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 Frank Lennon Frank has a strong business and entrepreneurial background in addition to a love of aviation and naval history. A West Point graduate, he is a decorated Vietnam veteran and former Green Beret whose corporate experience was in ) commercial aviation. He holds an M.A. in International Relations from Boston University. Prior to taking on the challenge of developing the Air/Land/Sea Historic Park and Technology Center into a world class museum and family attraction, he ran his own marketing, promotion and fundraising business for 20 years. His previous assignment was as Executive Director of the National Warplane Museum in western New York, where he had full administrative and operational responsibility for some 35 airplanes, including a flying B-17, PBY-6A and others. He expanded the museum's aircraft collection by fifty percent in first six months, to include successful participation in an international tender conducted by South African Air Force. Frank administered "Wings of Eagles," the largest pure warbird air show in the United States, featuring more than 150 aircraft and 75,000 attendees. He spearheaded the museum relocation,which included design, financing and construction of new facilities and negotiation with local, state and federal agencies on an $8 million project.
William E. Sheridan Bill is a private pilot and a member of a number of aviation organizations, to include RI Pilots Association, AOPA, EAA, and EAA Warbirds. He was one of the Founders of the Quonset Air Museum. He has served the museum and the Rhode Island Aviation Heritage Association in many different capacities since their inception. He is also a founder and member of the Board of Directors of the USS Saratoga Museum Foundation, and has served as a director of a number of other non-profit groups.
Brad Senter Shortly thereafter, Brad received orders to Sara's sister ship, the USS Independence CVA-62 and was immediately deployed to West Pac, operating in and out of the Tonkin Gulf, launching hundreds of air strikes against North Viet Nam. While in Yokusuka, Japan, Brad received orders to report for two years shore duty in Special Services at Great Lakes where he was put in charge of the auto hobby shop. This choice duty was only to end too soon as he was then ordered to report to Naval Support Activity, Danang as an intelligence specialist. As part of his preparation for this assignment he underwent rigorous USMC weapons training at Camp Pendleton, Language and Counter Insurgency Training at Coronado and SERE school at NAS Whidbey Island. The SERE school (SURVIVAL, EVASION, RESISTANCE, and ESCAPE) was probably the most intensive training he experienced during his ten years spent in the navy. That training stood him in good stead; his tour in Danang included the Tet offensive. His final set of orders took him aboard a reserve training destroyer in Galveston, TX, the USS Haynsworth DD-700. In July of 1970 Brad chose to return to civilian life. He worked at a Chrysler/Plymouth dealership as the service manager for several years before joining Union Carbide as a process specialist, responsible for managing a co-generation plant where electrical power is sold to the local utility companies. Brad retired the early part of 2002 and now spends much of his time overseeing the operation of the USS Saratoga Association, where he serves as President of the Executive Board. He is also Vice President of the USS Saratoga Museum Foundation supporting the effort currently underway to obtain Sara and convert her to a floating museum in Rhode Island.
CDR Preston Moses, USN (Ret) Preston served six years as an infantryman in the Marine Corps right out of high school, and went to Vietnam in the 1965 troop buildup with the 1st Marines. He was wounded twice before returning home to go back to school. This Vidalia, Georgia native received his degree from Georgia Southern, applied for the flight program, and entered flight training at Pensacola in 1973. He then served 21 years as a Naval Flight Officer. Much of his career was spent flying S-3 Vikings. He served as ship's company twice on Forrestal, once in the Combat Information Center and the second time as Safety Officer. In that job he got to learn every part of that carrier--and Saratoga is a close sister to Forrestal. While serving in Air Wing 7 on Independence in 1986, his squadron went aboard Saratoga for four months while their own ship was in overhaul. In addition to the three carriers named above, he also flew from the decks of Theodore Roosevelt, Ranger, Eisenhower and America. He made numerous deployments to the North Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea, Caribbean Sea and the Indian Ocean. His shore assignments included stints with the Chief of Naval Air Training in Corpus Christi, CIC US Atlantic Forces at Norfolk and Service School Command in Orlando. CDR Moses joined the Saratoga Museum Foundation (Florida) staff as the project's volunteer coordinator shortly after his retirement from the Navy in 1994. He was also acting curator, responsible for collecting aircraft, artifacts and ship's memorabilia for historic displays. He also headed up the grass-roots fund raising operation.
