team

John Norton - IFT Gliders Course Lead

John Norton is AeroLab’s Course Dirrctor for Introductory Flight Training - Gliders class. He is a retired Air Force pilot, part-time flight instructor, and aerospace educator. John teaches technical short courses for Practical Aeronautics, Inc. and the National Test Pilot School, as well as volunteers as a tow pilot for High Flights Soaring Club in Peyton, CO. He also spends time as a character instructor at the Air Force Academy. John holds a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Air Force Academy and a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, and he is the proud Dad of three grown children.

Randi Dotter - Intro to Aerospace Studies: Central CO Course Lead

Randi is a 1985 USAFA graduate and retired KC/EC-135 pilot who turned teaching into her 2nd career. She is a veteran of Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom. Before discovering AeroLab, Randi taught Chemistry, Physics & Physical Science at Cotopaxi Jr/Sr High School from 2007-2020. Randi was honored as the “Teacher of the Year” by the Challenger Center for Space Science Education and the State of Colorado’s Air Force Association. Her passions are teaching and “all things aerospace!” She’s excited to be able to combine those passions and return to her flying “roots” with AeroLab. Randi strives to offer her students inspiring, engaging, authentic & hands-on learning experiences. Randi is married to Gregg, an instructor pilot for Air Force IFT (Initial Flight Training) and retired AF U-2 pilot, and they share 3 adult children. They enjoy fly-fishing, hiking, backpacking, traveling, and relaxing at their rural mountain home.

Erik Henrikson - Cyber Course Lead

Erik Henrikson has enjoyed a rich career in a variety of technical and engineering roles.  After graduation from Texas A&M University where he earned his BS in Computer Science, he started in retail technical support for both computers and networks.  Soon he earned his “Certified Netware Engineer” designation and focused on providing support for small businesses as an independent consultant. When he and his wife moved to Massachusetts, he gained experience working for  larger corporations including Polaroid (tech support, and software quality assurance) and DEC (systems engineering for notebook computers, quality assurance). Ultimately he built his career at EMC Corporation where he moved his focus to secure software engineering.  While there, he earned his “High Technology” MBA at Northeastern University in Boston, MA.  

Late in 2016, Erik discovered his passion for teaching and started to teach a variety of topics including network and system security, cryptography, and general security topics to adult learners at SecureSet Academy.  A member of ISC2 and ISSA, he currently maintains CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) and CSSLP (Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional) certifications.

Erik is a father of four (three currently teenagers) and enjoys volunteering with the BSA as an Assistant Scoutmaster (Troop 88) and Committee Member (Troop 77) as well as being active in his church.

Fernando Verones - adventure based leadership: course lead &

build team leader

Fernando “Dino” Verones is a 30-year retired Army Sergeant Major, 24 of those years as a US Army Special Forces (Green Beret) Soldier, with a background in HF and UHF communications. As a child, he participated in the Boy Scouts and the Civil Air Patrol. He and his wife, Annette, hold homeschool educators in the highest regard and have five homeschooled children of their own. Annette served in the Army for a short time in the Military Police Corps but her real passion has always been her children and their education. Annette has been a homeschool educator for 21 years and is currently homeschooling her two youngest children who are also enrolled in Aerolab. Dino, Annette, and their children lived in numerous places in the United States as well as overseas but now call Colorado Springs their home.

Patrick Moylan - ift powered: course lead

Patrick Moylan earned his bachelor degree and masters degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Cornell University.  He spent 28 years in the United States Air Force, primarily flying the F-15C, but also flew the F-3 Tornado ADV with the Royal Air Force as an exchange officer.  He retired as the 11th Air Force Vice Commander in 2013.

After retirement, he flew as a CFI for Doss Aviation's Initial Flight Training program in Pueblo and was the chief tow pilot for the USAFA soaring program.

