Aerobatic Center at 8:30am during EAA AirVenture, Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
CANDIDATE PROFILES
Jordan Ashley | Treasurer
Hello! My name is Jordan Ashley, and I have been privileged to serve as IAC’s Treasurer for the past 5 years, serving my first year leading the IAC financially through the COVID-19 pandemic. In the last four years, I have introduced many P&P revisions to bring greater depth and transparency to P&P 207 and the financial position of the IAC. I am now running for my 3rd full term as Treasurer in the upcoming election.
I have been a dedicated volunteer for the IAC since 2009 (EAA since 2008), when I began volunteering with Jim Taylor parking airplanes during AirVenture. In 2011 when Jim retired, I moved into the role of Aircraft Coordination Chairman for AirVenture. Beginning in 2022, I have served as AirVenture Convention Chair, leading the IAC’s presence at AirVenture. I am pleased to report that 2024 was one of the most successful years for the IAC in recent history at AirVenture!. Additionally, I have served as Chairman of the Collegiate Program for nine years during which time the program grew by over 33%.
The IAC has been an important influence on my life personally and professionally. I was an active competitor in the Midwest Region with Chapter 124 during my time as a student at Purdue University and am currently a member of Chapter 12. While at Purdue, I became a CFI and spent much of my time providing aerobatic instruction to students. Having recently moved to sunny Florida to become the Managing Partner for Extra USA, I am looking forward to continuing to serve the aerobatic community even more than ever before due to my new role.
The last few years financially have not been easy and the organization has faced many changes, all of which have impacted the bottom line of the organization, at least on paper. Despite this, I remain committed to the financial health and stability of the organization while continuing to improve our relationship with the EAA to ensure a strong overall financial future for the organization.
Thank you for your consideration and your vote of support in this year’s election.
Phillip Gragg | Director
Hi, my name is Phillip Gragg and I am asking for your vote so that I can serve a second term as a Director of the IAC.
I’ve been a member of the organization since my late teens and competed from 2009-2012 and again from 2021 to present. I currently fly Intermediate in an S-2A Pitts, and have enjoyed flying contests of different sizes in multiple regions around the country. It has been a great privilege to fly the US Nationals the last four years and to be able to organize and present two programs at the IAC pavilion during Airventure last year.
I also had a lot of fun organizing the inaugural college auction at Nationals in 2024, which received wonderful support and enthusiasm from many of our sponsors and highest profile members, former competitors and top airshow acts. This isn’t the appropriate place to name drop, but thank you for your support! It was a wonderful opportunity to engage some of our newest and youngest members, and I was hearted to see the generosity and care about the future of aerobatics from the very top names in the industry.
It has been a privilege to serve on the Board the last two years with a fine group of dedicated individuals working to sustain the organization and work towards financial stability. We have not always agreed on things, but everyone has worked to pursue what they think are the best interests of the club, and as an all volunteer organization with limited financial resources, we have had to make some tough decisions along the way.
In addition to serving as a Director, I have served on the Finance and Executive committees of the Board as well as the merchandise committee and chaired the committee to update tech inspections. I believe I have been an effective and participatory director, and the organization has benefited from my background in law, legal education and my current work as an Associate Dean of a law school. I will continue to utilize these skill sets for the benefit of our organization.
I will continue efforts to support competition, education, and safety, while continuing to work on some of the longer-term strategic priorities of membership, engagement and fundraising. This organization is strong and has a rich history. As a group we can work over the next few years to ensure opportunity that sustains our organization over the next several decades. The time and energy the membership puts in over the next few years will lay the groundwork for strength for many years to come.
Many good ideas to strengthen the organization will require hard work on the part of the board, and continued hard work from chapters and other members too. I look forward to continuing those conversations and moving forward with those ideas.
Thank you for your support!
Michael Lents | Director
Greetings, I am Michael Lents and seeking your support and vote to serve as a Director.
Attending my first contest in 2008, I flew as a safety pilot for four pilots throughout the contest. While I was passionate about aerobatics prior to that point, diving in the box for the first time set the hook. Since then, I have worked to provide a safe and accessible entry point into competitive aerobatics. The skills learned through the rigors and stress of training and competition lead to camaraderie and safety in flight.
I work as an associate professor at the University of North Dakota with a passion for sharing and teaching aerobatics. I have been an active IAC member since 2008 mentoring and coaching the UND Aerobatic Team as well as working with the Collegiate Program Committee since 2012. I’ve been the Chapter 78 Vice President since 2016 and chaired the Sequence Committee from 2019-2021. In all these endeavors, clear communication, collaboration, compassion, and attention to detail helped support IAC members and bring more to the fold.
Working with my students, many have found great success within the IAC and are working their way back to competition after graduation. They’ve been able to take on leadership roles within the aviation community, promoting the unique expertise garnered from participating and networking within the IAC.
Regularly contributing as a presenter at AirVenture since 2013, competing throughout the Midwest since 2009, Nationals since 2014, and joining the USA Advanced Team for 2018, 2023, and 2025, I have seen many of you around and hope to have contributed positively to your aviation journey. I look forward to collaborating as part of the Board, bringing my experience as a competitor, coach, and educator to help bolster IACs support of our current members while building connections and outreach to new and aspiring members with a focus on safety, passion, and inspiration.
Nathan Ruedy | Director
After serving on the IAC board for the past 2 years I am humbled to be running for a director position once again.
First, a little about who I am.
I am the Director of Flight Operations at a flight school called Lake Elmo Aero on the east side of St. Paul, MN. We operate 16 airplanes, and 22 flight instructors, a full-service maintenance department and full service FBO. We are just finalizing our UPRT syllabus and should be doing that type of training by summer. In my off time, I fly 737s for a US airline.
I started my aerobatics journey at the University of North Dakota (hope that doesn't cost me too many MSU votes) in 2005, but didn't actually get into the competition side until 2015 when I bought the best airplane ever produced, my very own American Champion Decathlon. Over the last 6 years, I have flown in contests all across the United States. I even flew a borrowed plane in Canada. I recently upgraded to an Extra 200 that is still kicking my ... rear.
As far as my direct contributions to the IAC, I have served as a contest director and treasurer for chapter 78. On the national level, I am on the merchandise committee (that would have gone nowhere without Lynn Bowes, Sara Arnold and Taylor Mershon) and the Executive committee. Most recently, I hosted a judges school that had almost 45 people in attendance.
As an IAC director, I will engage with the membership through emails, phone calls, and visits. I will be transparent, I will listen, and I will learn. I recognize that my ideas are not always right, but by surrounding myself with the knowledge and experience of other IAC members and the board of directors, I will help guide the IAC in the direction you want it to go.
Mike "Spanky" Gallaway | CIVA Relations
Fellow IAC members, I am officially running for re-election on the board of directors. My motivation stems from a 25 year history with the IAC and a passion for this amazing sport. I vow to listen to the concerns of our members and to promote this club from grass roots to the USA Teams.
I joined the IAC in 1997 after the purchase of my first plane, a Citabria 7ECA. I began like everyone, flying the primary category and learning from my fellow IAC members. I was told back then that the club offers the best education and training for those that want to pursue their dream of aerobatic flight and boy was that true. Since I joined the club I have moved up through the categories, one step at a time, ultimately flying unlimited
I have been fortunate to participate in 22 US National Championships, 4 World Championships (2 Advanced, 2 Unlimited ) , judged 3 World Championships and currently I am your CIVA Delegate representing the USA .
I respect every member and will do anything I can to help each and every member pursue their dreams. I would be honored to serve you as a member of the BOD.
Sincerely
Mike “ Spanky “ Gallaway
