Jim Davidson - Seat 1

Jim Davidson has been flying since 1966, graduated from the United States Armys Warrant Officer Flight School December 6, 1966 (Class 66-19). Spent two tours in the Republic of Vietnam. Both with the 1st Air Cavalry Division in the central highlands (first tour 1967-68 with C Company 229th Aviation Battalion flying UH-1Ds H model hueys, then the second tour 1969-70 with Troop B, 1st Squadron 9 Cavalry, flying AH-1Gs OH-6As). Jim holds a Commercial Pilot Certificate, Rotorcraft Helicopter, and Instrument Helicopter with over 12,000 hours (all in helicopters). Moved to Southern California in 1974 and has been working for various aviation companies,include Western Helicopters, Inc., Arizona Helicopters, Inc. Aerohead Helicopters, Inc., Mercy Air, Inc. and San Joaquin Helicopters, Inc. Jim was sworn in as the first of two full-time Fire Pilots for Orange County Fire Authority Air Operations on April 1st 1998, and was most recently flying two UH-1H Super Hueys until his retirement in 2017. Jim is a long time participant in the FAA Wings Safety Program and has completed levels I through XIII in the program, and has attended a number HAI Aviation Safety courses. Jim and his family reside in Crestline, California.

Dave Andrews - Seat 2

I am a Southern California native, and grew up in the shadows of the San Gabriel Mountains. I was always fascinated by Pasadena's PD1, an orange Enstrom F-28A, that flew overhead all the time. Watching it orbit with its searchlight was like magic to me. My parents took us boys to San Pedro, where I got to ride in the co-pilots seat on a helicopter harbor tour. When I was twelve, I tagged along with a group of more experienced and older hikers on a hike up Santa Anita Canyon. While trying to keep up with the older hikers, I became dehydrated and very sick. I was rescued by the LA County Sheriffs in a OH-6, and transported to the trailhead and then to the hospital. At that point I was hooked on aviation and helicopters. While in college, I started to work event security, and quickly moved my way up to event operations. I was able to plan and work such events as USC, UCLA, Rams, Raiders and 49ers games, arena and stadium concerts, races and motor sports, the Rose Bowl, a couple of Super Bowls and a World Series. After college, I continued to be involved planning and working large events, like the Bakersfield Business Conference, Pasadena Rose Parade, Portland Rose Festival and small-town parades. Fifteen years ago, a friend approached me to help at Heroes Airshow, it was a natural fit, helicopters and large events. I have worked my way up from an Aircraft Marshaller to Mini Boss and then Air Boss. I received my Air Boss LOA this year. I have worked at Wings, Wheels and Rotors, several off-airport landing zones as well as Heroes Airshow. I have been involved with the South Pasadena Police and Fire Department Open House, where I plan and co-ordinate flyovers, landings and departures of several helicopters during the day. This year I ran the PHPA's demonstration ramp at HAI in Anaheim. I still live in the shadows of the San Gabriel Mountains, watching PD1 and Air 5 fly overhead. I am still involved with several of the large events, and local community programs. I still hike those mountains, but with the adult supervision of my Saint Bernard.

James Paules - Seat 4

With over 25 years of experience in real estate development, non-profit management and event development Paules brings a unique toolbox of skills in financial / accounting management, business development and volunteer / team management. Paules holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from California State University, Northridge along with graduate certificates in Real Estate Finance and Construction Management from the UCLA Graduate Builders Program. Jim is also a Certified Management Accountant, C.M.A. Paules career in real estate has included roles with many of the premier home and commercial property builders in Southern California including Griffin Industries and Forecast Homes. Additionally, Jim imagined, designed and took to market the landmark Customer Satisfaction Study for Homebuilders during his tenure with J.D. Power and Associates. A member of the PHPA since 1996 Paules first served on the Board of Directors during 2000. During this long tenure with the PHPA Paules has served as the association Treasurer, Membership director, newsletter editor and has worked on committees supporting the Helicopter Awareness Day and PHPAs involvement in a host of community events over the years. As an enthusiastic supporter of rotary-wing aviation, Paules originated the American Heroes Air Show at the Santa Monica Airport in 1993. Since then this unique event has grown into the nations premier helicopter-only, admission-free aviation experience volunteer-produced in communities from coast to coast. Paules has additionally connected with the Southern California community via his authored articles in BUILDER Magazine, the Los Angeles Times, Air Space Magazine and 9-1-1 Magazine with themes from helicopters role in SAR Operations to customer satisfaction for builders to financial management tactics for non-profit organizations Upon graduation from Los Angeles first FBI Citizens Academy class in Paules organized the F.B.I. Citizens Academy Alumni Association and served as the founding President. Additionally, Paules was the founding President and continues to sit on the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles A.T.F. Citizens Academy Alumni Association. Married since 1981, Jim has made West Hills in the San Fernando Valley his home with his wife Kristen, a Special Education teacher with LAUSD and their two grown children Ryan and Victoria.

Steve Goldsworthy - Seat 8

Steve Goldsworthy is currently the Manager for an electrical wholesale company. Steve has been active in all phases of public safety, having been a reserve police officer, EMS Reserve Coordinator for the Pasadena Fire Department and a volunteer with the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department for the last 32 years. Steve is currently a member of the Montrose Search and Rescue Team. Steve is active in many charity organizations and is a former elected member of the Crescenta Valley Town Council where he served as Vice President and Chair of the Emergency Preparedness Committee. Steve, also known as Goldy to his friends, has served on both the PHPA membership committee and events chair. Steve is an FAA rated commercial helicopter pilot who first soloed in 1990 at Watson Helicopters. Steve has written many feature stories for Rotorcraft Pro Magazine and has flown 19 different helicopter makes/models.

Alex Calder - Seat 11

Alex has been working in television news helicopters in Southern California since 1995, most recently for KNBC-TV. Before becoming a Board member, Alex was an advisor for the PHPA Board of Directors for 20 years, working behind the scenes for much of that time on the PHPA.org web site. Additionally, he is the founder of the popular helicopter photo web site Helispot, which he launched in 1996. Alex currently lives in his hometown of St. Louis, MO.

Ricarda Bennett, Esq. - Legal Liaison

Ricarda Bennett's law practice focuses on heliports and airport permitting, land use planning, government relations, administrative law, public agency, business organizations, and contracts. Ricarda works with architects, hospitals, corporations, municipalities, and the property owners in the area of the heliport permitting, site evaluation, facility layout, safety analysis and environmental noise assessment. She is familiar with local regulations throughout California and the Western Region. Ricarda has served the Board of Directors of PHPA for over 19 years as legal counsel and at various times as Chair of Helicopter Awareness Day , Secretary, Treasurer, and Legislative Analyst. She provides our membership with the latest information on upcoming laws and statutes. As an active Helicopter Association International (HAI) member, she is currently Chair of the Heliport Planning Committee and a member of Acoustics and Environmental Committee and the Fly Neighborly Committee. She is past co-chair of the Public Law Section of the State Bar of California. Her office is in Westlake Village, CA and she acts as a judge pro-tem with the Ventura County Courts.