Michael Emich has been active in ballooning for more than 52 years, beginning with his first flight in 1971. He earned his Commercial Balloon License in 1974 and his Gas Balloon Rating in 1983, and has built more than 20 hot air balloons, including the restoration of two historic U.S. Navy gas balloons

A decorated long-distance pilot, Emich holds U.S. National and World Distance Records and has received the Balloon Federation of America’s Ed Yost Master Pilot Award and the FAI Gold Sporting Badge with One Diamond. He was inducted into the U.S. Ballooning Hall of Fame in 2023.

Emich served 25 years with the Akron, Ohio Fire Department as a Lieutenant, paramedic, Ohio State Fire Inspector, and Summit County Special Operations Team Officer.