Johnny Petrehn is from Leawood, Kansas. He started hot-air ballooning in the early 70's has been a licensed balloon pilot since 1987 and has over 2600 hours as pilot-in-command of a balloon. He works in real estate.
The name of his balloon this year is "Kodachrome". Previously he flew "Racer X" and he has competed in EVERY Field of Flight Balloon Competition in Battle Creek since 1991. His brother, Paul Petrehn, will be flying this year as well.
Johnny won 1st place in 2014 and placed #8 in 2013 & #1 in the 2012 hot-air balloon competitions.
Steve Mitchell is from Streetsboro, Ohio. Steve grew up in Battle Creek and was a 2003 graduate of Lakeview High School and 2008 graduate of Michigan State University. His parents, Jeff and Mary Mitchell, live just 1/2 mile south of the W.K. Kellogg Airport. While in high school he volunteered to crew for out of town pilots with his brother and loved it so much, they decided to get a family balloon called "Summer Glow", which has been involved in previous Field of Flight events. Steve will be flying his Scrumtrulescent balloon in this year's competition. 
Jeff Pestun is from Holland, Michigan and is a native of Battle Creek area watching hot-air balloons and then crewing his first balloon when he was only 8 years old. He has been a licensed hot-air balloon pilot since 1999 with over 400 hours as pilot-in-command of a balloon. He presently works in for Hope College. Jeff is married to his wife Robyn and has two children, Andrew (12) and Allison (10). The name of his balloon is "Special Purpose" which is a reference to the movie "The Jerk". This will be his 14th year participating in the Field of Flight Balloon Competition. Jeff is a fan of Trace Christenson and admirer of Amy Coan and Erica Hahn (the famous balloonists not the TV character that may or may not be based on her).
Stephen Peck is from Battle Creek, Michigan. He has been a licensed hot-air balloon pilot since 1991 and has over 400 hours as pilot-in-command of a balloon. He is a retired counselor with the Red Cross and 
Richard Parr will be flying Racing Venture in his 3rd Field of Flight Hot-Air Balloon Competition this year in Battle Creek. Richard started flying in 1959 and took up ballooning after retirement and has been a licensed hot-air balloon pilot since 2007 and has logged over 405 pilot-in-command hours. He went to Purdue University Engineering School followed by 5 years as a Navigator in the USAF. He was a manager for Cargill Inc. for 35 years and lived in 4 countries and many locations. Presently Richard lives in Pittsboro, North Carolina on a private air strip with his wife Lindy.
Mike "Fire Marshall Mike" Nelson is from Fortville, Indiana. He grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico near another large hot-air ballooning event. He has been a licensed balloon pilot since 2005 and has over 651 hours as pilot-in-command of a balloon. He is a Heavy Equipment Diesel Mechanic.
Michael "Mike" Moore is from Augusta, Michigan. He got into ballooning by crewing for Dale Wilson, Lori, his wife, actually is the one that named my balloon, Shenanigans. After buying my balloon in 2002, she asked if I had a name for it yet and I replied, "I was going to treat it like a new puppy. After you have it for a while, a name usually just comes to you." She said, "Good idea cause Lord knows the SHENANIGANS you're gonna pull...!" And the rest is history.
Rick Kerber is from Wayland, Michigan. Rick came from a family of balloonists. He started flying hot-air balloons when he was 16. He has been a licensed balloon pilot since 2002 with over 510 hours as pilot in command of a balloon. Rick has been a rental manager at 
Tyler Jaques is from Battle Creek, Michigan. He has been a licensed balloon pilot since 2007 and has over 230 hours being pilot-in-command. This will be Tyler's 8th year competing in the event but he has crewed at the event since he was a child. He became interested in hot-air ballooning because his father, Dave Jaques, is also a pilot of the Post Sugar Bear balloon. It truly is great for him to be participating. Tyler's balloon is the "Post - Cutting Edge" Balloon. He previously flew the red and white Post 2 balloon. His crew is made up of 
Gary Heavin has been flying hot-air balloons for over 30 years with over 1000 flight hours. He is the founder of 
Brandon Heavin is from Moody, Texas. Brandon's father, Gary taught him how to fly. He has been a licensed balloon pilot since 2002 and has over 225 hours as pilot-in-command of a balloon. Brandon is currently raising beef cattle and farming - "Someone has to feed the people!"
Rhett Heartsill's father is Joe Heartsill (Texas Racer). Due to this, Rhett was born into the hot-air ballooning world. Rhett and his wife Jobi are both from San Angelo, Texas. He has been a licensed balloon pilot for over 9 years and has over 274 hours as pilot-in-command of a balloon. He works as a geologist.
Joe Heartsill is from San Angelo, Texas. Joe attended the Albuquerque, New Mexico balloon festival in 1978 and knew he had to get one for himself. He purchased his balloon and didn't even know how to fly it! He has been a licensed balloon pilot for over 34 years and has over 2000 hours as pilot-in-command of a balloon. Joe works in Investments. He is married to his wife Nancy and has a daughter named Kate as well as his two sons, Rhett & Lucas.
Ron Groce is from Mason, Michigan. He has been a licensed balloon pilot for over 32 years with over 1000 hours as a pilot-in-command of a hot-air balloon.
Aaron Foelske is from Channonhon, Illinois will be flying in the Field of Flight Hot-Air Balloon Competition in his balloon called The Hummingbird Balloon. In previous years he flew his balloon called Basket Case. He has logged over 330 pilot-in-command hours and has been a licensed hot-air balloon pilot since 2002. When Aaron is not flying his balloon, he is an Engineer for Nicor Gas.
Larry Coan is from Livonia, Michigan. He is an engineer for the Ford Motor Company. He is married to his wife Amy and together they have two children, Teri and Robin.
Craig Campbell is from right here in Springfield, Michigan.He has been flying since 2000 and has owned his Hot Ziggity Balloon since 2010. He has been a licensed balloon pilot since 2013 and has flown in multiple events. He loves enjoying this wonderful sport with his beautiful wife and Crew Chief, Mindy Campbell and their 3 daughters. He loves this sport so much because of the excitement he sees on the kids' faces when he flies. 
Tom "Uncle Tom" Bergeon is from Mason, Michigan. Tom says he got into hot air ballooning because he was a world glass greenie (sea sick), so he took to the skies in a balloon. He has over 6000 hours being pilot-in-command of a balloon. For 35 years, Tom ran the RE/MAX Balloon Program in out state Michigan. For 20 years Tom was an FAA Apparatus Designated.
Tom "Tomfoolery" Brown served 22 years in the U.S. Air Force and is currently a Security Director for AECOM. Tom has flown events around the country and is currently from Plainwell, MI. This will be his first year flying in the Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show & Balloon Festival.