Meet The Team
Meet our board. While these volunteers are in charge of day to day operations, we expect all members to give back by sharing what they know. As individuals grow in a skill, they pass that on by teaching others. Come in person and meet the whole crew!
CoFounder & President
Dave Conrad
Design and Fabrication lead at CTech Manufacturing. Dave has over 40 years of experience in experimental aircraft and aviation; built two airplanes from scratch (one was a national award winner), and serves as a Technical Counselor for the Experimental Aircraft Association.
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Vice President
Jennifer Rauscher, Ph.D.
​Dr. Rauscher is the Executive Director of the Intelligent Future Foundation, which focuses on engaging and inspiring the next generation of innovators. Previously, Jennifer served in K-12 Education for over 25 years as a teacher, curriculum coordinator, principal, and director of secondary education. Her leadership role at Learn Build Fly includes engaging youth and volunteers, making community connections, creating and managing events, and building the vision for our future.
Secretary
Steven Lange
Steve Lange has been connected to airplanes and machining his entire life. As a Journeyman Machinist with over 40 years of industry experience, Steve spends his days programming, setting up, and running the Haas UMC750 5-Axis Mill at Modern Manufacturing International of Wausau, Wisconsin, and helping other operators develop their skills. Evenings and weekends, you’ll find Steve running Learn Build Fly’s Trump CNC mill and Fortune manual lathe as well as teaching machining classes for youth and adults. Steve has designed and built several specialty tools at Learn Build Fly, including our fiber laser, and custom parts for our Wittman Legacy aircraft, including billet aluminum Lycoming rocker arm covers. Other interests that Steve enjoys sharing with Learn Build Fly participants include model rockets and cannons.
CoFounder
Kurt Mehre
Project Lead for the MI Baby Ace replica project (N9950C) Kurt has been a pilot for over 30 years and with over 17 aircraft types. Kurt serves as a Young Eagles pilot and EAA Kermit Weeks facility volunteer, working on various aircraft including the Boeing B-17, Swallow, Bleriot XI, and Ford 4AT.
Kurt worked in Paul Poberenezy's Shop for 15+ years, his restoration projects include Fairchild 24 C8A and Fairchild PT-23 with builds including the Super Pober Jr. Ace, Acrosport I, and Project X.
Board Member
Wynn O (Casey) Jones II
Casey has over 30 years of flying experience flying Cessna 172’s, Piper Warriors, Cirrus SR22’s, and most recently the Cirrus Vision Jet SF50. He is a mechanical engineer, and owner of Wynn Jones & Associates, the leading supplier of laboratory cabinets in the Midwest.
Board Member
Bob Waldinger
A retired utility employee, Bob brings over 35 years of operations and management experience in fossil, hydro and nuclear operations and maintenance including combustion turbines.
His hobbies include woodworking, metal working, old cars and airplanes, fabrication and machining.
Learn Build Fly is a non-profit organization in Wausau, WI.