Testimonials

"What a great and creative idea!  My experience taking the skydive is one I will remember always.  These lessons are really helpful to think about familiar topics in a new way.  The program staff really know what they are doing."
- Patricia Solis, Vice-President, Sapienza Corporation International


"...about 98% of all new learning enters the brain through the senses-primarily through visual, tactile, and auditory experiences."
- Donna E. Walker Tileston, Ten Best Teaching Practices: How Brain Research, Learning Styles, and Standards Define Teaching Competencies

This is a partial listing of the people who bring you JUMPstart. As with all our staff, even though we hold degrees, ratings, certifications as expected, our passion is not quantifiable.


Lead instructor Jen Sharp, successful businesswoman and entrepreneur, and one of the country’s leading female skydivers, shares the lessons and experience of more than 18 years of skydiving and 12 years in business, drawing analogies to the field and history of skydiving. She has more than 2,200 jumps and is a certified USPA AFF instructor & course director, Strong Tandem Master, FAA rated parachute rigger and highly regarded dropzone owner. She earned her degree in Education from Kansas State University and taught in public schools and at the University level. After earning her degree in Computer Information Systems, she established her own e-learning and web programming company. She is available as a Keynote Motivational & Leadership Speaker as well.


Tandem instructor Bill Hubbell made his first jump in August of 1986 under a T10 with a belly reserve. He now has over 1,400 total skydives, 800+ of those as instructor. He holds a Master Skydiving License and has his Professional Exhibition Rating, approved by the FAA to perform demonstration jumps. He also holds a USPA Coach and Instructor ratings and a Strong Tandem Master rating. His love of skydiving, passion to share the adventure, and advanced skills & qualifications provide all his tandem students with an unsurpassed experience.


Commercial Pilot Kermit Crane learned to fly a plane at the same time he learned to drive a car when he was 16 years old! Now, decades later he has accumulated over 6,000 hours of flying while instructing students, flying powerlines, or just for fun. He holds the FAA's Commercial, Instrument, Flight Instructor, and Instrument Instructor with high performance endorsement. He retired from his "Real Job" as a County Sheriff a few years ago, where he not only performed his regular duties but also led training seminars. His confidence and attention to detail give assurance to all who fly with him.


Facilitator Rachelle Head has worked in Education for four years and has her degree in Psychology with a minor in Literature, Language and Writing from the University of Kansas. In addition to her passion for both learning an teaching, she has taken on facilitating both large and small events for skydiving. Her organization and compassion go hand in hand to give JUMPstart paticipants whatever they need.



Learn more about the extended staff here...