Bob grew up in Florida, Orange Co., NY, graduated from SUNY Oneonta and taught Jr. High Social Studies in Schenevus, NY, for 33 years. Upon retirement in 1997, he designed and built the Beech 18 displays and exhibits in the new Cianchette hangar. As the Museum’s Historian, since 1992, Bob has attended all Beech Party (except ’96 in San Diego), most with his late wife Dot. He began collecting photos and information about the Beech 18 in 1970 and is the author of the Museum’s book, “Beech 18: A Civil & Military History”. He’s the very proud grandfather of four terrific young people.

Edward H. Phillips is a freelance writer, active CFI, and A&P with more than 45+ years of experience in the commercial aviation industry, including 20 years as a Business Flying Editor for Aviation Week & Space Technology Magazine. Since 1978 he has researched, written, and published nine books about the men, women, airplanes, and companies that made Wichita, Kansas, the undisputed “Air Capital of the World,” and contributed over 1,000 articles to various aviation technical and history magazines. Ed is an avid enthusiast of America’s early decades of aeronautics spanning 1903-1950. He is a Vietnam Veteran and lives In Montgomery, AL.

Taigh Ramey is the owner of Vintage Aircraft, which specializes in restoration, maintenance, flight training, technical material, and parts for the Beech 18 and warbird community. Vintage Aircraft has been in the Twin Beech business for over 30 years, and we love to help with anything we can. With over 4000 hours flying many different models of the Beech 18, and an A&P with IA privileges, It is my pleasure to help to promote the fantastic attributes of the Twin Beech both from a flying and maintenance perspective

James is an Engineering Specialist at Textron Aviation Defense. He has been with Beech for 37 years and has worked on every production model since except Premier 1.  James was hired into the company as a test engineer just as the Starship was in the design phase.  Over the years, he has served in multiple engineering roles.  He designed test equipment, led the Aircraft Instrument Group, designed the flat panel displays on the T-6A, designed the cockpit and avionics integration on the model 4000 (Hawker Horizon), and is currently doing avionics & electrical FAA certification work on the T-6 and Military certification work on the AT-6.

James became an unofficial Beech historian because Beech co-founder Ted Wells was a friend of his family in the Wichita Sailing Club. He wrote a book (Master of the Sky and Sea) about himself and his aircraft pioneering and sailboat racing adventures.

Jay Stanford is from Kingsland, Georgia. He has been flying his family’s scratch-built Super Cub in Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) competitions around the country, competing at Sun N Fun, Oshkosh, and other National STOL events. Jay works for Lockheed Martin Space as a project manager, and in his off time, he enjoys boating with the family, traveling, and practicing STOL. He looks forward to discussing STOL flying and demonstrating the competition environment again at Beech Party 2023. 

Sherry has been the Resident Director of the Museum since the summer of 2015. She is a retired school teacher who manages all the membership, finances, and Gift Shop. She has been instrumental in the growth and success of the museum, and her passion for our history and membership is infectious.

Robbie was farming rice in Arkansas until 2017. He has been an IA mechanic for twenty-plus years specializing in fabric aircraft. Robbie has owned and operated Airtech Coatings in Arkansas for the past five years. Airtech Coatings supplies an STC’d paint and fabric system for most models of aircraft. Robbie provides one-on-one or seminar training in a group on his airtech coatings system. Robbie likes to help people solve fabric problems, whether it is Airtech or another system. 

Thomas has specialized in Bonanza/Baron instruction for over 30 years. For the last 16, he has served as executive director of the American Bonanza Society’s Air Safety Foundation. In 2015 Tom was inducted into the National Flight Instructor Hall of Fame.