Gary Tyo is a native of North Central Ohio, and a ballooning veteran of 41 years.  His interest in ballooning came after attending a balloon festival in Marysville, Ohio in 1972 while helping a pilot launch a balloon.  It wasn’t until 1981 that he purchased his first balloon and obtained his Private pilot’s license.  The following year he acquired his Commercial license.  He is a member of the Central Ohio Balloon Club, Northeast Ohio Balloon Pilots Association, and a long-time member of the Balloon Federation of America.   Gary is a retired locomotive engineer from New Jersey transit.  He and his wife, Kim, own and operate Mid-Ohio Balloon Adventures, LLC; a balloon ride business based in Mount Gilead, OH.  The most enjoyable aspect of ballooning for Gary and Kim is the excitement it brings to others.  They both look forward to participating in the Coshocton Balloon Festival each year.