Meet Our Team

Michael Wolf

CEO - Sporty's

Michael has worked at Sporty’s for over 50 years, so he knows both Sporty’s and the aviation industry quite well. A pilot for over 40 years, aviation is Michael’s first love: “I just can’t imagine life without airplanes.” While he flies a Citation regularly, most of his time is spent in the left seat of Sporty’s Aztec. “It’s a joy to fly an airplane that’s over 50 years old, but one that’s been meticulously maintained. It’s like stepping back in time, but I still get excellent utility out of it, for both family trips and business.”

Piper Aztec, Cessna Citation

Commercial, Multi, Instrument, Glider, Citation Type Rating

“My PJ2+ portable radio. I use it for getting clearances before engine start and for backup.”

“I started working at Sporty’s in high school and I knew right then I had to be around airplanes for the rest of my life.”

“I flew to Chicago O’Hare in our Aztec to record the ATC chatter for a tape Sporty’s made. Wow!”

“I have two wonderful grandchildren and I like to log some miles on my bike.”

“Engage with the entire aviation community. It’s a fascinating place filled with generous people who are almost always willing. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.”

John Zimmerman

President - Sporty’s

Coming from an aviation family, John grew up in the back of small airplanes and learned to fly as a teenager. Ever since, he has been hooked on aviation of all kinds and regularly flies a Citabria, a Pilatus PC-12, and a Cirrus SR22. He is a 4000-hour ATP and also holds ratings for multiengine, seaplanes, gliders, and helicopters. He has written for Flying magazine, AOPA Pilot, and Plane & Pilot, and is currently the Editor-in-Chief of Air Facts and the host of the Pilot’s Discretion podcast. John has worked at Sporty’s since 1999 and is currently President, where he leads new product development and marketing.

Pilatus PC-12, Cirrus SR22, Citabria

ATP, Helicopter, Tailwheel, Glider, Seaplane

“iPad with ForeFlight. It has everything I need to fly safely, from charts to weather.”

“I love the challenge. A well-flown flight is one of the most rewarding things in life.”

“A sunset helicopter flight with my wife, over the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains— absolutely stunning.”

“I love live music and I’m a very average runner.”

“Being a pilot means a lot more than just sitting in the left seat of an airplane. There’s a lot to learn from riding along with other pilots, flying simulators, attending airshows, or reading aviation books. Soak it all up.”

Mark Wiesenhahn

Vice President, Business Development - Sporty’s

Mark Wiesenhahn is a vice president at Sporty’s, where he has worked for the past 35 years. In addition to his administrative duties managing Sporty’s dealers and vendors and directing media relations and trade show participation, Mark works closely with Sporty’s partnerships within the industry, including AOPA and EAA. He is actively involved in promoting Aviation Exploring and has been an Exploring advisor for over 20 years. He serves on the Executive Committee of Learning for Life Organization as the Exploring Chair.

Cessna 172

Recreational

“A quality ANR headset, like a Bose A30 or a Lightspeed Delta Zulu. A flight is more enjoyable with a comfortable headset and clear communications.”

“I began working at Sporty’s while in college, and was hired full-time upon graduation. My interest in aviation grew from being at the airport and around many of my co-workers who are pilots. They helped to show me the many great opportunities and adventures aviation can deliver.”

“My checkride was my favorite flight. The examiner for my checkride was Al Passell, a member of the Flight Instructor Hall of Fame, and one of the most prolific examiners of all time. Al loved to teach, and he used the checkride to not only test my skills and proficiency, but he also passed along a few tips he knew would make me a better pilot. I came away from the checkride with my certificate and also learned a thing or two.”

“I enjoy spending time with my family, including hiking, camping, and traveling. I also volunteer for the Scouts BSA Exploring program, an initiative that helps to deliver career exploration opportunities to young adults.”

Paul Jurgens

Chief Instructor - Sporty’s Academy

Paul is a true aviation educator, and one of only a handful of flight instructors in the world to have earned both the Master Flight Instructor and Master Ground Instructor certifications. “I really enjoy teaching, especially in the Aztec,” he says. Paul also teaches several classes at the University of Cincinnati’s Professional Pilot program, including weather theory. When he’s not teaching, you’ll find Paul flying an Aztec or a Cessna 182 for personal transportation.

