Meet Team Joel McHale
Our teams have been pumping iron and working hard to face off on July 28 in the Alaska Airlines Plane Pull for Strong Against Cancer. The teams are led by Alaska CFO Russell Wilson and actor and comedian Joel McHale, and are made up of Alaska Airlines maintenance and engineering employees and local winners of a Facebook contest.
Alaska Airlines Participants:
| Teammate | Position | About Me … |
|---|---|---|
| Christopher Fricke-Yang | Stores agent | A fun fact about me is … “I went to the same high school as celebrity team captain Joel McHale.” |
| Patrick Quaratiello | Maintenance controller | When I’m not pulling planes I’m … “Helping fix them.” |
| Richard Bejarano | Maintenance parts expediter | I am strong because … “I eat all my spinach.” |
| Pete Farrington | Line aircraft technician | |
| Tina Nemith | Seattle line maintenance administrative assistant | I am strong because … “I spent 30 years as a volunteer ski patrol pulling sleds and rescuing people off the mountain.” |
| Vladimir Kostov | Systems engineer | I am strong because … “I Am Alaska.” |
| Daniel Garcia | Technician helper | I’m strong because … “The people I keep around me help me be strong.” |
| Roger Dawson | Lean line avionics technician | |
| Nate Coats | Line aircraft technician | When I’m not pulling planes I’m … “Out skiing in the winter months or flying around the state of Alaska enjoying the scenic views.” |
| Scott Crosby | Director of maintenance control | I’m preparing for the plane pull by … “Calculating how much we would save by pulling planes instead of using tugs.” |
Facebook Contest Winners:
| Teammate | Picture | About me … |
|---|---|---|
| Michelle Middleton |  |
My team will win because … “We have a great comedian at the helm, so even if we lose, we can all laugh about it.” |
| Robert McKellar |  |
I am strong because … “Only people from Pullman and WSU have Cougar Calves.” |
| Anita Elder |  |
My team will win because … “Cancer is the big loser.” |
| Patricia Robeldo |  |
I am strong because… “I survived cancer. Twice!” |
| Anne Whiteside |  |
I am strong because … “Giving up is not an option.” |
| Michael McFerran |  |
My team will win because … “Joel McHale has more leverage in his height than Russell Wilson.” |
| Dennis Mickelberry |  |
When I’m not pulling planes I’m … “Driving mustangs.” |
| Katie “The Arm” Ecklund |  |
I am strong because … “I’m a mom, a wife, a full-time professional and a combat veteran!” |
