Executive Director
David MacDonald
David started his entrepreneurial career at about the age of 8 shining shoes in the bars and streets of his home town. At about the age of 10 or 11 he read “Project Blue Book” and many other early “Flying Saucer books”.
His adult career started in a laboratory, working on the development team that produced such products as Behold Furniture Polish, Windex and Endust. However, being an entrepreneur by nature he went on to establish and run a number of businesses among which was The MacDonald Defense Company, which became the largest independent security firm in the region. Additionally he owned a manufacturing firm which produced an array of wireless microphones, listening devices and other clandestine gizmos. He owned a book store and a photo studio specializing in model portfolios and underwater photography.
David served eight years as a County Peace Officer in Kentucky. In 1991 Dave founded Flamingo Air and it developed into a full time Air Carrier operation. He and his wife Sharon McGee have further developed Flamingo Air Academy which is now global in scope and Cincinnati’s premier Flight and Airline Dispatch school. Dave resides with his wife, Sharon, at their home in Northern Kentucky.
MUFON Board of Directors
Rob Swiatek
Debbie Ziegelmeyer
Teri Lynge-Kehl
Richard Beckwith
Sandy Klevin
Barbra Sobhani
Jessica Tocco
John Harrison
MUFON Functional Directors
Steve Hudgeons
Steven Hudgeons is Texas-born in 1950. He is an 8-year U.S. Navy Veteran and has spent over 40-years in Construction as a Commercial Glazier with disciplines in installation, fabrication, estimation, selling and drafting as well as being an OSHA Outreach Trainer.
During a 30-year membership in MUFON, Steve has been a Chief investigator, Section Director, Assistant State Director and State Director for Texas as well as previously serving as MUFON Director of Investigations, MUFON Director of Investigations International and now MUFON Director of International Development. He has investigated and completed over 1,700 MUFON cases.
Past and present volunteer neighborhood projects; 21-year member and Captain of the Fort Worth Citizens on Patrol Charlie 14 Beat with the Fort Worth Police Department, 2-years President of the DHJ Little League Baseball, and 3-years President of the DHJ Neighborhood Advisory Council.
Robert Spearing
Bob Spearing graduated from Fordham University with a B.A. in Communications with Journalism and Film Production as major concentrations. Bob recently retired from the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey after 34 years. His many duties included being an FRA licensed Rail Traffic Controller and Locomotive Engineer. While in management he was a Safety Investigator, Contract Administrator, prepared multi-million-dollar budgets, managed public relations and curated historical railroad exhibitions at a major regional transportation hub.
Bob joined MUFON in 2014 as a Field Investigator and has previously been National Director of both Spain and India and led MUFON’s Special Assignment Team. Bob has long been involved with our various special projects including MARRS, the Pine Bush, N.Y. UFO Museum, the MUFON member social network called the Observer Network and the MUFON UFO Map App. He has had numerous articles published in various UFO related magazines around the world including four MUFON Journal cover stories and he has appeared in several television series as a photo analyst including UFOs: The Lost Evidence and Ancient Aliens.
A life long UFO enthusiast after reading Frank Edwards’ “Flying Saucers, Serious Business” as a child in the 1960s, he has only had two Ball of Light (BOL) sightings to speak of but has concentrated his area of expertise around that particular phenomenon as a result.
Bob lives in eastern Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains with his wife and twin boys.
Teri Lynge-Kehl
With a career marked by passion, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge, Teri Lynge-Kehl has dedicated her life to the world of UFO research. Born with an innate curiosity about the unknown, Teri’s journey into the realm of extraterrestrial investigations began in 1979. She joined the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) in 2010, and she hasn’t stopped since. Little did she know, this would be the launchpad for a remarkable career at the intersection of business management, medical/dental fields, and ufology.
At the heart of Teri’s contributions is her role as the Director of Membership for MUFON. Through her monthly webcast, “United MUFON,” she shines a spotlight on the dedication of current MUFON members and leadership. Teri’s inviting demeanor and informative presentations serve as a gateway for enthusiasts, providing insights into the benefits and importance of MUFON membership.
