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The Pegasus Project was established in 1993 by
concerned Flight Attendants at various AFA carriers. The intent of the founders
and the current Pegasus Board is to help AFA members who are in need of
financial aid due to a critical, life-threatening illness or disabling injury.
The Project assists with critical, life threatening illness or disabling
injuries, like lupus, cancer, exposure to toxic fumes on an aircraft,
degenerative disk disease, AIDS/HIV, hepatitis and chemical dependency just to
name a few. The fund was not intended to be used for medical procedures, which
are more common and less threatening to the individual, like tonsillectomies,
hysterectomies and broken bones etc.
We hope that you will consider supporting Pegasus, as it is the lifeline that
has helped hundreds of our brothers and sisters at AFA carriers to feel
connected with their flight attendant family and helped to financially see them
through the most difficult times of their lives. Thank you for taking the time
to learn more about The Pegasus Project
The success of the Pegasus Project depends on the
kindness and generosity of members giving their time, talents, resources and
donations to The Pegasus Project to support our co-workers in need.
Executive Director & President
Nicki Kirkeby has
worked as a professional flight attendant for America West Airlines (AWA),
now US Airways (USA) for the past 23-years. In May of 1999 she was elected
as Secretary Treasurer (ST) for the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) Council
66. During her term as ST she began her work with the Pegasus Project. In
May of 2001 Nicki was elected to the Pegasus Board of Directors and served
as Treasurer until 2007, at which time she was elected as President of the
organization. She has devoted countless hours fundraising through fashion
shows, yard sales, payroll deduction drives, bake sales and raised
awareness for the organization through the yearly United Way Campaign held
at her airline. Nicki developed relationships with management and helped
bring about a recycling program from cans that were served on the
aircraft. The proceeds from this program are donated to Pegasus through
the United Way drive.
Nicki was also instrumental in establishing a yearly silent auction held
at the AFA-CWA Annual Board of Directors meeting. The 2009 auction raised
over $7,000 for flight attendants in need. |
Gary
Richardson, a twenty-three year professional flight attendant for America
West Airlines, now US Airways, is proud to continue his support of flight
attendants as Vice President for the Pegasus Project.
Gary has served the
membership of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA in various capacities
throughout the years; including Grievance Chairperson, MEC Vice President
and then MEC President for AFA-CWA Council 66. He has held the position of
Secretary/Treasurer for the CWA Arizona State Council and served on the
Board of Directors for the Labor Community Fund of Arizona. Gary continues
his active involvement in the Labor Movement as an Executive Board Member
for the Arizona AFL-CIO. |
Treasurer & Administrative Director |
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Throughout her 24 years as a professional Flight Attendant,
Bonnie Vezie
has
dedicated much of her time to volunteering and in assisting her peers in a
myriad of ways. Eight years ago she was approached to participate in a
fundraiser for the newly
 developing Pegasus Project. Bonnie continued to
volunteer with the Project, and was elected Treasurer because of her dedication
and continuing support. She held this position for seven years and her fiscal
management of The Project over that period has enabled hundreds of flight
attendants overcome their personal setbacks, while keeping The Project a viable
option for all of AFA’s Flight Attendants.
Bonnie was a Professional Standards Representative, and
an Employee Assistance Representative, and was selected as a Critical Incident
Response Team Representative. Her work in these arenas allows her to draw from
that training and those experiences to help the Flight Attendants who would turn
to Pegasus to not only confront their problems, but also to help them work
through them, give them hope, and to find other long-term solutions.
In her newly elected position as the
Treasurer & Administrative Director, her experience, training and the passion that she has for both
volunteerism and the Pegasus Project, will enable the organization to reach new
heights.
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Board Members
Delores
Jefferson, a native Atlantan, retired Bank employee following 30 years
of service. Flight Attendant with AirTran Airways since 1997. Presently
serves as an AirTranportation Supervisor (Check Flight Attendant), also
previously served as a Charter Rep for approximately 3 years. Recipient of
one of 44 of the 2008 AirTran Airways Employee Excellence Awards, Received
LAP-C (Labor Assistance Professional) and NCAC I (National Certified
Addiction Counselor) certifications in 2008.
Serves as as an Employee
Assistance Peer Representative since 2003. |
Valerie Dugan-Pankratz
has worked as a professional flight attendant for thirty-three years. She
was a flight attendant with TWA for ten years before coming to America West,
now US Airways. Valerie adopted two retired Greyhounds and as a result has
become an active volunteer with the Adopt a Greyhound Organization and the
Cat Rescue League’s “Paws for Love”. Valerie has been a strong supporter of
The Pegasus Project, donating hours of volunteer service during the Phoenix
Annual Yard Sale, the United Way campaign and other events that raise funds
and awareness to flight attendants. Her hours of volunteer work have
rewarded the organization with a certificate from US Airways “Flights for
Fifty” which recognizes over fifty hours of volunteer work that employees
contribute to non profit organizations. Her compassion and enthusiasm for
the organization are great assets! |
Lisa Granauro
Alin Boswell
Brian Clark
Advisory Board
Member
Marc Huffman
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