He is currently a Phenom 100 pilot, part time USAFA and Falcon AeroLab tow pilot and leading the Falcon AeroLab IFT-Powered program.

ed anderson - adventure based leadership: course lead

Ed Anderson is a retired U.S. Army Colonel with over 29 years of service. Commissioned as a field artillery officer, he later transferred into the Army’s Space Operations career field serving in assignments ranging from the 1st Space Brigade to the Army Staff and Air Force Staff in the Pentagon. He has been passionate about the outdoors and teaching others how they can enjoy it for years. Ed has been a member of the Colorado Mountain Club (CMC) since 2018. He is a CMC Trip Leader and instructor in the Basic Mountaineering School including Alpine Snow, Rock Climbing, Ice Climbing and their High Altitude Mountaineering School. He also volunteers with Teller County Search and Rescue. Ed is certified as a Wilderness First Responder and is an American Mountain Guides Association Single Pitch Climbing Instructor.

brenda martin - steam: southeast colorado course lead

Brenda holds a B.S. degree in Exercise Sport Science with a concentration in Health and Wellness Promotion from Colorado State University. Brenda is a homeschool mom of three. Through these years of homeschooling, she discovered her passion for teaching. Two of her children have graduated and pursued careers in the dental field.

Brenda has been involved in the SECO STEAM program from it’s beginning as an instructor. Southeast Colorado has been her family’s home for generations and she has a passion for facilitating an enrichment program to rural Colorado homeschool students.

In her spare time, Brenda and her husband J.D. enjoy the outdoors and spending time with family.

alisha hall - steam: southeast colorado course assistant

Alisha Hall is a native to southeastern Colorado. Now settled on a family ranch south of Las Animas, she and her husband have raised two children and nearly a third one plus cattle and other livestock. Alisha holds a Bachelor and Masters degrees in education. She taught public school for almost 10 years before transitioning into grant writing. She currently operates her own business writing grants for nonprofits all over Colorado. She began homeschooling her older daughter when the family moved to the ranch almost 15 years ago and continued homeschooling when a younger daughter joined the family. Her daughter has been involved in AeroLab since the Las Animas group started, and Alisha began as a teaching assistant in 2022. She loves the opportunities AeroLab gives young people in her rural area and is thrilled to be teaching young people from good families in the Arkansas Valley.

lance collier- ift drone: falcon course lead

Lance Collier holds a Bachelor Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy and a Masters Degree from Embry Riddle University. He has also attended the Naval Safety Command's Aviation Safety Officer course and the Naval Test Pilot School Introduction to UAS Flight Test Short Course. He served in both the U.S. AIr Force and Navy and retired from active duty in 2021. During his career, his positions included instructor and standardization check pilot in both helicopters and unmanned aircraft, Naval AIr Systems Command Safety Director, and Government Flight Representative. After retiring from the service, he provided Red Air services to  Army regular and special operations soldiers learning counter unmanned aircraft systems, tactics, and procedures.He also taught the Remotely PIloted Aircraft course at the United States AIr Force Academy. 

SHANE COYNE- YOUNG FALCONS COURSE ASSISTANT

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Shane Coyne served over 25 years in the United States Air Force with his last assignment being at the Center for Character and Leadership Development at the United States Air Force Academy. While at the Academy, he created and conducted character and leadership workshops for cadets and staff and served as program director for the National Character and Leadership Symposium. Shane has served overseas, spending time in Iraq where he was assigned to a 3,500-member Detainee Operations Joint Task Force responsible for presiding over 15,000 detainees, including Saddam Hussein and all high value Al Qaeda detainees. He is an officer with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Wildland Fire Crew and regularly trains and leads fire crews on wildfires in the Pike’s Peak Region.

Shane holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Social Sciences from Kansas State University, a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Fort Hays State University, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Colorado and a Character Education Certificate from the University of San Diego. His most recent endeavors are in the business sector and include house flipping and being a part-owner of Fuzzy’s Taco Shop in Hays, Kansas. He currently resides in Manitou Springs, Colorado.

