In 1972, at the age of 17, Cheryl Stearns, D-4020, made her first jump in Coolidge, Arizona. In 1975, she moved to Raeford, North Carolina, where Gene Paul Thacker trained her to compete at the highest level. Stearns is now one of the most successful competitive skydivers in the world with countless national titles and multiple world titles in the classic events of style & accuracy. She has made more than 18,000 skydives. Stearns is an airline captain for U.S. Airways and resides in Charlotte, North Carolina.