Sam Parks Biography 

• Executive Director: Carolina Balloonfest (Statesville, NC)
• Executive Director: Carolina Balloon Museum (Staesville, NC)
• Former Executive Director: Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 
• Former Director of Operations: Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 
• Past President: Balloon Federation of America 
• Past President: Hot Air Competition Division 
• President: Aero Club of America, North Carolina Chapter 
• Past President: Carolina Balloon Association 
• Alternate Delegate Ballooning Commission FAI
• Balloonmeister: Festival International Deglobo (Leon Mexico) 
• Balloonmeister: 2013-2018 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 
• Director: 1990, National Balloon Rally 
• Director: 1991-1996, Lowe’s Balloons over the Blue Ridge 
• Director: 1993-1998, Alamance Balloonfest
• Director: 2026 BFA Southeast Regional Championship 
• Director: 2011-2017 Carolina Balloonfest 
• Director: 2010-2014, Freedom Weekend Aloft 
• Director: 2015-2017, Freedom Balloonfest 
• Director: 2019-2022, America’s Challenge Gas Balloon Race 
• Director: 2012-2014, BFA Southeast Regional Championship 
• Director: 2007, Southeast Regional Championship 
• Director: 2021-2022 BFA Jr. US National Championship 
• Director: 2021-2025 Great Texas Balloon Race 
• Director: 2023-2025, Young Gun Championship 
• Director: 2023-2025 US National Hot Air Balloon Championship 
• Deputy Director: 2024-2025, 67th & 68th Coupe Gordon Bennett Gas Balloon Race
• Steward: 2010-2012, 19th & 20th World Hot Air Balloon Championship 
• Balloon Federation of America: President’s Award 2017
• Balloon Federation of America: Shields Trauger Award 
• FAI Group Diploma of Honor 
• FAI: Montgolfier Diploma