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Our pilots

Founder:
Bob Larson

Pilots:
Tom Sullivan, Ted Fornetti, Steve Phillips, Dennis Whitehead, Bruce Rutter, Dean Lefebvre, Robert H. Tice, David Beverly, Mark Blau, John Brooks, Jim Drobny, Bryan Gardner, Matt Janousek, John LaCourt, Jeff Millin, Rick Newman, Nate Perlman, Steve Scheibe, Larry Sims, Kathy Wolfe

Board:
Teresa Louys - President, Tom Sullivan - Vice President, Ted Fornetti, Steve Phillips - Treasurer, Dennis Whitehead, Bruce Rutter - Flight Coordinator, Dean Lefebvre - Chief Pilot-Director of Training, George Kelly - Lions, Jack Gingrass - Lions, Jim Olson - Secretary, Richard Abraham - Lions, Larry Jensen, Paul Roll

A few words about us...

Tom Sullivan - Pilot and President
My name is Tom Sullivan and I have lived in the Iron Mountain / Kingsford area most of my life. While growing up, my dad worked part time (over and above his full time job) for North Central Airlines based here at Ford Airport. My 10th birthday present was a ticket for a scheduled flight to Houghton, where he was traveling for his sales job.
The flight was on a DC-3 and was my first flight experience. I was immediately hooked on flying but corrected vision at that time would keep me from entering a flying career. After a 3-year tour in the U.S. Army and 8 years working for a large trucking firm, I started my own business as a truck mechanic in 1985. The business grew quickly and in 1994 became a Western Star Truck dealer, selling new trucks, manufacturing log trailers, and providing full parts and service to the trucking industry.
In 2000 we were also awarded the Sterling Truck Franchise which is the old “Ford Heavy Duty Truck”. My business is U.P. Truck Center, Inc. in Quinnesec, MI. The summer of 1994 would be the first chance in my busy life to take up flying and get my pilot’s license. I have been flying Airlifeline flights since 1995 and have always been amazed with the commitment Bob Larson has made to Northwoods Airlifeline. It is with great pleasure that I am a part of this organization. I look forward to the future of Northwoods Airlifeline with the growth, demand, and support we are seeing. My personal balance in life is enhanced by these trips, constantly reminding me how delicate our health is.
Steve Phillips - Pilot and Board member
Hello, my name is Stephen Phillips. I moved to the Iron Mountain area in 1974 after my four-year enlistment in the Air Force was over. My parents had just bought a motel, and I came home to help run it. I met my future wife a year later. Patti and I were married in 1975. We moved to our current home in the Florence area in 1981 and raised two fine sons, Christopher and Nicholas.
Christopher graduated last year with degrees in machine tool and mechanical design and Nicholas is in his third year at Michigan Tech in Houghton. In 1995 my father and I turned our motel, with the addition of a new building, into the Days Inn of Iron Mountain that we currently operate.
My love of aviation started when I was in high school in Appleton Wisconsin. My father was a B17 pilot in WW2. For my 16th birthday my parents gave me a solo certificate for flying lessons at the airport. I loved it so much that I started working for Max Air as a line boy to pay for the rest of my training. I received my pilot’s license in 1969. I then traveled to Tulsa to attend Spartan School of Aeronautics and received my aircraft mechanic license in 1970.
I started flying missions for Bob Larson in 1992 and have enjoyed helping people that need medical treatment that larger facilities can offer outside of the UP. Northwoods Airlifeline is an extremely worthwhile organization and I’m proud to be part of it!
I have to go now. Larry Jenson has just made my day. He has another mission for me to Rochester, Minnesota and I have to fly now. Sincerely, Steve Phillips.
Ted Fornetti - Pilot and Board member
I'd like to introduce myself: I'm Ted Fornetti. My wife, Mary, and I moved to Iron Mountain in 1973. I'm a dentist by profession and began practicing with my father who started here in 1949; and have since been joined by my brothers Tony and John in '77 and '81; and most recently by our oldest son, Ted, in 2001. Our younger son, Paul, is at Michigan State in the pre-dental program. Somehow our youngest escaped and is an English major at St. Norbert College, DePere, WI.
I began flying in 1990. At the request of Bob Larson, I began doing Airlifeline flights in 1997. For the last two years I have been flying 30 to 40 lifeline flights per year.
It is really a satisfying experience to be able to provide this service to people at a time when their need is great.
I sometimes wonder who derives more benefit, we who fly, or our passengers. I hope it is many years before I have to give this up. Maybe I can have the longevity and endurance of Bob Larson.
