Staff

Gold Coast Skydivers has one of the most experienced staffs in the skydiving industry. Our senior staff members include four world record holders, two former U.S. Army Parachute Team members (Golden Knights) and a 3-time world champion. They average over 25 years experience. Meet some of the most talented instructors in the area:

Mike Igo -In Loving Memory 3 May 1952 - 21 April 2010

 


Mike made his first jump when he joined the U.S. Marines in 1969 and fell in love with the sport. In April 1993 Mike founded Gold Coast Skydivers. Through Gold Coast Skydivers he has moved and inspired thousands of people around the world. Mike passed away shortly after he was diagnosed with cancer. Mike will forever be missed at Gold Coast Skydivers.
Leanne Igo
Drop Zone Owner, Freefall Coach

Leanne started skydiving in 1998. She was in the Air Force 10 years but got stationed in Mississippi and fell in love with the people at Gold Coast and decided to call it home. Leanne says "the thing she likes most about Gold Coast is the people are like her family and no one is a stranger. No matter how many jumps you have or what your skydiving preference is, you are welcome just the same."
Andre Lee
Videographer, Freefall Coach, PRO Rated

Andre has been skydiving since 1991. He has worked at Gold Coast Skydivers since 1993. Ask Andre about Gold Coast and he'll tell you "it's the safest, best and friendliest skydiving operation in the world."
Austin Blanks
Packer
Ben Crowell
Safety and Training Advisor, Tandem Instructor, Vector Tandem Course Examiner, Master Rigger, Freefall Coach, PRO Rated

Ben is has been skydiving since 1982. He started jumping at Gold Coast Skydivers in 2000 and became the primary rigger at Gold Coast in 2005. He holds the record for the highest tandem jump, 30,000 feet, as well as the POPS high altitude record in Mississippi. Ben retired from the USCG. What Ben likes most about Gold Coast is "this place is so friendly to jumpers of all disciplines and the facilities are outstanding."
Bill Bradburn
Pilot
Brian Rasmussen
Packer
Bryan Buechler
Safety and Training Advisor, Tandem Instructor, AFF Instructor, Videographer, Freefall Coach, PRO Rated

Bryan started skydiving in 1989. He is retired from the Air Force. He is one of the leading canopy pilots in the sport of skydiving and truly enjoys passing his knowledge and expertise on to up and coming jumpers. Bryan states "I enjoy the camaraderie and family feel at Gold Coast Skydivers."
Bruce Farrar
Pilot
Charlene Anderson
Video Editing
Charlie Porter
Chief Pilot
Christy Voss
Video Editing

Began skydiving at Gold Coast Skydivers in 2008. "I'm The Rockinest Video Editor in Lumberton! Christy loves the family atmosphere. Everybody picks on everybody and protects each other like they are kin.
David Fortner
Packer

David has been with Gold Coast since 1998. What David says he likes most about Gold Coast is, "How great the staff is with everybody."
Dee Fortner
Packer

Dee has been with Gold Coast since 2000 and has 9 tandems to her credit. The things she loves most about Gold Coast is, "How nice and friendly everybody is".
DJ Kemp
Packer

Started at Gold Coast Skydivers in 2008. He loves Gold Coast because it is a friendly place to work and have fun. DJ said "my boss is the best boss anyone could have."
JC Fallo
Tandem Instructor, Freefall Coach, Videographer, Senior Rigger, Video Concession, AFF Instructor

Jason Martin
Tandem Instructor, Freefall Coach
Jesse Guldan
Tandem Instructor, Pilot, Freefall Coach
Joe Courtney
AFF Instructor, Tandem Instructor, Videographer, Freefall Coach Course Examiner and Coach, PRO Rated


Joe began skydiving with Gold Coast Skydivers in April 2005. He said, "I start something new, become proficient at it, and then move on to new things. Skydiving seems to be just what I needed to break that trend because the learning curve is so long that I may just never make it to the point of moving on."

�-What does Joe say about Gold Coast Skydivers? "I couldn�t ask for a better place or group of people to pursue my new interests with."

Karen Blanks
Freefall Coach, Manifest, First Jump Course Teacher, PRO Rated

Karen started skydiving at Gold Coast Skydivers in 2004. Karen said, "the staff at Gold Coast will go above and beyond to make even the most novice jumper feel welcome."
Lynette Muller
AFF Instructor, Freefall Coach

Lynette Muller, originally from South Africa, has been skydiving since 1995. She joined the team at Gold Coast Skydivers in 2000. Lynette loves working with students and providing them a "thrill of a lifetime". The thing she likes about Gold Coast..."the friendly, laid back atmosphere and lots of work!"
J. Michael Brown "Mike"
Senior Rigger, Gear Sales

Mike caters to all the needs of the skydiver: both new and used equipment, and rigging services as well. An experienced skydiver, Mike began the AFF program at Gold Coast Skydivers in 1995. "Our staff is USPA qualified and caters to your needs. Good camaraderie and a great aircraft bring our jumpers back time and time again. I can take care of all your skydiving needs and have exceptionally good prices on all equipment."
Martin Swords
Tandem Instructor, Freefall Coach, PRO Rated

Martin has been skydiving since 1991. In addition he also works with novice jumpers and teaches them basic freefall maneuvers to prepare them for relative work. Martin holds an Eagle Award, a Falcon Award, and a Starcrest Award.
Matt Peneguy
Tandem Instructor, Freefall Coach, Videographer

Matt started skydiving in 2006 and has over 1,200 skydives. Matt said he loves Gold Coast because "Gold Coast is home."
Paul Cozic
AFF Instructor, Tandem Instructor, Coach Course Examiner, Rigger, Freefall Coach, PRO Rated

Paul has been skydiving since 1992 and joined Gold Coast Skydivers in 2000. He holds high altitude records in both Mississippi and Tennessee and has acquired his PRO rating to go along with his Instructor ratings. Paul's experience ensures every student's questions are addressed and his or her fear of the unknown is put at ease. "Skydiving is easy! It's all about relaxing, smiling and having fun. Fear is usually of the unknown. Once you teach a student all that is going to happen, their fear goes away and is replaced by exhiliration." The things Paul likes most about Gold Coast is "the professionalism of the staff and their safety consciousness."
Rob Hansen
 AFF Instructor, Tandem Instructor, Videographer, Senior Rigger, Freefall Coach, PRO Rated, Pilot

Rob has been skydiving since 2003. He has been at Gold Coast Skydivers since 2006. He enjoys taking people for their first skydive and helping up and coming jumpers. Rob says, "I like the small family connection between the people at Gold Coast."

Rob says, "I like the small family connection between the people at Gold Coast."