Ben Votipka is the husband of 38 years to Pam, with three wonder son’s and daughter’s-in-law and 13 awesome grandchildren. He grew up on a dairy farm in Nebraska as #12 of 13 children and now resides in Eastern North Carolina where his wife grew up. Ben completed 30 years of military service that included 6 years in the Army as a helicopter mechanic and attack helicopter pilot. Then 14 years in the Airforce flying F-16s, F-15Es, T-37s and the T-6, plus an ALO/FAC with the 82nd Airborne where he made 106 static-line parachute jumps. He finished out his last 10 years as and ALO/FAC in the Air National Guard while he fly as a pilot for Southwest Airlines. Ben is currently a Boeing 737 Captain and Check Airman when not flying for work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren and serving God and his community in many volunteer organizations. And any free time he has you can find him taking people up flying is a couple of WWII taildraggers and a small helicopter.