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Florida Flag Bearer

William Gallo

Photo courtesy of Dom Coscia of Deerfield Beach Observer newspaper

Introduction

William J. Gallo, AIA has been a licensed pilot since 1977, with a commercial license and an instrument rating. He will carry the Florida state flag aboard Gallo’s Piper Cherokee Six. Gallo is President of Deerfield Beach-based Gallo & DuBois and architecture and construction company where he handles all administration, operations and sales for the firm, coordinates project architects and provides consulting services for dispute resolution and development feasibility. His unique training includes architecture, construction and development economics; he earned a Bachelors degree from the Pratt Institute in New York, and a Master of Architecture degree from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He is a registered architect in New Jersey, New York, Florida, Delaware, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Georgia, and a certificate holder from the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. He is also a member of the American Institute of Architects, the Fort Lauderdale and Deerfield Beach Chambers of Commerce, the Construction Association of South Florida, a member of the Board of Directors of Historic Stranahan House in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Vice Commissioner of the City of Deerfield Beach Housing Authority, Vice Chair of the City of Lighthouse Point Community Appearance Board and member of the Board of Advisors to the Center for Psychological Studies at Nova Southeastern University.

Bill’s flying started in 1977. During that year he received his private pilot rating. This was obtained in Millville, NJ. Soon after he purchased a 1967 Cherokee 180 in which to train for the instrument rating. Bill also joined AOPA (he is now a 25 year member). During the next two years he sold his Cherokee 180 purchased a 1976 Arrow 200 and obtained a Commercial license. Flying experiences extended to tail wheels (Aeronca, Citabria and J-3 Cub) limited aerobatics and general business/fun. Like many of us marriage, children and family life severely limited flying activities from 1985 to 1998. Today Bill is the proud owner of a 1978 Cherokee 6-260 and is “back in the saddle”

On September 11, 2001, the horror of witnessing the destruction of the World Trade Center Towers, the loss of so many innocent lives, including a brother in-law through marriage and the use of the airplane as a destructive force was overwhelming to Bill. After a year of resolving personal grief, attacks on his two great passions, architecture and flying, Bill was honored to be selected to be the flag bearer for the State of Florida.

“Being part of the Flight Across America is one of the great events of my life. I thank Molly, her immediate support staff and all the individuals especially fellow flag bearers for this opportunity”

Bill Gallo
N9269C

Media Events

A departure ceremony and press conference was held at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport on September 4, 2002. Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport Manager Bill Crouch opened the ceremony, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle presented an official proclamation, City Manger Floyd Johnson offered some remarks and Father Frederick Brice offered a blessing for a safe flight. As Bill and Ray departed, the City of Fort Lauderdale fire department provided a water salute over Bill's plane. Media covering the event included South Florida network affiliates for NBC, FOX, ABC and CBS, The Miami Herald, The Sun-Sentinel and The Deerfield Times.

Bill Gallo and co-pilot Ray Crawford will be the cover story on the Lighthouse Point/Deerfield Beach Observer newspaper's weekly edition the week of August 27.

A departure ceremony/press conference is planned for September 4 at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport as Bill and Ray begin their Flight Across America flight.  Since the selection of September 4 to begin their historic flight to the northeast.

Mayor Al Capellini of Deerfield Beach has presented Bill with an official City of Deerfield Beach Proclamation naming September 4, 2002 "Flight Across America Day in Deerfield Beach, Florida"

Mayor Steve Abrams of Boca Raton will be presenting Bill with an official City of Boca Raton Proclamation next week, naming September 4, 2002 "Flight Across America Day in Boca Raton, Florida"

Mayor Craig Fletcher of Vero Beach will be presenting Bill with an official City of Vero Beach Proclamation next week, naming September 4, 2002 "Flight Across America Day in Vero Beach, Florida"

Orlando Mayor Glenda Hood has signed an official City of Orlando Proclamation naming September 4, 2002 "Flight Across America Day in Orlando, Florida"

Florida Governor Job Bush is preparing an official proclamation recognizing Flight Across America and William J. Gallo's and Raymond Crawford's representation of Florida at FLAA commemorative events

Last Updated: 09/06/02. Copyright © 2002 Flight Across America