Team

Seaplane Pilots Association Team

Steven McCaughey

Executive Director

Known for his unquenchable thirst for flying and his passion to make meaningful positive impacts on the water flying community. Steve dreams big and will not relent until the job is done. His goal is to guide the Seaplane Foundation to achieving more than we ever believed possible as he makes the hard work enjoyable for all around him.

slade checkride

Slade Rosamond

Member Care & Technologies Manager

Slade joined the Seaplane Pilots Association in 2021 and has taken over member care, merchandise, and many technical jobs around the association. He began his flying career at 15, and earned his pilots license at 17 while attending the Central Florida Aerospace Academy. Since then, Slade earned his instrument rating, a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Administration, and is a Seaplane Pilots Association scholarship recipient. Slade earned his rating at Jack Brown’s in their Legend Cub!

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Carter Clay

member Care and Events Coordinator

Carter is the most recent addition to the team, joining us at the beginning of 2022. Carter handles member care duties and is the Events and Volunteer Coordinator for the association. He began flying at 15 and earned his pilots license at 17 while attending the Central Florida Aerospace Academy. Carter is a Polk State graduate with a Bachelor’s in Aerospace Administration, and is a United States Navy Reserve Loadmaster on the C-40A.

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Robert Ziegler

Field Director Coordinator

Robert Ziegler, a successful entrepreneur and avid pilot, grew up on a farm in west-central Illinois. After graduating from MacMurray College with a degree in math and business, he founded Ziegler Industries in 1974, specializing in industrial coatings. With over 12,300 flight hours, he has flown 98 different types of aircraft, including seaplanes like the Lake Buccaneer, Searay, Goose, and Cessna Caravan. Robert resides on a farm with a personal runway in western Illinois and also spends time in Door County, Wisconsin. Robert’s commitment to aviation extends to his volunteer work at Oshkosh’s Seaplane Base, and now, he eagerly anticipates collaborating with the SPA field directors.

Water Flying Magazine

Mark Twombly

Editor

Mark’s skills as a editor help the Seaplane Foundation ensure that our messaging is clear and to the point. As the former editor of AOPA Pilot and the current editor of SPA’s Water Flying magazine Mark brings a wealth of experience and perspective to helping us achieve our mission goals.

Susie Holly

Art Director

Susie Holly has spent her career in all facets of publishing—newspaper reporter, production editor, magazine editor, layout artist, art director, and even bookstore owner. She has served as art director of Water Flying for 10 years. She has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism. She is a yoga enthusiast and avid tennis player. Her home base is Sanibel, Florida.

Peter Christie

Advertising Director

Peter started working with the foundation as a passionate volunteer, which led to him joining our staff to assist on a wide variety of research, mission achievement and sweat equity projects. Peter is also the Advertising Director for Water Flying.