Mindy Tautfest
Mindy Tautfest is a published author, speaker, and television personality known for her work in UFO investigations. She serves as the curator of the Hayden C. Hewes International UFO Bureau (IUFOB), which has investigated notable cases such as the Heaven’s Gate Cult and President Jimmy Carter’s UFO sighting. In 2023, Tautfest recovered and digitized the IUFOB files, preserving decades of research.
With a professional background as an ICU nurse and experience in disaster relief efforts, Tautfest contributes her expertise to the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) as the Dean of MUFON University and National Director of Training. Her investigations, including the 1975 Miracle Mountains Schoolyard Encounter, have been featured on the History Channel. Tautfest’s personal Near Death Experience (NDE) in 2016 has fueled continued exploration of the connections between NDEs and UFO encounters, furthering the work of Dr. Kenneth Ring’s Omega Project. Her book, “Dying to Meet Them: One Woman’s Incredible Journey from NDE to UAP,” delves into these phenomena. She resides in Oklahoma City with her family, where she continues to assist experiencers in processing their encounters.
Ron James
For any media inquiries, licensing questions, appearance / interview requests, Ron James is the person to reach out to. His unique knowledge and skills in the media business make him easy to work with and a valuable partner in your UFO / UAP media needs.
He is a filmmaker, on-camera personality, writer, editor, researcher, content creator and entrepreneur.
James is the co-founder of MUFON Television, an online TV channel boasting the world’s largest collection of commercial-free UAP related material. He has created 7 feature length documentaries and dozens of original independent series episodes.
James has also been involved at the highest levels of production for musical acts such as Guns & Roses, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Beach Boys, Earth Wind and Fire, Kendrick Lamar, and many more.
He has won 19 national awards, including 4 EBE awards, The Telly Award and the Aegis Award for Excellence in Broadcasting four times.
He currently makes his own shows including “Bigger Questions”, “Spacetime”, “MUFON Presents” and more. He maintains his own independent production studio in Los Angeles.
Email: [email protected]
Debbie Ziegelmeyer
Debbie Ziegelmeyer of Imperial, Missouri, joined MUFON in 2000 and became a Field Investigator shorty after. She is currently a Star Team Investigator, the State Director of Missouri MUFON, a member of the MUFON Business Board of Directors, a MUFON archivist, conference speaker, Roswell 1947 incident investigator for over 20 years, and has made appearances on TV documentaries as an expert witness and archaeologist volunteer. Debbie is also a PADI Scuba Dive Instructor with teaching credentials in Deep Diver, Underwater Search and Recovery, Underwater Navigation, Boat Diving, Night diving, Wreck Diving, Enriched Air, Altitude Diving, Drift Diving, Underwater Photography, and Divers With Special Needs. Debbie’s full time occupation is small business owner. She is co-owner with husband Wayne and son Wayne Jr. of Arco Fire and Water Restoration Inc., Largo Properties LLC, Custom RV and Boat Storage LLC, and “World of Water Foundation”, a 501c3 dedicated to giving disabled veterans and children with special needs, the chance to experience scuba diving and other water related sports.
Debbie established the MUFON Dive Team in 2004 which is a team of expert divers and an underwater rapid response task force. These divers are MUFON Star Team Investigators trained to investigate unidentified submersed objects (USO) in relationship to a UFO sighting. They hold a minimum of an Advanced Diver Certification Card, have Advanced Underwater Navigation and Underwater Search and Recovery Certifications and own their own scuba dive equipment. The MUFON Dive Team is equipped to deploy and investigate a water mass of 130 feet deep or less in search of a USO/UFO or unidentified trace evidence related to a UFO sighting.
George Medich
George is the ERT Team Director. George is a former professional athlete who spent 10 years in the Major Leagues as a pitcher for the New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, Texas Rangers, and Milwaukee Brewers. During the off season, while playing professional baseball he attended the University Of Pittsburgh School Of Medicine. After completing his baseball career in 1982, he did an orthopedic residency at the University of Pittsburgh followed by a Sports Medicine Fellowship with Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama.
After retirement from clinical practice, he pursued his love of astronomy becoming an amateur astronomer supplemented by university courses in Astrophysics. His curiosity about the UFO phenomenon led to his Field Investigator training with MUFON and an appointment as a Section State Director for Pennsylvania and ERT member. He also participated on MUFON’s Anomalous Foreign Body Removal Protocol Team. His interest in alien abduction was fostered by years of medical practice, a strong background in physics and astronomy and an interest in UFO phenomenon.