BECKY CLEMONS AND BRITNY RAUN - INTRO TO AEROSPACE STUDIES - WESTERN SLOPE AREA TEAM

Becky Clemons graduated Cum Laude with honors from Colorado State University. She holds a Bachelor's of Science degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing. She is highly enthusiastic about hands-on education and STEM-related opportunities so she was naturally drawn to Falcon Aerolab. She currently homeschools her two sons and enjoys the extra time she gets to spend with them. Her favorite interests in life are reading, hiking, golfing, camping, hunting, 4-wheeling, skiing, and adventuring to new places with her family. 

Joining her team is Britny Rauen who helped kickoff their program on the Western Slope. Britny is a homeschool mom of 3 and the whole family loves to take to the slopes during the winter. You will find Britny and her family camping, dirt biking, and playing board games together.

Together, Becky and Britny have a combined 21 years of teaching talent. They are enthusiastic about hands-on education and STEM opportunities and are happy to be a part of bringing Falcon AeroLab to the Grand Junction Area!

JOEL WITZEL - YOUNG FALCONS & intro to aerospace studie: MONUMENT COURSE LEAD

Joel Witzel retired from the Air Force with 27 years of commissioned service. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1988 and earned a doctorate in higher education and curriculum from the University of Denver in 2009. He has taught extensively in the adult education realm since 1996 but has recently taught K-12 and oversaw a fifth grade classroom during 2020-2021. From 2004 to 2020, he mainly oversaw character development and taught leadership at the United States Air Force Academy. Previously, he served as a KC-135 tanker instructor navigator and at the Air Force Officer Training School. In 2011, he deployed to Afghanistan for a year, advising the Afghan Air Force in training and manpower. Joel has been married since 1991 to his wife Marty. They have three married children and two grandchildren. Dr. Witzel loves hiking, Colorado wildflowers and cooking.

mark milardo- Intro to Aerospace Studies: parker Course Lead

Mark Milardo holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Master’s degree in Public Administration.  During his Air Force career, he accumulated over 3,000 flight hours as a Navigator, Instructor Navigator, and Standardization/Evaluation Instructor Navigator in the KC-135 and T-43 aircraft.  His assignments included a tour as an instructor at USAF Undergraduate Navigator Training (UNT), Staff Officer at Headquarters Air Training Command where he developed the UNT curriculum and syllabus, and Commander of the 50thTraining Squadron at the USAF Academy where he oversaw 10 aerospace academic courses, simulator, and inflight instruction of over 2,000 cadets annually.  He also served at the Cheyenne Mountain Operation Center in NORAD/USSPACECOM serving as Deputy Command Director for Missile Operations.  Following his retirement from active duty after 20 years, Mark served at Headquarters NORAD and USNORTHCOM for another 20 years as a civil servant.  He and his wife of 42 years have two daughters and two grandchildren.  Mark’s passions are his faith, aviation, and Italian food.

MONIQUE HUNDLEY- Intro to Aerospace Studies & young falcons:

castle rock Course Lead

Monique joined our AeroLab team as an instructor in 2021. She has a Bachelors of Science degree majoring in Commercial Aviation and a business specialization. She has been flight instructing since 2019. Ever since Monique was young, she knew that she wanted to be a teacher. Being able to combine her passion for teaching and aviation has allowed her dream to come true. Monique is happily married to her husband Ryan and they live in the Castle Rock area. They are both excited about the opportunities available through AeroLab for such a variety of students and look forward to the future working alongside the entire team.

JIM KRANICH - ADVANCED AVIATION MECHANICS - BUILD-A-PLANE INSTRUCTOR

After graduating from Virginia Tech with a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering and an Air Force ROTC commission, Jim spent 16 years in the Air Force flying the F-4, T-41 and F-16. Other Air Force duties included Civil Engineering instructor at the USAFA, Chief of Flight Safety and Chief of Training.

After leaving the Air Force, Jim worked for Estes Industries as director of Educational Services, working with all types of youth groups and educators and running seminars and workshops on the construction and use of model rockets for education. The call to fly was overpowering so he returned to the skies, flying for TWA, American Eagle and American Airlines. After 7 years and 15,000 flight hours with American Airlines, he worked as a Civil Engineer doing structural analysis and design. Now, he enjoys flying his own RV-7A that took him 4 ½ years to build. Jim has been married to his wife, Jane, for 42 years and is thrilled to participate with and contribute to AeroLab.

