SHaron Sandberg - president
Sharon Sandberg – Leading the Charge at Flight Expo
Sharon Sandberg is the driving force behind Flight Expo, a dynamic platform dedicated to growing and promoting the aviation industry. As the daughter of John R. Sandberg the owner of Tsunami Aircraft and JRS Enterprise, she has been deeply embedded in the aviation community from a young age.
A Private Pilot with an instrument rating, Sharon brings both passion and expertise to her work, ensuring that Flight Expo continues to inspire and educate the next generation of aviators.
Sharon was one of the original founding members of Flight Expo, using her strong business acumen and leadership to shape the organization into what it is today. She is also a graduate of Lowthian Fashion Merchandising School, with a rich career in the corporate world. In the 1980s, she worked in the buying offices for both Target and May Company Corporation, overseeing more than 200 department stores' domestic and international purchases for the Boys 4-7 and Girls 4-6x departments.
In addition to her corporate work, Sharon has a long history of involvement in aviation. In the mid-80s, she founded Speed, Props & Pylons, LLC, a company dedicated to the air racing community. Through her quarterly newsletter, she showcased the people, planes, and crews involved in the air racing circuit. She also produced promotional merchandise for iconic racing planes such as Tsunami, Strega, Risky Business, Yak 101, and many others. A portion of the proceeds from the merchandise sales went to Air Racing Unlimited, a group formed to facilitate and encourage other racing venues.
Sharon expanded her business into embroidered products for aviation organizations in 1993, working with groups like the Commemorative Air Force (Minnesota Wing), Leeward Air Ranch, and the Experimental Aircraft Association (Antique Division), among others. Her contributions to the aviation community have been immense, and she continues to give back through donations to organizations such as the EAA, CAF (MN Wing), and Flight Expo, Inc.
In 2023, Sharon sold All Star War Birds but continues to oversee all facets of Flight Expo, where she remains committed to helping the aviation industry grow and evolve.
John Bjornstad - Vice-president/Secretary
John Bjornstad – Champion of Aviation Education
John Bjornstad is the driving force behind the Build A Plane program, a hands-on aviation initiative for students aged 12 to 18. The program’s mission is to inspire, engage, and educate the next generation of aviators and technology leaders through real-world experiences in aircraft construction and restoration.
John is the grandson of John R. Sandberg, the late owner of the iconic Tsunami Aircraft, and a licensed A&P/IA mechanic. He brings a wealth of experience and strong leadership to Flight Expo’s educational efforts. With a solid background in the aviation business sector, he confidently meets challenges head-on, guided by a persevering spirit and a deep commitment to excellence.
His compassion and resourcefulness shine as he mentors both students and adults, helping them learn essential aviation skills and techniques. His competitive nature encourages those around him to grow, push boundaries, and aim higher.
Professionally, John works for C & P Aviation, where he continues to hone his expertise in vintage aircraft restoration. Every Saturday, he dedicates his time and talents to Flight Expo’s Tsunami Aircraft Project, helping bring this iconic racer back to life. John is a A & P and IA Mechanic.
Previously, while working with Kruse Aviation, Inc. in Princeton, MN, John played a key role in restoring the Stearman biplane soloed by President George H.W. Bush—a project that went on to win “Best Stearman” at AirVenture 2015.
Through his leadership, technical knowledge, and unwavering dedication, John Bjornstad is making a lasting impact on aviation education and inspiring future generations to take flight.
Wally Johnson - Board Member
Wally – Passionate Mentor and Aviation Enthusiast
Wally has been on Flight Expo Inc's board since 2018. His dedication to aviation goes far beyond his work as a licensed A&P Mechanic at Malibu Aerospace—it’s a true passion that fuels his spirit. Several times a week, Wally drives up from Delano to volunteer with Build A Plane students, where he plays a pivotal role in rebuilding the iconic Tsunami aircraft. His hands-on approach and willingness to share his expertise make him a favorite among the students, inspiring them to dream big and get their hands dirty with real-world aviation projects.
When he’s not mentoring the next generation of aviators, Wally spends his free time working on Tsunami as a hobby, further deepening his connection to the aircraft and its restoration process.
Engaged to a wonderful woman, Wally still makes time to chase his love for aviation. His enthusiasm is contagious, and his mission is clear: to inspire and involve young people in aviation, showing them that the sky is the limit, whether as future pilots or mechanics.
Owen nitz - Treasurer
Owen is a Build A Plane Alumni.
Owen received his private pilot's license through Flight Expo, Inc's Flying Club and continues to enjoy flying whenever he can. He was a Ray Scholarship Foundation recipient, which helped pay for his flying lessons. He also is the co-owner of the Elk River Chanticleer Pizza and lives in Zimmerman. When Owen isn't flying or working, he likes to ride motorcycle. Owen has served on our board since 2020 and really likes being a part of a small startup non-profit organization that has the potential to grow and greatly affect aviation.
Community Support Team
While not official board members, these dedicated individuals play a vital role in supporting our mission. Their expertise, time, and passion help drive our programs forward and make a lasting impact. We're grateful for their continued support and collaboration.
Duane Kruse – Technical Advisor & Aircraft Transport Special
As founder and president of Kruse Aviation, Duane Kruse has been instrumental in supporting our mission through expert aircraft maintenance, repair, and transport. With decades of experience and a deep mechanical background, Duane ensures our aircraft remain safe, airworthy, and ready for educational use.
Certifications & Licenses:
- FAA Inspection Authorization
- FAA Airframe and Power Plant (A&P) License
- Private Pilot License
- Commercial Helicopter Pilot
- Class A Driver’s License
Whether it’s tackling complex maintenance challenges or coordinating aircraft dismantling and transportation, Duane delivers reliable solutions that align with our timelines and budgets. His ongoing support has been a game-changer for our operations and student success.
Cyndi Romuld – Social Media & Marketing Support
Cyndi brings energy and creativity to our outreach efforts through her work on social media. From capturing special moments at our events to keeping our community connected and informed, Cyndi helps tell our story with heart and authenticity.
Her dedication to documenting our journey through photos, posts, and updates on Facebook has played a key role in growing our visibility and engaging supporters. We’re grateful for the passion and consistency she brings to sharing our mission with the world.
Faith Connors – Marketing & Mission Support
For the past two years, Faith Connors, owner of Highline Admin, has been an incredible part of our extended team. With creativity, dedication, and a true passion for our mission, Faith has contributed across a wide range of areas—from grant writing and email marketing to event planning and community outreach.
She’s the talent behind many of our communications, helping us connect with supporters through thoughtful messaging and fresh ideas. Whether she’s drafting a campaign letter, setting up for a big event, or helping tear down our garage sale and man cave space, Faith brings energy and excellence to everything she does.
Her behind-the-scenes work has made a meaningful impact, and we’re so thankful to have her as part of our mission.