Meet the Board

Biographies

Jack D. Howell

Colonel, USMC, Retired

Board President & Founder

Colonel Jack Howell’s experience of serving in the capacity as a Casualty Assistance Officer (CAO) coupled with the experience of teaching in inner-city high schools throughout the country has provided the opportunity for close observations of families grieving and dealing with sudden, unexpected life-altering tragedies. Teenagers affected by this event often suffer Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and frequently exhibit withdrawal, distrust, and negative behavior.

In 1994, Teens-In-Flight began as a high school magnet program designed to assist the Duval County School Board in Jacksonville, Florida, to racially balance a predominantly black high school. This unique program was started by Colonel Howell. With the assistance of Steve Price and Joel Weiner, the program progressed to the next level being established in March 2008 as a non-profit 501c3 aerospace education corporation. Teens-In-Flight is registered in the state of Florida and its headquarters are in Palm Coast, Florida.

Jack’s awards have included General Aviation Manufactures Association National Teacher of the Year, Aviation Distribution and Manufactures Association National Teacher of the Year, Scott Crossfield Foundation National Teacher of the Year, Inducted into the National Conference on Aviation and Space Education Crown Circle, Aerospace Education Foundation Christa McAuliffe National Teacher of the Year, Nominated by NASA as a candidate for Teacher In Space, Graduate, United States Navy Fighter Weapons School

Ric Lehman

Executive Director & Vice President

Ric joined Colonel Howell in his mission havening been introduced by a mutual friend who was also a student of “the Colonel’s”. Having met Jack and seeing his heart and passion as well as the potential for the program to impact youth he quickly came out of retirement to help.

Ric has more than 30 years of experience as President and Executive Director, working with At-Risk Youth as well as children with Special Needs. He knew first-hand what Teens-In-Flight could do and how he could help. But even more, with more than 30 years of experience building another very successful organization from the ground up, he knew what to do to help grow the program on a solid foundation. Ric became Executive Director of Teens-In-Flight in June of 2018.

He is a Nationally Certified Non-Profit Consultant, a Senior Therapy Instructor, a Senior Therapy Clinician, and a Senior Therapeutic Instructor Trainer. He is a licensed pilot and teaches Ground School for aspiring pilots. Ric and his wife Levita are active at Palm Coast United Methodist Church and Ric plays the drums on the Praise Team. They are very active boaters and members of the Flagler Beach Yacht Club.

Board of Directors

Board composition as of June 2022

Jack D. Howell

Colonel, USMC, Retired

Board President & Founder

Ric Lehman

Executive Director & Vice President

Cindy Dalecki

Board Secretary

Sacha A. Wise, CPA

Treasurer

Jeffery D. Soud, ESQ

President, Soud Law Firm
Director of Legal Affairs

Colleen Conklin

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Coordinator
Director

Tim Howell

Senior Vice President at J.P. Morgan Chase – Pacific Northwest
Director

Rick Staly

Flagler County Sheriff
Director

Joel D. Weaner, CFI

Director

Gregory L. Hansen

Capitan, U.S. Navy, Retired

Director

Kirk Keller

Flagler Radio
Director

Advisory Board of Directors

Roy Sieger

Flagler Executive Airport Manager

Patty Wagstaff

Champion Airshow Pilot

Sally Crossfield Farley

Executive Director of the A Scott Crossfield foundation

No Board members are compensated for Board Membership and all can be reached at:
Teens-in-Flight, 23 Fellwood Lane, Palm Coast, FL 32137 or by calling 386-345-2FLY