A family rich in aviation heritage.

As the son of Lefty Gardner, WWII bomber pilot, crop-duster, air racer, and warbird airshow pilot, Ladd Gardner grew up on a small family airstrip where he learned at an early age what really goes into owning an airplane. In high school he and his family restored a Boeing Stearman which he later took to college and earned a Bachelors Degree in Aviation Science. After college he worked as a CFI.

Later Ladd moved on to fly the Metroliner for a part 135 carrier, the T6 Texan, the P51 Mustang, and the P38 Lightning. Having spent years as an agent for a large aviation insurance agency, he became extremely familiar with the aviation insurance industry, maintained great relationships with the underwriters and underwriting companies, and learned the value of great customer service.

After five years with that agency, Ladd started Ladd Gardner Aviation Insurance in Kerrville, Texas in 2007 before relocating the agency to Addison, Texas in 2010.

Angie attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Daytona Beach, FL) where she graduated with a degree in Aviation Safety and a minor in Human Factors. She completed internships with the International Standards Division at the FAA headquarters and with the Flight Operations Safety department at America West Airlines. She also worked as a FAA contractor performing certification flights aboard private jet aircraft throughout the country. Following that she went to work for The Boeing Company as a System Safety Engineer on the Apache AH-64 attack helicopter. She spent a little over a year at Boeing, causing her to realize that she wanted to make a career change to a small company where she could work directly with aircraft owners and pilots everyday. This career has proven to be the perfect place for Angie to fulfill a passion for being closely involved with the aviation community. She served as President of Cannon Aviation Insurance, Inc. for over 5 years prior to merging with Ladd Gardner Aviation Insurance, Inc.

Tammy Orth has more than 28 years of aviation insurance experience, working in both underwriting and as an agent. With more than 22 of those years working directly with Warbird Owners and Airshow Performers, she has additional expertise with Corporate Aircraft, Helicopters, Experimental and Antique Aircraft, Hangars, Airport Liability and General Aviation. Tammy is a member of numerous aviation-related organizations and attends many airshows and aircraft conventions throughout the country. She strives to deliver the best servicing to all her clients.

When away from the office she enjoys lifting weights, walking, 5K runs, hiking, reading and spending time with her family. Mimi time with her two grandsons is the best! She also has a 10lb. fur baby named Paislee.

With over 17 years of experience in the aviation insurance industry, Cliff has recently joined the Agent team at Ladd Gardner Aviation. Born and raised in Texas, Cliff attended Texas A&M University where he graduated with a degree in Finance and soon after began his career in aviation insurance.

Growing up in deep South Texas, Cliff spent numerous weekends around the Commemorative Air Force when they called Harlingen, TX home. Little did he know the airshows, school field trips, and climbing in and out of the old warbirds would spark his interest in aviation and pave the way to a career in an aviation field. When he is not in the office, Cliff enjoys traveling with his wife, Crossfit, running the occasional long distance race, college football, barbecuing, and spending time with his dogs Boomer and Bella.

Michele has been in the insurance business for more than 15 years now. A Kansas City native, she graduated from Goddard High and attended Fort Hays State University. Eventually getting into insurance, she obtained an Agent’s license in 1998, working in Property and Casualty for ten years. Clients included school districts, municipalities, water districts, small businesses, home, auto, recreational, crop insurance, and worker’s comp. Michele has been an Aviation Specialist for the past nine years.

When not taking care of her clients she likes to do yard work, flower gardening, home decorating, cooking, and spending time with grandkids and fur babies. In her next life, Michele would have a farm full of animals. Her favorite aircraft is the WACO.

Bob has over 25 years of aviation insurance experience. With a father who flew F-105’s in Vietnam and had a 30-year career with American Airlines, aviation was in his blood. Bob worked as a CFI, then flew corporate, charter and air ambulance flying the Hawker 3A and Hawker 700, King Air 90/100/200 and Westwind.

Wishing to be at home more often and to start a family, Bob transitioned into aviation insurance industry back in 1995 working both as Underwriter and Agent. When not in the office, Bob enjoys traveling with his wife, spending time with their grown kids, wine tasting, weekly poker, and frequent trips to the dog park with his Border Collie Sadie.

