Section Officers

Who We Are

Northwest Section of the Ninety-Nines

The Ninety-Nines® is the International Organization of Women Pilots that promotes advancement of aviation through education, scholarships and mutual support while honoring our unique history and sharing our passion for flight. We are a nonprofit charitable organization.

Our Northwest Section of the 99s brings together more than 500 members in 18 chapters across the states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming. We welcome all women pilots and student pilots to join the chapter nearest you to find and give support throughout the many possible aviation journeys. We support each other and our communities, and we help light the spark of aviation curiosity among our youth.

Governor

Beth Chapple

Beth joined the Western Washington chapter of the 99s in February 2003, where she is the current treasurer. She got wonderful encouragement from the 99s as she obtained her Private Pilot certificate in July 2004. The Northwest Section Webmaster from 2015 until 2023, Beth has attended nine 99s Section meetings, including flying all the way to Las Vegas for the joint meeting with the Southwest Section, and most recently the meeting in Madras and Bend, Oregon, in 2023. She has logged over 700 hours as pilot in command of single-engine airplanes. In the old days, her two sons used to fall asleep in the back of her flying club's Cessna 172. Now she happily owns an Evektor Harmony LSA with her husband Niklas and hangars it in Arlington and Desert Aire, Washington, venturing across the Cascades frequently.

Vice Governor

Theresa White

Secretary

Marian Jensen

Marian Jensen grew up in Texas, attending Texas Tech University, and obtaining a BA in Communications with a minor in English. Her first job was as a stewardess with Pan American World Airways, which sparked an interest in aviation. A number of years later she had the opportunity to take flying lessons, and did so though she was not really interested in obtaining a pilot’s license. Then came the solo!! Life has not been the same since. Her ratings include private pilot and glider. Marian’s life has revolved around flying, attending aviation gatherings in her Flutter-Bug, then a Tri-Pacer, and finally a Citabria. Marian joined the 99s in the late eighties and has been active in the organization on and off for several years. Now retired after 30 years with the Washington State Patrol as an emergency dispatcher, Marian and her husband Tom currently have her Citabria, his C-180, and their Navy N3N. Through the summer they attend aviation gatherings nearly every weekend and in 2019 were even able to go to the Reno Air Races. They attended the 2021 joint section meeting with the Southwest Section in Las Vegas. Marian is also Editor of the Washington Pilots Association’s state newsletter, so when she is not flying, she writes about flying.

Treasurer

Elsbeth Roach

Although Elsbeth remembers flying with her Dad at a very young age, she did not truly get involved with learning to fly until 2002. Earning her PPL in 2004 at Apple Valley, CA (KAPV), she became a 99 in March 2005 and chair of her local chapter, the Hi Desert 99s, Southwest Section. Southern California airspace was always challenging, with many exciting trips available. Elsbeth participated in the Palms to Pines Air race twice with her chapter galfriends. In 2013 Elsbeth and her husband moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where she finds she truly enjoys the experience of flying in the highlands/back country of the Northwest. While she doesn’t own a plane, she finds diversity in renting: she has flown Cessnas 150, 152, 172, and 182 and Beechcraft Muskateer, Piper Warrior/Archer, Cherokee 140/180. Elsbeth especially enjoyed the challenges of the fast-moving Mooney 20C, but couldn’t deny the slower Piper Cub on floats was also a treat. As a Chapter officer/Board member, Elsbeth is currently involved in helping Intermountain chapter plan and host the 2022 Fall NWS meeting. She attends International conferences as often as she can and hopes to be of service to the NWS as the newly elected section treasurer.

Director

Andrea Johnson

Andrea Johnson is learning how to fly in a Cessna 172 out of Lenhardt Airpark (7S9) in Hubbard, Oregon. She has been a member of the Columbia Cascade Chapter of the Ninety-Nines since 2017 and has served as chapter vice chair, nominating committee member, and secretary over the past four years. Andrea has also served as nominating committee member for the NW Section (2019-21) and has attended Section Meetings (either in person or online) each year since joining the Ninety-Nines. In 2019, Andrea received the NW Section “Behind the Clouds” award. In June 2021, she flew as co-pilot in her first Air Race Classic Derby with Karin Rodland as pilot in her 182. Her aviation goals include becoming a ground instructor, CFI, and to continue volunteering for/with the Ninety-Nines for as long as possible. Outside of flying, Andrea is Mom to two young boys, a birdwatcher, baker, and outdoor adventurer, and she enjoys learning/exploring new things.

Director

Bonnie Molitor

Bonnie Molitor is a retired nurse and a student pilot. She lives in Ardenvoir, Washington, and flies out of Wenatchee (KEAT). With her love of aviation, she had to join The Ninety-Nines. Bonnie belongs to and is co-chair of the Mid-Columbia chapter. She is honored to serve as a director on the Northwest Section board.

Director

Andrea Chay

While Andrea Chay is not currently flying, she and her husband, Jim, now own a Cessna P337 Skymaster. They plan to start flying cross country trips soon from the airpark where they live, south of Seattle. Andrea earned her private pilot license in 1980 and joined the 99s the following year. Andrea has served as chapter chair for three chapters, and vice chair, on the nominating committee for chapter and section levels, international membership chair, Northwest Section vice governor, endowment fund trustee, governor, and now director. She retired in December 2014 with 30 years at FAA, 20 as air traffic control specialist in Flight Service Station and Flight Watch.

Passed Governor

Patty Mitchell

Rest in Peace. Patty passed away December 3, 2020, after a courageous battle with cancer. 

Patty Mitchell flew for more than 50 years and was a member of the Ninety-Nines for almost as long. She first joined the Ninety-Nines in Houston in 1979 and belonged to both the Montana chapter and the Idaho chapter. She started the Big Sky chapter in Billings a couple of years ago. She was a professional pilot for 41 years which included being a flight instructor, charter pilot, airline pilot and FBO owner. Patty's aviation background includes being the first woman pilot to be hired by Metro Airlines and flying Twin Otters. She also was the first woman smoke-jumper pilot for the Forest Service on contract in 1980 out of Missoula. For 15 years, Patty flew for United Airlines, flying 747s and 747-400s until she retired in 2003. Please see the 99s Fly! blog for more about this wonderful lady, who will be sorely missed.

Immediate Past Governor

Stacey Budell

Stacey started working for the local Mosquito Abatement District prior to getting her private as a right-seat spotter in the spray plane. Not long after, she purchased her first plane, a 1956 Piper Tri-Pacer 150, and started hauling supplies into the Idaho backcountry and spraying mosquitos from a modified C182 with spray booms and a belly tank attached. She flew ag operations in Ag Cat, Weatherly and Pawnee Spray planes. Stacey joined the Idaho 99s in 1993 and is a past chapter chair, past international 99s director, and Amelia Earheart Scholarship recipient in 2011. The owner/operator of a 1958 Cessna 182 since 1996, Stacey is a current CFII, MEI rated and OAS carded. She is the broker and owner of Delta Land Real Estate Company, started Idaho4Homes.com and has been licensed as a realtor since 1994. It's a passion of hers to promote aviation and the 99s to every woman and especially young girls, often giving presentations to grade school children and donating all her flight magazines to the kids.