2024-2025 Officers

President: Jackson Risch
Jackson Risch is a senior in Aerospace Engineering. He’s from the Chicago suburbs and is excited to be the SAB President this year and working with all its members! His favorite memory from SAB was the visit to the Flightstar maintenance facility last year. In his free time, he enjoys playing pickleball, running, and watching Illini and Chicago sports.

Vice President: Ben Haake
Ben Haake is a senior in Mechanical Engineering. Throughout his time in SAB, he has thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to improve upon leadership skills and gain real-world skills via the Zenith project. On campus, he is also involved in Phi Gamma Nu-Professional Business Fraternity and Pi Tau Sigma, a mechanical engineering honors society, where he serves as the President. In his free time, he enjoys weightlifting, mountain biking, and watching movies.

Secretary: Jonah Wu
Jonah Wu is a sophomore in Aerospace Engineering and is very excited to see where SAB goes this year with all the new members that have joined. He is also involved with Design Build Fly and is working on his private pilot’s license. In his free time, he enjoys playing volleyball and piano, as well as photography.

Treasurer: Atlas Karm
Atlas Karm is a senior studying Aerospace Engineering in the aircraft section. Their favorite experience within SAB was getting to work on the construction of the Sonex Tail Kit last semester. They are a member of Tau Beta Pi and are currently doing research in performance and sustainability analysis for general aviation aircraft. They are also a certified private pilot with experience flying Cessna 172, Piper Archer III, and the Piper Dakota.

Build Lead: Sam Rascher
Sam Rascher is a senior studying Aerospace Engineering and a member of SAB since the fall of 2022. Prior to becoming Build Lead, he served as a general member and then as one of SAB’s build foremen. Some of his favorite memories with SAB include leading hands-on build training sessions for new members and touring the Flightstar aircraft maintenance facility. When not participating in SAB activities or working on his classes, he enjoys watching Star Trek and playing mobile games with his friends online. A fun fact about him is that he is a staunch advocate for the use of the Oxford comma.

Build Assistant: Brandon Kerpel
Brandon Kerpel is a sophomore in Mechanical Engineering. His favorite SAB memory is working at the hangar at Willard Airport. His other involvements include the Aerodynamic Project Lead on Illini Electric Motorsports. A fun fact is he is also training for his pilot’s license.

Membership Director: Bhumika Dutta
Mika Dutta is a graduate student in Aerospace Systems Engineering. She’s previously managed workflows, member recruitment, and outreach. Her favorite SAB memory is visiting Flightstar. As an undergraduate at UIUC, she worked on research with Professor Ansell for the Center for High-Efficiency Electrical Technologies, learning about aerodynamics and stability on unconventional aircraft configurations. In her free time, she likes to play the guitar and go to painting club.

Social Media Manager: Maggie Falkenberg
Maggie Falkenberg is a freshman studying Aerospace Engineering. She is new to SAB this year and looking forward to the hands-on projects and experience. She is also a member of Legend Dance Company, University of Illinois Astronomy Society and Women in Aerospace. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering and watching the Carle Hospital helicopter take off and land from her dorm window.