Ron Misik
Ron grew up in Upstate New York during the UFO hey days of the 1950s and ’60s. As a “paper boy” he delivered the newspaper and read about UFOs which were frequently making headlines.
He had the good fortune to accidentally meet astrophysicist Dr. Carl Sagan at his home on private business and also unwittingly met Mr. Sagan’s respected University of Chicago classmate and well known ufologist Dr. Stanton Friedman. Ron randomly attended a lecture given by Dr. Friedman. The lecture had a profound impact on him. He had his first of five UAP experiences in northern New Mexico in 1988. Because of these personal sighting experiences, he later joined MUFON as a member before deciding to become a field investigator, eventually becoming Chief Investigator for Texas and presently the Director of CAG. He’s happiest when actively investigating a case.
Fernanda Pires de Sousa
Waiting on pic and bio
Not Yet Named
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MUFON Board of Directors Member
David started his entrepreneurial career at about the age of 8 shining shoes in the bars and streets of his home town. At about the age of 10 or 11 he read Project Blue Book” and many other early “Flying Saucer books”.
His adult career started in a laboratory, working on the development team that produced such products as Behold Furniture Polish, Windex and Endust. However, being an entrepreneur by nature he went on to establish and run a number of businesses among which was The MacDonald Defense Company, which became the largest independent security firm in the region. Additionally he owned a manufacturing firm which produced an array of wireless microphones, listening devices and other clandestine gizmos. He owned a book store and a photo studio specializing in model portfolios and underwater photography.
David served eight years as a County Peace Officer in Kentucky. In 1991 Dave founded Flamingo Air and it developed into a full time Air Carrier operation. He and his wife Sharon McGee have further developed Flamingo Air Academy which is now global in scope and Cincinnati’s premier Flight and Airline Dispatch school. Dave resides with his wife, Sharon, at their home in Northern Kentucky.
NUFON Board of Directors Member
Jessica is the CEO and Founder of A10 Associates and has over a decade of unique experience working with local, state, federal, and international governments. Jess runs the firm’s overall operations and involves herself in all divisions. She additionally leads the firm’s federal practice group. Before launching A10 Associates, Jess worked in the George W. Bush White House. She previously served as the Director of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam and Director of the Asia Pacific Council of American Chambers, helping U.S. companies across 25 different Asian cities shape policies and coordinate lobbying efforts to promote American exports. Since moving back to Massachusetts, Jess maintains strong relationships with the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation. Jess is also active with both the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee.
Jess now calls Massachusetts home, where she maintains strong relationships in local politics. She has worked in the tolling and MaaS industry for almost 5 years, beginning her work with A-to-Be (formerly Brisa Innovation) and now represents half a dozen clients throughout the industry. She also represents twenty-five clients nationwide for various work, including major fortune five hundred businesses like Parsons and Blink Charging.
Jess received a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science from DePauw University in Indiana. She holds an MBA from Hult International Business School and a financial modeling certificate from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.
MUFON Board of Directors Member
Debbie Ziegelmeyer joined MUFON in 2000 and became a Field Investigator shorty after. She is currently a MUFON Star Team Investigator, Missouri State Director, on the MUFON Business Board of Directors, a MUFON MARRS team member, co-founder of the MUFON Dive Team, and the MUFON Functional Director of Underwater Research and Recovery. She has over 1200 completed UFO investigations, with over 875 of them being MUFON sighting reports.
Debbie has been a Roswell 1947 crash investigator for over 25 years and is a member of Ted Phillips’s T.P.R.C. Team. In 2017 she was awarded both the “Roswell Incident Excellence Award” by the Roswell Daily Record, and MUFON “Field Investigator of the Year”. Debbie’s book “The Alien Colonization of Earth’s Waterways” which was released in September 2021, is A Reference Guide to UFO-USO Water Related Activity.
She and her husband Wayne currently live in southeast Missouri and own and manage Largo Properties, LLC. and Custom RV and Boat Storage. Debbie is also a PADI Scuba Instructor and owner of Missouri Scuba Diving, LLC.
