Board of Directors V2 – First Flight Society

Board of Directors

Meet the dedicated leaders guiding the First Flight Society’s mission to preserve aviation history and inspire future generations. These passionate individuals are committed to honoring the legacy of early aviation pioneers while fostering an appreciation for the technological advancements that have shaped modern flight. Through various educational programs and community outreach initiatives, they aim to engage people of all ages, sparking curiosity and enthusiasm about the wonders of aviation. By sharing stories of innovation and courage, the First Flight Society not only celebrates the past but also encourages future generations to dream big and reach for the skies.

Our Leadership

The First Flight Society is governed by a distinguished board of directors comprised of aviation professionals, historians, educators, and community leaders. Our board members bring diverse expertise and a shared passion for preserving the legacy of the Wright Brothers while advancing aviation education and outreach.

Each board member volunteers their time and expertise to ensure the Society continues its important mission of honoring aviation pioneers and inspiring future generations to reach for the skies.

meet the team

Board of Directors

Paul Wright Jameson

President ~ Paul Wright Jameson is a great-great-nephew of Wilbur and Orville Wright. He is a retired international trade litigator living in Alexandria, Virginia. He has previously run other volunteer organizations.

K. Lynn Tadlock

Vice President ~ K. Lynn Tadlock has a highly successful track record spanning forty-five years, serving as an experienced senior executive in municipal government and philanthropy. In retirement, Ms. Tadlock returns to NC to promote the Outer Banks community through her charitable endeavors

Judith Fearing

Chairman-Education Committee ~ Judith is the great-granddaughter of Elijah Baum, who greeted Wilbur Wright on the shores of Kitty Hawk Bay in 1900. My family has remained closely connected to the Wright Brothers’ story ever since. As a retired Dare County first-grade teacher, I serve as an FFS educator, creating educational experiences for local schools. I coordinate aviation art contests and arrange guest speakers to share Wilbur’s story with fourth-grade classes.

Paul Carr

Chairman-Events Committee ~ Paul Carr is a retired international airline Captain for Delta Airlines and Air Force Colonel with over 45 years of aviation experience. As Chief, Air Reserve Component, Air Force Future Concepts and Transformation Division, he led a Pentagon group in exploring the future direction of military aviation over the coming decades. He has been a lifelong student of the Wright Brothers' history and appears regularly in schools and civic groups as The Spirit of Wilbur Wright.

Erica Paynter

Treasurer, Finance Chair ~ Erica Paynter is a lifelong entrepreneur with a background in financial stewardship and a proven track record of success in small businesses. She is dedicated to furthering the mission of honoring the Wright brothers’ legacy and ensuring society’s resources inspire future generations of aviation enthusiasts and innovators.

Mark Flynn

Chairman-Governance Committee ~ Mark Flynn is a former director of the Virginia Department of Aviation; an airport attorney for 27 years, a tail-dragger pilot, a motorcycle pilot, and a local-government attorney for 43 years.

Sara Lou Copeland

Board Member ~ Sara Lou Copeland Sara Lou Copeland is a longtime resident of Elizabeth City, NC. A retired accountant, Sara has been an active participant in First Flight activities since 1967, reflecting her deep commitment to the community over the decades.

M. Roy Daniels III

Board Member ~ Retired Judicial District Manager for the State of North Carolina. Roy is a Third generation First Flight Society Board member dating to 1927. Married to wife Joan, father to two sons, and two grandchildren.

Lt. Col. William Douglas

Board Member ~ Chairman - National Aviation Committee ~ Lt. Col. Douglas is both a retired AF Officer and a retired Marketing Executive working in International Aerospace with both U.S. and foreign firms in both roles. His experience includes working with the GD/Lockheed F-16, SAAB Gripen, Raytheon/Beech T-6A, Northrop Grumman B-2 and F-20, Lockheed Martin F-35, and Kawasaki Aerospace P-1 and C-2 programs. Since his AF retirement, he has led the growth of a Commemorative Air Force 501(c) (3) unit in the acquisition and restoration of three WWII aircraft into active flying roles, telling the public the story of their history. He holds a Private Pilot’s license.

