Scott
L Spencer - Media Bio
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Scott Spencer
began ballooning in 1973 and has owned 43 different sport and commercial
balloons.
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In 1976 Scott
co-founded the NORTHWEST BALLOONING ASSOCIATION and is a four-time office
holder in the organization.
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Spencer is
recognized as being highly responsible for the advent of ballooning as
a sport in the northwest.
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Scott is the
only back to back winner of the NBA Champion Aeronaut Award (1978 &
1979)
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Over the years,
Scott has logged nearly FIVE THOUSAND HOURS in hot air balloons, flying
more than three hundred hours per year. Scott says "That's a long
time to be going no where in particular". Scott's aviation background
includes airplane, corporate jets, sailplanes, and helicopters, spending
8 years as Vice President of Marketing for Jet Helicopters, Inc.
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Scott as President
of Lighter Than Air America, Incorporated, the only ballooning operation
west of the Rocky Mountains devoted 100% to Corporate ballooning, continues
to break new ground with innovative ways to "EXPOSE" Corporate logos.
Currently the company owns and operates balloons for two of the highest
profile companies in America, Coca-Cola and Kellogg's.
Regional programs include The Wildhorse Casino Resort, the City
of Boise Idaho, the Boise River Festival, the Model T Casino,
the Children's Home Society, Micron Technology and KBCI TV 2,
to name but a few.
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Scott is best
known in ballooning circles for his "On Site" work with the general public
during flight operations and promotional events. His ability to promote
product and service is award winning and certainly justifies his reputation
as ballooning's "Aerial Ambassador". Scott loves to involve
the public in his balloon flights and can usually be found telling children
and their parents all about the sport of ballooning before and after most
flights.
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Scott hosted
the first seven years of the Boise Festival Of Balloons at the Western
Idaho Fair in the early 80's and was called out of "Event Producer" retirement
is 1989 and asked to Produce and Direct a rally for the Boise River Festival.
The Wildhorse
Resort Casino Hot Air Balloon Rally at the Boise River Festival has become,
without question or argument, the premier ballooning event in the Western
United States and in fact has been awarded the "Best" Balloon Event in
the Country honor by the readers of Balloon Life Magazine a record three
times. No other balloon rally, at any point in history has achieved that
distinction.
Going in
to it's 12th year in 2002, the balloon event is as strong as ever, with
nearly 260 balloons on a waiting list to participate. Spencer's client
balloons are featured in the event.
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Scott founded
the Le Societe De Alzheimer ballooning organization in 1987 and the North
West Aviators Association, an FAA approved drug abatement program in 1990.
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Scott visits
as many as fifty schools each year, sharing ballooning and various timely
messages with the school's children after each flight demonstration.
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In August of
1989, Scott flew as passengers the first Soviet citizens to fly in a sport
balloon. On November 16, 1989, Scott made the first indoor non-tethered
balloon flight in Seattle's King Dome.
Known to his
friends as "Scotty" or "Admiral", the father of two daughters age 18 and
22, Scott can be found in the constant company of Laurie Spencer, his best
friend and wife. (Laurie is an incredible balloon pilot as well).
Scott is recognized on the launch field by his trademark sunglasses and
often a very large crowd. 1995 saw Scott's greatest honor in ballooning
when he was named 1995 Pilot Of The Year by the members of the Northwest
Ballooning Association. "What a thrill!" says ballooning's very own
"Aerial Ambassador". That honor was repeated when the organization
named him 2000 Pilot Of The Year, making him the only two time winner
of that award. |
