Fly Bella Balloons

Mindi Gliatti

Mindi Gliatti is a co-owner and weekend Crew Chief for Bella Balloons.  She is a Mom of 2, wife, scuba diver, and a busy Pharmaceutical Territory Manager for an international healthcare company. 

"I get excited every time I see the balloons fly.  I've seen them launch hundreds of times and it just doesn't matter, I get excited again.  I'm so proud to be a contributor to a company that brings so much happiness to so many lives. Please come celebrate your important events with us.  Our team will take great care of you and help you make a lasting memory."

Brian Graham

"My son Kyle and I took our first balloon flight aboard Miss Scarlet with Mike Gliatti in 2007. I have been addicted to hot air ballooning ever since.  After just moments of leaving the ground, I knew this was something I had to do. I purchased a 90,000 Cubic foot Aerostar, named her Destiny and I began taking my student Pilot lessons with Bella Balloons later that same year. I am now a Private Pilot and Crew Chief for Bella Balloons. I love every minute of it. I have had such a great time with the entire team at Bella Balloons. What a great extension to my family!!

I am married to Kristel and have 2 great kids Kyle and Hailey. When I am not spending time with my family or flying balloons, I Maintain Critical Equipment for a 50k square foot server room in Blue Ash, Ohio. I like to hike, camp, boat, swim or really just about anything outdoors.

I look forward to meeting all of the guests that join us here at Bella Balloons. This is a once in a lifetime event for most people.  I really enjoy making this special occasion memorable for you, whether it be an anniversary, birthday, engagement or just because you have always wanted to fly in a balloon."

Adam Hubbs

"I have been crewing for Bella Balloons since 2006 and have enjoyed every minute.  I understand the importance and special occasion atmosphere that comes with each flight.  I do my best to reflect this in the service that I and the Bella team provide.  Meeting new people that share a sense of adventure is always a fun experience.  

I'm currently a Customer Service Supervisor and Six Sigma Black Belt at Medco in Fairfield, OH.  My wife, Sarah, and I have been married for 6 years and we have a beautiful, 3 year old daughter named Chelsea.  We also recently received the news that we will have another addition to the family in late August 2011!   When I'm not at work with Medco or Bella Balloons, I enjoy spending time with my family and training for local Triathlons, Duathlons, and road cycling.  I also like working with my father and grandfather to build and restore houses when the time allows."

Jack Kinsinger

My wife and kids went ballooning for the first time last summer and within a month I was crewing for Bella Balloons.  I was intrigued by the process and interested in the mechanics of ballooning.  I love meeting all of the people who take flights and feed off of their excitement and enthusiasm for this new adventure.  It has been great working with the people of Bella Balloons because they have a great sense of humor, are knowledgeable and always professional.

I am an Industrial Arts teacher at Sycamore Junior High School and am married with three kids.  They keep me busy with sports including but not limited to soccer, hockey, volleyball, basketball, gymnastics, skiing, snowboarding, boating, kayaking and bicycling.  We enjoy the great outdoors through hiking and camping and travel when we get the chance.

Dan McCormick

"My first experience with ballooning came when I arranged a surprise birthday flight for my wife Debbie with Bella Balloons. We quickly recognized Mike and Mindi Gliatti as our kind of people and accepted an invitation to "crew" for Bella flights. What a great activity for a couple-Deb drives, I navigate and we chase balloons across S.W. Ohio enjoying beautiful sunrises and sunsets, and meeting some really great people along the way. It wasn't long before Mike surprised me with the suggestion that I should become a pilot. Never in my wildest imagination did I picture myself flying anything beyond a PlayStation. I now find myself with my Private Pilot license and a balloon of mine own named "Suncatcher".

Professionally: I am a Lieutenant with the Deer Park Police Department where I am the Night Shift Commander and also serve on the regional Terrorism Early Warning Group.

My wife Debbie and I live in Clearcreek Twp. with two crazy Labradors. I hope to retire from law enforcement in 2014 and pursue ballooning full time."