Piper Aztec, Cessna Citation, Cessna 172/182, Lindstrand hot air balloons, “whatever I can”

ATP, Flight Instructor, Citation Type Rating, Seaplane, Glider, Balloon

“You can never have too many flashlights. I’ve had an electrical failure at night. It is not fun.”

“I took my first airplane ride in high school at the Dayton Air Show and decided that I wanted to learn to fly. I ended up going to college for an Aeronautical Science degree at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.”

“Fly other things! Primarily, outside of flying, my time is spent with my family, working around the house, checking out interesting vacation spots, and thinking about how to fly more.”

“(1) Spend as much time as you can with knowledgeable older pilots. Learn what you can from them but know that sometimes stories tend to grow over the years. (2) Show up to your lessons well prepared. This can save you a lot of time and money. (3) Realize that you do not know as much as you think that you do. (4) There may be more than one ‘correct’ way to do many things in aviation. There are definitely many ways to do things wrong.”

Eric Radtke

Vice President - Sporty’s Academy

It was his first airplane trip at age seven that made Eric decide to become a pilot. “While boarding the airplane, a flight attendant noticed my interest in the flight deck and urged me to go talk to the pilot. I give a lot of credit to that pilot for my career choice.” He learned to fly at Sporty’s as part of the University of Cincinnati’s Professional Pilot Program, an initiative he later directed. He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and went on to an airline career. Eric now works at Sporty’s flight school and manages Sporty’s media network, including iPadPilotNews.com and FlightTrainingCentral.com

Cessna 172/182, Piper Aztec, Challenger 300

ATP, Multi, Instrument, Flight Instructor, Ground Instructor

“iPad with a back-up battery, specifically Sporty’s Flight Gear backup battery. Managing and executing a flight in the modern era depends on timely access to information in order to make safe, informed decisions. I depend on my iPad for critical flight information.”

“I’ve stayed in aviation for the adventure, the people, and the process. Adventure - aviation is the ultimate adventure with new perspectives, new challenges, new accomplishments on a continual basis. People - the aviation community is filled with interesting, passionate, caring people. Process - the process and discipline of lifelong learning and improvement is inspiring.”

“Cross-country (literally) in a Skyhawk, from Cincinnati, OH, to Palm Springs, CA, over two days. There’s no better way to see this beautiful country than low and slow in an airplane.”

“Inside of Sporty’s, writing, teaching/mentoring, and developing new educational content. Outside of Sporty’s, most of my time and energy is spent on my family and supporting my high- school age daughters in all of their activities. Also enjoy exercise, the outdoors, golf, and reading.”

“Own your learning experience—be an active participant in the process and control your own destiny.”

Bret Koebbe

Senior Vice President - Sporty’s

Bret Koebbe is a Senior Vice President at Sporty’s and leads the video production and pilot training course development team, overseeing the creation and distribution of over 30 aviation courses across online, mobile, and TV app platforms. He has been recognized as a Master Flight Instructor and holds an ATP certificate, and enjoys both recreational flying in a Piper Aztec and professionally in a Cessna Citation. Bret is also editor of iPadPilotNews.com and a leading expert on EFB and mobile app usage in the cockpit.

Piper Aztec, Cessna Citation

ATP, Multi, Instrument, Flight Instructor

“I’d leave my headset in the bag any day in favor of a Sentry ADS-B receiver. Whether flying professionally as a captain in a corporate flight department or on the next vacation with my family in a Piper Aztec, I always try to maximize the utility of the airplane in (and around) all types of weather. Sentry provides the latest text and graphical weather information in ForeFlight to ensure I’m always making the best in-flight decisions along the way.”

“From the earliest age I can remember, I always wanted to go to airports to watch airplanes takeoff and land. My dad worked as a jet engine engineer at GE, so he was just as interested in aviation and he helped me understand how airplanes worked. From that point I was hooked.”

“While producing Sporty’s Tailwheel Checkout Course with Patty Wagstaff, we traveled to Talkeetna, Alaska, to film operations in a Turbine Otter on skis. We outfitted this rugged bush airplane with six cameras and flew up to Denali National Park to show what it takes to land a tailwheel airplane on an active glacier in the snow.”

