NickName: Head Jumpin' Bean
First Jump: Static Line in 1989
Jumps: 2,500+ total skydives: 600+ on camera, 1,300+ as instructor
License: D17516
Ratings: IERC (Instructor/Examiner Rating Course) Director, Accelerated Freefall Instructor since 1997, Strong Tandem Instructor, USPA & Strong Tandem Examiner, USPA Coach Examiner, Safety & Training Advisor since 2003; PRO rating; FAA Senior Rigger since 1995, Master Rigger since 2009 and has packed 1,000+ reserves
"Real Job": www.JenSharp.com Web design/computer programmer, working from home while also being a mom and Keynote Motivational & Leadership Speaker
Email:

Jen Says: "There's your bus!"

NickName: Einstein
First Jump:  August of 1986 under a T10 with a belly reserve
Jumps: 1,700+ total skydives: 800+ as instructor
License: D23527
Ratings: Safety & Training Advisor, Strong Tandem Instructor, FAA Senior Rigger, USPA Coach, Private Pilot
"Real Job": Machinist in Topeka
About Bill: He wears those velcro tennis shoes because he's that kind of person; so smart he doesn't know how to tie his shoes! If you need to know an FAA regulation, you could waste time looking it up, or you could just ask Bill.
Email:

Bill Says: "It'll be alright..."

NickName: Charlie
First Jump:  static line in 1984
Jumps: 1,700+ total skydives: 700+ as instructor
License: D11556
Ratings: Strong Tandem Instructor, USPA Coach, POPS 5367, Freak Brothers 2667, 4 stack 3375, night 4 stack 617, CCS 815, CCR 1509
"Real Job":  Printer/Pressman
About Charlie: Charlie has seen and experienced a lot in his skydiving career that spans a quarter of a century! If you want a historical account and hear some good stories, sit down with him and just listen!

Charlie Says: "Make a SKYDIVE and you will LOVE it! A sport that you will never get tired of and always a new challenge. You'll start jumping for the thrill and stay because of the people."

Staff Member of the Month:
Charlie is featured in the current edition of Lawrence Magazine!

NickName: Jermy
First Jump: Tandem at Skydive Kansas April 2005
Jumps: 1,200+
License: D28980
Ratings: Accelerated Freefall Instructor, Strong Tandem Instructor, USPA Coach, Freefall Photographer
"Real Job": Coach for the University of Kansas Crew Team
About Jeremy: What an amazing, prolific, accomplished yet approachable skydiver! Jeremy is the State Record Holder for most jumps in one day raising money against Domestic Violence! He plans to break his own record in 2010 fundraising for Pancreatic Cancer Research. It's a good thing Pink is his favorite color!

Jeremy Says: "Just kidding... or am I?"

NickName: Chris
Hours: 1,000+
Ratings: Commercial, Instrument, Multi-Engine, CFI
Endorsements: High performance
"Real Job": Server Team Manager for Westar Energy
About Chris: Always laughing, always smiling, Chris handles anything that comes his way with ease. In addition to his real job and flying for us and loving his family, he also finds time to do flight instruction for the Topeka Air Scouts.

Chris Says: "Are you comfortable?!"

(Manifest)
NickName: SusieQ
First Jump: Tandem at Skydive Kansas March 2008
Jumps: 30 ish and counting..
License: A
"Real Job": zookeeper
About Susan: You hear laughter all day from the office: it's Susan. Friendly, steady paced, will help you with whatever you need!

Susan Says: "Don't take life too seriously--no one gets out alive!"

(Manifest)
NickName: Mr. Royal
First Jump: Tandem at Skydive Kansas June 2007
Jumps: 100
License: B31770
Ratings: USPA Coach
"Real Job": Music Teacher
About Matt: With his educational background, he makes a SWEET coach! We actually really keep him around because we all love his mellow dog Abby.

Matt Says: "..."

NickName: Pac-Man
First Jump: Tandem at Skydive Kansas, November 3, 2007
Jumps: 2
Job: Packer
Pack Jobs: 1,700+
"Real Job": Meterologist (and yes, we put him in charge of weather, too)
About Doug: Doug routinely packs 15 to 18 tandems in a day, plus whatever upjumper pack jobs come his way. He can pack two tandem rigs while we fly one load.

Doug Says: " "

NickName: Em
First Jump: Tandem at ACDZ, July 2006
Jumps: 200+
License: C36986
Ratings: USPA Coach
"Real Job": architectural engineer
About Emily: She is a powerhouse, don't let her giggly friendliness fool you! In her college days at KU, she was a highly decorated in throwing the Javelin and holds the University all time record for Shot Put. She runs or bikes several miles everyday.

Emily Says: "Is that a Quote?"

NickName: The Fridge
First Jump: Maybe out of the back of a Skyvan in Arizona when it dies
Job: Okay, the Refrigerator is not really staff either,  but she does work hard and earns the respect of all who visit.  She currently holds bottled water and candy bars, while on the outside shows off bumper stickers from all over the U.S. and the world!

The Fridge Says: "Gimme more stickers!"

NickName: Golf Cart
First Jump: Maybe out of the back of a Skyvan in Arizona when it dies
Hobby: Collecting Stickers
Job: Okay, the Golf Cart is not really staff, but it's a great asset...  There is no excuse for landing safe, not close!

Golf Cart Says: "RRRRRRRRRRRR!"

NickName:
Hours: 1,000+
Ratings: Commercial for single and multi-engine, Instrument
Endorsements: High performance
"Real Job": military lawyer
About Russell: Russell gets the job DONE! His analytical approach to flying jumpers has truly benefited our ops!

