A family rich in aviation heritage.

As the son of Lefty Gardner, WWII bomber pilot, crop-duster, air racer, and warbird airshow pilot, Ladd Gardner grew up on a small family airstrip where he learned at an early age what really goes into owning an airplane. In high school he and his family restored a Boeing Stearman which he later took to college and earned a Bachelors Degree in Aviation Science. After college he worked as a CFI.

Later Ladd moved on to fly the Metroliner for a part 135 carrier, the T6 Texan, the P51 Mustang, and the P38 Lightning. Having spent years as an agent for a large aviation insurance agency, he became extremely familiar with the aviation insurance industry, maintained great relationships with the underwriters and underwriting companies, and learned the value of great customer service.

After five years with that agency, Ladd started Ladd Gardner Aviation Insurance in Kerrville, Texas in 2007 before relocating the agency to Addison, Texas in 2010.

Angie attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Daytona Beach, FL) where she graduated with a degree in Aviation Safety and a minor in Human Factors. She completed internships with the International Standards Division at the FAA headquarters and with the Flight Operations Safety department at America West Airlines. She also worked as a FAA contractor performing certification flights aboard private jet aircraft throughout the country. Following that she went to work for The Boeing Company as a System Safety Engineer on the Apache AH-64 attack helicopter. She spent a little over a year at Boeing, causing her to realize that she wanted to make a career change to a small company where she could work directly with aircraft owners and pilots everyday. This career has proven to be the perfect place for Angie to fulfill a passion for being closely involved with the aviation community. She served as President of Cannon Aviation Insurance, Inc. for over 5 years prior to merging with Ladd Gardner Aviation Insurance, Inc.

Tammy Orth is an Agent for Ladd Gardner Aviation Insurance Agency, Inc. and has more than 18 years of aviation insurance experience, working in both underwriting and as an agent.

With more than 14 of those years working directly with Warbird Owners and Airshow Performers, she has additional expertise with Corporate Aircraft, Helicopters, Experimental and Antique Aircraft, Hangars, Airport Liability and General Aviation. Tammy is a member of numerous aviation-related organizations and attends many airshows and aircraft conventions throughout the country. A Kansas native, she enjoys crossfit, a good novel, is an experienced walleye angler and loves spending time with her Hava-tzu puppy, Paislee.

Michele has been in the insurance business for more than 15 years now. A Kansas City native, she graduated from Goddard High and attended Fort Hays State University. Eventually getting into insurance, she obtained an Agent’s license in 1998, working in Property and Casualty for ten years. Clients included school districts, municipalities, water districts, small businesses, home, auto, recreational, crop insurance, and worker’s comp. Michele has been an Aviation Specialist for the past nine years.

When not taking care of her clients she likes to do yard work, flower gardening, home decorating, cooking, and spending time with grandkids and fur babies. In her next life, Michele would have a farm full of animals. Her favorite aircraft is the WACO.

Michelle comes to Ladd Gardner Aviation with more than 12 years of Aviation Insurance after obtaining her license in 2006. She has knowledge and experience in all areas of aviation insurance including Corporate Aircraft, Helicopters, Experimental Aircraft, Hangars, Airport Liability and General Aviation. Michelle also has extensive experience with Lake Amphibian Aircraft which is also one of her favorite aircraft to ride in.

Michelle relocated to Wichita, KS from Southern California in 2006 with her three children, who are all grown. She still resides in Wichita with her husband and their furbaby, Chloe. In her free time, Michelle loves to play with Chloe, fish with her husband, and spend time with her Dad. Someday she would love to open a pet rescue and organize flights around the country to find homes for stray animals.

Tim is a graduate of Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree of Science in Aeronautical Technology and a minor in Business Administration. He has a Multi-Engine ATP, Commercial Single Engine Land pilots certificate. He is currently flying for Republic Airways as a First Officer on the Embraer 170/175 aircraft and has been a licensed aviation insurance agent for 15 years. He is also an active Flight Instructor doing checkouts in many variants of aircraft including the T-6. He comes from a family of pilots starting with his Grandfather, Father, several Aunts and Uncles as well as Cousins. Tim has been flying since he was a kid, and has no other field that he prefers to work in other than aviation. When not working or with his family he is out flying around with many organizations including the Commemorative Air Force, Doc’s Friends and the Collings Foundation.

Kathy Robinson has been in the Aviation Insurance business since 1994. She is an army brat and grew up in Germany, New Jersey and was thankful when her family finally moved to Texas. She originally started in Aviation Insurance on the underwriting side and worked her way up from Data Entry Clerk to Underwriter. In 2013 she moved to the Agency side and received her Agent license in 2017.

When not handling insurance paperwork, she loves to take care of her grandchild and fur babies (which include cats, a dog, horse and a ferret). She is also on the board of a local youth soccer association where she is a referee, age group director, assistant coach and referee assignor.

Nancy Thornbury joined the LGA team in 2014 as a Receptionist/CSR and received her Texas Agent license in November 2017. Nancy is also a Kansas City native and worked as a photographer and photo retail store manager for many years. She was a frequent spectator at area air shows, but it wasn’t until moving to Addison, TX in 2007 to marry her husband Greg that she was able to fly – he just happened to own and pilot a 58P Baron.

Nancy loves to travel and she and her husband have two wonderful fur babies, Macie Cat and Scamp Horse, and best of all, an amazing human daughter, Jessie.

Lori Bauer came to the LGA family in spring of 2017 after spending 14 years specializing in accounting and administrative duties for property management companies in California and Texas. Lori is originally from Oaklawn, IL, but moved to Orange, California in the late 70’s to escape the harsh winters. In 2008, Lori moved to Texas to be near her parents who decided to settle down and retire. Lori is known to give back to her community by working as a hospital nursing aide, Sunday school teacher and teaching assistant at the local high school.