The Balloonmeistern, a female event director for a hot-air balloon rally, plays a crucial role in ensuring a safe and successful experience for all participants. At the Friends & Lovers Rally, the Balloonmeistern oversees flight operations, collaborates with pilots, and makes essential decisions based on weather, safety, and event logistics.
This position demands extensive ballooning expertise and strong leadership skills to guide both pilots and crew. With the Balloonmeistern leading the way, the rally runs seamlessly, offering unforgettable moments for everyone involved.
Below is a list of our Friends & Lovers Rally Balloonmeistern through the years.
| Year | Balloonmeistern | Year | Balloonmeistern |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Sid Cutter | 2001 | Melissa Bond |
| 1976 | Greg Wilson K & Diane Terry | 2002 | Carolyn Grantham |
| 1977 | Craig Landon & Tim Thorsen | 2003 | Jacque Jacobs |
| 1978 | John Lynch | 2004 | Jeanne Schroeder |
| 1979 | Marge Ruppenthal | 2005 | Jennifer Greenwood |
| 1980 | Charlotte Kinney McMahon | 2006 | Rolina "Sam" Tzamaloukas |
| 1981 | Neida "Mom" Courtney | 2007 | Barbara Fricke |
| 1982 | Sheri Bachelle Moore | 2008 | Susan Collins |
| 1983 | Gay Jensen | 2009 | Faye Godfrey |
| 1984 | Mary Beck | 2010 | ??? |
| 1985 | Doni Bird | 2011 | Cookie See |
| 1986 | Kathy Myrick | 2012 | ??? |
| 1987 | Glenda Watson | 2013 | ??? |
| 1988 | Sheri Bachelle Moore | 2014 | MaeBell Pendelton |
| 1989 | Pat Brake | 2015 | Carol Bair |
| 1990 | Carol Bair | 2016 | Janie Jordan |
| 1991 | Michelle Siebert | 2017 | Barbara Fricke |
| 1992 | Terry May | 2018 | Jennifer Garcia |
| 1993 | Anna Nalley | 2019 | Elisa Bustamante & Pat Mezzancello |
| 1994 | Cheryl Goettsche | 2020 | Lynda Crispino |
| 1995 | Martha Keyser | 2021 | None-Non Event Flying only due to COVID |
| 1996 | Jeanne Tolman | 2022 | Loretta Zamora |
| 1997 | Carla Devaney | 2023 | Ursula Richards |
| 1998 | Stephanie Johnstone | 2024 | Debi Ellis-Ostgulen |
| 1999 | Jamie Gardner | 2025 | |
| 2000 | Ann Piper | 2026 |