Tad Devine - son of Actor Andy Devine

Director RJ McHatton with Tad Devine

It was a warm and beautiful drive down to Corona Del Mar.  I was there to interview Tad Devine for my documentary “The Flying Man: Life and Times of Johnny Myers.”  Tad is a great guy.  He is the oldest son of the famous actor Andy Devine and he knew Johnny Myers ever since he was a little kid.  I have always been a fan of Andy Devine.  He was in my favorite movie of all time, the John Ford and John Wayne film “Stagecoach.”  Andy Devine had worked in Hollywood since the silent days, had tremendous success both in the movies and on television.  He had a very successful television show for many years.  Tad did a fantastic job in the interview.  He told me some fantastic stories about his family history, how his mother’s family raised horses and his father’s family ran a hotel in Kingman, Arizona for many years.  He talked about how his father came to Hollywood and got into the movies because of his football playing.  Tad told me how his father got that unique voice that became his trademark.  Then we talked about Johnny Myers.  Tad had met Johnny Myers when he was very young.  John Myers was one of the world’s first entertainment attorneys and had worked with many of the most famous movie stars in the 30s, including Bing Crosby and Andy Devine.  Over the years John Myers became more famous as a flyer and a test pilot.  But he kept in touch with his friends, including Tad Devine.  Tad talked about how their friendship endured all the way until Johnny died in his 90s.  I asked Tad if he could tell me stories of John Wayne, since John Wayne was always my number one hero.  Tad told me some great stories about John Wayne and his memories of his dad.  I could tell that Tad was very close to his father.  I am very grateful that Tad took the time to let me interview him for my movie about Johnny Myers.  It was a great experience.

Chuck Grouws, CEO of CHG Building Systems

Chuck Grouws with Director RJ McHatton

I drove down to Renton to interview Chuck Grouws of CHG Building Systems.  CHG had reached the finals of the Puget Sound Business Journal’s annual “Best Workplaces” Award.    I was immediately impressed by Chuck Grouws.  He had a great handshake and looked me in the eye.  Chuck seemed like an old-style business owner who made friends for life.  Chuck did a super job in his interview.  He talked about how he started the business over 30 years ago and some of the simple fundamental secrets to his success.  He said that he believes hiring good people and treating them nice was very important.  He said that backing his word and backing his work was the backbone to a successful business.  Chuck talked about how some of his team has been with him all these years.  One family had six members work for CHG.  Chuck talked with pride about a lot of the projects CHG has worked on over the years.  He also was proud that his sons had joined him in his business.  Chuck talked about the benefits his employees receive when they work there, including all the usual items like insurance, 401ks, etc.  But I really liked the annual fishing trip to Alaska benefit that four employees get each year.  Chuck told me that he really believes in his focus on the values of integrity and ethics and doing the right thing.  I really enjoyed my visit with Chuck Grouws.  He reminds me a lot of my dad and how emphasis on values still can work in today’s business world.

Mike, David, & Anika from Projectline

Mike Kichline, David Jones, Anika Lehde, with Director RJ McHatton

It was a sunny, warm day as I ventured over to the Projectline offices in Seattle. I was there to interview the top leadership team of Mike, David, and Anika, the founders of Projectline, for the Puget Sound Business Awards for their “Best Workplaces in Washington Award.” Projectline is a Marketing and Advertising firm. I was very impressed with the enthusiastic team and their laid back offices. Once we sat down for the interview I learned that there is way more to this story than I anticipated. Mike, David, and Anika are incredible leaders with a deep passion for creating a fun workplace, where creative people can be creative and supported by the entire team. We did our interview in a room with a foosball table, kitchen, and big red couches. I learned that Projectline is a very successful company that has been recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in the USA by INC Magazine. They have over 100 employees, but the company still feels like a family anda team of friends. I really enjoyed my visit with Mike, David, and Anika and appreciate their hospitality.

Jim Rogers, Alex Bogaard, Tracy Johnson of Rogers & Norman Insurance

Jim Rogers, Alex Bogaard, Tracy Johnson, and Director RJ McHatton

I really enjoyed my interview with the team over at Rogers & Norman Insurance of Seattle. They were nominated as one of the very Best Workplaces in the state of Washington. Tracy Johnson is a bundle of energy and enthusiasm and she really set a positive tone for our interview. She is an awesome leader who goes the extra mile to help inspire her team to make each employee have a fun place to work. Jim Rogers was very philosophical about the importance of the Core Values of the team, that everyone be treated as we each would like to be treated. Jim talked a lot about how its vital to hire good people with integrity and character. Alex Bogaard reinforced how important the Culture was to the success of the organization. I learned a lot.