MUFON Board of Directors Member
Robert has had a curiosity about space, aeronautics and UFOs all his life. From launching rockets as a boy to working as an intern at NASA during college, Robert has only continued to increase his knowledge of conventional space vehicles as well as unconventional UFOs. His degrees in physics and earth science paved the way for a career at the US Patent Office where he is a Physics Examiner in Aerospace Technology.
Robert has lectured at conferences throughout the US and contributed writing to numerous UFO projects and titles, especially for the Fund for UFO Research (FUFOR). Robert is frequently seen turning up on the Discovery or History channels in various productions. His aggressive debating style on programs such as Larry King Live has won him accolades from many in the field. He has served as Secretary-Treasurer of both FUFOR (since 1986) and the UFO Research Coalition (URC) since 1997.
Robert has been on the Board of MUFON since 2004. Rob currently resides in Virginia with his wife, Susan.
MUFON Board of Directors Member
John came to MUFON via the Federal Government where, after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Science, John worked in the civilian nuclear sector for 42 years, which included 25 years at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
John’s proficiency at improving operational effectiveness and organizational efficiency led him to advising heads of local, national and international governmental organizations on best practices in this area. This included representing the United States at the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria. John received the NRC’s Meritorious Service Award for his career-long accomplishments related to his “unique insights into operational effectiveness and efficiency.”
John and his wife Chris celebrated 40 years of marriage in 2022 and live in Rockville, Maryland.
John is life-long “experiencer” with vivid memories of a broad range of events and interactions.
MUFON Board of Directors Member
Richard has been with MUFON for nearly 15 years and presently serves as the State Director for Wyoming. He has been a practicing attorney for more than 26 years and possesses a Juris Doctorate and a Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular Biology. He wrote for Law Review and published his first novel in 2016. He presently serves as the City Attorney for the City of Rock Springs Wyoming.
Prior to obtaining his law degree, Richard worked as a research assistant and microbiologist in numerous research laboratories. He has conducted research in molecular genetics, molecular virology, atmospheric and soil microbiology, and participated in a study of the effects of anti-cancer drugs called “anthracyclines” on cardiac tissue for the United States Department of Veteran’s Affairs.
Richard has been involved in UFO research since the late ’70s. He met renowned abduction researcher, Dr. Leo Sprinkle, in 1980 when, as a young broadcast journalist, he wrote and produced a week-long investigative news special on UFOs. He would eventually become involved in the formation of the Institute for Human-Cosmic Interaction with Dr. Sprinkle, and others, including some who had been involved in parapsychological studies conducted at the Stanford Research Institute which led to the inception of the CIA’s remote viewing program. He served as legal counsel to Dr. Steven Greer’s Orion Project and was directly involved in the Orion Project’s efforts to obtain the Stan Meyer technology, all as detailed in Dr. Greer’s documentary film “Sirius”. Richard has also provided legal counsel to the MUFON Board of Directors.
MUFON Board of Directors Member
Sandy is considered to be a lifelong student. She attended college and earned four Associate of Arts degrees in Administration of Justice, General Studies, Sociology, and Psychology. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology with minor equivalencies in Sociology and Social Welfare. She eventually earned a Masters of Arts Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling.
Sandy worked with people who had both physical and mental disabilities at a community college and state university for many years. She learned sign language so that she could better serve the needs of those who were hearing impaired. She volunteered to work with many non-profit organizations such as Special Olympics, California and National Wheelchair Games. She was certified to be an official for competition at the wheelchair games.
Her career path went in a different direction when she became employed as a counselor for the California Youth Authority, now called the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Time elapsed and she became a Parole Agent. She especially loved working with those individuals who were identified as having special education needs and her passion was working with violent offenders.
Sandy has had an interest in UFO’s for a significant period of time. She has been attending MUFON functions for over 20 years. She believes that collecting data, researching, scientifically studying this phenomenon, and educating the public about UFO’s can be a positive contribution to humanity.
MUFON Board of Directors Member
Barbra Sobhani has been an educator for over 20 years. She is currently the State Director for NASA Space Grant in Colorado. Based at University of Colorado Boulder, Barbra works with students on campus as well as across the state on space science and aerospace projects.