MATT DURFEE - COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN INSTRUCTOR

Matt has worked in software development and engineering for over 22 years. He has designed and supported software and hardware for the waste industry that runs in offices and vehicles in several businesses throughout the world.  

He began soldering at the age of five and the desire to design, engineer and create never stopped.  From the age of 5, the desire to design, engineer, and create captivated Matt, eventually leading him into 3D design and printing. One project he undertook involved a simple 3D printer that quickly expanded into several specialized machines utilizing exotic and specialty materials in order to keep up with demands. 

Matt has been involved in youth groups his entire life as well as serving in several church worship teams for the last 30 years. He has been married to his wife Heather for 22 years and has four amazing homeschooled children.

Candus Muir – Intro to Aerospace Studies: falcon Course Lead

Candus Muir is a retired certified teacher with over 30+ years in education. She holds a B.S. degree in Math/Science from Angelo State University. She has taught preschool-high school with most of her teaching career being at the middle school level teaching math and science. She started her career in Texas teaching elementary. She has also taught for the Department of Defense Dependent Schools (DoDDS) in England and Germany at the middle school and high school levels. She recently retired from The Classical Academy (TCA) in Colorado Springs after 19 years where she taught 7 th grade science, science fair enrichment, geometry, and Earth science.

Candus has held numerous leadership positions to include curriculum development, character education, teacher training, elementary science consultant, science department lead, junior high teacher lead, Pikes Peak Regional Science/Engineering Fair (PPRSEF) board, and Colorado Science and Engineering Fair (CSEF) SRC. Her awards include CSEF Teacher of the Year, TCA Titan of the Year, and AFCEA Teacher of the Year for both junior high and high school. Candus is a strong advocate of hands-on science, and she has a passion for teaching students to develop a science fair project from start to finish based on their passion. She has mentored hundreds of students with their experimental/engineering science fair projects to compete successfully at the regional/state/international levels.

Jack carpenter – Ift powered: Cma Course assistant &

orientation flight pilot: powered flight

Jack Carpenter is a Colorado native who grew up around aviation with both parents serving in the United States Air Force. In 2020, he pursued an aviation career by becoming a private pilot in Longview, Texas before moving back home to Colorado Springs. He spent 3 years working with children ages 6-12 at a summer camp in Pryor, Oklahoma called New Life Ranch where he served as a counselor, activities lead, and summer activities leader.

Now, Jack is finishing a degree at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and pursuing an instrument rating with the goal of becoming a commercial pilot. He is grateful for such an incredible opportunity with AeroLab where he can combine his two passions together: aviation and setting children up for success in the future. In his spare time, Jack likes to spend time with his friends and family going on camping trips in the summer and ski trips in the winter.

jim densmore – Intro to Aerospace Studies: cma Course Lead

Jim Densmore spent most of his career in defense, telecommunications, and large-systems consulting. Since retiring from various IT, software development and systems engineering endeavors, Jim remains a Director with the International 180/185 Club and is a tow pilot for High Flights Soaring. He also teaches a variety of aerospace topics at Falcon Aerolab, volunteers at the National Museum of WWII Aviation, and flies his Cessna 180 as frequently as possible.

Jim holds a Master of Science degree in Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) from the University of Maryland and an undergraduate degree in Mathematics from UCLA. He is a Private Pilot with ASEL and glider ratings. Jim hails from Colorado Springs, Colorado and is married to his dynamite wife Linda who teaches piano and plays professionally. We have three grown children, all smarter than we are of course.

karin peterson – Intro to Aerospace Studies: centennial Course Lead

Karin Peterson earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the Air Force Academy and a Master of Science degree from Georgia Tech. She was an active duty Air Force officer for almost 11 years, working as a human factors engineer, an Assistant Professor and Course Director at the Air Force Academy and she supported the National Reconnaissance Office in her last assignment. Karin then spent 15 years in telecommunications program and sales management working with military customers. After “semi-retiring,” she began substitute teaching at her children’s local charter school and tutoring high school math which re-ignited her passion for teaching. She joined the AeroLab team in 2022. Karin and her husband are the proud parents of two children who are both in college and one very spoiled American Bulldog. 

