THE CHUTERS - Key Persons
Bill Walsh is a retired U.S. Air Force Reserve Lieutenant Colonel who serves on The Chuters as a narrator, public and media relations partner, and all around great guy! Bill got his start in narrating with the U.S. Air Force C-17 Demo Team, as well as the SOCOM Para-Commandos. A professional meteorologist, Bill has won multiple Emmys, Tellys, and is a published author. One of the most positive people you will ever meet, every event gets an "A" which makes him "A Treasure!" Come say Hi; you will be glad you did!
Christina Mercer is an Officer in the Canadian Armed Forces, mother of four, Registered Nurse, and an avid skydiver. She has about1400 jumps and has worked as a demonstrator with the Canadian Forces Parachute Team, The SkyHawks. She has performed in multiple demonstrations with The SkyHawks and The Chuters, as well as with the GERONIMO! Skydiving Team. When she's not fighting bad guys, taking care of good guys, or raising kids, Christina looks forward to jumping out of airplanes, preferably in her Wonder Woman costume! Friendly and outgoing, Christina loves to interact with the crowd, so come say "Hi, eh?"
Frank Anello is a retired Marine Raider with 22 years of service and over 500 jumps. During his tenure as a Marine, he deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, and several other global hotspots. Frank made his first jump as a tandem student in 2011, and his first military freefall in 2016. A former SOCOM Paracommando, Frank had the chance to learn from the best on precision canopy piloting skills. He also had the chance to narrate team jumps to crowds of over a hundred thousand screaming fans. He continues to enjoy jumping and narrating. Semper Fi!
Keith Walter is a retired US Army Green Beret with more than 6000 jumps. Bringing his military experience to the civilian world, Keith is the President and Director of Operations for The Chuters. He has competed in skydiving competitions at the State and National Levels. He is a multi-rated skydiving instructor and a US Parachute Association Safety and Training Advisor. Keith has performed at venues on three different continents, a number of islands, and venues in almost every state in the nation! Don't let his rough exterior fool you, he's actually a pretty nice guy. Pop over and say hello!
Ken (8s) Ates is an active duty US Army Special Forces Officer with more than 10 combat and training overseas deployments all over the world. Ken has spent his current 31 years of service parachuting with the 82nd Airborne Division (with one combat jump into Panama in 1989), the Texas National Guard 143rd Infantry (G Company, Long Range Surveillance), the 3rd Special Forces Group, the US Army Special Operations Command Parachute Team "Black Daggers" and the US Special Operations Command Parachute Team "Para-Commandos." When not performing at demonstrations, Ken serves as a multi-rated parachute instructor. Ken has 3680+ jumps and is a North Carolina State record holder. Ken enjoys sharing skydiving not only with the public, but also at a one on one level with those wanting to learn how to skydive. Ken currently spends his free time driving his convertible corvette along the back winding roads of KY, IN & TN, weight training, competitive and training shootingand riding his Harley.
Lauro is a retired Navy Officer with multiple overseas deployments during his 20 year career. Lauro has over 2600 jumps and is multi-rated skydiver including tandem instructor and skydiving instructor. Lauro was a SOCOM Para-Commando and performed many parachute demonstrations. His fiancé Shasta is also a skydiver and they love traveling and skydiving around the world. He loves sharing his skydiving knowledge and experience to anyone interested; so come say "What's Up!"
Paul Sessions is an avid skydiver and has been for more than 10 years. He has over 2800 jumps and holds Coach and Pro Ratings. Paul enjoys all areas of skydiving, but particularly enjoys building free fall formations, freeflying, angle flying, wing suiting and demonstration skydiving. His home dropzone is near Tampa FL but he loves to venture out to other dropzones. Paul's wife, Sheryl, is also an avid skydiver and they love to enjoy the sport together. Other interests include running, golf, working out and home projects.
Sheryl resides in the Tampa area with her husband, Paul and daughter, Kendyl. Sheryl has approximately 900 jumps to her credit and loves formation skydiving. She also loves to fly in the wind tunnel at Ifly. She is an incredible flyer! Sheryl typically serves as a drop zone safety officer (DZSO) at Chuters events, keeping our team members and all of our fans safe during our events. Sheryl runs a tight ship... Sheryl is an RN and has been taking care of our veterans for over 30 years in ICU, CCU, and in a cardiac clinic. She is truly a professional!
Taz is a top notch professional in the hospitality industry. He currently works at the Sandpearl Resort on Clearwater beach, where he just achieved Employee of the year for 2021. Taz has been skydiving since 2016 and holds around 800 skydives and 36 BASE jumps. Taz says he gets the greatest amount of joy out of skydiving while doing demo jumps with the team. Taz loves meeting new people and making new connections. Come meet him to learn more!
Yvette Walter is the Co-Owner & Vice President of The Chuters. A career Army Wife, Yvette has over 2200 jumps and has performed in Normandy France, the Grand Bahamas, and numerous events such as PGA tournaments here in the United States as a jumper, drop zone safety officer and photographer. She is a certified Skydiving Coach, a PRO rated skydiver, and has competed at the State and National level in Formation Skydiving. When not jumping out of planes Yvette rescues both Cats and Dogs, and is an amazing artist. She relishes the public interaction, and never misses an opportunity to sign autographs or take pictures!