Bob Frause interview - CEO of Frause

Director RJ McHatton with Bob Frause

We were asked to go interview Bob Frause at Frause in Seattle for the Puget Sound Business Journal’s “Best Workplaces” video project. Bob is the CEO of a PR company named after himself in Seattle. I was very impressed with Bob’s philosophy about the importance of ethics and treating people right. Bob is a great guy who really believes the secret to success is to have a great attitude and to always serve others. You can learn more about Bob and his team at www.frause.com

Gordy Graham on Transitions

Gordy Graham with Joe Cargile

Gordy Graham stopped by to brainstorm about a new series of Videos he wants to make about the topic of Transitions. I have known Gordy Graham for over 20 years now and he always makes me think about life and change. I took Gordy into our green screen studio and started recording some of his thoughts about transitions. Gordy feels that so many Americans are going through transitions, whether it be transitions from the loss of a job or transitions from divorce or the transition from changing of a career path or the loss of a 401k. We agreed that Gordy was right on about the need for such a video DVD. So we set up a time for Gordy to come into our studio to record his new DVD on Transitions (COMING SOON).

Dave Lockwood Memorial - Tumble Creek, Cle Elum

Dave Lockwood is the little boy in this picture

I got the call that Dave Lockwood had passed away in a terrible accident near Roosevelt Lake in Northeastern Washington. Dave was a very well known builder-outdoorsman in Snoqualmie Pass and Suncadia Resort. His family contacted me to see if I could prepare a professional Memorial Video and also to record the actual event and to interview several people who knew Dave. Dave Lockwood was one of those unique individuals who seem to touch so many people who do not know each other. Dave led a full life, from Michigan to Texas to Washington. A successful businessman, more importantly he was a successful human being. It is very inspiring to learn the story behind this man.

Joe Cargile - Spanish Voice Over Recording

Joe Cargile records Spanish Voice Over for Director RJ McHatton

Joe Cargile is an intern visiting from Auburn, Alabama, helping Cathy Crosslin with her new company InStar Performance. Once we heard that Joe had spent a year in Spain, we recruited him to record a Spanish-language Voice Over for a series of videos from a seminar by nationally known motivational speaker, Gordon Graham. I first met Joe’s father when I went back to Saginaw, Michigan to interview several employees and managers at Plant 6 of Delphi Steering. Joe’s father Curt was one of those I interviewed there in Saginaw. Joe turned out to be an awesome speaker in the Spanish-language, so the recording sessions went well. We shot four hours worth of Spanish language with Joe. Next stop is the actual editing of the language tracks into the video footage.

Scott O'Brien - interview for his father's Video Biography

Director RJ McHatton with Scott O'Brien

It was a gorgeous day as we drove up to Cashmere, WA . We decided to go interview Scott O’Brien for his dad’s video biography on our way to a family funeral down in Oregon. My Suburban was occupied by my son Jason and my great-granddaughter Virdenna. It was one of the hottest days of the year in the Seattle area, so it was fun to go up in the higher elevations towards Cashmere. Cashmere is located north of Cle Elum in Central Washington. Scott had hired us to make a professional Video Biography on the Life and Times of his father Michael O’Brien. Over the past few months I had interviewed Mike several times up in Edmonds and several of his kids. Scott was to be our final interview for this project. As we arrived at Scott’s business, Jim’s Auto Sales, we were very impressed with the cool selection of cars on his lot. Scott did a super interview. We went ahead and shot lots of footage of the cars and trucks and did another interview of Scott for a possible TV commercial we want to do for him. You can see a short clip from our Video biography of Michael O’Brien by clicking here: VIDEO CLIP

John Hempelmann, CEO of Cairncross & Hempelmann

Director RJ McHatton with John Hempelmann

I really enjoyed my interview with John Hempelmann, CEO of Cairncross & Hempelmann, one of the largest and most successful law firms in the Northwest. John told me some great stories about how he was mentored by the late great Senator Skoop Jackson and Congressman Tom Foley to go into law instead of teaching. John talked with pride about how his team has created such a wonderful, effective, and positive work culture. John gave me a terrific tour of the great artwork of Northwest masters thtoughout his entire office. John was so enthusiastic and passionate about his team and his artwork, that I became an instant fan.

Lissa Myers Wolfe - Daughter to Johnny Myers

Lissa Myers Wolfe with Director RJ McHatton

We drove to Pismo Beach to meet with Johnny Myers only daughter, Lissa and her son William. Lissa was very nice to us. She led us to her garage where there were tons of boxes full of photos, newspaper clippings, and memories of John and Lucia Myers. We spent the afternoon shooting and capturing digital versions of all the incredible memorabilia. Looking through the boxes brought back a lot of memories for Lissa. As we went photo by photo, Lissa was kind enough to tell us incredible stories behind each moment that the photograghs had captured with Johnny Myers. Lissa told us stories about Johnny’s father, her grandfather, who was a Justice on the California Supreme Court. She talked about her parents and her older brother Lou, who had passed away many years ago. She showed us some great photos from Johnny Myers career as a test pilot, and a terrific shot of Johnny as a kid on a horse when he was going to the prep school Thacher. She talked about Johnny’s love for polo and for flying. Lissa told us about how she learned to fly when she was only 15. Her eyes lit up and then filled with tears as we started looking through a massive collection of beautiful photos of her mother Lucia. Lucia was a stunning, strong woman who was on the board of several large organizations including Bank of America, at a time when there weren’t many women on Boards. Lissa showed us a large book from Northrop with lots of great stories about the test pilot days of Johnny Myers when he was testing the P-61 Night Fighter and the experimental Flying Wing. There were some incredible pictures of when Johnny Myers saved the life of famous aviator Charles Lindbergh. We are very thankful to Lissa for allowing us to come into her home and to go through all her boxes. Our next return trip here will be to interview Lissa for our documentary “The Flying Man: Life and Times of Johnny Myers.” To learn more about this project, go to www.flyingmandocumentary.com

