Albert II, Prince Grimaldi became the reigning monarch of the Principality of Monaco in April 2005. He is the son of Rainier III, Prince Grimaldi, the previous ruling monarch of Monaco, who was an IOC Member from 1949-50. Prince Grimaldi competed in bobsledding at the Winter Olympics five times from 1988-2002, with a best finish of 25th in 1988 in the two-man event. He has a long Olympic heritage. His mother was Grace Kelly, whose father, Jack Kelly, Sr., and brother, Jack Kelly, Jr., rowed for the United States in the Olympics. In July 2011, Prince Grimaldi married Charlene Wittstock, a former South African Olympic swimmer. Prince Grimaldi studied at Amherst College in Massachusetts in the United States, and spent six summers as a camp counselor in Moultonborough, New Hampshire, on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee. Upon his return to Monaco he assumed his royal duties and also did large amounts of charitable work during the ensuing 30-year period prior to his taking over duties from his father as Prince of Monaco. He served in the Navy briefly, was President of the Monegasque Red Cross, and served as Vice-President of the Princes Grace Foundation. He also worked in management with advertising and public relations agencies in New York and Paris. Member of the Explorers Club, FI’14
His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco
Royal Patron for the World Sky Race
Kathryn D. Sullivan, Ph.D
Space and Environmental Advisor
American woman to EVA (walk in space), Among the first 6 women to join the NASA astronaut corp, Crew member on three Space Shuttle missions – STS-41-G, STS-31 (deployed Hubble Telescope), and STS-45, former Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Time 100 List of Most Influential People Explorers Club Medalist, Two Lowell Thomas Awards, Fellow Member of the Explorers Club, MED’81
Kathryn D. Sullivan, Ph.D
Space and Environmental Advisor
Sylvia Earle, Ph.D.
Oceanic and Environmental Advisor
Former chief scientist at the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; National Geographic explorer-in-residence; Time Magazine’s First Hero for the Planet; Chair of the Google Earth Advisory Council for the Ocean. TED Prize, National Women’s Hall of Fame Explorers Club Medalist, Explorers Club Lowell Thomas Awardee, Legacy Society Member, Honorary President for the Explorers
Sylvia Earle, Ph.D.
Oceanic and Environmental Advisor
Bertrand Piccard, MD
Solar Power Advisor
National Geographic Society, Hubbard Medal Fédération Aéronautique Internationale Gold Medal, Royal Scottish Geographical Society Mungo Park Medal Explorers Club Medalist, Explorers Club Lowell Thomas Awardee, Fellow Member of the Explorers Club, MED’00
Bertrand Piccard, MD
Solar Power Advisor
John and Martha King
Aviation and Education Advisors
Joint Distinctions: Inducted into National Aviation Hall of Fame, inducted into Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals Founders and Pioneers Hall of Fame, Received Jack J. Eggspuehler Award from the National Association of Flight Instructors, awarded the Crystal Eagle Award, Awarded the Pinnacle Award, Awarded the Sword of Honour and presented by His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent, Awarded the Frank G. Brewer Trophy for Aviation Education by the National Aeronautic Association, Awarded the IAOPA Service Award for Excellence in Aviation Safety and Pilot Training Education by the International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations at the 26th World Assembly, Named Living Legends of Aviation by the Kiddie Hawk Air Academy, Awarded the American Spirit Award by the National Business Aviation Association, Inducted into the International Aerospace Hall of Fame, Received the Vision Award from Business & Commercial Aviation, Received the Forrest M. and Pamela Bird award by the Civil Aviation Medical Association, Received honorary Paul Tissandier Diplomas from the Fédération aéronautique internationale, Serve on the Board of The Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation, Inducted into the International Forest of Friendship, named “Aviation Educators of the Year” by Professional Pilot Magazine. John King: Named by AOPA Pilot as one of 24 “General Aviation Giants”, Received the 2004 “Excellence in Pilot Training” award from the National Air Transportation Association Explorers Club Lowell Thomas Awardee, Fellow Member