Albuquerque, N.M. – The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® has announced its Chief Officials for the 2025 event, marking a major milestone in preparations for the 53rd annual celebration of ballooning. These all-volunteer leaders will oversee key aspects of the nine-day event, which draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each October.
More than 3,000 volunteers contribute to the success of the Balloon Fiesta each year, and the Chief Officials play a central role in coordinating flight operations, safety, weather, scoring, and more.
2025 Chief Officials
- Balloonmeister: Henry Rosenbaum – A veteran pilot from Virginia with over 1,600 flight hours and six years as Balloonmeister.
- Assistant Balloonmeister: Tom Bueno – A 35-year Fiesta volunteer and national STEM award recipient.
- Chief of Safety: Mike Garcia – Commercial pilot and longtime Fiesta participant with three balloons of his own.
- Assistant Chief of Safety: Alex Jonard – Ballooning since 1985, with deep experience in flight safety and repair.
- Chief of Weather: Don Day, Jr. – Renowned meteorologist known for his work on high-profile stratospheric jumps and ballooning events.
- Chief of Launch: Michelle Healy – A volunteer since 1992, with a lifelong passion for the Fiesta and its community.
- Assistant Chief of Launch: Chris Padilla – Over 20 years as a Launch Director, now enjoying retirement and family life.
- Chief of Scoring: Rita Brennan – A scoring team veteran since 2007, now leading the department.
- Chief of Landowner Relations: Nancy Wertz – Founder of the Landowner Relations Team, ensuring strong community ties since 2017.
“Each year, we are reminded of the hard work and dedication of thousands of volunteers that make the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta not only possible, but exceptional,” said Julie Morgas Baca, Executive Director of AIBF. “As we welcome new and returning guests for the exciting 53rd annual event, I look forward to working alongside these passionate volunteers to create a memorable, safe, and informative experience.”
The 2025 Balloon Fiesta will take place October 4–12 at Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
