Foundation Donor and Programs Specialist
Hello. My name is Rachelle Haughn and I am the new AMA Foundation donor and programs specialist. I have stepped into the role previously held by Austin Perlee. I am excited to be part of a new and enthusiastic AMA Foundation team!
Perhaps you’ve read some of my articles in Model Aviation or Park Pilot magazines. I have worked for AMA’s Publications/Communications department since 2011. When I first began working for AMA, I mainly focused on copy editing. This included editing text for both of the aforementioned magazines, as well as e-newsletters and many other external member communications. I later served as the editor of e-newsletter AMA Today, which has ceased publication. It was replaced this summer by AMA This Week.
As the years passed. my role at AMA expanded. I began to attend fly-ins and contests across the country, where I took photos and interviewed participants. My event articles were published in Model Aviation and Park Pilot. Meeting and talking with our members became my favorite part of my job at AMA. I enjoyed attending Giant-Scale fly-ins, Free Flight contests, and Control Line events. I also attended a warbird event or two. The more events I attended, the more I saw how passionate our members are about the hobby.
Many of my summers were spent at AMA. I often went to the AMA Nats to take photos, talk with our NatsNews authors, and even write articles about the annual event. I eventually became the NatsNews editor, which allowed me to interact with expert writers in the hobby. When I first began working for AMA, NatsNews was a printed publication. I helped edit the text for it, design it, print it, and distribute it to the pilots on-site. Today, NatsNews is an online blog.
Throughout my time at AMA, I have always been passionate about our members, member giving, and the AMA Foundation. As soon as the Foundation was established in 2013, I was ready to volunteer for whatever it needed. I have helped at special luncheons, fly-ins, and assisted with fundraisers, mailings, and writing copy for the foundation. My daughter and son have even appeared in advertising for the foundation. I have done whatever has been asked of me and enjoyed every minute of it!
During membership renewal time, I have helped renew memberships, process foundation donations, and stuff membership cards. Every time I see a donation from one of our members, I am floored by his or her generosity!
I am excited to see how the AMA Foundation can continue to grow and support the clubs, members, and programs that mean so much to the future of the hobby!
