Tina Choate

Tina Choate, a former Chicago deputy sheriff with prior interest in psychic research, entered UFO research after meeting Ed Slade in Las Vegas, who claimed to be a former agent with knowledge of U.S.-captured flying saucers and occupants at Nellis AFB. She played a pivotal role in establishing the International Center for UFO Research (ICUR) in Scottsdale, Arizona, convincing astronomer J. Allen Hynek to join and relocate there in the early 1980s, backed by multimillionaire funding. As ICUR's administrative director, she managed operations during Hynek's leadership until his death in 1986. Post-Hynek, Choate, as CEO, and associate Myers positioned themselves as his spiritual heirs, pursuing global projects including seeking spherical artifacts from abduction cases, such as pursuing Italian contactee Pier Fortunato Zanfretta in 1991.