“I like to travel to places with adventure sports, like mountain biking, snow skiing, hiking and camping. I also spend a lot of time in front of the grill and smoker, attempting to cook the perfect seared steak or 18-hour smoked brisket.”

“Challenge yourself during training to fly in conditions that push your comfort zone, and don’t get in the habit of only flying during the days with calm winds and blue skies. Find strong crosswinds within the limits of your airplane and have your instructor simulate systems failures so that you’re ready to handle these situations after the checkride.”

Chris McGonegle

Director of Search Marketing - Sporty’s

Chris caught the aviation bug at the age of seven when he was able to sit in the cockpit of a 737 between flights, thanks to his aunt working at a large airline. Countless balsa wood flyers and multi-stage rockets later, he enrolled in the Aviation Technology Program at the University of Cincinnati and successfully turned a fascination into a career. “One of my most memorable flights was flying my dad to a local airport with a restaurant just off the ramp known for their generously portioned ribs. I’ll never forget that day with passenger #1.” As the Director of Search Marketing at Sporty’s, Chris is tasked with managing online advertising and search engine optimization but he still loves to search for new products.

Cessna 172RG

Commercial, Instrument

“My Flight Gear iPad Backup Battery is a necessity. Whether flying a plane or going on vacation, it has a designated pocket in my backpack.”

“I’m continuously in awe when flying around the southwestern portion of Ohio during autumn when the trees paint the landscape with red, yellow, and orange. I also love the precision required when flying an aircraft paired with the challenge of no two flights being the same. It’s ever-changing and constantly rewarding.”

“My wife and I took a flight to Eagle Creek Airpark on the northwestern side of Indianapolis not too long ago. There’s a boatyard cafe about a two minute walk from where you park the airplane with great views and an extensive menu. We had a great dinner followed by a sunset flight home.”

“I grew up as an avid video game enthusiast when I wasn’t studying or playing sports in my teens. I enjoy focusing that amusement towards flight simulators these days. I still get the chance to “game,” yet test out products and software that lend themselves to aviation. Simulated flight has grown exponentially over the last decade and I’ve enjoyed cheerleading the value of an at home simulator to real world pilots.”

“Don’t get discouraged and focus on the big picture. Flight training is full of peaks and valleys and it’s often easy to focus on the losses rather than the victories. Elevate the wins and learn from the losses. Make sure you take some time to enjoy it while it lasts. 0.02% of the world’s population can fly an aircraft. Enjoy the sights, experiences, and relationships you foster while working your way towards getting your wings.”

Alan Nguyen

Video Producer - Sporty’s

Alan learned to fly as a student at the University of Cincinnati before working as a flight instructor at Sporty’s Academy, teaching everything from primary students to instrument and multiengine students. He then began an airline career, flying as a first officer and captain for a regional airline before moving to a major airline as a Boeing 757/767 first officer. When he’s not flying, Alan works as a content developer on Sporty’s pilot training courses, applying his broad experience to help new pilots learn the latest information. He’s also a flight simulator enthusiast with deep expertise in both software and hardware.

Boeing 757/767

ATP, Boeing 757/767 Type Rating, CRJ Type Rating, Flight Instructor

“iPad. It is a tool that contains many tools within it that makes flying safer and efficient, from ForeFlight to the Sporty’s E6B app.”

“My dad raised me around all things aviation: plane watching at airports, airshows, flight simulators, toy airplanes. It has been a passion for as long as I can remember.”

“A trip in a Cirrus SR22 to Dulles with friends to visit the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy museum and getting dinner.”

“Photography, video editing, working on cars, hiking.”

“Focus on the smaller goals within your flight training, instead of the big picture. For example, you may be working on private pilot, but focus on that first solo, and then the solo cross-country. Most importantly, have fun during flight training. Seek out unique airports or restaurants to go to when the opportunity arises.”

