Michael Blum

Michael Evan Blum, born October 23, 1981, grew up in Wheeling, West Virginia. In 2004 Michael graduated from Colgate University with a BA in Political Science with a concentration on International Relations. Since the fall of 2004, Michael has managed operations for Beemster cheese, a premium gourmet Dutch cheese, in the USA. In March of 2007, he decided to mix his hobby of ballooning with his career by having "Betty Bovine" (affectionately named for Michael's mother) built for Beemster. Since March of 2007 the balloon has flown in 18 states. In the spring of 2008 the Beemster balloon visited 33 elementary schools as it toured the USA to educated children about the science of balloons, setting and reaching their goals and the importance of eating healthy. In April 2008 Michael flew a hydrogen balloon in Germany with two time Gordon Bennet winner Willi Eimers for seven and a half hours for a total distance of 158 miles.

In his spare time, when not traveling for business or ballooning, he enjoys trap shooting and vintage cars as well as downhill skiing, hiking and Mt.
biking.