Cleo & Carroll Shelby - Automotive Racing, Aviation Legend - Friend of Johnny Myers

Cleo & Carroll Shelby with Director RJ McHatton

All you need to do is type in the words “Shelby Cobra” into youtube and you will see first hand the incredible Automotive classic cars that Carroll Shelby has designed and built ever since in the 60s. Cobras and Vipers and more. Carroll has been an aviator since the 1930s when he paid one dollar to fly in a bi-plane. During WWII Carroll was a training flight instructor for the US Army Air Corp. He has been flying all through out his career.

We were there to interview Carroll Shelby and his beautiful wife Cleo for our documentary “The Flying Man: Life and Times of Johnny Myers.” Carroll and Cleo have become great friends of Johnny Myers over the last dozen or so years. They had spent time with John up at his ranch in Merced, California and on several other trips, including one at the giant Oshkosh Aviation Celebration. Cleo told some great stories about how John Myers was very inspirational for her learning how to fly. John was a major influence to her. Carroll talked about his friendship with John Myers and how they really respected each other. He said that John was so humble, that it took a lot to get John Myers to talk about his legendary flying skills. He talked about John Myers’ sense of humor and his always being a gentleman.

I really enjoyed meeting and interviewing Carroll Shelby and his wife Cleo. They both remind me about the importance of appreciation. Carroll talked about how he has some other man’s heart in his chest. He had a heart transplant many years ago. He said he was very appreciative of every moment he has on this earth. Cleo and Carroll talked about how they met. They are a great couple. Carroll told me so awesome stories about his relationship with his father. How his father had encouraged him to go for his dreams. The message for me is to try to be a better “encourager” to others and to be more “appreciative” of life.

Thank you Cleo and Carroll Shelby for a fantastic time together.

To learn more about our new documentary “The Flying Man: Life and Times of Johnny Myers” go to

www.flyingmandocumentary.com

You can learn more about Carroll Shelby at www.carrollshelby.com

Here is a great artist rendering of Cleo with Carroll Shelby.http://www.kevingearyportraits.com/Gallery/pages/CarrollShelby.htm

Tom Jones - former CEO of Northrop, Lifelong Friend to Johnny Myers

Director RJ McHatton with Tom Jones

Tom Jones was very clear. He did not want to talk about anything where he wasn’t actually there. Tom said that he would be happy to talk about John Myers because he was a “Friend for Life.” Tom Jones has led a very interesting life, including many years as CEO of Northrop Grumman. But today we were there to interview Tom about his good friend Johnny Myers for our new documentary “The Flying Man–The Life and Times of Johnny Myers.” I was hoping that Tom would be able to give us some insight into Johnny Myers’ years working for Northrop. But it is easy to forget that Johnny Myers lived to be way over 90 years old. Tom really didn’t want to talk about those days. He wanted to talk about John Myers, the man. Tom said that he couldn’t pinpoint the first time he met John Myers because he seemed that they had lived their whole life as friends. John and Tom were in many clubs and organizations together. We talked about how John used to go to the Country Club a lot but that he did not play golf. John wanted to see his friends. Tom talked about how much John loved his wife Lucia. He said that Lucia was a beautiful and wonderful wife to John Myers. Tom told me some great stories about John Myers and how he was truly a remarkable human being. Tom said that John Myers was a gentleman, a person with impecable integrity and strong will. Tom said that John Myers was the kind of man you looked up to, someone who always had a great attitude about life and was always looking for ways to help others. I could tell that Tom Jone was a life-long friend of John Myers and that they both had some common traits – including kindness and respect for others. I really enjoyed my interview with Tom Jones. He is a real nice man.