Brady Kannady

Sales and Customer Experience - Sporty’s Academy

Brady became hooked on aviation at a young age, after his family would take him to a local airport on Sunday afternoons to have lunch and watch airplanes take off and land. Eventually, he was taken up on a Young Eagles flight and fell in love with flying, knowing he wanted to be in the sky again. Years later, after beginning to work at Sporty's, he had the opportunity to begin taking flight lessons and eventually obtained his commercial pilot certificate and instrument rating. He loves to take long, scenic cross country flights to find new airports, views, and restaurants. Brady is currently the Sporty's Academy sales and customer experience associate, so if you call in to Sporty's to discuss flight training you'll surely speak with him. Brady also manages the Sporty's Flying Club which currently has four airplanes, ranging from a 172RG to a 182T, and 35 members.

Cessna 172RG/182S

Private, Instrument

“Lightspeed Zulu 3. This headset provides the best quality for the price that you can buy, and comes with a great warranty. I've put hundreds of hours on this headset and it has never given me a single problem. Also, since I wear glasses, it's important to have ear seals that can still keep sound outside of the ear cup and the Zulu 3 does that with no problem.”

“I've always had a love of mechanical things. I remember Sundays after church, the family would grab some food and head up to KSWI to watch airplanes. After that, I became obsessed and absolutely fascinated with aviation. As I got older, I got a chance to take a Young Eagles flight and immediately fell in love with the feeling of leaving the ground. I knew from that day on that aviation was in my future.”

“My favorite flight was taking out a 182S for a day and flying down to Georgia to some small airport in the hills, grabbing some absolutely delicious barbeque, heading north and stopping in at Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg Airport, and then returning home from there while watching a stunning sunset. All in all, just over 5 hours of flying - all solo. It was by far the most peaceful and serene flight I have ever been on.”

“I enjoy working on my cars, going to the gym, and spending quality time with friends.”

“Hazardous attitudes are incredibly important to mitigate from the very start of training - too many young students begin flight training and get far too cocky and comfortable far too quickly. Humble yourself a bit before aviation does it for you. Understand, appreciate, and respect your instructors experience and advice.”

FTC: https://flighttrainingcentral.com/author/bradykannady/ Sporty’s Academy Blog: https://sportysacademy.com/author/bkannady/

Noah Frye

Flight Instructor & Social Media Manager - Sporty's

Ever since he was a kid, Noah wanted to become a pilot. The obsession started 15 years ago when he was gifted a copy of Flight Simulator X for Christmas. He has and always will be a sim nerd, but now he’s living out his dreams and works as a Flight Instructor and Social Media Manager at Sporty’s. When he’s not flying a plane, you can probably find him at the local airport watching planes fly by and telling everyone fun facts about aircraft.

Cessna 172

Flight Instructor

“My one must-have item is my sunglasses. Whether it's a nice pair of Ray-Ban aviators or some cheap pair from a gas station, having sunglasses is an absolute must for me. Getting blinded by the sun for hours is never a pleasant experience.”

“I've wanted to be a pilot since I was a kid. I got a copy of Flight Simulator X for Christmas about 15 years ago and the obsession started from there. From sim nerd to flight instructor (and still sim nerd, of course).”

“My 7-hour solo for my commercial certificate. I flew to Roanoke, Pigeon Forge, then back to Clermont County. I chose that route since KROA-KGKT follows the Appalachian Mountains. It gave me views I'll never forget. Flying in the mountains is easily my favorite type of flying.”

“Photography and videography. I've been messing around with photography since high school and more recently started diving into the world of video.”

“If you've ever considered doing a discovery flight, do it. It'll make you fall in love with flying. Do your homework. You can't take shortcuts with aviation. Ground lessons are just as important as flight lessons, so pay attention and put in the effort necessary to be a great pilot.”

Dustin Yockey

Senior Assistant Chief Instructor - Sporty’s Academy

As a teenager, Dustin started showing his interest in becoming a pilot, whether that was standing out on his front porch to watch what was flying over his childhood home or exploring the many aviation museums he had visited. Dustin had his first flight lesson while he was in college and after that he was hooked. After obtaining his bachelor's degree at Ohio University in Aviation Science, he found that his favorite part about aviation is being able to share his interest with others by teaching them how to fly. "Nothing makes me feel better than seeing one of my students develop a strong love for aviation and succeed."

Cessna 172/182

Commercial, Multi, Instrument, Flight Instructor

“A pair of sunglasses—can’t be a pilot if you don’t look the part.”