Michael Fonseca

Immediate - Past President ~ Mike was president of the FFS for the past five years. He has had a lifelong passion for flying. Although he has never been a pilot himself, Mike has flown in aircraft as varied as the Cessna Skymaster, Stearman Biplane, North American T-6, a glider, and even the Goodyear Blimp. As a teenager, he was a cadet in the Civil Air Patrol. Mike is currently a member of the EAA, AOPA, and the Virginia Aeronautical Historical Society, and was the immediate past president of the Kiwanis Club of Ashland, VA. Fonseca is currently the owner of an IT Consulting business, Fonseca Consulting Services, in Richmond, VA.

Orestes D. Gooden

Board Member ~ Orestes D. Gooden earned a B.S. from Virginia State University and a Master’s in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval Nuclear Power and Navy Flight Schools, with 24 years of military service. With over 25 years in higher education, he has served as Aviation and Flight Safety Program Manager and now chairs the Aviation Department at Hampton University. An FAA-certified pilot, Gooden is qualified in fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and small UAS. He is active in industry and community groups, including the First Flight Society, Tuskegee Airmen Inc., and the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals. He is also a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Penny Leary Smith

Board Member ~ Penny Leary Smith, Retired Director of N C Welcome Center (Dismal Swamp ) for 23 years. Served on numerous Boards and represented many organizations over the years, one being on the Board in planning the 100th Anniversary of the Wright Bros., receiving numerous rewards, recognition, and accomplishments locally, state, and nationally. Having received the highest award in North Carolina, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, presented by Governor Beverly Predue.

Tami A. Helleman

Board Member ~ Photography has been an integral part of my life from an early age. With over forty years of experience in photography, I have documented national and international events, including those involving presidents and world leaders. I have built a foundation of practical experience, collaborating with partners to plan, execute, and craft impactful storytelling that creates meaningful connections with the audience.

Debbie Ferrell Moore

Board Member ~ Born and raised in Moyock (summers in Rodanthe), I’ve lived in Nags Head for 38 years. After earning a BS in Marketing from UNC-Wilmington and traveling for a decade, I owned businesses and served 19 years as General Manager of Tanger Outlets. Now retired, I work as a luxury travel advisor.

Steve House

Board Member ~ Vice Chair Dare County Board of Commissioners Retired Emergency Services Paramedic - Firefighter and Nationally Certified Fire Investigator

Dean J. D’Ambrosi

Board Member ~ Dean J. D’Ambrosi, CAE, Carrollton, VA – Dean is a fractional CFO and operations executive with 30+ years of experience leading finance, strategy, and operational excellence across associations and high-growth organizations. He currently provides outsourced CFO leadership to multiple clients, implementing scalable systems, rigorous financial controls, and budgeting discipline; previously, he served as EVP & CFO at Character.org and Idealliance. A Certified Association Executive with dual BS degrees in Finance and Management from Monmouth University, he has been active in ASAE and served as President of the New Jersey Society of Association Executives. Dean and his wife, Dina, live in Virginia with their son, Nicholas.

Josh Bass

Board Member ~ A long-time resident of Currituck, he graduated from Currituck High School and then went on to UNC-Chapel Hill. Josh has a lifetime of community involvement with organizations, such as, the Whalehead Preservation Trust, the NC Cooperative Extension Service, the Outer Banks History Center, Pilmoor Food Pantry, the Currituck Economic Development Advisory Board, Future of Hampton Roads, the Currituck Education Foundation, the Currituck County Historic Commission, the North Carolina Travel and Tourism Board, the North Carolina Local Government Commission, the Dare Currituck Community Foundation, and the Sentara Albermarle Medical Center Advisory Board. Josh and his wife Monica live in Currituck with their sons and Boston Terrier/ Pug mix.

Board Responsibilities

Governance

Mission Advancement

Join Our Mission

Interested in supporting our work or learning more about board opportunities? We welcome dedicated individuals who share our passion for aviation history and the remarkable journey of the first flight. Our commitment to preserving and promoting the legacy of aviation pioneers offers a unique opportunity to engage with like-minded enthusiasts. By joining us, you can contribute to educational initiatives, community outreach programs, and the preservation of artifacts that tell the story of humanity’s first steps into the skies. Your involvement can help inspire future generations to appreciate the significance of the first flight and the advancements in aviation that have followed.