Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® Announces Three New Staffing Changes

April 17, 2025

AIBF Announces New and Current Staff Members Who Will Coordinate the Balloon Fiesta’s Transportation, Outreach, and Volunteer Efforts

Albuquerque, NM – The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta recently welcomed one new and two current staff members to their new roles with AIBF. Brian Lindley will serve as AIBF’s new Transportation Manager, Tracey Hawkins will change roles to serve as Community & Education Outreach Coordinator, and Jory Slingerland will now serve as Volunteer (Navigator) Coordinator.

These three staff members will complement a volunteer board of directors and the team that coordinates pilots, vendors, event staff, safety professionals, volunteers and more – who make the world’s largest balloon event possible. Each year, a small team of professionals work together over the course of many months to produce the Balloon Fiesta – attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors and generating over $200 million in revenue. Staff serve in one of six primary areas:

• Event Production: Oversees all ballooning events, social events and pilot registration
• Merchandising: Poster series, official merchandise, balloon pins
• Marketing: Advertising, corporate sponsorships, ticketing and membership programs
• Field Maintenance: Grounds preparation and maintenance during the event
• Communications: Publicity, media relations and social/digital media
• Administration: HR, finances, legal

Tracey Hawkins – Community & Education Outreach Coordinator

Tracey Hawkins has dedicated over two decades to education within the Albuquerque Public Schools system, where she has honed her skills as both a teacher and administrator. Now in her retirement, she has seamlessly transitioned her passion for education and community engagement into her new role with AIBF. In her position, Tracey leverages her extensive experience in education to create engaging programs that introduce the community to the fascinating world of hot-air ballooning. Her enthusiasm for the sport is infectious, as she works to inspire students and families to learn about the science, mechanics, and artistry behind ballooning.

Through her outreach efforts, Tracey aims to cultivate a deeper understanding and appreciation for this unique cultural event, encouraging hands-on learning and exploration. By fostering connections between the Balloon Fiesta and local schools, she is committed to making hot-air ballooning accessible to all, ensuring that the joy of flight and the spirit of adventure continues to rise above Albuquerque's stunning skyline.

Brian Lindley – Transportation Manager

Originally from Tempe, Arizona, Brian moved to Albuquerque in 1998 to pursue a career in law enforcement. He began the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office Regional Training Academy that same year. Over the next 24 years, he was promoted through the ranks, working in the Criminal Investigation Division, Civil Process Division and Traffic Investigation Unit. Brian has over 14 years of experience as a supervisor or commander of Balloon Fiesta operations for the Sheriff's Office. In 2022, after 24 years of service, Brian retired as Undersheriff. Brian brings extensive knowledge and training in public safety, traffic control and crash investigation, budget and finance, and emergency management.

Jory Slingerland – Volunteer (Navigator) Coordinator

A proud native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Jory brings a wealth of experience in custom tour design and large-group and corporate event planning. For the past two years, Jory has been an integral part of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta team, first contributing to the Sponsorship Department and now serving as the Volunteer (Navigator) Coordinator. In her role, she is dedicated to ensuring that volunteers have a seamless, rewarding experience while supporting the success of this world-renowned event. Outside of her professional life, Jory loves spending time with her two dogs, Bryce and Denali. She enjoys attending local sporting events with her family and exploring new destinations through travel, always seeking out new adventures and memories.

“For over 50 years, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta has been made possible through the hard work and dedication of our passionate team members and volunteers. We are thrilled to have Jory and Tracey continue their work with AIBF in their new roles and to welcome Brian to our group of esteemed staff who help make this exciting event a success year after year,” said Julie Morgas Baca, Executive Director of AIBF. “In my second year serving as Executive Director, I’ve seen firsthand the integral role each and every team member plays in making this event the best it can be. To that end, I look forward to working alongside Brian, Tracey and Jory to ensure this year’s Balloon Fiesta is safe, timely, entertaining, and accessible for every attendee.”

About the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Inc.

The ExxonMobil Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is an annual festival of hot air balloons that takes place every October in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. It is the largest gathering of balloons and balloonists in the world. For details on events, schedule, entertainment and photographs visit our website www.balloonfiesta.com and follow us on Twitter @BalloonFiesta and Facebook.