Eric Rhoads - Personal Jet and Helicopter Pilot for Johnny Myers

Director RJ McHatton with pilot Eric Rhoads

Eric Rhoads

Eric Rhoads is a lucky guy. He was hired to be the personal jet and helicopter pilot for the legendary aviator and businessman Johnny Myers. We drove down to Redondo Beach to meet with Eric for our new documentary “The Flying Man” about the Life and Times of Johnny Myers. Eric sat down and started grinning as he remembered “Myers” as he called him. Eric first met John Myers about three years before he died, when Eric was hired to be his pilot. Over the years they became good friends. Eric said that his life was changed for the better because of the wisdom and character and integrity he learned from John Myers. Eric said that “Myers” was a “hand-shake” type of a guy. Someone who was bigger than life, someone who once he became your friend, you could count on being a friend for life. Eric talked about John’s love for the outdoors and for his dog Gus. He told great stories about flying with John Myers and Gus. He said that John Myers might not be well known in the general population community, but that among the pilot friends he knew, John Myers was a true to life hero. Eric said that everywhere he went, he saw how people lit up with enthusiasm when they met John Myers. Eric said that John was well respected among people all around the world. Eric talked about when he flew with John to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. when they introduced the P-61 Black Widow Night Fighter that John Myers was the original test pilot. He talked about the man he was fortunate to call friend. Eric talked about his many tripw with John Myers up to the Flying M Ranch in Merced, where John ran a real cattle ranch. He said that John Myers loved cattle and ranching. We talked about John Myers love for boating up at Big Bear and his joy for driving fast cars. Overall Eric kept talking about the wisdom and integrity and character of John Myers. He talked about the good friendships that John Myers had built up over a lifetime well into his 90s. He talked about the last time John Myers flew a helicopter and how thrilling it was to see the master fly it perfectly. I could tell that Eric enjoyed his time with John Myers and that he would never forget the lessons he learned from that tall man with the dog.

Peter Allen - Morgan Stanley, Close friend of John Myers

Peter Allen with director RJ McHatton

Peter Allen

Over fifteen years ago, Peter Allen became good friends with Lou Myers and his father John. They did a lot of outdoors adventures together. When Lou Myers passed away, it was only natural that Peter Allen would become even closer to John Myers. We met Peter Allen at the California Club in downtown Los Angeles. The California Club has tremendous history and it was a big part of John Myers life. He had a lot of friends there. We were there to interview Peter Allen for our new documentary “The Flying Man” about the Life and Times of Johnny Myers. Peter told us some great stories about John Myers and about his great wisdom and positive outlook on life. John Myers had a genuine charisma about him. People always liked John Myers because he was a gentle giant of a man. Someone with humility, with kindness, with a great instinct about people. Peter Allen told us about some of his great trips with John Myers over the years. About John’s love for his dog Gus, and for aviation. Peter was the last person to see John alive. I really appreciate the hospitality and generosity Peter gave to us during our interview.

Paul Thayer - Friend of Johnny Myers "The Flying Man"

Paul Thayer watching a video of his good friend Johnny Myers

RJ McHatton with Paul Thayer

We drove to Southern California to interview Paul Thayer about his friend Johnny Myers for our documentary “The Flying Man.” Paul is a great guy. He sat down with me and we talked about how he met Johnny Myers. Paul was a Fighter Pilot during World War II. He served in the North Africa campaign and then was quickly sent over to Guadacanal. After the war Paul worked at an airline where he met his wife Margery. Paul eventually got a job as an insurance sales man. Then one day Margery saw an advertisement that a company was looking for Test Pilots. Over 1800 people applied for the job but Paul Thayer got the job. That is where Paul met John Myers. Thayer worked under John at Northrop. Paul talked about how great a man Johnny Myers was. He said that Myers was a man of integrity. Paul told me some great stories about how he and Johnny Myers flew a P-61 Black Widow one time. He talked about how John Myers nearly died during the testing period of the Flying Wing. Paul told some great stories about how he and Johnny Myers and Jack Northrop worked together. We talked about how in later years John Myers became a successful businessman. He talked about some of the clubs they both belonged to over the years. Paul told me how much John loved his wife Lucia and how painful it was to lose Lucia.

Everytime our discussion went to stories of flying, Paul’s eyes would light up. I could tell that Paul loved aviation. He talked about Johnny Myers love for fast cars and fast boats. He also talked about John’s love for his dogs. I was really impressed by my interview with Paul Thayer. He is a very nice man. I have learned that Paul once was Under-Secretary of Defense under Ronald Reagan. I asked him about Ronald Reagan. He said that Reagan and John Myers were similar in many ways. I asked him if Johnny Myers was a good guy. He said that he was more than a good guy. He was a remarkable man. Thank you, Paul Thayer, for letting me interview you for our documentary.

Paul Kim - architect, brother of Dr. Luke Kim

Dr. Luke Kim, Grace Kim, Paul Kim, and RJ McHatton

We drove down to Seal Beach to connect with Dr. Luke Kim and his beautiful wife Grace. We were looking forward to a wonderful dinner with the Kims and also to interviewing Luke’s younger brother Paul Kim. Paul was to give us an interview as part of my production of the Video Biography of Dr. Luke and Grace Kim.

Paul gave me a terrific interview. He talked about his childhood in Korea during the Korean War and how his family became refugees. He told me the horrific tale of the kidnapping and murder by the Communists. Paul also talked about how his older brother Luke helped lead his brothers and sister to safety during the war. Today Paul is a well-respected architect.

