We are delighted that three members of the Minnesota Pilots Association have stepped forward, expressing their interest in being board members for our organization.

Mary Alverson is a native Minnesotan, born in Duluth Minnesota. She is truly an adventurer, travelling around the world both personally and professionally, serving as a flight attendant for North Central Airlines, Northwest Airlines and Delta Airlines for 38 years. Mary has gone on to distinguish herself flying professionally as a flight instructor and Captain for New Mexico Airlines. She has earned her CFI, CFII, MEI ratings along with a single and multi-engine sea class ratings. Mary is the owner/operator of Wings Over Water Seaplane Training.
• FAA Designated Examiner
• FAA FAAST Representative
• Field Director, Seaplane Pilots Association
• President, Minnesota Seaplane Pilots Association 2009-2012

Mike Vivion soloed in 1969 and completed the requirements for his private pilot certificate in December of that year. After being released from the military, Mike returned to the University of Montana, completing a degree in Wildlife Biology He subsequently worked for the US Fish & Wildlife Service as a Wildlife Biologist and Wildlife Biologist/Airplane pilot for 31 years. Twenty nine of those years were spent in Alaska, where he worked airplanes on wheels, floats and skis in many regions of Alaska in support of wildlife research and law enforcement operations. In December of 2005, he retired from FWS and accepted a job at the University of Minnesota, Crookston, teaching in the Aviation programs there. In May of 2013, he retired (again) from the U of M system. Mike’s wife of 19 years is Gina Carolan and the couple now resides in Bozeman MT. Mike has recently become a board member of the Montana Antique Aircraft Association, the Sacajawea Audubon Society (the Audubon chapter in Bozeman, MT) and the Montana Audubon Society.

Randy Schoephoerster is an established leader in aviation in Minnesota. He has over 10,000 hours flight time, with over 2000 hours in seaplane time. Randy holds ATP MEL, ATP SEL, ATP SES, CFI, CFII and MEI ratings. He serves as President of the Minnesota Seaplane Pilots Association and is an FAASTeam Lead Representative and Field Director of the National Seaplane Pilots Association. He is owner of Air Trek North Flight School and Maintenance with locations at KLVN, KFCM and KSGS. He has served as Marketing Director and Engineering Director for Emerson Electric and served as a City Commissioner. Randy has a BS degree in electrical engineering and an MBA in marketing. He feels his strengths lie in marketing, mentoring and organizational management. He also emphasizes that he is father of three great young adults.

Ballots were emailed on November 9, 2016 to all active members. If your membership has lapsed and you wish to participate in choosing our board members, please renew your membership. Thanks!