Euel Kinsey
Clinton Township, MI

A resident of Clinton Township, Michigan, Euel has been a member of LifeLine Pilots for more than 9 years.  He has served on the Board of Directors for the past year, currently serving on the Development Fundraising Committee. He has a B.B.A. from the University Of Michigan School Of Business, with a Minor in Economics.  Euel also has a J.D. from the University Of Detroit School Of Law. He has active law practices in Michigan, Wisconsin, Tennessee, and Arkansas.  He also is licensed to practice law in Texas, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania. Euel has been a pilot for more than 20 years.  He owns a Cessna 310, which is based in Detroit, MI.  He serves as an Airport Support Network Representative for the AOPA at his home airport and received the Sharples Award from the AOPA for his service.

Keith Laken
Winona, MN

Keith retired from Watlow Electric as President of Watlow Polymer Technologies, and vice president of the parent company. He earned his MBA at Washington University and his Bachelor of Arts in Business Management through Webster University.  He also served as President of the Winona State University Foundation, and is an advisor to their Composites Engineering Program. Diverse in his interests and abilities, Keith is an instrument rated private pilot.  He has been a member of LifeLine Pilots since 1994 and currently serves as the Executive Director.  He co-founded Mugby Junction, a chain of coffee shops in MN and assists startup and fast growth companies through Gription Resources, his consulting firm. Through his travels, Keith calls on hospitality homes, both present and future, and participates in several non-profit public service activities. Keith and his lovely wife, Virginia, have two grown children and take pleasure in spending time with them and their five grandchildren. 

Jerome Mauer
Peoria, IL

A resident of Peoria, IL, Mr. Mauer is a tax partner in the office of Clifton Gunderson LLP.  He joined the firm in February 1981, and became a member and Director of Taxation effective October 1, 1985.  He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from the University of Iowa, a Master of Science in Taxation from DePaul University, and received his CPA Certificate in Illinois.  Mr. Mauer’s background includes four years of service as a Revenue Agent for the Internal Revenue Service in the Chicago area.  His areas of specialization include corporate, individual, partnerships, and planning for the closely held businesses and their owners and employees, and representing clients before the IRS, including Appellate Division.  Mr. Mauer has authored a number of articles for national tax publications, and is a frequent speaker on tax subjects for civic and professional groups.  He also served on the University of Iowa Professional Accounting Council. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, has served on the Small Business Taxation Sub-Committee, and is a member of the Illinois CPA Society and Central Illinois Estate Planning Council.  He is presently serving on the Steering Committee for the AICPA National Tax Education Program.

Charles Mueller
Glen Ellyn, IL

Charles G. Mueller, CTFA, is a Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company, Chicago. He is the National Director of Northern’s Wealth Strategies Group, the area that helps individuals with their trust, estate, investment management and financial planning needs.  Before assuming this title in November of 2003, Charlie held the position of Director of the Wealth Strategies Group for the Midwest Region.  Prior to joining this division in January, 2000, Charlie served as the Manager of Northern Trust Bank's Oakbrook Terrace Trust Department overseeing the Portfolio Management, Trust and Estate services. In addition, he had responsibility for new business development in Northern's West Suburban region since 1993.  Before joining the trust side of the business in 1993, Charlie spent ten years in commercial banking including seven years at Indiana National Bank in Indianapolis. In this capacity, he held several positions in both international banking and middle market lending, responsible for the administration and growth of loan, deposit, treasury management and trade finance services.  Charlie graduated with honors from the University of Illinois College of Commerce and Business Administration in 1982 with a B.S. degree in Finance. He holds the designation of Certified Trust and Financial Advisor.  Charlie is a Commercial Pilot and Board Chairman of Lifeline Pilots, as well as a board member at Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago. He has been a Big Brother, a volunteer at the DuPage Conservation Foundation and past President of the Butterfield Park District.

Todd Parkhurst
Chicago, IL

A resident of Chicago, IL, Mr. Parkhurst has been a member of the LifeLine Pilots Board of Directors for 15 years, and was President from 1995 to 1996.  Mr. Parkhurst has an engineering degree from the University of Illinois.  He attended the Law School of the University of Pennsylvania and graduated in 1966.  He was also a Captain in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from 1966 to 1968. He is an adjunct professor of law at Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago-Kent Law School, where he teaches a course in the law of trade secrets.  He is the author, producer, director and principal actor in a theatrical stage show entitled “Pleading for the Future”, comprising a closing argument of Clarence Darrow, a production for the students and Chicago lawyers.  He is co-author of a course book entitled Piatt and Parkhurst, Trade Secrets: Cases and Materials, currently in its third edition. Mr. Parkhurst has been named by his peers to the latest edition of The Best Lawyers in America and he has been named a Super Lawyer in the IP Section of the Illinois Super Lawyers directory.  He is accorded the highest legal and ethical rating by Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory.  His biographical sketch appears in Who’s Who in American Law, Who’s Who in America, and Who’s Who in the World.  He has been a faculty member at the National Institute of Trial Advocacy for over 25 years, and is the author of Commentary on Trademark Law for NITA and for Lexis Publishing Company, including its United States Code Supplemented. Mr. Parkhurst is a partner in Holland & Knight LLP, one of the ten largest law firms in the world. He is Practice Group Leader of the Intellectual Property Practice Group in the Chicago Office, where he specializes in the law and litigation of patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets.