One of the best parts of Paul’s interview was when he talked about how his brothers and sister would all sing together. He talked about how when his family was walking miles and miles to the South to escape the tyranny of the oncoming Communist forces, that he and his family sang hymns, songs to keep them together. It is remarkable how music has been so important to the lives of so many people. The courage and tenacity of the Kims inspires me. Every time I meet with Grace Kim I feel determined that I need to do more to help others. Grace and Luke show me how each of us can make a difference in other people’s lives. I first met Luke and Kim about five years ago when I was making my documentary “SHip of Miracles” about the Hungnam evacuation during Christmas 1950 in Korea. The Kims were there when 100,000 refugees were saved by the American and UN forces. Luke and Grace are extra proud these days. Their son David just went back to Washington DC. David was appointed to a very high position in President Obama’s Department of Transportation.

It was another wonderful evening with the Kims. Thanks Paul Kim for letting me interview you for your brother’s Video Biography.

Bill Tilley - Friend of Johnny Myers

RJ with Bill Tilley

The GPS on my cell phone said to turn right and go up the hill. The road was narrowing and very windy all the way up to the top and the view became incredible. We were on our way to meet Bill Tilley, one of the last people to see Johnny Myers before he died. I would say that Bill Tilley is a Rennasance man. His home is like a castle with a remarkable view. When we arrived, Bill led us to a large room he calls the "Museum" because of all the interesting displays on all the walls. As we set up our cameras and lights and sound equipment we were mesmerized by numerous heads of big game trophies including bears, elk, big horn sheep, and more, way more.

Bill Tilley gave me a terrific interview. He talked about his enduring friendship with Johnny Myers. He looked up to Johnny Myers, not only because Johnny Myers was a tall man, but because he was a great man. Bill Tilley told me some incredible stories of the special moments he had experienced with Mr. Myers over the years. He told me the stories that Johnny had told him about when he knew Howard Hughes, the time Johnny Myers saved the life of Charles Lindbergh, and intriguing tales of Johnny's test pilot days.

Bill also was able to tell me a little about Johnny Myers business career after the war and his philosophies about people. He told me that Johnny Myers really cared for other people. Bill told me about how Johnny Myers was totally in love with his wife Lucia and how they were such a wonderful couple.

Thanks, Bill Tilley, for taking the time to discuss your friendship with Johnny Myers.

Clay Lacy - Interview for "The Flying Man" documentary

Clay Lacy with director RJ McHatton

I drove down to Southern California to do several interviews for my documentary, "The Flying Man: Life and Times of Johnny Myers." I first met Clay Lacy last December when I interviewed him for a short video we made for the "Legends of Aviation" celebration. That time Clay was very kind to me, driving me around his hangars and showing me some of his collection of very cool airplanes.

This time I was dedicated to getting an interview with Clay Lacy, asking him to talk about his good friend Johnny Myers for my new documentary, "The Flying Man."

Clay Lacy is considered as one of the greatest aviators of all time. I have been told several times by several people that Clay has the most hours as a pilot among living aviators. Some say he has over 50,000 hours, some say its over 70,o00. Everyone agrees that Clay Lacy is a nice guy.

During our interview, Clay told some wonderful tales about his longtime friendship with Johnny Myers. He talked about how Johnny Myers saved Charles Lindbergh's life. He told me about the days when Johnny Myers was the courageous test pilot of the P-61 Black Widow Night Fighter and the innovative but super dangerous Flying Wing.

The best stories from Clay Lacy came when he talked about how much Johnny Myers meant to him as a good friend. Over the years they had so many wonderful times together. Clay talked about the qualities of character and integrity that came natural to Johnny Myers.

In the end, I am so grateful for having been able to meet and interview Clay Lacy. He is the man who worked with Bill Lear and the aviator who did a lot of the aerial photography for big movies like "Top Gun" and "The Right Stuff." Clay talked about how pilots are honest people. The more pilots I meet and interview, the more I begin to understand what he means. Men like Clay Lacy are the type of man we look up to and the type of man we need more of. Heroic, courageous, living life to the fullest.

Janice Merriweather - Interview

Janice Merriweather

Janice Merriweather worked for Johnny Myers for over 26 years. We drove down to the Long Beach Airport to the former office of Johnny Myers to interview Janice for our new documentary “The Flying Man” about the life and times of Johnny Myers. John Myers was a legendary test pilot who did “First Flight” testing on the famous Black Widow P-61 and the Flying Wing. In later years Myers was a successful businessman in the aviation industry.

Janice showed us John Myers’ office which has the best view of an airport I have ever seen. As you walk into his office you can see a fantastic array of models of several different kinds of airplanes from WWII to jets. Janice told us that John Myers these were some of the aircraft that Mr. Myers flew in his career.

Janice did a wonderful interview, telling fantastic stories about her years working with Mr. Myers. She told me about the integrity and character of Mr. Myers. He was a rare person. A man with values.

We really appreciate Janice Merriweather’s help with our documentary.