“I’ve had a fascination with airplanes since a young age and I always wanted to get my pilot’s license.”

“A flight to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, when we flew the coastline of Lake Michigan right past downtown Chicago.”

“I operate a restoration shop with my father, restoring old cars, trucks, and farm equipment.”

“If you have a chance to get started in aviation at an early age, jump on the chance. The earlier you start, the more experience you will get in aviation.”

Jeremy Hilbert

Customer Service Representative - Sporty’s

Jeremy Hilbert is a customer service representative at Sporty’s. His interest in aviation was ignited as a kid when he observed his grandpa working on balsa wood airplane kit parts with his laser in his basement. If there is one thing that smells better than jet fuel, it’s the freshly cut balsa wood from the laser. Not long after, he was gifted Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 for Christmas and his parents had to regularly pry him from the computer. Jeremy is an instrument- rated Private Pilot and enjoys all types of flying, but mission-oriented flying is his favorite. After spending countless challenging hours learning to fly and working to master his craft, it is rewarding to see it all come together to accomplish a mission.

Cessna 172

Private, Instrument

“A backup iPad with updated charts and data in ForeFlight. You never know when your primary one will go out. An extension of that would be an ADS-B receiver… and yes I fly with a backup one of those as well!”

“As a kid, my grandfather created balsa wood airplane kit parts for his customers and this ignited my curiosity for aviation. From there, I spent hours playing Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 and knew that someday I would want to learn to fly. Until this day, any time an airplane flies overhead I will look up, regardless of whether it is a 172 or a 747.”

“Probably with my dad up to Urbana to get some breakfast. This was when I was a newly- minted private pilot and it was my first flight that felt like it had a true purpose. It was even more meaningful being able to share that memory with my dad.”

“Practice guitar, snowboard, weightlifting, try new things, spend time with my family.”

“Be resilient and learn from your failures. Flight training can be challenging and setbacks are inevitable. Embrace failures as learning opportunities and use them to improve your skills.”

Meet Our Team

Michael Wolf

John Zimmerman

Chuck Gallagher

Mark Wiesenhahn

Paul Jurgens

Eric Radtke

Bret Koebbe

Doug Ranly

Chris McGonegle

Chris Clarke

Dan Robinson

Alan Nguyen

Branden Thompson

Russ Hartley

Brady Kannady

Noah Frye

Eric Carnahan

Dustin Yockey

Jayme Frederick

Jeremy Hilbert

Account

Policies

Help

Sporty's Family

Company Info

Meet Our Team

Michael Wolf

John Zimmerman

Chuck Gallagher

Mark Wiesenhahn

Paul Jurgens

Eric Radtke

Bret Koebbe

Doug Ranly

Chris McGonegle

Chris Clarke

Dan Robinson

Alan Nguyen

Branden Thompson

Russ Hartley

Brady Kannady

Noah Frye

Eric Carnahan

Dustin Yockey

Jayme Frederick

Jeremy Hilbert

Michael Wolf

CEO - Sporty's

John Zimmerman

President - Sporty’s

Chuck Gallagher

President - Eastern Cincinnati Aviation

Mark Wiesenhahn

Vice President, Business Development - Sporty’s

Paul Jurgens

Chief Instructor - Sporty’s Academy

Eric Radtke

Vice President - Sporty’s Academy

Bret Koebbe

Senior Vice President - Sporty’s

Doug Ranly

Director of Aviation Products and Marketing - Sporty’s

Chris McGonegle

Director of Search Marketing - Sporty’s

Chris Clarke

Media & Content Coordinator - Sporty’s

Dan Robinson

Chief Financial Officer - Sporty’s

Alan Nguyen

Video Producer - Sporty’s

Branden Thompson

Brand Manager - Sporty’s Wright Bros. Collection

Russ Hartley

Product Manager - Sporty’s

Brady Kannady

Sales and Customer Experience - Sporty’s Academy

Noah Frye

Flight Instructor & Social Media Manager - Sporty's

Eric Carnahan

Customer Service Representative - Sporty’s

Dustin Yockey

Senior Assistant Chief Instructor - Sporty’s Academy

Jayme Frederick

Assistant Chief Instructor - Sporty’s Academy

Jeremy Hilbert

Customer Service Representative - Sporty’s