Michael Gjede was born in Massachusetts and grew up in Connecticut. After attending college in Boston, he joined the U.S. Air Force and eventually, the Air Force Reserve. Gjede retired from the Air Force following a 36 year career with various progressions and promotions, flying B-52s, C-141s, and C-130s.

Upon moving to Prescott in 2006, Gjede and his wife quickly decided they would never go anywhere else and have embraced the community through volunteer work and giving back.

Gjede has attended all four Prescott Citizen Academies, voluntarily drives for Disabled American Veterans, is a member of Prescott Litter Lifters, Airport Passenger Terminal Art Commission, Friends of the Airport, and has proudly served on the Airport Advisory Committee and Airport Passenger Terminal Art Commissions since their inceptions. He is passionate about the future and success of Prescott Regional Airport and thinks that it is important that informed decisions are made to facilitate future airport growth.

Frank is a native of California. Frank grew up there and in Parker and Lake Havasu City, Arizona. He graduated from UCLA with a degree in International Economics. He has over 40 years of Commercial Aviation Experience. Frank’s career began at Douglas Aircraft in Aircraft Production, and then moved on to Marketing and Sales of Commercial Aircraft. After Douglas Aircraft he joined FedEx. Over a career spanning 34 years, he held various management positions in Marketing, Engineering, Operations, and Global Sales. Frank was instrumental in the development of the International Line Haul Network for FedEx. He had teams responsible for Global Sales to the Airlines of the World, as well as most of the major Aerospace related companies. He has conducted business in over 60 countries, and in virtually every state of the Union. 

Frank and his wife, Tina, relocated from Memphis, Tennessee, to Prescott, Arizona, in 2016, and designed and built their new home. They are enjoying the beauty, climate, and people of the region. Frank is committed to helping Prescott build an airport that the region can be proud of and that can connect the region to the world. 

James Huffman is the Executive Consultant for Lawrence Semiconductor Research Laboratory (LSRL). Formerly its Chief Executive Officer and President, Huffman assists the current CEO in increasing impact and profitability. The company has set records for revenue and becoming world renowned for integrity, innovation, quality, and having fun since 1996. LSRL is located in Tempe, AZ, employs 40 people and does semiconductor materials research for government labs, universities, and Fortune 500 companies. Huffman states that he has a Ph.D. in Physics, but “most people would never guess that.”

In Huffman’s professional and community service, honesty, truthfulness, integrity, and innovation are cornerstones. In his new role on in the committee, he intends to serve the Prescott community with the best he has to offer. Huffman serves on a number of local volunteer groups and as a board member for local organizations.

Huffman’s wife Holly (Ph.D. Biochemistry) is a faculty member at Arizona State University. The Huffman’s are proud of their three sons. their daughter, and their six grandchildren. In his spare time, Huffman enjoys hiking, serving the community, spending time with his neighbors and their dogs, and has a lifelong love of airplanes.

Yvonne retired in 2018 from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). During her 30-year career at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center she served as the technology commercialization and intellectual property manager, webmaster, and technical writer/editor.

Yvonne also spent three years at NASA Headquarters in Washington DC, where she served on the President’s Commission on Moon, Mars, and Beyond to implement the United States Space Exploration Policy. In addition, she responded directly to Congressional inquiries for the NASA Office of the Chief Engineer and served on Mishap Investigation Boards for the Contour and Genesis programs.

While attending California State University, Long Beach to obtain a bachelor’s degree in journalism, she worked several years for the Walt Disney Company learning marketing and retail functions. During the summers between semesters, Yvonne worked at Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks.

Retirement in Prescott led to community service, including serving as the Prescott Frontier Days® Rodeo Parade deputy and rodeo volunteer, in addition to creating a rodeo cookbook as a fundraiser for the Prescott Frontier Days Foundation. She has also attended the Citizens Academy course and created a Women’s Group to encourage community spirit and give back to the City of Prescott.

Jason Kopsak’s biography- coming soon.