David C. (Ircor
id
Howard i'. Krislier
John F. I laviland
David P. Williamson
James II. Greer
Bieser Greer
Charles F. Shane
Tnsha M. Duff
Philip M. Borger
Christina M. Flanagan
Michael A, Rieman
Mallhew M. Siiellentrop
Altorneys at Law
Joseph C. Ochlers
James P, Fleisher
Nadia A. Klarr
Of Counsel:
Jennifer L. IJrogan
Edward L. Shank
Irvin G. Bieser. Jr.
Leo F. Krebs
February 2, 2017
Michael R. Turner
Michael R. Turner
Member of the Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
2368 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Member of the Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Re:
120 West Third Street, Suite 305
Dayton, OH 45402
National Aviation Hall of Fame
Dear Congressman Turner:
Mr. Harris has directed to me your letters of January 25 and February 1, 2017. He and
his fellow Board members are appropriately upset that you have been writing press releases in
the form of letters which are read in the media before they are received in the mail. They are
even more upset that you obtained signatures of two Board members on form letters that were
obviously prepared by your office and then represented those letters as if they were requests for a
Congressional investigation of what sounds like criminal/ethical issues. The reputation of the
organization, its Board members and leaders does not deserve that kind of treatment. I trust you
will make a public apology and retraction of your accusations.
I am enclosing a copy of a letter Mr. VanDerKarr has delivered to the Board. He is a fine
gentleman with an impeccable background. I can only conclude that you have taken unfair
advantage of him. I have also enclosed a copy of a letter Katie McCallum has delivered to the
Board. She, too, was misinformed about the form letter you asked her to sign.
Please provide me with all of the documents relating to the "complaints" referenced in
the second paragraph of your January 25''^ news release. With respect to your February f news
release I can assure you that there has not been any action or even consideration in over a year of
selling the signed Wright propeller which is the only significant artifact owned by the National
Aviation Hall of Fame.
Bieser Greer & Laiidis LLP
6 North Main Slrcvc • Suite 400 • Dayton. OH 45402-19()S • www.bjescTgreer.coni • 937.22.1.3277phone • 937.223.6339 tax
Congressman Michael R. Turner
February 2, 2017
Page 2
The Hall of Fame looks to you for support, not for castigation and unfounded
accusations. Its audited financial statements are open to inspection by you or by any other
member of the public. I am willing to discuss on its behalf any legitimate concerns you may
have. Common courtesy suggests that any such concerns be the subject of private discussion
before they are distorted as products for publicity.
Yours truly,
BIESER/6feER &LANDIS LLP
By: Dayifa C. Greer
DCG:jll
Enclosure
7077.217036.\ 597672.1
1 F0b2O17
TO; All Hall Aviation of Fame (NAHF)Trustees
There has been much publicity recently regarding my involvement in an Investigation of
the NAHF by Congressman Michael Turner. I would like to clarifythe facts concerning my
Involvement in this matter.
First -1 did NOT contact Congressman Turner as he contacted me to ask If I would send a letter
to Bill Harris, NAHF President, requesting that any NAHF financials be made available to him. i
saw no problem asthis is public information and said Iwould agT^ to write a letter.
He advised me that he had the letter written and all I had to do was sign it. i was of the opinion
that he was interested In the financial well being of the future for the NAHF and might be able
to arrange some Congressional financial support. He did not say this, it was just my thought.
I felt sure that if he asked the financials would be made available to him. I was told that my
letter would probably NOT be necessary If his letter to Bill Harris was successful In obtaining
the financial data. Also, that his letter would be sent first and I would be notified if my
letter was necessary, i never received that call. I had said that I wanted to give Bill Harris a
"heads up" before my letter was sent
Second -1 voiced no concerns to Congressman Turner about the NAHF other than to say that
our financial status has always been a concern of the Board. 1do not know who approached
the Congressman with "concerns".
Lastly - my allegiance is to the NAHF as it has always been for the past 37 years.
I am greatly disturbed by the recent news releases and the Inferenceof my involvement in
initiating this Investigation.
February 1,2017
Dear NAHF Board Members,
I am concerned tliat there are assumptions being made with my involvement in
Congressman Tumer's investigation and Iwould like to make sure you have the facts.
I never contacted Congressman Turner with concerns ofNAHFs financial status, he
called me. Apparently someone (not sure who) had contacted him with concerns. My
understanding oftheconversation with Congressman Turner was thathe wanted to
obtain NAHF's financial records so that he might be able to help support the
organization. He said hewas sending aletter toPresident Harris torequest the
financial documents and asked ifIwould sign aletter insupport of obtaining these
records. Since this ispublic information I did not see a problem with signing the letter
which was written by Congressman Turner's office and sent to me to sign. It was my
understanding that if President Harris agreed to release the financial records to
Congressman Turner there would benoneed for myletter. I assumed NAHF would
comply withtherequest andmyletter would notbe necessary. I never was informed
that any ofthiswould go throughthe press, I assumed that it would bebetween NAHF
and the Congressman.
To say tlie past two weeks have been difficult is an understatement. I have been in
touch with Don Vanderkarr, aswe are both greatly disturbed bythe recent events.
If any board member has questions or would like to discuss this further, I am happy to
do so. My only interest istosee NAHF and its mission succeed for many years to come.
Regards,
Katie McCallum