2023 GPA Officers
Denny Breslin
PRESIDENT
Captain Denny Breslin - Began aviation career as a smokejumper for the US Forest Service in 1969. Began pilot career in the US Navy with 7 years of active duty during the Vietnam War. Retired as a B-777 Captain at American Airlines in 2008 after 31 years. Directed the Aviation Program at San Diego Christian College for 10 years and have been GPA president since 2019.
Leslie Day
VICE PRESIDENT
Leslie grew up flying with her father (a WWII B-24 pilot who flew 50 missions in Europe) in single and multiengine airplanes for many years. She states that she was “born to the breed “ to fly. She decided in mid life to get her pilot certificate. Her passion is the preservation and flying warbirds (vintage military aircraft) and being an advocate to protect airports, especially Gillespie Field. She is Past President of GPA (2010-2012), in addition to being a member of the 99s (International Organization of Women Pilots). She manages membership for GPA, and is an authorized person to sign for Historic Aircraft Display Day on the first Saturday of the month at Gillespie Field.
Doug Ferry
TREASURER
Doug has been flying since an early age. He was born into a flying family, son of a NWA pilot. He earned his CFI in college, having been mostly instructed by his father. Flying, though, is mostly a hobby, which had a resurgence in the 90's when he bought a tailwheel converted C175. He has been flying it ever since and is based out of Gillespie.
Wes Morris
SECRETARY
Wes earned his PPL and worked on several aircraft restorations at Gillespie Field while a college student back in the late ‘80s. He was also an aircraft owner and employee of one of the many small businesses on the field, but now works as a first responder and flies mostly for fun through one of the clubs based at the airport.
Rick Fordem
Immediate Past President
1969 Soloed in Gliders then Power. Graduated SDSU 1976. All licenses and ratings earned from El Cajon Flying Service where later I became Chief Flight Instructor and FAA Designated Examiner. F/0 Golden West Airlines, F/O Flying Tigers and Fedex Captain. Flew DC-8, B-727, B-747 and Airbus A-300 / 310. Toured country with the Collings Foundation flying the B-17 and B-24. Twelve years serving on the Gillespie Field Development Council. Two years past GPA President. Retired now and enjoying family and friends along with flying our Cessna 172 and Stearman.
Bill Allen
GPA Board
Willis ( Bill) Allen
Allen Airways Flying Museum in Gillespie Field since 1993.
Soloed Palomar Airport 1963. Over 7,000 hours, mostly antiques, past President Antique Airplane Asso, past President International Aerospace Hall of Fame, past 30 plus year board member San Diego Air & Space Museum.
Developer along with Claudia Allen of Speer Field Hangar.
Current airplane owner.
Tom D’Amico
GPA Board
Tom DAmico: Captain SkyWest Airlines Retired, currently CFI at Golden State Flying Club. Other activities: Harley Owners Group, Bike Buddies Cycling Club, hiking San Diego’s back country.
Jim Gombold
GPA Board/Webmaster*
Jim took his first flying lesson at age 13 from San Diego Aircraft Sales at Lindbergh Field. Continuing through High School and into his early 20’s, the flying had moved up to CrownAir at Montgomery Field under Pappy Keough, obtaining ratings from Private to Instructor. Flight Instructing began in 1967 at El Cajon Flying Service, based at Gillespie Field. 1968-1969 included Golden West Twin Otter F/O, and after being furloughed from Golden West, returned to El Cajon Flying Service to continue instructing. Graduated from SDSU in 1972.
Hired with American Airlines in 1973, he was furloughed 10 months later. El Cajon Flying Service offered a Chief Flight Instructor position for the duration of the furlough. Recalled in 1976. American Airlines flying included the Boeing 707, 727, 757, 767, 777, along with the DC-10, MD-80, and MD-11. After retiring in 2005, he flew a Cessna 421C for Critical Air out of Montgomery Field and Corpus Christi, Texas, working with the children’s hospitals in those locations, for one year, then had the opportunity to travel to India to fly the B-777-300 for Jet Airways for two years to help them build up their international network. Retired in 2009.
A fractional ownership of a Cirrus SR-22 for three years led to flying all over the Western U.S., and throughout Mexico and Central America, He enjoys scuba diving, underwater photography, audio/visual creations, and working with GPA.