Dan Poynter, D-454, made his first jump in 1962. He is one of skydiving’s foremost equipment authorities; he is a master rigger and canopy designer; American author, consultant, publisher, professional speaker and parachute designer. He has written 127 books – a dozen on skydiving, parachutes, and aviation including “The Parachute Manual—A Technical Treatise on the Parachute,” first published in 1972 and subsequently revised, considered the bible of the industry and a must-have by riggers worldwide. Poynter served as president of the Parachute Industry Association, chairman of the board of the U.S. Parachute Association, president of the International Hang Gliding Commission; is a member of the board of trustees of the National Skydiving Museum and a recipient of USPA’s Lifetime Achievement Award.