of the Explorers Club, FN’08 Martha King: Appointed by the Secretary of the Air Force and the national commander of the Civil Air Patrol to the Board of Governors, Awarded the Cliff Henderson Award for Achievement from the National Aeronautic Association, Named one of the “100 Most Influential Women in Aviation” by Women in Aviation International, Honored as one of the 100 Distinguished Aviation Heroes in the first century of flight by the First Flight Centennial Commission, Honored by a resolution of the California Assembly and a proclamation from the Governor of California, Appointed by President Clinton to First Flight Centennial Federal Advisory Board Explorers Club MemberExplorers Club Lowell Thomas Awardee, Fellow Member of the Explorers Club, FN’08
John and Martha King
Aviation and Education Advisors
Norman Augustine, Ph.D
Honorary Advisory Director
Retired chairman and CEO of Lockheed Martin, Previously Chairman and Principal Officer of the American Red Cross, Chairman of the National Academy of Engineering, Chairman of the Aerospace Industries Association, former President of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the Boy Scouts of America, National Space Club Goddard Award, Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Rotary National Award for Space Achievement National Space Trophy, NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal, Space Foundation General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award, National Academy of Sciences Public Welfare Medal, USO Freedom’s Finest Award, The Harold W. McGraw Hill, Jr. Prize in Education, NAA Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy, The American Chemical Society Public Service Award, National Academy of Sciences Award in Aeronautical Engineering, Smithsonian Air & Space Museum, Lifetime Achievement Trophy Award, Arthur C. Clarke Lifetime Achievement Award, Air Force Distinguished Public Service Award, National Institutes of Health Director’s Award, Sigma Xi Honorary Scientific Research Inaugural Gold Key Award Fellow Member of the Explorers Club, FN’98
Norman Augustine, Ph.D
Honorary Advisory Director
Erik Lindbergh, Hon. Ph.D
Aviation, Environmental and Artistic Advisor
ReChairman of The Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation, Trustee and Vice President of the X PRIZE Foundation, CEO of VerdeGo Aero, an advanced aviation propulsion technology company. Member of the Explorers Club, MN’02
Erik Lindbergh, Hon. Ph.D
Aviation, Environmental and Artistic Advisor
His Excellency Francesco Bandarin, Ph.D
Cultural Director
Special Assistant to the Secretary General United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Former Assistant Director General UNESCO, President Italian Association of Historic Cities, Member of the Visiting Committee of the Getty Conservation Institute, Member of the Steering Committee of the Aga Khan AwardConservation Institute, Member of the Steering Committee of the Aga Khan Award Fellow Member of the Explorers Club, FI’18
His Excellency Francesco Bandarin, Ph.D
Cultural Director
Zahi Hawass, Ph.D
Archaeological and Cultural Heritage Advisory Director
Former Egypt Minister of State for Antiquities Affairs, Former Vice Minister of Culture, American Academy of Achievements’ Golden Plate, Member Russian Academy for Natural Sciences, National Geographic explorer-in-residence Fellow Member of the Explorers Club, FI’18
Zahi Hawass, Ph.D
Archaeological and Cultural Heritage Advisory Director
Mary Ellen Weber, Ph.D.
Honorary Advisory Director
Former NASA Astronaut, Competitive skydiver with 6,000 jumps with 13 Silver and Bronze Medals U.S. National Championships Member of the Explorers Club
Mary Ellen Weber, Ph.D.
Honorary Advisory Director
The Honorable Robert W. Jordan, J.D.
Advisory Director
Former United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Diplomat in Residence and adjunct professor of political science in the John G. Tower Center for Political Studies at Southern Methodist, former Partner Baker Botts, Vice Chair of the Tower Center Board of Directors, member of the Council on Foreign Relations, past president of the Dallas Bar Association and the Dallas Committee on Foreign Relations, and serves on the Advisory Board of the Bilateral U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce
The Honorable Robert W. Jordan, J.D.
Advisory Director
The Honorable Geoffrey Connor, Ph.D, J.D.
