Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® Announces New Volunteer Coordinator

April 21, 2022

Samantha Greenwald Brings Chase Crew Experience to New Role

Albuquerque, NM - The leadership team of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, powered by ExxonMobil has announced that Samantha Greenwald is the new Navigator (volunteer) Manager for the event.

Greenwald has been involved with the ballooning community for the past five years, working as a member of a chase crew team. Her experience working as a part of outside sales for United Rentals coupled with her work in the tourism industry in Durango provides a strong background managing different customer engagements. “She has the experience we need to establish a positive guest experience with our organization’s 1,200 Navigators,” says Balloon Fiesta’s Director of Operations, Sam Parks.

The Navigator Coordinator was previously combined with the Recreational Vehicle Manager position. The success and growth of the RV operation coupled with Balloon Fiesta’s desire to focus on the guest experience resulted in focusing existing RV Manager Jennifer Schurman into that role, creating an opportunity for Samantha Greenwald to focus entirely upon Balloon Fiesta Navigators (volunteers).

Balloon Fiesta volunteers, called "Navigators," are critical to every area of operation. They provide guest services, administrative services, balloon coordination and safety, set-up and logistics, and in more than 40 different areas. This variety of needs allow just about any person, with any skills, talents, or interests, to experience Balloon Fiesta from a new perspective.

About the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, powered by ExxonMobil is a festival of hot air balloons that takes place in October in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. It is the largest gathering of balloons and balloonists in the world. The 2019 event generated $186.82 Million into the Albuquerque and the State of New Mexico economies. For details on events, schedule, entertainment and photographs visit our website www.balloonfiesta.com and follow us on Twitter @BalloonFiesta and Facebook.

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