Volunteers
Bobby Breyer, Jr. - General Assistant
Bobby Breyer was born in Los Angeles in 1986. Growing up he participated in sports and was a two time all-star in both baseball (pitcher and catcher) and football (lineman). Bobby graduated from Granada Hills Charter High School in June, 2004 and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. Between his graduation and enlistment dates Bobby flew to Washington, D.C. with his dad to see our nation's capitol and the things he would be defending. They were there during President Reagan's funeral and it was a moving experience to witness the funeral procession and see all the flags in the capitol at half staff. Bobby graduated from boot camp in September, 2004, and was sent to the 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion as a crewman. He rose to the billet of Crew Chief within 3 months of being in the Fleet Marine Force. On December, 2005, he deployed to Okinawa for six months to be part of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. In Dec, 2006, he deployed to Okinawa again for a year. While in the 31st MEU Bobby participated in amphibious assault exercises in Australia, Guam, Iwo Jima, Korea, Philippines, Thailand and Hawaii. Bobby was recently honorably discharged as a Sergeant with the Marines and is enrolled in college. As a member of the Byrd Aircraft Recovery Expedition Bobby will represent the fourth generation of the Byrd family to work in Antarctica.
Stephen Floyd, CPA - Accountant
Steve Floyd owner of American Accounting is providing accounting services for the Byrd Aircraft Recovery Expedition. Steve supports several non-profits. That and his adventurous spirit make him ideal for providing services for and advising the Expedition. Steve is an avid pilot and aircraft owner who has accumulated hundreds of flight hours.
Robert Gilliland, Jr. - Attorney
Rob Gilliland, son of famed SR-71 Blackbird test pilot Bob Gilliland, is generously donating his services to the Byrd Aircraft Recovery Expedition. Mr. Gilliland is a graduate of Claremont McKenna College (formerly Claremont Men's College) in Claremont, California where he received his BA degree in Political Science and Economics in 1984. He is also a graduate of Lewis & Clark College, Northwestern School of Law, in Portland, Oregon where he earned his law degree in 1989. Mr. Gilliland is a member of the California State Bar and the Colorado State Bar. He is also a member of Consumer Attorneys of California, the American Trial Lawyers Association, the Riverside County Bar Association, the Desert Bar Association and the Inns of Court. He has authored many articles on construction defect litigation, toxic mold claims and real estate law. Mr. Gilliland is a member of the "Million Dollar Advocates Forum" which limits its membership to trial lawyers who have demonstrated exceptional skill, experience and excellence in advocacy. He is also a life member of the National Registry of "Who's Who" for his outstanding accomplishments in the legal profession and the community. Mr. Gilliland serves as a Board Member for the Boys & Girls Club of Cathedral City and is an active member of Community Associations Institute (CAI) and California Association of Community Managers (CACM).
Charlie Hewitt - Producer
Charlie Hewitt is the President of Mirror Studios. Mirror Studios was founded in 1982 in Los Angeles, California. Originally, Mirror Studios was a music driven facility. Mirror Studios has recorded a wide spectrum of musical talent from internationally acclaimed classical pianist Juliana Osinchuk to pop music acts like The Indigo Girls and Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fames The Righteous Brothers. As the industry itself was converting from analog to digital technology, Mirror Studios became a market leader in advancing new services through the use of digital and ISDN technology. In time it became apparent that there were far more creative opportunities than those strictly associated with music. Therefore, Mirror Studios started working with corporate clients and agencies on local, regional and national advertising campaigns and rapidly expanded into a full-service multi-media facility. This expansion into post-production also included safety films, training videos and long and short-form documentaries. In 2002, Mirror Studios opened a satellite facility on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. Today, clients may choose to use any of Mirror Studios’ locations because current digital technologies break down geographical barriers, allowing them to produce from one location, using directors, editors and talent from multiple locations. Using the Anchorage facility as a hub, Mirror Studios has a nationwide network to draw upon. Mirror studios has graciously filmed fundraisers and has created trailers for the expedition.
Chris Jules - Producer
Chris Jules is the senior engineer, producer, and editor in charge of Los Angeles/Orange County operations for both Mirror Studios and Fly Right Films. He has an extensive background in all aspects from composing to performing to producing both music and film. Prior to working with Mirror Studios he was with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group, the Righteous Brothers, for 15 years as production manager, front of house audio engineer, and studio engineer. He is delighted to be working with Byrd Expedition Recovery team in partnership with Mirror Studios/Fly Right Films.
Kathie Wheeler - Fine Artist
Kathie Wheeler views the world through the eyes of an artist. Her desire to create was nurtured early on. Born in 1962, she was raised in the Chicago area where she grew up around airplanes and sketching and painting with her father who was also an avid pilot. As a child, Kathie was drawn to the spirit of the Hudson River School of artists and the American impressionists who took to the fields and woods with their sketchbooks and paints to record the beauty of their surroundings. As a young woman she studied at the American Academy of Art, where she won the prestigious Union Art League Scholarship Competition, then worked as a freelance commercial artist and portrait artist. Kathie creates remarkable landscapes and portraits and works primarily with a rich oil palette. She paints plein air throughout the year, as well as working in the studio, and is a member of Oil Painters of America, Wisconsin Visual Artists and paints regularly with the Plein Air Painters of Vernon County. Kathie and her husband, son and daughter live on a small farm in southwest Wisconsin. Her paintings reflect the experience of her life in a way that only someone who has lived and worked the land there can. “I try to put the feeling or emotion I see in a place or person on the canvas. My hope is that the viewer can take some of that away with them.” Kathie participates in shows and plein air paint outs across the country ranging from Pennsylvania to Telluride. She has won numerous awards and recognition including first place at the 2009 Milwaukee Plein Air, Artist Magazine National Portrait Competition finalist in 2001, and the Founder’s Award at the 2006 “Lines into Shapes” National Show, Estes Park, Colorado.