Mike Peifer
Washington, IL

Michael Peifer has been in the banking industry for over 20 years, currently serving as Vice President of Commercial Banking for Heritage Bank in Peoria, IL. Michael and his wife, Lori, have been married 13 years and have three children. Michael has been, and continues to be, active with various charitable organizations. In addition to his activities with Lifeline Pilots, current activities include: VIP team fundraiser for Easter Seals; Member of the Easter Seals President’s Council; President-elect East Peoria Chamber of Commerce; Economic Development Committee and Transportation Committee Chairs for the East Peoria Chamber of Commerce.

Gary Rahmeyer
Vandalia, MO

Gary Rahmeyer has been a pilot since 1978.  He has logged over 2300 flight hours, mostly in his 1977 Beech Baron that he has used for LifeLine Pilots’ mission over the past five years.  Gary joined LifeLine Pilots in 1994 and has flown 49 missions since being with the organization.  His love of flying and helping those with medical and compassion needs makes being a part of LifeLine Pilots a must! Gary is a licensed funeral director and owns Waters Funeral Home in Vandalia, MO.

Bryan Sill

City, State

Bryan Sill graduated from Notre Dame Law School and has been an attorney for 18 years, practicing first with the firm of Seyfarth Shaw in Chicago.  He is currently Assistant General Counsel for Nalco Company, a position Bryan has held since 2000.  He is also an instrument-rated private pilot. 

Jim Svec
Berwyn, IL

A resident of New Buffalo, Michigan, Jim began flying in 1987.  He has been a LifeLine Pilot since 1989.  He has flown 17 charitable missions for LifeLine Pilots and has helped out in several more.  He has been a board member for almost 11 years, and the recording secretary for one year.  Jim graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1977 and Morton College in 1978. He has been a funeral director in Berwyn, IL since 1977.  He began the LifeLine memorial/donation program in 1990. Jim was a professional off shore race boat navigator in the early 90s and World Cup Champion in 1992. He feels that being a part of LifeLine Pilots has been the most rewarding experience of his life!

Wanda Whitsitt (1)
Champaign, IL

A resident of Champaign, IL, Wanda took up flying in 1978.  After achieving her private and commercial license, she attained an instrument rating and taught the private pilot class for three years at Frasca Aviation in Urbana, IL. An interest in using this special skill led to the formation of LifeLine Pilots.  She and her husband, Don, enjoyed 25 years of flying in their Piper Archer.  Although she no longer flies, she continues to serves on the LifeLine Pilots Board of Directors and participates in community activities and keeps busy with their four children and 11 grandchildren.

Board of Directors

Jeffrey Adler Westminster, CO
Mike Auster Chicago, IL
Nancy Blake Peoria, IL
George Brigandi Winnetka, IL
Rich Borovec Champaign, IL
George Busha Cedar Rapids, IA
Bruce Chien, MD (2) Peoria, IL
Dan Cichy Johnstown, OH
Chris Goehausen Chicago, IL
David Kantor Louisville, KY
Paul Kaufmann Buffalo Grove, IL
Euel Kinsey Clinton Township, MI
Keith Laken (2)(3) Winona, MN
Jerry Mauer Peoria, IL
Charles Mueller Glen Ellyn, IL
Todd Parkhurst Chicago, IL
Mike Peifer Washington, IL
Gary Rahmeyer Vandalia, MO

Bryan Sill Naperville, IL
Jim Svec Berwyn, IL
Wanda Whitsitt (1) Champaign, IL
(1) Ex Officio
(2) Serves on Air Care Alliance, Board of Directors
(3) Executive Director (non-voting)

Executive Committee

George Busha
Euel Kinsey
Keith Laken
Charlie Mueller
Wanda Whitsitt

Mike Auster
Chicago, IL

Michael Auster has been a member of the Chicago Board of Trade for over Thirty years. During that time, besides working on the floor as a market maker, he also served on various committees, helping to steer the growth of the industry to its present prominence in the Chicago economy.  During those same years, he was an active investor/owner/partner in over 25 individual real estate projects, mostly multi-family.  These projects are located in the Lake View, Lincoln Park, and the Gold Coast neighborhoods of Chicago, as well as the North and Northwestern suburbs. He is married with two children. He has served on the School Board of District 111, from 1980 to 1988, as president for two terms. Auster has served as Chairman of the Board for LifeLine Pilots. Additionally, he is a founding member of the MORF sailing club in the Chicago area, and serves as the chairman of the fund raising committee for the Inter-Resources Development Corp., a non-profit organization dedicated to helping young men develop job and business skills.