Debbie McCormick

"My adventure in ballooning started in August 2007 when my husband Dan surprised me with birthday flight. After that one amazing flight with Bella Balloons we were both hooked. Not long after, Dan and I became Crew Chiefs for Bella Balloons. I thoroughly enjoy every opportunity to help create a one-of-a-kind experience for those who charter a flight with Bella Balloons. Participating in ballooning as a Crew Chief has become my favorite way to spend a sunrise or a beautiful fall evening. These friendships will last a lifetime.

In real life, I'm the Director of Technology for a software publisher. I'm an avid cyclist and love spending time outdoors. My husband Dan and I have one daughter and two big lovable Labrador Retrievers. Our home in Clearcreek Twp. is often the site of unannounced balloon landings. We love that!!

Over the years our addiction to ballooning and to Bella Balloons continues to grow. Dan and I have purchased our own balloon, and in 2010, and Dan became a licensed private pilot."

Renee McKinney

"This is my second season with Bella Balloons.  I have enjoyed every adventure that balloon chasing has offered me.   I love helping make each flight a great experience for not only our customers but also the entire staff I get to work with each and every time.  I am always up to a new challenge and always enjoy working with people, sharing special occasions with others. 

I currently am finishing up my 9th year of teaching 7th grade science at Mason Middle School.  My husband, Brian and I have been married for 9 years and have a beautiful 7 year old daughter, Riley and an adventurous 4 year old son, Brody.  We reside in Lebanon, Ohio.

When I am not grading papers, running after Riley and Brody, I enjoy running, cooking, making jewelry, and spending time with my family.  I am currently training for my 1st half-marathon, The Flying Pig and hope to complete many more races throughout the year.

A birthday, an anniversary, an event off the bucket list, or just because is always a great reason to go ballooning!"

Dave Parker

"Hi my name is Dave Parker, and I’ve been involved in hot ballooning for 16 years. I have participated in events ranging from weekend balloon rallies to National Competitions.   I have been with Bella Balloons for 3+ years.  This is not my full time job-this is fun, it is leisure, stress relieve, a great opportunity to meet new people.  I enjoy the opportunity to share events with our passengers.  Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, marriage proposal, or just checking off an item off of the Bucket List!!

I have 145 kids all have different moms ( did I mention that I am a teacher? LOL)!!  I have one daughter that is the love of my life, and will graduate high school this year with honors, planning on going to college for engineering. I have many hobbies and interests including: ballooning, cars, ballooning, motorcycles, ballooning, dealing in sports memorabilia, and ballooning.

I like to use humor to help put our passengers at ease, as they are getting ready for their hot air balloon journey.   I look forward to meeting you and helping you enjoy your balloon experience.  This is truly a family owned and operated business.  When your flight is finished, we want you to feel like a member of our family. Your safety and fun is always our first priority.

So, hope to see you soon!"

Mark Wiesmann

"My involvement in ballooning started in 2009 when I took my first balloon ride with Bella Balloons.  The joke among balloonist is that your first ride is your cheapest, and I certainly found that to be true as I fell in love with ballooning and started pursuing my pilot’s license.  I am currently a student pilot and bought my first balloon last year.  I really enjoy flying my balloon but I also enjoy crewing for Bella Balloons and watching the excitement on the passenger’s faces as they experience the joys of flight in a hot air balloon.  Truly, this is something everyone should do at least once in your lifetime.

When I am not ballooning, I am a Chemist, father, and a husband.  My wife and I are a blended family of six kids and three dogs.  We love to spend time together and ballooning is one of the things we enjoy the most. 

At Bella Balloons you will be dealing with some of the best pilot’s in the business and I know this first hand as they have been my flight instructors in my pilot training.  I look forward to seeing you in the future on a Bella Balloons Flight."

Gracie and Millie

Gracie (9) & Millie (6 mos) are certified crew dogs, meaning, they do very little, and eat as much people-food as they can.  They love watching balloons, and although they are not allowed to fly, they hope you enjoy your flight!!!!