Board of Directors

Meet Our Team

These volunteers give 100% and are dedicated to our Veterans to ensure they see their memorials free of charge, safely.
Some stay back to watch the home front while some dedicate their time and efforts to the Veterans in Washington, D.C.

AARON VAN BEEK, President & Director

Aaron Van Beek, volunteer President & Director of Midwest Honor Flight, teaches third grade at Kinsey Elementary in Sioux Center, Iowa. Aaron is a member of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 199 of Sioux Center and serves as the volunteer Director for Sioux Center Wreaths Across America. Although not having served in the military himself, his passion for Veterans comes from three of his great-grandfathers (WWII) and one grandfather (Vietnam), all who served honorably in the US Army and the US Army Air Corp.

Aaron saw a need in Northwest Iowa, South Dakota, and Southwest Minnesota - Veterans were not having the time or the funds to see their memorials in Washington, D.C. In 2017, he started the Midwest Honor Flight through the Honor Flight Network. This was the first Honor Flight in the region to fly Korean and Vietnam Veterans, in addition to WWII Veterans, to DC under the care and supervision of Honor Flight Guardians. "They answered the call to serve our country and those around the globe. It's now our duty as a grateful nation to get them out to Washington, D.C. to see the memorials dedicated to their service and fellow comrades. It truly is the least we can do as the American people for our brave American heroes to visit their memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifice in our nation’s capital - Washington, D.C!”

As the founder of Midwest Honor Flight, Aaron has been awarded the JoEllen DeKauk Service Award in 2018, Sioux Center Community Service Award in 2018, Sioux Center Community School District Above and Beyond Award in 2018, Iowan of the Day in 2019, and one of the "20 Under 40 Young Leaders" from Northwest Iowa in 2020.

CORY VAN SLOTEN, Vice President

Cory Van Sloten, volunteer Vice President of Midwest Honor Flight, is a third-generation Veteran and currently serves as Chaplain for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, Iowa Army National Guard. He has served in the Iowa Army National Guard for 28 years; previously as an Infantryman, a Motor Transport Operator, and a Chaplain Candidate. Cory deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in 2004-2005 as a Motor Transport Operator in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism where he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the Combat Action Badge, and the Driver and Mechanic Badge. He is currently deployed as the KFOR (Kosovo Forces) Regional Command East Chaplain in support of Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo.

A native of Ireton, Iowa, Cory resides in Maurice, Iowa with his wife Arla and their Yellow Labrador Retriever, Hank. They have four adult children, three single sons and a married daughter, and are expecting their first grandchild, a boy. Cory is ordained as a Minister of the Word in the Christian Reformed Church in North America and endorsed as a chaplain by the CRCNA’s Chaplaincy and Care Ministry. In his civilian vocation, he serves as Support Coordinator for Army Survivor Outreach Services in Western Iowa. He also serves voluntarily as Chaplain of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6129 of Sioux Center, Iowa. When asked why he wanted to be involved with Midwest Honor Flight, Cory said, “Honor Flights are one of the best ways that I know of to honor our Veterans for their service to, and their sacrifices for, our nation.” Cory joined the Board of Directors in 2017.

MICHELLE POMRENKE, Secretary

Michelle Pomrenke, Board Secretary and Bus Coordinator, and her three children reside in Sioux Center. She has been employed by Sioux Center Chiropractic since 2012. Michelle is an avid music lover and in her free time she enjoys playing guitar and dabbling in home improvement projects. She attends Granite Church in Hawarden, Iowa and is a member of the Doornink-Brunsting American Legion Auxiliary Unit 199. Her commitment to Midwest Honor Flight can be credited to both of her grandfathers having served in World War II - one in the US Army and one in the US Army Air Corps. Michelle received the call to help with the first Mission and has been involved with Midwest Honor Flight ever since. When asked what each of these Missions mean to her, Michelle says, "It is an honor to humbly serve those who served first." Michelle joined the Board of Directors in 2018.