WAL Advisory Director
Former Secretary of State for Texas Member of the Explorers Club, MN’12
The Honorable Geoffrey Connor, Ph.D, J.D.
Advisory Director
The Honorable Chase Untermeyer
Advisory Director
Former United States Ambassador to Qatar, and previous: Executive Vice President and Professor of Public Policy University of Texas Health, Director of the Voice of America, Assistant to the President of the United States and Director of Presidential Personnel, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Member of the Texas House of Representatives, Reporter for the Houston Chronicle
The Honorable Chase Untermeyer
Advisory Director
Professor John H. Lienhard, Ph.D
Advisory Director
Author and voice of The Engines of Our Ingenuity, M.D. Anderson Professor Emeritus
Professor John H. Lienhard, Ph.D
Advisory Director
Terry Garcia
Advisory Director
Terry Garcia served as Executive Vice President and Chief Science and Exploration Officer for the National Geographic Society for 17 years. He was responsible for the Society’s core mission programs, including programs that supported and managed more than 400 scientific field research, conservation and exploration projects annually. In June 2010 Garcia was appointed by President Obama to serve on the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling. The Commission investigated the root causes of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. In 2011, he received Peru’s highest civilian award, “Orden del Sol del Peru,” for his role in helping repatriate a collection of ancient artifacts taken from Machu Picchu in 1912. Prior to joining National Geographic in 2000, Garcia was Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, U.S. Department of Commerce, and Deputy Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) where he oversaw U.S. coastal, ocean, and atmospheric programs, including recovery of endangered species, habitat conservation planning, Clean Water Act implementation, the development of the national marine sanctuary system and commercial satellite licensing. From 1994 to 1996, he was NOAA’s general counsel. Among other responsibilities, he led the implementation of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Restoration Plan for Prince William Sound and the Gulf of Alaska. Before entering government service, Garcia was a partner in the national law firms of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips and Hughes Hubbard & Reed. He is a research affiliate for the MIT Media Lab Open Agriculture Initiative. In 2011, he was named by the First Minister of Scotland to be Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Government of Scotland’s Saltire Challenge Prize for marine renewable energy. He is a member of the boards of directors of Mystic Aquarium, the Amazonian Center for Environmental Education and Research (ACEER) and George Washington University’s Planet Forward program. He served on NOAA’s Sanctuary System Business Advisory Council and the advisory board of the Harte Research Institute of Gulf of Mexico Studies, Texas A&M University. Garcia also has served on the U.S. National Committee for the Census of Marine Life, the board of trustees of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation as well as panels convened by NOAA, the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Public Administration. Terry Garcia is currently president of Exploration Ventures, a company providing advice and counsel to global clients in a range of industries, including science and technology, conservation, media, and education. He is a member of the Explorers Club. tgarcia@worldskyrace.com
Terry Garcia
Advisory Director
Executive Team
Don R Hartsell
Commissioner & Founder
Don Hartsell is the first Commissioner for the World Air League (WAL). WAL is organizing the World Sky Race, the historic first race of airships to circle the planet. Hartsell is an advocate for a greener sustainable path using lighter-than-air airships as a disruptive alternative to major global infrastructure projects and their collateral destruction of the environment. Hartsell has traveled the entire proposed World Sky Race route organizing local support and resources. This includes creating diverse alliances of Ministries and international organizations responsible for Environment, Economic Development, Tourism, Culture, Education, Youth, Sport, Foreign Affairs, Defense, Security and Aviation. Hartsell managed the agreements with the Admiralty for the Portuguese Navy to contribute ships and sailors to assist the airship teams in crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Hartsell lectured at the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi on the global economic impact of sustainable lighter-than-air aviation engineering. Hartsell participated at the World Economic Forum in Davos 2017 and 2019 