Tiffany Peters – Young Falcons: Course assistant

Air Force born and raised, Tiffany Peters has a background in Outdoor Leadership, is an avid hiker, and an aspiring novelist. She has had the opportunity to work alongside  educational efforts in Guatemala and Rwanda and has traveled to four of the seven continents. Stateside, Colorado is her favorite place and she loves to hike, ski, rock climb, and enjoy the mountains.

In 2023, Tiffany completed the LIFT program, awarded the “Best Outdoor Program” by Outdoor Leaders, located in the beautiful Adirondacks of New York. She is currently finalizing a degree in Business Management and Communications, is passionate about learning new things, and is thrilled to get the opportunity to facilitate learning in the Young Falcon program at Aerolab.  

crystal bloeman– aerospace studies: noco Course lead

Crystal Bloeman is a retired science teacher of 34+ years in public schools and am in my 42nd year working with students.  During my tenure I have always included aerospace in some fashion.  I received the A. Scott Crossfield National Teacher of the Year Award, was a finalist as the Colorado Teacher of the Year, and in Who’s Who in America Teachers, Science and Engineers.  In addition, I was on the Board of Advisors for the Space Coalition with my name listed between Buzz Aldrin and Robert Crippin.  I am a teacher liaison for the Space Foundation and continue learning about all that is related to aviation and space.

jorie mach– young falcons: noco, centennial, parker, woodland park Course lead

Jorie Mach was originally an Illinois native and is proud to call Colorado home now. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Monmouth College. She has been in the education field since 2013. She has taught in a classroom, ran her own after school programs, managed an art studio and ran a summer camp. She joined the United States Army Reserves in 2018. Since then she has become a Chief Warrant Officer 2 along with becoming an Army Aviator flying UH-60M Blackhawks at a Medical Evacuation Unit out of Fort Carson Colorado. Her passions include Aviation, international travel and cooking. Her hopes for her students are for them to learn in an environment that develops, engages and drives them!

susan kistler– young falcons: falcon Course lead

Susan Kistler has been teaching for over thirty years. She grew up in Southern California and moved to the beautiful state of Colorado after her children were born, wanting a better quality of life for them and better education opportunities. Although as a young girl she had always wanted to teach, once she reached college she changed her mind and pursued a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications/Advertising from California State University. After being in advertising for a short time, she realized she really did want to work with children so she went back to school to obtain her teaching license and has never regretted that decision. Susan enjoys working with students of all ages and has taught grades K-8 in many different settings including public school, Christian school, and charter school. She is excited about working for Falcon Aerolab and being part of the amazing opportunities that these students are being given.

Susan has been married to Tim, a former school district superintendent, for thirty seven years and has three wonderful grown children of whom she is very proud. In her spare time Susan loves to write, read, study theology, decorate, socialize with family and friends, and dote on her spoiled rotten Pomeranian, Mika.

George poli– intro to aerospace studies: cma Course assistant & young falcon: castle rock course assistant

George is originally from New York and joined the US Air Force in 1988. He started his career refueling aircraft at Kadena AB, Japan. During his time in the Air Force, he assumed many roles, teaching and supervisory, and earned his teaching degree. His next move was to become the Honor Probation Superintendent at USAFA. Here, he counseled USAFA cadets who had violated the Honor Code through a six month character building program. He retired from the USAF after almost 21 years, and continued his passion for assisting others by working as a Transition Specialist for over six years. He earned his masters degree in HR in 2014 and is currently working on a second masters in Leadership and Management with a completion date in 2024. He began working with Falcon Aero Lab in 2022 as an assistant instructor and enjoys working with kids to foster their interests in aerospace technologies.