News and events
06-28-2010
Donate $10 for a Chance to Win a Ride in a Hot-Air Balloon or T-6 AirplaneText “balloon” to 20222 and support The Great Reno Balloon Race (RENO, Nev... more
06-22-2010
Only Two Weeks Left to Sponsor the 2010 Great Reno Balloon Race Get a bird’s eye view and promote your business (RENO, Nev.) – The Great Reno Balloon... more
Weather
News Talk 780 KOH weatherLinks
-Mobile Giving: Text "balloon" to 20222
-2009 Balloon Race Photo Contest
-Balloon Race 2009 Program Guide
Balloon Race Team
Management Team
Olsen & Associates has had the pleasure of managing The Great Reno Balloon Race since 1989.
Marlene Olsen, Executive Director
Dixie Craig , Event Manager
Rebecca Wikler, Media Coordinator
Victor Leyba, Event Coordinator - Tissue Paper Launch/Creative
Connie Armstrong , Special Projects Manager
Board of Directors:
Pilar M. Aldecoaotalora, President - Sands Regency Casino/Hotel
Steve Trounday, Past President - Navegante Group
Ingrid Drummer, Vice President - Individual (Friend of GRBR)
Carole Anderson, Secretary - University of Nevada, Reno
Janet Buckley, Treasurer - Muckel Anderson, CPAs
Ginnie Kersey, Trustee - Family Sponsor Representative
Ryan Sheltra, Trustee - Bonanza Casino
Linda Beltran , Trustee - Communications Installation Services Inc. (C.I.S.) of Reno
Angela Swanson , Trustee - Harrah's Reno
Karen Nichols , Trustee - Red Carpet Events & Design
Tyler Sciotto, Trustee - International Gaming Technology (IGT)
Staci Johnson , Trustee/At-large - Silver Legacy Hotel Casino
Gary Helmers , Trustee - Great Basin Internet Services
Barbara Tidwell, Trustee - Individual (Friend of GRBR)
Erin Wootan, Trustee - Peppermill Hotel Casino
Harry Stetzell , Trustee, Washoe County Search and Rescue
Peggy Stromer, Trustee - Individual (Friend of GRBR)
Ed Buzzetti, Aeronaut President - Aeronaut Squadron
Mike Klaich, Trustee/At-large - Muckel Anderson CPAs
Tony Rivara , Pilot Representative - The Great Reno Balloon Race Pilots
Ron Smith, Trustee - Voice of The Great Reno Balloon Race
Bob Barnes, Trustee/At-large - Individual (Friend of GRBR)
Sharon Zadra, Honorary Board Member - Individual (Friend of GRBR)
Bob Larkin, Liaison - Washoe County Commission
Cadence Matijevick, Liaison - City of Reno
Andy Mink , Liaison - Washoe County Parks & Recreation
Dave Pirtle, Liaison- Eagle Framing and Art Gallery
Executive Council:
Glenn Carano - Silver Legacy
Steve Trounday - Navegante Group
Tracy Mimno -
Peppermill Hotel/Casino
Jennifer Mannix - Sands Regency Hotel/Casino
Pete Copeland - Reno.com/Tahoe Carson Newspapers
Dixie May - Wilbur D. May Foundation
Tyler Sciotto - International Game Technology
Chad Osorno -
Wells Fargo Bank
Jennifer Cunningham - Circus Circus
Phil Holland - Communications Installation Services Inc. (C.I.S.) of Reno
Launch Team:
Katie Griggs - Director of Launch Operations
Koh Murai - Launch Operations Consultant
Larry Ratkoviak – Chief Safety Officer
Phil Thompson – Chief Scoring Officer
Bruce Erickson – Equipment & Operations Officer
Jon Tesseo – Assistant Scoring Officer
Russ James – Assistant Safety Officer
Jack Glandon – Assistant Safety Officer
Terri Ratkoviak – Assistant Director/FAA Liaison
Steve Brown – Weather
Larry Jensen - Weather
Barry Varischetti - Launch Team Leader
Peggy Stromer - Launch Team Leader
Josh Varischetti - Launch Team Leader
Laura Ingram - Launch Team Support
Dave Warriner - Launch Team Support
Skip Chapman - Launch Team Support
Janice Marie King - Scoring Team Leader
Shawn Waggoner - Scoring Team Leader
Ron Hood - Scoring Team Leader
Forrest Griggs - Scoring Team Support
Valerie Griggs - Scoring Team Support
Richard Brong - Scoring Team Support
Jeff Stephenson - Scoring Team Support
Darrell Taylor - Scoring Team Support
Cheryl Taylor - Scoring Team Support
Jess Aragon - Scoring Team Support
Angie Aragon - Scoring Team Support
The mission of the Great Reno Balloon Race is to provide a premier, safe, family-oriented/tourist-attractive, visually dramatic event that celebrates the joy of flight while remaining free to the public.