presenting a profitable path for the global economy to expand by 2030 with an addition of $1.5 Trillion USD in commerce by deploying lighter-than-air freightliners from the Arctic and to Rainforest regions of the world. Prior to his services for the World Air League, Hartsell was a successful businessman and inventor. He managed projects in the US, UK, Spain, Austria, Hungary, UAE, Malaysia and Australia. This spanned multinational technology development joint ventures with GE, Lockheed Martin, NASA, Hungarian Atomic Energy Commission, US Department of Energy and Library of Congress. His projects have included the largest successful restoration of books in all of history for the City of Los Angeles Central Public Library. He managed the G7 Summit of Industrial Nations environmental systems for President George H.W. Bush, PM Thatcher, President Mitterrand, PM Mulroney, Chan. Kohl, PM Kalfu and PM Andreotti. In 1999, he was recognized as co-inventor of one of the world’s top 100 inventions. He and his engineering team were nominated for the U.S. Presidential National Medal of Technology in 2000. Don Hartsell has presented at the White House and was an expert witness before Congress relating to environmental technology and economic development. He provided environmental expertise for the restorations of the Windsor Castle, Reichstag and Hofburg Palace. Professional accreditations: Attorney (retired) and Certified Public Accountant (retired). He is an inventor. He is a Member of the Explorers Club commissioner@worldskyrace.com
Don R Hartsell
Commissioner & Founder
Arnaud de la Villèsbrunne
World Air League Global Events Director
Arnaud de la Villèsbrunne is a specialist in public, political and corporate communication. He is skilled in the conception, organization and production of large-audience cultural events, and major international conferences. After starting in Houston alongside Jean Michel Jarre, Arnaud de la Villèsbrunne created his own production company and performed shows and events all around the world. In 1999, he created the special events division at Disneyland Resort Paris and managed the event venues of the site. In 2008, he joined the Euro RSCGWorldwide Events team as Director. In 2010, he contributed to the creation of Agence Publics, in which he coordinated major international projects. In 2016, he joined A AND CO, an events and communications agency. RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS
The opening ceremonies of the new Suez Canal in Ismailia in the presence of numerous heads of state, August, 2015.
8th World Policy Conference in Montreux (Switzerland), November, 2015.
Brad is the grandson of iconic American Hotelier Conrad Hilton, one of the greatest American entrepreneurs in history. As the former director of Hilton Hotels Information Technology Group, Brad helped spearhead an increase in corporate solicitations from $700 million to $1.2 billion in a single year at Hilton. After leaving Hilton Hotels, Hilton has been involved in seeding capital for many companies. Several of the companies have experienced explosive growth and are moving to become publicly traded. Prior becoming the CEO of GAINS, Hilton was a founding partner and the President of eCorridor, a successful Information Technology company located in Phoenix, Arizona. This company successfully weathered the economic downturns brought on by 9/11 as well as the recession of 2008. This first of its kind, statewide integrated solution ties city, state and county agencies together to streamline the arrest, booking and disposition processes; having saved millions in tax payer dollars. J. Bradley Hilton has a wealth of technical, marketing, management, and executive experience to assist companies to rapidly grow and achieve their desired goals. Hilton is a technical visionary; he is always looking at what future events will be coming down the pike and to benefit from emerging markets. Brad is also a noted philanthropist through his involvement in the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation’s Generations in Giving initiative. brad.hilton@worldskyrace.com
J Bradley Hilton
Hospitality Director
Paul Bartick
Executive Producer