Mary Anna Norton is a Texas native with a love for everything aviation. She attended Texas A&M University graduating with a degree in Communication and Business. Moving to Wichita, KS shortly after college, she gained over 8 years of experience in all areas of aviation insurance and management. Excited to get back to her roots, Mary Anna gladly joins the Texas based LGA team.

When not in the office Mary Anna enjoys traveling, canoeing down the Brazos River, cooking and spoiling her little dog, Champ. Her favorite airplane is the Vought F4U Corsair.

Michelle comes to Ladd Gardner Aviation with more than 12 years of Aviation Insurance after obtaining her license in 2006. She has knowledge and experience in all areas of aviation insurance including Corporate Aircraft, Helicopters, Experimental Aircraft, Hangars, Airport Liability and General Aviation. Michelle also has extensive experience with Lake Amphibian Aircraft which is also one of her favorite aircraft to ride in.

Michelle relocated to Wichita, KS from Southern California in 2006 with her three children, who are all grown. She still resides in Wichita with her husband and their furbaby, Chloe. In her free time, Michelle loves to play with Chloe, fish with her husband, and spend time with her Dad. Someday she would love to open a pet rescue and organize flights around the country to find homes for stray animals.

Born in San Antonio Texas and raised in Uvalde, Elizabeth and her family made a permanent move to the Dallas area in 2005. Elizabeth has worked in administration and customer service for fifteen years and decided on a career change when joining the LGA family. She enjoys reading and spending time with her husband and children in her spare time.

Kathy Robinson has been in the Aviation Insurance business since 1994. She is an army brat and grew up in Germany, New Jersey and was thankful when her family finally moved to Texas. She originally started in Aviation Insurance on the underwriting side and worked her way up from Data Entry Clerk to Underwriter. In 2013 she moved to the Agency side and received her Agent license in 2017.

When not handling insurance paperwork, she loves to take care of her grandchild and fur babies (which include cats, a dog, horse and a ferret). She is also on the board of a local youth soccer association where she is a referee, age group director, assistant coach and referee assignor.

Aarron Rudkin comes to LGA Insurance with over 22 years of experience in Aviation Insurance on the underwriting side. Born in the Kansas City area Aarron has lived her whole life in Kansas. After getting married and starting a family Aarron and her husband moved to a small town south of the city. Aarron enjoys spending time with her family (Her husband and her two ornery boys) doing things outdoors, cooking, baking, and loving on her 4-legged family members (2 dogs, Barrett and Dixie, 3 cats, Deniro, Thunder and Luna, Willie the ferret, and Chickens Spring of 2022!)

Nancy Thornbury joined the LGA team in 2014 as a Receptionist/CSR and received her Texas Agent license in November 2017. Nancy is also a Kansas City native and worked as a photographer and photo retail store manager for many years. She was a frequent spectator at area air shows, but it wasn’t until moving to Addison, TX in 2007 to marry her husband Greg that she was able to fly – he just happened to own and pilot a 58P Baron.

Nancy loves to travel and she and her husband have two wonderful fur babies, Macie Cat and Scamp Horse, and best of all, an amazing human daughter, Jessie.

A Texas native, Tessa has had the opportunity to enjoy both country and city life. After attending Northeast Texas College, Tessa decided to move to the Dallas area to spread her wings. After working in Auto financing for several years, Tessa’s interests turned toward the insurance industry. Beginning with medical insurance billing, Tessa eventually moved to underwriting for personal lines of business. In her spare time, Tessa spends time working on crafts at home with her teenage daughter and their dog Pepper Anne.

Lori Bauer came to the LGA family in spring of 2017 after spending 14 years specializing in accounting and administrative duties for property management companies in California and Texas. Lori is originally from Oaklawn, IL, but moved to Orange, California in the late 70’s to escape the harsh winters. In 2008, Lori moved to Texas to be near her parents who decided to settle down and retire. Lori is known to give back to her community by working as a hospital nursing aide, Sunday school teacher and teaching assistant at the local high school.