Prior to this role, Barbra was an administrator and educator at Red Rocks Community College (RRCC). She was the Director and founder of the Trefny Honors Program, a STEM-focused honors program that strives to attract and retain students from diverse backgrounds and develop their passion for science and solving complex, interdisciplinary problems. Prior to being the Honors Director, she taught physics, astronomy, geology, and integrated science and is an
Associate professor of physics. Barbra holds graduate degrees in geophysics and biology with afocus on conservation.
Barbra believes in the power of experiential and collaborative learning, and she has taught Honors classes and led study abroad experiences that focus on connecting community and conservation. Barbra developed the Intro to Astrobiology course for the Colorado community
college system and taught it for many years. Barbra’s involvement in Space Grant began as the Affiliate Director for the Colorado Space Grant Consortium at RRCC and had student teams working on high-altitude balloon projects, a sounding rocket payload, a radio telescope project, robotics, and growing plants in Martian simulated soils. These NASA supported projects are unique in that undergraduate students get the experience of designing and building experiments
that can go to space.
Barbra’s history with MUFON goes all the way back to birth, literally, as an infant at the picnic where the idea for then the Midwest UFO Network was conceptualized. John Schuessler, her father, was one of the founding members of MUFON, and it has played an important part in the family history. When the MUFON office was in Denver, Barbra worked on setting up the displays in the office and helped with MUFON events. She has edited the MUFON Symposium Proceedings since 2000 and now serves as Managing Editor and is a frequent contributor of the monthly MUFON Journal.
With a background in physics, geology and more recently, biology, it has been a passion to help students, and now the public, learn to think critically and understand the impact and importance of scientific discovery. The problems facing the world are wicked and complex, so helping the next generation become innovative problem solvers is critical.
MUFON Board of Directors Member
A Trailblazer in UFO Advocacy
With a career marked by passion, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge, Teri Lynge-Kehl has dedicated her life to the world of UFO research. Born with an innate curiosity about the unknown, Teri’s journey into the realm of extraterrestrial investigations began in 1979. She joined the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) in 2010, and she hasn’t stopped since. Little did she know, this would be the launchpad for a remarkable career at the intersection of business management, medical/dental fields, and ufology.
Teri’s ascent within MUFON has been nothing short of meteoric. Swiftly climbing the ranks, she assumed the prestigious role of State Director in Florida. With over 40 years of experience in business management within the executive domains, Teri brought a wealth of organizational expertise to her newfound passion for UFO studies.
Armed with a Radiographer degree and Professional Privileges, Teri not only manages the intricate details of professional operations but also extends her influence to the airwaves. A seasoned TV and radio host, her voice resonates through the UFO community, fostering dialogue and understanding.
At the heart of Teri’s contributions is her role as the Director of Membership for MUFON. Through her monthly webcast, “United MUFON,” she shines a spotlight on the dedication of current MUFON members and leadership. Teri’s inviting demeanor and informative presentations serve as a gateway for enthusiasts, providing insights into the benefits and importance of MUFON membership.
Teri’s commitment extends beyond the webcast; she plays a pivotal role in organizing new chapters and expanding MUFON’s member base. She has been a certified Field Investigator Assistant State Director as well as a Florida State Director in the past. Her multifaceted skill set and unwavering passion contribute to MUFON’s growth in public awareness, understanding, and visibility. Her motto is to “make MUFON a household name”.
As a consultant for MUFON University, Teri spearheaded a significant overhaul of the curriculum for the Field Investigator Online Training Course. Her vision and dedication to education have enriched the learning experience for aspiring UFO researchers.
Beyond her organizational roles, Teri is a captivating author and public speaker. Having addressed hundreds of MUFON meetings throughout Florida, Tennessee, Ohio, California, & Missouri as well as speaking at the MUFON SYMPOSIUM, to mention a few, she brings an engaging blend of expertise and enthusiasm to audiences eager to delve into the mysteries of the cosmos.
In every facet of her career, Teri Lynge-Kehl has emerged as a trailblazer, pushing the boundaries of UFO research, advocacy, and public awareness. Her journey continues to inspire and illuminate, fostering a community united by the pursuit of knowledge about the ufo enigma.