Russell Says:

NickName: Jelly Belly
First Jump: Tandem in Mom's belly at T minus 9 months,
Jumps: 12 jumps, all before she was born in December of 1998.
Job: Bicyclist golf cart racer
"About me ": At age 7 months, Janelle took the toggles of a mock canopy as if she already knew what to do.

By age 2, Janelle could arch, track, "throw out" her P.C. and more importantly can run full speed across the hangar without stepping on a single line. 

At age 5, she was telling everyone "Jumpers AWAY!" over the PA! At age 7, Janelle was busy helping pack by cocking sliders and pilot chutes and setting brakes on canopies. At age 8, she drove the golf cart to pick up skydivers with her friend Alexis (and an adult), or they prefer to race the cart with their bikes.  Now at age 9, she types jumpers' names into Manifest in between playing Webkinz games on the computer.

NickName: Flying Monkey
First Jump: Tandem in Mom's belly at T minus 9 months,
Jumps: 48 jumps, all before he was born in February of 2002.
Job: Kindergartner
"About me ": Janelle my big sis likes to take care of me...

But as we get older, I tell her what to do!

At age 3, I had a brief stint as a Movie Star: Elton John. But I'm focusing on other pursuits now.

NickName: "Crappa" (That's how his grandson calls him Grandpa!)
Hours: 6,000+
Ratings: Commercial, Instrument, CFI, CFII
Endorsements: High performance
"Real Job": Retired County Sheriff, now flying pipeline, powerline and even scarier: flight instruction!
About Kermit: Have a conversation with Kermit about anything: weather, flying, people... and you'll feel smarter just listening to him!

Kermit Says: "Sure I'll fill in for a month or two for ya..." (several years ago now)

NickName: Dr. Larry Pinkston, FG
First Jump: Tandem at Skydive Kansas June 14, 2003
Jumps: 250+
License: C36052 (Advanced)
Ratings: USPA Coach
"Real Job": Cowboy (yes that's for real!)
About Larry: You never know if Larry is telling you a joke or a true story. On the ground, he is a shameless practical joker, closet stand up comedian. In the air, he is a fantastic, attentive coach who is serious enough to provide great perspective and not serious enough to provide a fun time!

Larry Says: " "

NickName: COMBINE
First Jump: Tandem at Skydive Kansas in the Fall of 1995. 
Jumps: 900+
License: D24354
Ratings: USPA Coach, PRO rating, Freefall Photographer, Master Storyteller
"Real Job": Engineering Technician, KDOT
About Rick: He was one of the first group of students to earn his A license at the DZ. We also call him the Ambassador, as he loves to tell stories. We all have heard the same stories for years, but they are still entertaining, as he takes artistic license for entertainment enhancement!

Rick Says: "I'm like a Superhero, with no powers or motivation."

NickName: Captain
First Jump:  Static Line in 1990
Jumps: around 400
Hours: 1,000 flight hours
License: D14335
Ratings: Commercial single engine land
"Real Job": Retired Captain in the Fire Department
About Ron: Ron is one of the most laid back people you could meet, but still approaches flying with the true mark of a master: constant improvement and attention to detail!

Ron Says: "It's jumpable!"

NickName: Doc
First Jump: Static Line in 1981 in Yoder, KS
Second Jump: Tandem in 2004
Jumps: 850+
License: D29519 (Master)
Ratings: Strong Tandem Instructor, USPA Coach
"Real Job": Chiropractor
About Troy: His favorite pasttime is theatre. He has even been known to dress in drag for a part!
Email:

Troy Says: "It's a gift, I don't try to explain it."

NickName: Turk
First Jump: Tandem at Skydive Kansas in the Spring of 2000
Jumps: 1,100+
License: D26436
Ratings: USPA Coach, Freefall Photographer, Packer, Trash Man
"Real Job": "Rubber guy" at GoodYear in Topeka
About Turk: His notable photography has been published in Parachutist and Skydiving Magazine, as well as many local news venues. Turk's sense of humor adds fun flavor to the antics at the dz.

Turk Says: "I'm the most BLESSED person in the world 'x 'x 'x "

NickName: Bill with a haircut (dubbed by Janelle who mistook him for his brother at a distance)
First Jump:  static line 1986 at Green County Sport Parachute under a T10
Jumps: 300+
License: C37488
Job: USPA Coach
"Real Job": IT
About Frank: He has a very unique perspective on this sport. He started skydiving in an era very differently from our current culture, so he has the historical perspective of someone with many years' experience. Although he didn't remain current for all of those years, he never lost touch with the sport. Now that he is current and skydiving alot, his biggest asset is as an approachable peer mentor.

Frank Says: "I love the serenity of it all, from 10,000 feet, life's problems look pretty small."

NickName: ELLIOT! (Like in the movie ET.)
First Jump:  June 2008 Tandem at Skydive Kansas
Jumps: 120+
License: A
Job: USPA Coach, Packer
"Real Job": IT
About Elliot: He eats cold canned soup for breakfast. We try to feed him 'cause he's skinny.

Elliot Says: " "

NickName: Brandon
First Jump: Tandem at Skydive Kansas, June 2007
Jumps: 1 (I think we scared him off)
Ratings: A&P airplane mechanic
About Brandon: Okay, Brandon isn't really STAFF. He actually works for Coffey County Airport, but what he does for us is so essential to our business and his philosophy about precision and safety aligns with ours... we think of him as part of us!

Brandon Says: