The Guild meets on the third Saturday of each month at 1 PM at the Garrett's Run Condo Association Clubhouse, 7900 Greenboro Drive in West Melbourne (directions).

Meetings begin with a brief business meeting, including announcements, welcome of new members, introduction of the Board members, and treasurer's report. A presentation of some aspect of writing, by our monthly speaker, follows.

Afterwards, there is a time for socializing and book signings. Snacks are always provided.

Guest Speaker: Dave Baranek

Dave was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, where he grew up drawing airplanes and putting together scale models from kits. In his early teens he set his sights on flying Navy jet fighters. He attended Georgia Tech and participated in the ROTC to qualify for officer training, then entered the Navy in 1979.

Without 20/20 eyesight he could not become a pilot, so instead he became a radar intercept officer (RIO), operating the weapons system in the Navy's hot new F-14 Tomcat fighter. Shortly after he joined his first squadron he received the callsign "Bio," which many of his former squadronmates still call him.

Based on his outstanding performance, he was selected to become an aerial combat instructor at the elite Navy Fighter Weapons School, better known as Topgun. While serving as an instructor in 1985, he had the unusual experience of flying aerial sequences used in the film "Top Gun," starring Tom Cruise and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. He also traveled to Paramount Studios as a dialogue advisor on the project.

He enjoyed a successful 20-year career in the Navy, including assignment to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the US 7th Fleet. He commanded an F-14 Tomcat fighter squadron, responsible for nearly 300 people and 14 aircraft worth about $700 million.

He retired from the Navy in 1999, and now works as a defense contractor. 

After retiring, he wrote the exciting memoir TOPGUN DAYS, which describes his early flying experiences, including working on the movie “Top Gun.” He then wrote BEFORE TOPGUN DAYS, detailing his experiences in Naval Aviation training. Both books include many of his acclaimed photographs.

Dave is married and lives in Satellite Beach, Florida. His website is www.TopgunBio.com.