Robert H. Tice, NWALL pilot
I have been a resident of Iron Mountain since 1994, first as a part time resident of Spread Eagle, then of Iron Mountain as my wife and I have young children and were impressed with Iron Mountain school district administrators and teachers. I served 5 years in the Air Force from 1960 to 1965, spending flight time in fighter aircraft and one year in Vietnam, flying 160 combat missions.
I returned to a career with American Airlines of 30 years. My total flight time is 22,800 hours. I have flown many different types of commercial airplanes and currently fly a twin engine jet for a businessman plus my own airplane, a single engine Cherokee. My family and I enjoy hunting, fishing, cool weather--all of the good things found in the UP. Northwoods AirLife Line has been a very enjoyable relationship for me and I am proud to be associated with the many fine members of this group.
Teresa Louys – Vice President / P.R. & Fundraising
Born and raised in Oregon, Teresa moved here in 1995. She is married to Rick and has 2 children, Richie age 12 and Melanie age 9. I first became familiar with Northwoods Airlifeline in 2002 when I was a passenger on a flight to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester for which my Mother-In-Law Barbara Louys was the patient. The pilot was Dennis Whitehead, also with Dennis was Gerry Elliott another member of Northwoods Airlifeline. During the flight I had the opportunity to speak with both and found out what a truly terrific group Northwoods Airlifeline was and what a truly wonderful service they provided. They also said that they were in the process of trying to raise enough money to purchase a plane.
I asked what I could do to help.. I’ve been with them ever since. Belonging to Northwoods Airlifeline has been a truly rewarding experience for me. It has allowed me to meet many wonderful people as well as give something back to the community.
Jim Olson - Lions representative:
My wife RoseMarie and our two daughters moved to Iron Mountain in 1974, and have since moved to Spread Eagle. Our two daughters are now married and live away from this area. I have been a Lion member for 37 years. My accomplishments with the Lions have been: president, secretary, board of directors, zone chairman, regional Chairman , committee member on the multiple cabinet for 21 years, and during the 1987-1988 year I was District Governor for 10-A. When the LIONS took on Northwoods Airlifeline as a major project, I was appointed District Chairman representing the Upper Peninsula in 10-A.
We Lions of Michigan are very proud to be associated with Northwoods Airlifeline and we will continue to support the project in anyway possible.
Dennis Whitehead - Pilot and Board member
I was born and raised in New York State, and have lived in the Upper Peninsula since 1980. I'm an emergency physician at Dickinson County Hospital in Iron Mountain, and EMS director for the county and the surrounding region. I fell in love with the UP during my first visit here at the age of 19. My work brings me in contact with people from all walks of life in every conceivable situation.

Yoopers (as we call ourselves) are pretty tough folks, not the type who run into Emergency Departments for every little problem. We're a long way from big medical centers here, and I've often felt frustrated for my patients at the delays involved in getting them to specialized medical centers when the need is urgent.
I know firsthand how important Northwoods AirLifeline is to the people who live here.
In 1995 I realized a lifelong dream when I received my private pilot's license, and quickly went on to earn instrument and commercial ratings. Not long after becoming a pilot I met NWALL's founder Bob Larson, who suggested I might use my love of flying to help others. It is a pleasure for me to give something back to the community, helping others in need by doing something I truly enjoy.
I live in the country about 12 miles north of Iron Mountain, and am blessed with two wonderful sons, Gabriel and Zachary, and two beautiful daughters, Lana and Veronica. (My oldest son Patrick was taken from us in an accident in 1998; I often feel he is sitting beside me in the cockpit when I'm flying alone at night.) My commercial rating has given me the opportunity to fly professionally for Pioneer Surgical Labs in Marquette, a company which has graciously made their twin engine Seneca available to our patients. When I'm not flying planes I enjoy jumping out of them, and also like climbing mountains and playing hockey. I'm very grateful to have the chance to work with Northwoods AirLifeline, and hope you will consider supporting the work we do.