Craig M. McBurney Other aircraft he has flown include the C-152, C-172, T-41, T-37, T-38, T-6, B-25, C-140, C-170. Craig also holds an Airframe & Powerplant Certificate with Inspection Authorization, meaning he is qualified by the FAA to sign off an aircraft as safe to fly. His aircraft maintenance experience encompasses the B-24, B-17, B-25, T-6, C-152, Lockheed Model 12, F4U Corsair and Shorts Sunderland, with emphasis on R-1830, R-2800, R-985 and R-1340 engines. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1981, serving for four years as a B-52 aerial gunner, rising to become an instructor. In 1988 he was one of the coordinators for the Otis Air Force Base Open House, featuring the Thunderbirds and attracting 125,000 people. He was a Command Post Controller before going to flight school and earning his commission. After leaving the service for medical reasons, Craig became Chief B-24 Pilot/Mechanic for the Collings Foundation. From 1990-1994, he flew and maintained B-24 on an annual nation-wide tour of 135 cities. Responsibilities also included public relations; conducting press, radio and television interviews; greeting dignitaries and sponsors; and being the point of contact for the organization. In a three year period, appearances were made in 400 cities, with not a single cancellation due to maintenance. In 1994 Craig was hired Weeks Aircraft, Polk City, Florida as pilot and mechanic to take delivery of a Consolidated B-24. He performed the annual inspection, and ferried the aircraft from its purchase point to Polk City. He also assisted in the construction of a static display B-17, performed inventory control, restoration work and maintenance on several other aircraft. In 1988 Craig received his BS in Aviation Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He had previously received an Associate Degree in Aircrew Operations from the Community College of the Air Force. In his spare time, he is working on the restoration of an F4U Corsair.
Wayne Lacy Wayne was also a planner and estimator for COMFAIRMED based in Naples, Italy, where he was responsible for emergency aircraft repair and progressive maintenance, much of which was farmed out to civilian contractors. On another tour half way around the world, he ramrodded the progressive aircraft repair function at Atsugi, Japan. His primary duties at Piedmont involved major modifications to and repair of Boeing 737s. Earlier in his career Wayne was stationed at Quonset with VU-2, a utility squadron flying the JD-1, the Navy version of the Army's A-26 Douglas Invader light bomber. His connection with Quonset continues today; Wayne is Chairman of the Long Range Planning committee for the Quonset Air Museum. He is also a master craftsman, specializing in intricately carved woodworking. His work hangs in the offices of many prominent religious, business and political leaders. Wayne received his Associate Degree in Business from Fisher College in Boston, and holds a BA in Art from Providence College.
Richard G. Higgins He worked for Mobil Oil Company and served as an associate in a West Coast consulting firm specializing in SEC-registered resort condominium projects. He then became president of a small Boston-based consulting firm specializing in financial planning and marketing strategy. The company's client portfolio included computer software firms, real estate developers and investment firms. His marketing experience includes identification and development of target markets for two investment houses, numerous manufacturing concerns including start-up operations, and two banking institutions. Dick is well-known for his abilities in conflict resolution as well as knowledge of how local government works. These skills should be of significant benefit to the project as it proceeds.
Kenneth M. Bianchi Prior to taking over his current responsibilities, Ken served as Emergency Services Coordinator for the Governor's Office of Housing and Energy. Previous positions included Director of Job Development and Training with the Rhode Island Economic Development Commission and State Liaison for the US Department of Labor. Recognized as a key political advisor today, Ken has been active in Republican politics since his youth, when he served as President of RI Teenage Republicans. He was a Republican National Convention delegate in 1980, and was an elected Councilman in north Smithfield for 12 years, serving four years as President of the Council. Outside the political arena, Ken has experience in advertising, marketing and sales. he also served as Chief Executive Officer of the International jewelry Trade Association of America. He has also been active with the Jaycees, YMCA and Knights of Columbus.
Stanley H. Essex, Jr.
Geoffrey Staley
Larry Gordon
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