
Meet Our Foundation Leaders
Our Leaders are selfless and passionate about Air to Heart Foundation. Take a moment and get to know each of these special people who make this Foundation possible.

President
Maria Perkins
My name is Maria Perkins, and I am the President of Air to Heart Foundation. I am a born and raised Texan, married to my soulmate and mom to two amazing young ladies. We are based out of DFW, and my husband is a FO on the 320. We love all things aviation! What makes me most excited about this foundation are the opportunities that it brings to make a positive impact for our families. It will take time, but I know that the Air to Heart Foundation will make its mark as an organization ready to encourage, support and serve!

Vice President
Joey Raines
My name is Joey Raines, and I am the Vice President of Air to Heart Foundation. My husband is a Captain on the 787 and I am a flight attendant for Omni Air International. Our family has a history of service to others in all aspects of our lives, both within our professional careers, as well as with our personal time. Personally, I have committed extensive time to raising funds and awareness for St. Judes Children’s Cancer Research, Serenity Veteran’s Village providing for our homeless Veterans, as well as, other community service outlets. I am grateful to be a part of the Air to Heart Foundation and helping it achieve success in the future.

Domicile Liaison | Domicile Committee Chair
Margie Gillett
Margie Gillett is a retired RN with over 40 years in Emergency Department Leadership at various hospitals across the country, with the last 20 working with HCA Healthcare. She is currently a member of the Middle Tennessee Nurse Honor Guard and a Seasonal Guest Services Ambassador at the Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville TN. She earned her BSN in 1984 and MBA in July 2020. She and her husband Lew Gillett, 787 Captain based in PHL, live on a beautiful cattle farm just east of Nashville TN. Together they have three adult children with spouses all living in the Austin Texas area.

Operations Financial Officer
Lorén Westerfield
I bring to the organization over 8 years experience as a non-profit executive director and a certificate in leadership for non-profit executives from Rice University. I am an Army combat veteran that served with in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). I understand firsthand the importance of a foundation like this supporting our pilots and families.

Chief Philanthropic FInancial Officer
Jessica Moore
Jessica is excited to serve as the philanthropic treasurer at the Air to Heart Foundation! Jessica is married to a 737 captain who also served 26.5 years in the Air Force. Jessica has a background in pediatrics and is currently a speech-language pathologist in the Fort Worth area. She is proud to be a founding member of Air to Heart and is ready to help others in their time of need.

Parliamentarian
Charity Alcantra
My name is Charity Alcantara. I currently live in OKC but I was born in Superior, Wisconsin. I joined the Air Force at 19 years old serving for 10 years and then transitioned to Civil Service for an additional 8 years. I now teach Physical Education at a Classical Christian school in Oklahoma. We have 3 amazing kids; one in college and young twins at home. My husband is an FO on the Airbus based out of DFW. I am so excited to be a part of the A2H Foundation because I saw a need in families that we can help with. We can make a difference in the lives of other AA families. I am encouraged by what the vision is for this foundation and can’t wait to see what we will do in the future.

Publicity Chair
Jessica Gobble
Hi! My name is Jessica Gobble. I am the Publicity Chair for the Air to Heart Foundation. I am from Utah and have been married to my pilot for 21 years and we have four fantastic kids. I am a newborn and family photographer and love to travel and explore new places. We currently reside in Utah and love living amongst the mountains and exploring what we can here. What makes me most excited about the Air to Heart Foundation is that we will be able to help and serve other families in our community in many ways that include our encouragement, support, and service.

Corresponding Secretary
Jenna Perkins
Hey, I am Jenna and I am originally from England; I have been in Texas for 19 years! I married my hubby in June 2011, and we have been blessed with 3 amazing kiddos! Ayden, Mikayla and Charlotte keep me on my toes! I do stay at home to wear all the hats, especially when Daddy travels. I do have a small business that I do part time, just as a creative outlet. I have a passion for helping support others in anyway that I can. I’m so excited and blessed to be the Corresponding Secretary and to be a part of something so beautiful.

Social Secretary
Jan Wilson
I am the Social Secretary! I live in Gilbert, Az. I am married to Bill Wilson who is a Check pilot on the Airbus based at LAX. I have a 25 year old son who fly’s for PSA, a 20 year old daughter pursuing ballet, and an 18 year old daughter who is a freshman in college. I enjoy walking on the beach, traveling, and shopping. I was a stay at home mom for 25 years and now I am moving on to the next stage in my life. I have held several different board positions in a few different 501(c)(3)’s. I am looking forward to being a part of this wonderful organization that encourages and supports each other in this unique lifestyle and hope to get to know many more of you in this wonderful AA family.

APA Liaison
Karin Jester
Karin Jester is thrilled to be a founding executive board member of the Air to Heart Foundation! With a background in health care, service and marketing/media sectors, this is a way to build on her personal mission to improve the lives of others in the communities God has given her. Karin has served as President of the Senior Service Agency of San Joaquin County Board of Directors, President of the Better Business Board of Directors serving five central California counties, Chaired the Social Committee for the Rotary Club Board of Directors in Stockton, CA and recently served as VP of the Board of Directors for the United States Merchant Marine Academy Parents Association of North Texas, Oklahoma & Kansas the past three years. Karin lives in North Texas and is most excited to live out her philanthropy dream getting to know more families in the American Airlines Pilot Family community and to see what an impact this foundation can make!

Membership Director
Carol Cary
Bio Coming Soon!

Socials and Programs Chair
Amber Gentry
As the Social Chair for our foundation, my dedication lies in supporting American Airlines pilot spouses and domestic partners. While my background as an attorney includes time as a criminal prosecutor, my current focus is on nurturing our young family as we contribute to both the airline and the United States Air Force (Reserve.) I am thrilled about our foundation's mission to uplift and empower our members. From fostering social, educational, and charitable opportunities to providing crucial support in times of crisis, our organization aims to build a resilient and supportive community. Being involved in this initiative from its inception fills me with joy, as I believe it will profoundly impact the lives of spouses nationwide. I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to serve our members and strengthen our bonds as a community.