GREGG BROWER, Treasurer

Gregg Brower works full time as a Maintenance Management Analyst for the South Dakota Army National Guard in Rapid City, SD. He has served in the National Guard for 38 years and is currently the NCOIC of the COMET Inspection Team and is a MSG with Joint Force Headquarters. He is also a member of the Military Funeral Honors Team. Gregg deployed to Iraq with the 139th BSB in 2011 and was also activated with Homeland Security at Joe Foss Field in Sioux Falls following 9/11. Gregg lives in Rapid City, SD with his wife Jody and has two adult children. Their son, Austin lives in Rapid City and is also a member of the South Dakota National Guard. Their daughter, Jayme and her husband, Tyler live in Mitchell, SD with their son, Judson. Gregg feels all Veterans deserve to be recognized for their service. He and his brother escorted their father and Gregg’s father-in-law on Mission 2 and he also escorted three Vietnam Veterans on Mission 6. He was honored to be asked to join the Board of Directors for Midwest Honor Flight in 2019.

ABBY BARTOSH, Board of Directors

Abby Bartosh has been in the South Dakota Army National Guard for seventeen years, and is currently serving with the 1742nd Transportation Company, Sioux Falls, SD. She is a native of Dundee, MN and a graduate of South Dakota State University earning a B.S in Animal Science and a M.S. in Ruminant Nutrition. Abby currently resides in Colton, SD with her son and works as a financial representative with Northwestern Mutual. When asked about why she is involved with Midwest Honor Flight, Abby said, “Honor Flights are a way for me to connect with Veterans that have served in some of our country’s most important wars and help give them the honor they’ve rightfully earned for their service.” Abby joined the Board of Directors in 2018.

KRISTI BRANTSEN, Board of Directors

Kristi Brantsen works for CorTrust Mortgage in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, as a Vice President and Underwriter for the mortgage department; she also serves on the mortgage Board of Directors. Kristi is a native of Sioux Center, Iowa, and graduated from SCHS in 1991. Her paternal grandfather served in the US Navy in WW2, so Kristi’s interest in anything military was piqued at a very young age. She had lots of questions about the pencil sketch picture of the USS Hornet that hung on her grandma’s wall. She came to learn that her Grampa had served on that ship. From those early days of learning about her grandfather, to seeing a bit of him in the eyes of the Veterans she is blessed to serve, Kristi’s passion has been to give back to those who have given so much in service to their country. In her spare time, you can find Kristi working in her yard and volunteering for various MWHF events. Kristi was a guardian on Mission 3 and a bus captain on Mission 6. Kristi joined the Board of Directors in 2021.

JAMES BUSSELL, Board of Directors

Jim Bussell is a 15 year veteran of the Rapid City Fire Department where he is a Lieutenant/Paramedic currently serving as the department’s Public Information Officer. Jim is a native of Rapid City and the Black Hills. He is active in a number of community organizations and has a passion for coaching and mentoring through youth athletics. He is an avid angler and spends much of his free time on different Black Hills bodies of water. He and hid wife, Tausha, have three children; Brendon, Breiane and Carson. Jim served as a medic on Missions 2 and 3 in 2018 and on an Honor Flight out of Rapid City in 2010. “I’ve never been a part of anything as moving or powerful as an Honor Flight,” Jim said. “I look forward to continuing to help ensure that our Veterans are given a long overdue 'Thank You' for their service and sacrifice.” Jim joined the Board of Directors in 2019.

ELAINE LEUSINK, Board of Directors

Elaine Leusink serves as the Welcome Home Coordinator for each flight and enters all the applications we receive from Veterans and Guardians. She works at Premier Communications in Sioux Center and resides with her husband Bill in Sioux Center, Iowa. They have four children and six grandchildren. In addition to her involvement with Midwest Honor Flight, she is also very active in her church and serves as the Associate Director of Sioux Center Wreaths Across America. She also is a member of the Iowa Chapter of the American Gold Star Mothers and the Doornink-Brunsting American Legion Auxiliary Unit 199. When asked about Honor Flight, Elaine had this to say, "I became involved with Midwest Honor Flight because of our oldest son. He was a United States Marine and served in Iraq which is where we lost him in combat. For me working with our Veterans helps me feel close to our son, and also anything that I can do to make sure these Veterans get all of the honor and healing that they need and deserve in their lives is worth everything to me." Elaine joined the Board of Directors in 2017.