Harold Knudsen - B-24 Pilot & Master Piano Player

It was a beautiful sunny day as we drove down the Oregon Coast. We were headed south to Lincoln City to interview Harold Knudsen for a video biography project. His daughter Michelle commissioned us to do a video biography of her father. Harold told me his story about learning how to play the piano at the age of five. He talked about how music influenced every part of his life. During World War II Harold became a pilot of B-24s flying from England and dropping bombs all over Germany and France. Harold flew 40 missions during the War. He said that he was fortunate to be able to play the piano in the evenings even during the war. During his time in England Harold played with Glenn Miller. After World War II, Harold sold real estate in Portland, then tried his hand at selling cars. All the while, Harold played his piano and then organs. He eventually sold organs and pianos over the years. Always Hal would play his favorite Glenn Miller music.

Inventive Productions Video Blog #1

Here's our first video Blog.

Dr. Forrest Bird & Pamela Bird -- Inventors & Aviators

Dr. Forrest Bird & Pamela Bird

There are those moments in your life that stand out as Magical Moments. Those moments that change your life, or change your attitude about life. Well this past weekend we experienced one of those Magical Moments.

We drove over to Sagle, Idaho near Sandpoint on the beautiful Lake Pend Oreille to meet and interview the famous inventor and aviator, Dr. Forrest Bird. I first met Dr. Bird during the red carpet interviews for the Legends of Aviation ceremony in Beverly Hills last January.

We were met by the very attractive and enthusiastic Pamela Riddle Bird, a nationally known author and expert on Inventions and Innovation. Pamela has a Phd of her own, too. She is the founder and CEO of Innovation Product Technologies. Pamela graciously led us into the Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center where a speech was underway by the daughter and wife of the inventor of Gatorade.

The museum was awesome. Tons of fantastic airplanes and automobiles and tons of great historical displays. After we had a chance to go completely through the museum, we followed Pamela over to the Air Lodge, a unique private lodge that the Birds have created to accomodate physicians and other visitors who come from all across the world to meet and learn from Dr. Bird.

Pamela told us to settle into our rooms. I got the John Wayne room and Bill and his daughter got the Lewis and Clark room. Each room is decorated with different themes. John Wayne is a true hero to me, so I was in heaven in the Duke Room.

After settling into our rooms, we met with the Birds and some other guests for a nice dinner. I got to spend some quality time talking with Dr. Forrest Bird about his love for aviation. Forrest is one of the five first pilots of helicopters in the world and he said he is the last one left of that first group.

I met with Dr. Forrest Bird for our interview the next morning. The interview lasted from 9am to 5pm. It was a remarkable experience for me.

Dr. Forrest Bird is not only a world recognized aviator, but more importantly he is the inventor of the respirator and ventilator and other medical devices. These inventions have saved possibly a million or ten million, and possibly over 100 million lives! Think about it. The infant mortality rate for pre-me births was 70 percent. His devices reduced that rate to less than 10 percent. His devices have also had tremendous impact on the success of anethesia and the ability to ventilate while doing operations like open heart surgery, and to keep people in comas alive all across the world.

I really enjoyed my interview with Forrest. He has an unbelievable photographic type of memory. He talked about his memories of meeting Orville Wright, Henry Ford, some Presidents, and even Howard Hughes. He explained how he came up with his revolutionary ideas. He kept saying that life is "fate, chance and circumstance." I think that will be the title of our movie on Forrest Bird.

After my interview with Forrest, I was able to interview Pamela for about an hour. She did a super job in her interview, explaining how she met Forrest and how they became a couple. They are a truly wonderful couple who love each other very much. They have many things in common including love for aviation and invention.

I just took a look at some of the interview footage and it turned out great. I can't wait to start putting this movie together.

This trip to meet Dr. Forrest Bird and his wife really had an impression with me. It inspired me to want to do more for others. To help inspire kids to be more creative and inventive. Like the name of our company.

LeRoy Nosbaum -- CEO & Chairman of Itron

LeRoy Nosbaum -- CEO & Chairman of Itron

It was a beautiful day as we drove through Spokane, Washington on our way to Liberty Lakes. We were looking for the Headquarters to Iron, the world's leading producer of electronic meters used by the utilities industries. We had an appointment to interview Chairman of the Board, LeRoy Nosbaum, for our new documentary "CEOs of Seattle."

LeRoy and his team were very hospitable to myself and my crew. The interview went well.

LeRoy was very inspiring in his committment to excellence and his focus on doing the right thing. He told me about the importance of working hard for his investors, his employees, and his customers. LeRoy is a top notch leader who has successfully moved his company into huge positive growth over the years. I learned alot during my interview with LeRoy Nosbaum.

You can learn more about our new documentary "CEOs of Seattle" at www.ceosofseattle.com

Nicole Gelpi - Yellow Mountain StoneWorks

Nicole Gelpi - Yellow Mountain StoneWorks

We drove over the West Seattle bridge. It was a beautiful morning. You could see the incredible Seattle skyline to our right. Unbelievable view. We were headed to the West Seattle area to go interview Nicole Gelpi, the VP of Yellow Mountain StoneWorks for a testimonial video we are making for Artitudes Design.