Nancy Blake
Peoria, IL

Nancy A. Blake is currently a member of the Board of Directors for LifeLine Pilots and serves as Recording Secretary.  Previously, she was employed by LifeLine Pilots as office manager and secretary to the Board of Directors from 1997 – 2001.  She was Executive Director of the Illinois Aviation Trades Association from 1992 – 1995.  Nancy also previously served as President of Wives of Peoria Lawyers, Executive Secretary to the President and CEO of Great Central Insurance Company, Peoria, IL and Executive Secretary to the General Counsel of the Air Force in the Pentagon, Washington, DC.  She married Bill Blake in 1962 and moved to Peoria, IL in 1967 where he practiced law.  They continue to reside in Peoria.  Her father was a career Army officer.  She and her four sisters lived on Army posts in the Midwest, Southwest, and Germany as they grew up.  Nancy is an instrument rated pilot.  She and her husband have two children and five grandchildren.

George Brigandi
CEO – Partner

Inspirational, energetic, rock-solid leader. George possesses an exceptionally sharp eye for promotion — honed over 30 years in the business. With a career that began in sales, and was refined in advertising, George recognized the power of promotional marketing early on. In fact, he was hired to develop and launch the Promotion Department of J. Walter Thompson USA. George realized his professional dream when opening the doors of B&A in 1991. His extensive client experience includes Kellogg, Kraft, Miller Brewing,  Oscar Mayer, Quaker Oats, American Dairy Association, Seven-Up, Rayovac and ConAgra.

Rich Borovec
Champaign, IL

Richard Borovec, an instrument rated private pilot for the past 25 years, has been associated with LifeLine Pilots since 1985.  He has served on the organizing committee for Plane Fun Days and as Secretary of the organization.  He received degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL.  Rich is the Vice President of Engineering and co-founder of CodexNovus, Inc. which produces high definition video servers for the home theatre and demonstration markets.  He and his wife Jeanne, an Ikebana instructor and LifeLine Pilots’ unofficial flower arranger, live in Champaign, IL and have three grown sons.  Rich is a member of the Enginaires Aero Club and uses their Cherokees for LifeLine Pilots’ missions which provide the most rewarding flying experiences. 

George Busha
Cedar Rapids, IA

George has been a resident of Cedar Rapids Iowa since 1978. His wife Anne is a college professor and he has two sons who are both in university PhD graduate studies. He is the Plant Manager for Ralston Foods in Cedar Rapids. He currently serves on the board of directors of the following not-for-profit organizations: Families, Inc., West Branch Iowa Waypoint Services, Cedar Rapids Iowa (formerly YWCA) LifeLine Pilots, Peoria Illinois. Among his many interests and hobbies are his family, fitness, skiing, and aviation. He is an Instrument Rated Commercial Pilot, owns and flies a ‘72’ Comanche 260C. He is a member of AOPA, EAA, Comanche Society, LifeLine Pilots & Angel Flight.

Bruce Chien, MD
Peoria, IL

Bruce Chien is an active AME, CFI, and member of AOPAs Board of Aviation Medical Advisors. He’s an invasive Pain Medicine specialist and immediate past Chairman of the Board of Lifeline. He’s been flying for half his adult life and is happy to share the great gift which he and his family enjoy- that of flight.

Dan Cichy
Johnstown, OH

Daniel Cichy was born in Chicago, IL.  He attended University of Illinois at both Navy Pier in Chicago and Champaign-Urbana campus, IL. Daniel graduated as an Aeronautical Engineer.  He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps for 3 years and after 2 more years at University of Illinois, recalled for Korean War with the Illinois Air National Guard for 1 ½  years.  He retired from Rockwell International, North American Aircraft Division in 1986.  After forming an aeronautical engineering consulting group with several other engineers, Daniel did business for 12 years as Vice President.  Daniel started flying in High School when he was sixteen and is still flying today.  Daniel and his wife had 3 children and enjoying retirement in Ohio.

Chris Goehausen
Chicago, IL

Chris is President of Goehausen Associates, Inc., a marketing strategy and business development agency serving category-leading clients in the sport, healthcare, functional foods and entertainment industries. Chris is a co-founder of the agency and has served as President since 2001. A graduate of Purdue University, Chris and his wife Jennifer reside in Long Grove, IL and have two sons, Chase and Jack. He has been a licensed pilot for 20 years, and has served as a volunteer pilot for LifeLine Pilots since 1999.

David Kantor
Louisville, KY

A resident of Prospect, KY David has been a LifeLine Pilot volunteer since 2001.  He has flown over 50 charitable missions for AirLifeLine, Angel Flight and LifeLine Pilots combined.  He has been married for 17 years.  He and his wife have a son and twin daughters.  David graduated in 1987 from Purdue University with a BS Degree in Aviation Technology.  That year he started his flying career in Fresno, CA with United Express.  He has been a UPS pilot since 1989.  David has held the positions of DC-8 Flight Engineer, B-747 First Officer, B-757/767 Captain/Instructor and is currently a MD-11 Captain/Instructor.  For the past ten years, David has been instructing in the UPS Flight Training Center.  Currently, David is also a FAA Aviation Safety Counselor, FAA CFII – Master Instructor, Ultralight Powered Parachute Instructor, the Founder/CEO of UltraFlight Aviation and a frequent Purdue University Guest Lector.