GREGORY MINER, Board of Directors

Greg Miner left the United States Air Force in 1992 to become the youngest CEO ever named in the state of Iowa. Prior to returning to his home state of Iowa, Miner taught Medical Planning and Health Care Administration at the School of Health Care Sciences for the United States Air Force and was an active planner during Gulf War/Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Miner also was the author of Total Quality Management for the School of Health Care Sciences in addition to being course director for several other Health Care Administration Classes. Miner is actively involved in the community an advocate for Veterans of the United States. Greg joined the Board of Directors in 2019.

KATHY MITZEL, Board of Directors

Kathy Mitzel is a native of Ipswich, SD and currently lives in Aberdeen, SD. She graduated from Dakota State University in Madison, SD and has been a Registered Respiratory Therapist since 1994. She currently works in Aberdeen as a Billing Clerk for Siegel Barnett & Schutz, LLP law office and as a Respiratory Therapist at Avera McKennan in Sioux Falls, SD. She is engaged to Pat Gross and has 1 Daughter Erica Mitzel, who is currently in the nursing program at Augustana University in Sioux Falls. Kathy volunteered as part of the Medical Team with Midwest Honor Flight in 2018 and 2019 and when asked why, she replied “I have had family fight in every war from the Civil War to the Vietnam War. My Great Uncle John Steen was part of the 29th Infantry Division who landed on Omaha Beach, Normandy on D-Day, their Motto was “29, Let’s Go”. I have family who have served in the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines and served during the Persian Gulf War through the Iraqi Wars. I’ve taken care of Veterans for 27 years as an RT and have the utmost respect and honor for them and what my family and friends did for our country. I didn’t serve myself and this was a way I could give back to those who did.” Kathy joined the Board of Directors in 2021.

CHRIS VAN BEEK, Board of Directors

Chris Van Beek, volunteer Medical Coordinator of Midwest Honor Flight, has been a nurse since graduating from Briar Cliff College in 1993. She has been an RN case manager for Mercy Home Care since 1999. Chris is a member and serves as the historian for the Doornink-Brunsting American Legion Auxiliary Unit 199. She has also volunteered with Sioux Center Wreaths Across America program since it became a national location in 2014. Two of her grandfathers served during WWII, one Army and one Army Air Corps, and her daughter has enlisted as part of the Iowa Army National Guard. When asked why Honor Flight, Chris says, "My two grandfathers both served honorably during WWII and unfortunately, they passed before their memorial was dedicated. This is one of the reasons I volunteer, to honor them. Honor Flight is an opportunity for our deserving Veterans to have respect, honor and closure. I eagerly volunteer in this capacity and I have a huge heart for our American Veterans." As a founding member, Chris has been with Midwest Honor Flight since our incorporating in March of 2017. Chris has been awarded the 100 Iowa Great Nurse in 2018, Volunteer Siouxland Community Volunteer of the Year in 2018, Nurses The Heart of Health Care Excellence In Nursing 2020 Award.

RUSSELL WENTZ, Board of Directors

Russell Wentz is an Air Force Veteran and currently works as a firefighter in Sioux Falls. He has been an EMT for 20+ years and a CPR instructor too. He lives in Canton, SD with his wife Kim, and 3 children, Jesse, Kambree, and Reed, where he is active in the community. A lifetime VFW member where he continues his military support as an active member of their honor guard. Russ volunteers his time in the community by coaching softball in the summer months and is the Troop Trainer for the Canton Troop 60 Scouts. After serving as a Guardian for Midwest Honor Flight, Russ joined the Board of Directors to become more involved in supporting all Veterans. “I just want to make sure that every Veteran has the opportunity to safely get to see their memorials in Washington DC.” This is the reason he goes on flights as a medical team member, where his prior military training serves his Veteran Brothers and Sisters. Russell joined the Board of Directors in 2019.

WANT TO VOLUNTEER WITH OUR BOARD?

Fill out the VOLUNTEER Application and be sure to mention that you'd like to join our growing volunteer team!

*South Dakota Honor Flight was in existence from 2009 - 2012 and during that time took over 1,400 WWII veterans out to Washington DC.
Korean and Vietnam Veterans now have this same opportunity through Midwest Honor Flight and serve NW Iowa, SW Minnesota, and the State of South Dakota.