Lori Materi | Backcountry pilot and rural airstrip advocate

Women in Wyoming Podcast

Backcountry pilot and rural airstrip advocate Lori Materi came from a flying family in Upton, Wyoming. Her father was a navigator in WWII and later, used his plane as a means to transport Lori and her siblings across the state. Growing up, Lori was afraid to fly, but after moving back to Upton with her family, the urge to fly became so strong she couldn't ignore it. She took a discovery course flight and was hooked. In the five short years that Lori has pursued her dream to fly, she's become the director of the Upton Municipal airport, and leads a statewide task force to save rural airstrips around the state. A commercial pilot, Lori prefers to land in the backcountry versus on pavement. During our interview, Lori and I talk about her dream to fly and how her world has changed from following her heart and pursuing her dream.