We met Nicole at her office. Her office is like a showroom for some of the most beautiful rocks in the world. She said most of them came from Asia. Nicole did a super interview for Artitudes Design. Nicole was very enthusiastic about her happy relationship with Andrea and Michael and the entire team over at Artitudes Design. She talked about how she could trust them and depend on them to do what they promise.

I asked Nicole if we could also discuss some of her management and leadership philosophies for a new documentary on business leaders of Seattle. She was kind and generous. Nicole is a very strong leader and she works hard to nurture the culture of her organization and her clients. She said that her clients are everything to her. Her goal is to take care of her existing client relationships for life. A client relationship for life is a fantastic vision. For Nicole it is reality.

I was very impressed with Nicole Gelpi. You can learn more about Yellow Mountain StoneWorks at www.yellow-mountain.net

You can learn more about Artitudes Design at www.artitudesdesign.com

Article about documentary "Ship of Miracles" in The Seoul Times

Captain Leonard LaRue

SS Meredith Victory

June 16, 2009 "The Ship of Miracles"

SS Meredith Saves 14,000 Korean Refugees

"The Ship of Miracles" Turned into Book, Documentary

Written By Elsa Sherin Mathews

SS Meredith, also known as "The Ship of Miracles"

It is a tale that almost slips out of attention and, consequently history. But the mere mention of the rescue of 14,000 refugees in an American cargo ship designed for twelve during the Korean War seems to surprise historians, filmmakers and military generals alike.

So it is not a surprise when filmmaker RJ McHatton, stumbled upon the fascinating story of Captain Leonard LaRue and how his cargo ship saved 14,000 north Koreans during the Hungnam evacuation, he decided to make a film.

"It was a snowy day in Oregon and I happened to come across a newspaper obituary of Leonard LaRue. It mentioned how LaRue's ship the SS Meredith (Victory), also known as "The Ship of Miracles," had saved 14,000 Korean refugees during the Korean War of 1953 in which USA intervened," says McHatton, "It was a piece of history I was unaware of."

However, it was difficult for him to find books about the US intervention in Korean War. One reason was that the US intervention in Korea was considered to be a 'forgotten war.' Some considered it to be a police action rather than a war. Finally, McHatton came across the book titled The Ship of Miracles by Bill Gilbert and decided to base his documentary on it.

McHatton's documentary, which took him five years to complete, features not only the historian Bill Gilbert but also marines who were involved in the rescue operation. It uses footage of the Korean War from the National Archives.

However, the main hero of this story is Leonard LaRue, also known as brother Marinus, captain of the ship Meredith Victory. He and his crew saved 14,000 people on a single voyage during the Korean War in 1950. A few years later became a monk in New Jersey, where he ran a gift shop.

The story of the Meredith Victory wasn't known until author and historian Bill Gilbert started researching on the role of merchant marine during the Korean War. Author, Bill Gilbert, while researching the role of the merchant marine during the Korean War, was given a bunch of papers by Jean Mansavage, Deputy Director, Archive of Defense, documenting the incident during the Korean War. "A group of officers were discussing the event, some said it must have been 1,400 but when I said it was 14,000 they couldn't believe it," says Mansavage in McHatton's documentary.

In 1950 at the height of the Cold War Communist North Korea was locked in a fierce battle with South Korea which was backed by the capitalist forces. The conflict arose from the attempt of the two Korean powers to re-unify Korea under their respective governments.

Conflict escalated on the 38th parallel before the war. Under the aegis of the United Nations, nations allied with the United States intervened on behalf of South Korea. On Nov. 24, 1950 Gen. Douglas MacArthur launched a major offensive in the Western sector with the intention of ending the war in Korea. But by November 28 the Chinese communists had entered the fighting in far greater force driving the UN troops back.

At the Chosin reservoir, the marines found themselves surrounded by Chinese troups. MacArthur ordered a retreatment of men and equipment to the port city of Hungnam and American troops started preparing for the largest military evacuation in military history.

Everything of military value in the city of Hungnam was to be destroyed. Huge shipments of military equipments had flown into the area for weeks to supply the expected military march to the Manchurian border. Hungnam was the largest amphibious evacuation in military history. It involved the evacuation of 105,000 soldiers, 17,500 vehicles and 350,000 tonnes of equipment. It was destroyed in December 1954.

The Battle of Chosin, which is considered to be the toughest military battles in US history after Iwo Jima, is central to the understanding of the Korean War in which 30,000 UN troops under the command of Ned Almond faced approximately 120,000 Chinese troops.However, during the evacuation, the refugees started to emerge as a problem. "There was a long line of refugees along the beach as far as the eye could see, yearning for freedom with their only access the sea." says Joseph Stewart an American marine.

During this period of crisis one man emerged as the Schindler of Korea. This was Dr. Bong Hak Hyun, who died in 2007. In his interview to McHatton he says "I wanted the refugees to get out because many of them were my friends or my friends' parents." It was Dr. Hyun who convinced LaRue the captain of Meredith Victory, a cargo ship constructed during World War II designed to carry 12 people, to carry 14,000 refugees to safety as the communists started killing the people. "He made the decision himself and never asked any of the officers. Our job was to get them on board and pack them away," says Albert Golembeski, second mate SS Meredith Victory.