Paul Bartick has joined The World Air League as the executive producer of the documentary film about the World Sky Race and the Save Earth Expedition (SEE). Paul Bartick is a member of the Explorer’s Club and a master storyteller. As president of BL² Media, he brings together his expertise and wide network in TV and film to inspire the next generation to dive headfirst into the world of STEM. Paul has developed acclaimed shows for Sesame Workshop, ABC, Nickelodeon, PBS, and Disney Channel. His latest film, Superhuman Body, narrated by Matthew McConaughey, premiered in IMAX theaters worldwide in 2024. Upcoming projects include an animated series with Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, IMAX films on brain healing and climate change, and a PBS documentary exploring the transformative impact of AI in healthcare, showcasing how it is revolutionizing medical science and improving millions of lives. Paul’s dedication to personal and professional growth is reflected in his involvement with the World Sky Race. His growth mindset took root at UC Berkeley, where frequent visits to the Esalen Institute helped shape his outlook, blending Western psychology with Eastern philosophy. Paul’s lifelong journey of self-discovery continues, powered by his passion – and a healthy dose of therapy. Member of the Explorers Club paul.bartick@worldskyrace.com
Paul Bartick
Executive Producer
Bob R Fowler
World Air League Logistics and Safety Director
Bob R. Fowler, Chief Executive Officer of Aerovehicles Inc. (AVI) Bob Fowler has 44 years of experience in aviation starting with the US Air Force in 1978. Bob was the Class President and Honor Graduate of the USAF Command and Leadership Academy. In 20 years of active and reserve duty he was decorated 18 times including the National Defense Service Medal and the Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal two times each. As a civilian pilot Bob holds an Airline Transport Pilot certificate for both lighter-than-air and fixed-winged aircraft. During his civilian aviation career, he advanced to Chief Pilot for both lighter-than-air and fixed wing companies then to Executive Vice President of Pacific Skyway/Casino Airlines until 2002 when he co-founded AeroVehicles Inc. Bob was appointed CEO of Aerovehicles Inc. in 2009. Since then, he has successfully expanded the company and its products. AVI is now the parent company of Aerovehicles Argentina (Sucursal Extranjera), AVI Airship Australia (Aerostats and Airships), Aerovehicles Canada (ISR Systems), Aerovehicles Paraguay S.A. (Aircraft Production) and has representation in England, France, Italy, and Senegal. In 2019 the World Air League selected Bob as their Director of Safety, Training and Logistics for the World Sky Race. He currently resides in San Luis, Argentina where he manages AVI’s offices and projects. Current Aerovehicles Inc. projects include: Electric engine conversions for AVI’s MALE drones and airships. Project partner Parque Tecnológico Itaipu (PTI) Paraguay. Securing FAA and/or DiNAC approval to build a full scale prototype of AVI’s AV-10 heavy lift airship. Aerial mapping of the Amazon region of Paraguay for environmental studies and monitoring. Assist in developing a transport system for Green Hydrogen with PTI Development of hydrogen engines for fixed wing aircraft and airships bob.fowler@worldskyrace.com
Bob R Fowler
Logistics and Safety Director
Fiona Harte
World Air League Legal and Commercial Director
Fiona Harte has combined a 25-year legal career with multinational business and international legal practices. She worked with DAC Beachcroft, Bevan Britten, and was a partner at Slater & Gordon. Fiona worked as In-House Counsel with Compass PLC, served as Group Legal and Commercial Director for Bramble Group and General Counsel Ikon Science Group, a geoscience company in the oil sector. Her specializations include technology, international procurement, infrastructure, and environment projects. She was one of the first-generation project finance lawyers to advise on Private Finance Initiative and Public Private Partnerships. Throughout her career, she has advised central government Public Health England (now Health Security Agency) at executive level and with the Ministry of Defence worked on strictly confidential projects. She has in-depth expertise in privacy and cybersecurity and led 17 lawyers for IBM’s implementation of EU’s General Data Protection Regulations across their global supply chain. She has advised Lloyds Banking Group and was head of legal at Equifax. She started her career in Formula 1 and F1 BioTech, as assistant to John Byfield who achieved acclaim in supporting Jenson Button to F1 world championship. Fiona runs her own elite entertainment, robotic/technology and Space private practice. She advised on the production of the first holographic west end show in 2014, AI and robotic collaborations with Google Deepmind, and LA productions, including Project Runway. She works with music and theater tours with A-list artists and motorsport champions. Fiona has a keen interest in global health and health equity, currently taking an MSc at Queen Mary University London. Fiona is an amateur pilot, a member of the European Space Policy Institute with an active interest in policy making and the issue of space debris and the space environment. Fiona is a composer, producer, and musician. She speaks fluent French, and has a working ability other languages., including Arabic, Spanish, Norwegian and Italian. She received her law degree from Nottingham Trent University. . fiona.harte@worldskyrace.com
