About Us

Welcome to our guests and friends...

On June 27th 1997, I surprised my wife Cheryl with a sunrise balloon ride for our 10th wedding anniversary. The romantic vision of a balloon ride was surpassed only by the beautiful countryside of the Geneva Lakes area.

It was above the mist-covered valleys and the calm waters of the lakes below that the idea was born for a truly first-class balloon company.

I spent the better part of the next 1 1/2 years training to fly balloons. After receiving my Private Pilot’s Certificate for Hot Air Balloons from the FAA, I jumped on the balloon racing circuit and travelled the midwest sharpening my flying skills while flying with and against some of the best pilots in the country.

I received my Commercial Pilot’s Certificate for Hot Air Balloons in July of 2000 and was immediately hired by a local balloon ride operation flying 6-passenger and 12-passenger balloons. I spent the next 2 summers learning the commercial balloon ride business.

In May of 2003, I resigned my position with a Fortune 100 pharmaceutical company and officially launched The Lake Geneva Balloon Company.

What started out as a romantic gift for my wife has become a way of life for me and my family. My wife Cheryl and our children Brittany, Jake and Jenna have travelled the midwest with me competing in balloon races and have supported me in my efforts to bring to you “The Finest of Care in Geneva’s Air”.

We invite you to come and join us! The view is breathtaking and the memories last a lifetime... we know that you’ve always wanted to do it!

So give us a call. We’re waiting to serve you.

About Us

John C. Trione

owner / chief pilot

Wife

Cheryl Trione, co-owner

Children:

Brit (15), Jake (13) and Jenna (8)

John has spent the past 9 years honing his flying skills and learning the best practices of the balloon ride business.

He currently is a substitute school teacher during the off-season.

John spent 13 years in pharmaceutical sales and prior to that was the Advertising Manager of The Woodstock Independent newspaper in Woodstock, IL.

John is very active in Boy Scouting. He is one of the founders of Troop 381 and currently serves as Scoutmaster.

In 2005, he and his wife Cheryl started with the help of a group of adults and young adults founded Venture Crew 2381 for young men and women ages 14-21 years old.

Age: 42

Birthday: 08 FEB 64

Hometown: O’Fallon, IL

College: Eastern Illinois University

Major: Speech-Communication

Balloon Racing Resume

2007-Monroe Balloon Festival

Top Prize Money Winner

Monroe, WI

See photo album

2005-Great Forest Park Balloon Race

1st Place Overall