JIM BRIDENSTINE
TEAM OWNER AND CHIEF PILOT
Originally trained as a Navy E-2C Hawkeye pilot, Jim now flies the F-18 Hornet at the Naval Strike & Warfare Center, where he is a Hawkeye Weapons and Tactics Instructor. He is decorated for combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq and has landed on an aircraft carrier more than 300 times. He also owns a real estate business and a livestock business.
Jim is a 1998 graduate of Rice University with a BA in Economics, Business, and Psychology.
|
|
MICHELLE BRIDENSTINE
TEAM OWNER AND DIR. OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
Michelle has developed advertising strategies for numerous Fortune 500 companies and managed accounts worth more than $18 million at firms such as Advo Inc. and Witherspoon Advertising. Seeing the promotional opportunities of The Rocket Racing League®, she is ready to help elevate our sponsor to the next level of prominence.
Michelle is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a BA in Journalism/Public Relations.
|
|
VIPIN GUPTA, PH.D.
TEAM MANAGER
Vipin is a scientist at the Sandia National Laboratories, where technology solutions are developed to protect our country's peace and freedom. At the 2006 X Prize Cup, he will be demonstrating Sandia's space robot technology. He has vast experience with remote sensing and other space systems and earned a research fellowship at Stanford University.
Vipin has a Ph.D. in Applied Physics, a Masters Degree in Remote Sensing, and a BS in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Illinois
|
|
JUSTIN T. FAUNTLEROY
TEAM PILOT
A qualified Hawkeye Weapons and Tactics Instructor, Justin is a pilot with Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 126, where he trains his squadron in the latest technology and tactics. He is decorated for combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq and has landed on an aircraft carrier more than 300 times. He is a consummate student of space technology.
Justin is a 1997 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a BS in Aerospace Engineering.
|
|
ROGER JACOBS
TEAM PILOT
As an E-2C Hawkeye Plane Commander, Roger was decorated for combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Roger currently flies the T-45 Goshawk as an instructor pilot, training the next generation of fighter pilots in tactics and carrier landings. He has accumulated over 300 carrier landings himself and he owns and manages a real estate business.
Roger is a 1998 graduate of U.S. Naval Academy with a BS in Ocean Engineering.
|
|
WAYNE BRIDENSTINE
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
Wayne has over thirty years of controllership and financial officer experience with firms such as Ford Motor Co., Miller Brewing Co., and Weyerhauser. He currently works as a mortgage broker providing sales and analysis to private clients as they finance residential and commercial real estate.
Wayne earned an MBA and a BS in Mathematics from the University of South Dakota.
|
|
DANNY RUFFIN
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
An experienced Naval Aviator, Danny now instructs fleet pilots in simulators at Naval Air Station Point Mugu. He specializes in aircraft systems, emergency procedures, and the mandatory precision of night aircraft carrier landings. He also works as a telecommunications consultant and has owned numerous distribution businesses.
Danny earned a BS in Marketing from Fresno State University.
|
|
LEROY THOMPSON
DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING
LeRoy has forty-plus years with Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in Dallas, TX. His current project is to prepare system test plans and reports for guided rocket flight test missions. He has managed several major test segments of the Guided MLRS Rocket (M30/M31) Tests.
LeRoy has his BS in Electrical Engineering from University of Texas at Arlington.
|
|
PHILLIP STIEHL
CREW CHIEF
Originally Navy trained, Phillip has extensive experience in aviation maintenance, including NASA's space shuttle. He has worked on aircraft for Sabretech, Timco, Gulfstream, SMART, and the United Space Alliance. His expertise has been applied to the Boeing 737and 757, and McDonald-Douglas DC-10's.
Phillip attended Embry-Riddle University earning 160 credit hours towards a BS in Aviation Maintenance Technology.
|
|
MARLON BRAMBLE
ASSISTANT CREW CHIEF
Marlon has been conducting aviation maintenance and training for more than twenty years in the U.S. Marine Corps and Army and at firms such as STS Services and Planetech. He is a maintenance instructor specialized in the development and evaluation of training programs. Very versatile, he has maintained F-18s, helicopters, Boeing 747s, and P-3s.
Marlon has a BS in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle University.
|
|
DANIEL MCSHANE
ADVISOR
As a Naval Flight Officer and E-2C Mission Commander, Daniel was recently chosen to join the elite flight demonstration team, The Navy Blue Angels. Daniel is decorated for combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq and has over 300 landings on an aircraft carrier. He is currently at Naval Air Station Oceana training in the F-18 Hornet.
Daniel has a Bachelor of Creative Arts in Music Composition, Education, and Theatre from the University of North Carolina.
|
|
CHARLES GAMIZ
ADVISOR
As an electrical engineer, Charles designs, builds, and tests microchips for Intel Corporation. His technical background will be utilized in optimizing data systems and telemetry for the race vehicle. He will also mentor the Engineering Intern Program and advise on projects designed for the Team's success.
Charles is a graduate of Rice University with a BS in Electrical Engineering-Physical Electronics.
|