Fiona Harte
Legal and Commercial Director
Federico Wesselhoefft
World Air League Legal and Economics Director
Federico Wesselhoefft is an international attorney with extensive experience advising investors and boutique law firms on legal and strategic aspects of resource integration and financing. This includes corporate finance, venture capital, partnering, joint ventures, non-recourse project finance, structured trade and export finance, and international arbitration & enforcement. He is Chief Legal Officer and Director of Aerovehicles Inc., an advanced aircraft designer and manufacturer with operations in the United States, Argentina, and Paraguay. Additionally, Federico Wesselhoefft has received a Doctor in Law and Economics from the University of Hamburg in Germany and The Erasmus University of Rotterdam in The Netherlands. Based in Hamburg, Germany, he is accepted to practice Law in Spain, Germany and Argentina. f.wesselhoefft@worldskyrace.com
Federico Wesselhoefft
Legal and Economics Director
Marie Pohl
Writer
Marie Pohl has joined The World Air League as a writer to chronicle the journey of the World Sky Race and the Sky Games in feature articles and in a book. Ms. Pohl is a published author and the Lady Hay Drummond-Hay of The World Sky Race. The British journalist Drummond-Hay was the first woman to travel around the world by air (in a zeppelin) in August 1929. Ms. Pohl was the youngest woman to travel the world and publish a travel novel, when her first book Marie’s Trip was published in Germany and became an instant bestseller. Born in Hamburg, Germany, she grew up in New York City, studied in Madrid, and is trilingual. She published a second travel novel, Ghost Trip in Germany, and is working on her third about her maternal Romanian heritage. She also writes features for prominent media outlets in English and in German, such as for Süddeutsche Zeitung and Stern magazine, as well as Studio International, The New York Sun and the New York Post, among many others. Member of the Explorers Club marie.pohl@worldskyrace.com
Marie Pohl
Writer
Dimitri Deheyn
Lead Research Scientist
Dimitri Deheyn has joined The World Air League as the lead scientist in its Save Earth Expedition (SEE). The World Air League, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and the Walter Munk Foundation for the Oceans are collaborating to outfit a 1-month airship expedition to gather data on airborne microplastics at varying altitudes in our atmosphere. Dimitri Deheyn, who initiated this unprecedented expedition, is a Research Scientist at the Marine Biology Research Division of Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego. There, he conducts cross-disciplinary research on emerging pollutants, such as plastics, and especially microplastics and textile microfibers and their associated additives. Key aspects of his studies include examining these microparticles from high mountains to the bottom of the ocean, from lakes to rivers, lagoons, and coastal ocean waters, and also looking at them in snow, rain and in the atmosphere, always considering a global perspective. Deheyn grew up in Africa and South America, and in 1998 completed his PhD in Belgium where he started his academic career, before moving to Scripps Oceanography in 1999. His multi-continental past has equipped him with a worldwide view on environmental issues. Consequently, his work aims to understand ecosystems that are critical to support a healthy future of our planet, and to protect these ecosystems against rapidly increasing environmental challenges… climate change and plastics being among the most detrimental threats. Member of the Explorers Club
Dimitri Deheyn
Lead Research Scientist
Travis Tobias
Multimedia Producer
Travis Tobias is a dynamic multimedia artist with over 20 years of experience specializing in animation, motion graphics, graphic design, web design and development, video production, and illustration. His captivating work has graced global stages, from the Times Square Jumbotron to the historic palace of Versailles and other cultural heritage locations, as well as being showcased in theaters across the United States. Since 2007, Travis has passionately collaborated with the World Air League, creating stunning websites, animations, posters, and other graphics that elevate the event’s visibility and engagement. His career has seen him partner with a variety of renowned individuals and organizations, including The World Air League, enhancing a diverse array of projects across multiple media formats. In 2012, Travis founded PixelDog, a multimedia and marketing company where he produces a diverse array of projects, including video production, 3D animation, graphic design, web development, and video game production. travis.tobias@worldskyrace.com
