Jim Hesseman, President of Air Care Alliance, said: “Our Board of Directors is comprised of a dedicated team of leaders committed to fostering and enhancing charitable aviation. We are excited to leverage Mark, Jim, and Katharine’s talent, expertise and energy to further our mission.”

Mark Hanson started his first company straight out of grad school in 1978, eventually focusing on large technology and consumer electronic companies. Since retiring in 2009, he started flying and in 2010 discovered volunteer pilot opportunities. Hanson formerly served on the Board of Directors for Patient AirLift Services and has flown 250 volunteer pilot missions.

Katharine Zimmerman has over 37 years of experience working with non-profit organizations, raising over US$30 million in funds for national and international agencies. Zimmerman is currently the Secretary of the Board of Directors for Bahamas Habitat, a service organization that partners with volunteer pilots and aircraft owners to fly their own aircraft to provide humanitarian outreach to the people of The Bahamas, Haiti and Mexico. She works with volunteer pilots to provide disaster relief and basic medical, safe housing and other services.

Jim Stratton has served for 21 years as an officer and fighter pilot with the US Air Force. After retirement, he worked as an instructor pilot. After a move to Louisiana, Stratton and his wife purchased an airplane and started supporting the organization Pilots for Patients, which he has done for 25 years now.