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

Nicki has worked as a professional flight attendant for America West Airlines, now US Airways for the past 25-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 volunteer 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, where she currently serves today. 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 US Airways. Nicki also volunteers as President of her neighborhood association, the North Encanto Neighborhood Association, representing the 430 residents living in this charming historic district. She is an active volunteer with the Florence Crittenton Charity and participates in fundraising drives for National Public Radio (NPR).

Gary Richardson is a twenty-five year professional flight attendant, first for America West Airlines and now US Airways. Gary has served as President of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Council 66, Secretary/Treasurer for the CWA Arizona State Council, and has served on the Board of Directors for the Labor Community Fund of Arizona. In addition to his flight attendant duties at US Airways, Gary works as the Communications Director for the Arizona AFL-CIO. Gary has served as a Board member of Pegasus since 2008 and is currently serving as the Vice President.

Treasurer & Administrative Director, Bonnie Vezie

Bonnie Vezie enjoyed a 28 year career as a flight attendant with US Airways where she served some of her time volunteering as an Employee Assistance and Professional Standards Representative. She left her service with US Airways in 2005 and went on to pursue careers at Clinique Cosmetics as a Counter Manager and, most recently, as an Interior Designer and Sales person in a Lighting and Interior Design showroom in Pittsburgh. During the last nine years of her career at US Airways and in the seven years since her departure, she has also volunteered much of her free time serving flight attendants in need through The Pegasus Project. She has held nearly every position at our organization and in 2009 she agreed to step in, once again, to the position of Administrative Director where she remains today. This position requires her to oversee the day-to-day operations of our organization which she handles with compassion, respect and an uncompromised focus on confidentiality. She gives our coworkers a sense of hope and works with them to find additional resources and long-term solutions to their health and financial issues.

Board Members

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!

Brian Clark started his Flight Attendant career in 1999 with America West Airlines, now US Airways. Brian has served as the Webmaster for the Association of Flight Attendants Council 66 since the year 2000. Brian also serves as the Webmaster to the Pegasus Project. In addition, Brian is also the current Secretary-Treasurer for AFA Council 66 in Tempe, AZ. Brian has volunteered his time to Pegasus by helping with bake sales, yard sales, and the gently used uniform store at the AFA Office in Tempe.

Mary Cost started her career as a flight attendant with Frontier Airlines in 1978. She came to America West in 1986 and now has a 25 year career with US Airways. Throughout her career she has been on various committees for US Airways and the Association of Flight Attendants. She served on the committee that negotiated our 1999 flight attendant contract and eventually served our members at Council 66 as the AFA LEC/MEC Secretary/Treasurer for 6 years. Mary also volunteered her time for 4 years to a non-profit organization called Kid’s Chance where she was the elected treasurer. Kid’s Chance gave educational scholarships to children whose parent(s) had been critically injured while on the job. The Pegasus Project has always been close to Mary’s heart and she has volunteered for many of the fund raising events that have taken place throughout the years. Volunteering for Pegasus gives Mary a good feeling because she says she knows we are helping our own in need.

Chris Martinez started with America West Airlines, now US Airways in 1988.  During his career, he has been extensively involved by serving on various peer committees including Health and Safety, Employee Assistance Program/Professional Standards Chairman.  He has donated much of his time in assisting and organizing fundraising events.  Chris has placed his mark on Pegasus by assisting with branding the organization.  His is responsible for designing the new Pegasus logo.  He is the former Administrative Director/Secretary-Treasurer for the Pegasus Project.  During his service as Administrative Director, Chris streamlined the financial aspect of assisting Pegasus applicants.  Chris now serves on the Pegasus Board of Directors.

Bill Lehman has worked in the industry for 32 years, working in various roles including CSR Panel, ATS, various Flight Attendant work out groups, AFA Grievance Chairmen, AFA MEC Vice President, Corporate Historian and Flight Attendant Line Instructor. He has worked as a flight attendant for America West/US Airways for over 23 years. Bill is involved with his community and serves with his church as the Chair of Personnel Committee, Steering Committee and is the Softball Coach. He also serves as President of the Home Owners Association (HOA) and reorganized the entire HOA structure, rebid all vendor contracts, moved collections from traditional attorney's and small claims to collection agencies, saving the association annually $146,000.00. His wife is also a flight attendant for US Airways and they have three children, Josh (22), Samantha (20) and Wil (12).

Advisory Board Member

Marc Huffman
 

coming soon