William “Bill” Vaughan
Founder & Executive Director, Operation BackPack4Kids Captain, B-747, UPS
William “Bill” Vaughan is the Founder and Executive Director of Operation BackPack4Kids. A current UPS 747 Captain based in Louisville, Kentucky, Bill combines his lifelong love of aviation with a deep commitment to humanitarian service, ensuring children in crisis have the comfort, dignity, and care they deserve.
Bill’s story began on a small cattle farm in rural North Carolina, where he was raised by parents who had lived through the Great Depression. From them, he learned discipline, resilience, and the importance of never giving up on what matters most. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving first as a medic and later as a helicopter mechanic. It was during those years that his love for aviation took flight.
His professional career has spanned multiple airlines and aircraft, starting at Ram Air Freight in Raleigh-Durham, followed by Atlantic Coast Airlines, Midway Airlines, Comair Airlines, and NetJets International. Today, as a Captain for UPS on the Boeing 747, he continues to fly globally while dedicating his time on the ground to leading Operation BackPack4Kids.
Beyond the cockpit, Bill has always been guided by a sense of service to others. Founding Operation BackPack4Kids allowed him to bring together fellow pilots, volunteers, and community partners to provide backpacks filled with essential items to children displaced by war, natural disasters, and other crises. His vision is rooted in compassion, practicality, and the belief that small acts of care can make an enormous difference in a child’s life.
Bill is married to Jacqueline Vaughan, his partner in life and service, and together they are the proud parents of two grown daughters who inspire him every day.
Stacey Samuels Bie
Chair of the Board, Operation BackPack4Kids Captain (Ret.), B-767, UPS
Stacey Samuels Bie serves as the Chair of Operation BackPack4Kids. A retired UPS 767 Captain, she lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she continues to dedicate her time and energy to causes that make a difference in the lives of children and families in crisis.
Stacey grew up in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio, where she was deeply influenced by the album Free to Be You and Me. Its message that she could do or be anything set the foundation for a life without limits. She pursued her Bachelor of Business Administration at The University of Texas and went on to become an Air Force pilot through the ROTC program, breaking barriers and charting a path in aviation.
Her professional career with UPS took her around the world, but her personal mission has always remained close to home: advocating for those who might otherwise be overlooked. Stacey has a heart for the underdog and naturally gravitates toward supporting people who are working hard but just need a little help to succeed.
In addition to her professional accomplishments and community leadership, Stacey is most proud of her family. She and her husband have raised two sons, now grown, who continue to inspire her with their own journeys and achievements.
Stacey brings to Operation BackPack4Kids not only her skills as a leader and pilot but also her lifelong passion for service, resilience, and lifting others up when they need it most.
Liesl Carter
Board of Trustees, Operation BackPack4Kids Captain, B-747, UPS
Liesl Carter serves on the Board of Trustees for Operation BackPack4Kids. A UPS 747 Captain based in Anchorage, Alaska, Liesl brings a unique blend of military service, aviation experience, and nonprofit leadership to the mission of supporting children in crisis.
Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, Liesl began her career in the United States Air Force, where she served in a variety of leadership positions and global flying operations. She thrived on solving complex problems and leading teams in high-stakes environments. Her career in service to the nation spanned nearly three decades and culminated in her retirement as a Colonel in 2020.
Liesl has always had a passion for creating impact beyond the flight deck. In 2013, while serving as a National Security Fellow at Harvard’s Kennedy School, she founded the Harvard Women in Defense, Diplomacy, and Development Alumni Network—a nonprofit dedicated to advancing sustainable peace initiatives. More recently, she served as an Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer, working closely with FEMA and state emergency managers to coordinate critical military support for communities during natural disasters.
Now, in addition to her aviation career, Liesl lends her expertise to Operation BackPack4Kids, where her leadership, strategic vision, and humanitarian commitment strengthen the organization’s ability to respond rapidly and effectively to children in need.
Liesl is married to a wonderful husband and together they are raising two awesome children, who are the heart of her inspiration to keep serving.