But once on the deck, there was a different kind of battle going on. "We filled each deck with people standing up and then covered them with hatch beams and then fill the next deck. When we finished filling all the decks, we filled the main deck, which finally looks like Times Square on New Year's Eve," says Burley Smith, Junior third mate SS Meredith Victory.

Merl Smith Engineer USS Meredith victory was a witness to the Korean refugees' desperation for food. "I opened the porthole and their arms were stuck out like spaghetti holding mugs. I poured a drink into one. I remember I filled one cup and that really started the stampede," he says in the documentary.

The Koreans started fires to keep themselves warm and that posed a major problem as the drums on board contained jet fuel. There was also the risk of plague.Whatever were the challenges, the head count of 14,000 was increased by five by the time the ship reached its destination south of Pusan, for there were five babies born on the deck.

"Some new kids were born into this world, I wonder what they are walking around thinking," Dino Savastio, Chief Mate SS Meredith Victory.However, when the SS Meredith victory reached Pusan, they were told that they couldn't dock.

They then sailed us to an island south of Pusan and finally disembarked the refugees in the island of Koje-do(now called Goeje-Do). The US maritime administration termed it as ‘the greatest rescue operation by a single ship in the history of mankind.'

For Captain LaRue, this was a turning point of his life. Four years later he became a monk of the Benedictine order at the St. Paul's Abbey in New Jersey after the incident.

In 1958, Captain LaRue and the crew of Meredith victory were recognized with a special presidential citation. Captain LaRue reluctantly agreed to accept this honour in NY city.

The SS Meredith Victory was conferred the Gallant Ship Award on August 24, 1960. The rescue operation was recently featured in the Guinness Book of Records as the greatest sea rescue in history.

RJ McHatton's documentary "The Ship of Miracles" is available on DVD.

Melinda Partin - CEO of Worktank

Melinda Partin - CEO of Worktank

It was a warm day as I carried my tripod, some lights, and a HD camera over to the Worktank office on the waterfront in downtown Seattle. I was there to interview the CEO, Melinda Partin, for a part in our new documentary "CEOs of Seattle."

Melinda was great. She gave me a terrific interview. Melinda comes from a long heritage of family entrepreneurs. She started her company about ten years ago, specializing in creative advertising for small or big organizations. Melinda talked about her management philosophy of collaboration. She talked about her belief in total integrity and how she really cares for her people. Melinda talked about her proud moments as a leader and her true enthusiasm for the future. I was very impressed with meeting Melinda. She really cares about people.

Sharon Mooers - Olive Crest Homes & Services for Abused Children

Sharon Mooers - Olive Crest Homes & Services for Abused Children

It was a great experience meeting Sharon Mooers.  She came over to our studio to be interviewed for a testimonial about her positive experience working with Andrea Heuston and Artitudes Design.  Sharon is a director for the Olive Crest Homes & Services for Abused Children.   Olive Crest is a non profit who is dedicated to saving abused children.  I could not believe it when Sharon said that every nine seconds there is a child abuse report filed in America.  This is a truly shocking statistic.  To learn more about Olive Crest, go to www.olivecrest.org 

Andrea Heuston - CEO of Artitudes Design

Andrea Heuston - CEO and Founder of Artitudes Design Inc.

I really enjoyed my interview with Andrea Heuston, the CEO and founder of Artitudes Design. 

She is a fantastic leader who is breaking all records for referral business.  I have interviewed some of her clients and they cannot stop talking about Andrea and her team.  The Artitudes Design office seems like such a fun and creative place to work.  Everyone there was having a great time and they were laughing, too.  

Oren Barker - Pilot of P-38 in WW2 - Shot down

RJ with Oren Barker.

Oren Barker enlisted in the Army Air Corp and served in the European campaign of World War II flying the P-38. The P-38 was called the "Lightning" by the Americans and the "Devil" by the Germans.

Oren grew up in Olympia and was very excited about learning how to fly. He was trained with the Stearman bi-planes which allowed him to learn how to do rolls and spins and to do some dog fighting. It wasn't long until Oren saw real combat with the super fast and deadly P-38. On his first combat mission over Belgium his P-38 was hit by flack in the gas tank. He is lucky his plane did not blow up. On one of the big battles in December 1944 Oren was shot down and ended up spending over two years in a hospital. He was knocked unconscious when he crashed, so he has no memory of the day he was shot down. But he was lucky that in one of the hospitals he met his future wife and they were married almost fifty years. I really enjoyed meeting Oren and interviewing him for the Library of Congress program called the Veterans History Project. We have volunteered to interview as many World War II vets for free as we can get. So if you know of a veteran from WWII, tell them to give me a call. After the war, Oren came back to the Northwest and worked in the insurance business for over 30 years. We are lucky to have had guys like Oren serve over there for us. He sacrificed a lot for all of us.