About Us

Amy has been with the airshow for 12 years and serves on the board of directors and is also the RV coordinator. Amy’s love of planes and airshows started many years ago when she would attend the Reno Air Races. She is a retired teacher and spent countless years helping to rehabilitate Measure 11 youth with the Justice Department and worked with a local homeless shelter for pregnant teens. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, riding her bike, boating and just about everything outdoors.

Ben was raised on a cattle ranch near Madras. He and his siblings began flying with their father, Ron, off their alfalfa fields in Cessna 180’s and 185’s. They helped in the restoration of their 1941 Navy N3N-3 biplane and 1914 French Nieuport, a World War I fighter, now donated to the Museum of Flight near Seattle. They helped host fly-ins held at the ranch. Ben is a licensed pilot with time in a wide variety of aircraft. He serves as Fly-In Director and leads an excellent crew responsible for receiving all incoming aircraft, inviting antiques and unusual aircraft to the airshow.

Don Mobley, is one of the founders of our Airshow. A former US Navy Pilot, Don flies corporate jets for Les Schwab during the day and was active in airshow management for many years in his spare time. Don has performed in past airshows flying a Pitts, RV-4, and most recently doing his famous Clown Act in a Citabria or Super Cub.

Dustin was born and raised in Central Oregon and moved to the Madras area in 1998. He serves as the Emergency Services Coordinator for the Airshow of the Cascades and has fire service background. When not at work or serving on various boards, he enjoys spending time with his family and being active outdoors.

Judy Solso, moved to Madras in 2000 and became a volunteer with the Airshow to get involved in a community event. During her tenure, she has built great relationships with our sponsors, partners and vendors. As a former flight attendant, she’s a perfect fit for the Airshow. She is currently a buyer for a local business and works for 509-J School district.

Kate Knop began volunteering for the Airshow when she relocated to Madras from
Eastern Oregon in 2022. As a multi-generational farming family member and Finance Director in
local government, her passion for volunteering and maximizing resources in rural areas runs
deep.

With a robust career spanning twenty-eight years in accounting and finance, she brings a
wealth of experience. For nearly a decade, she has served in rural areas as the Finance Director,
Treasurer, and Tax Collector for Jefferson County, Oregon, and, more recently, the City of
Madras, Oregon. She has also acted as the custodial officer for city and county funds, trust funds,
and agency funds and served as the investment officer.

Her academic journey includes a Bachelor of Arts in History from Gonzaga University, a
Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Linfield University, and a Master of Public
Administration (MPA) from Villanova University. She was recently admitted to the Executive
Doctor of Business Administration (EDBA) program at Pepperdine University, where her focus
is helping mitigate gentrification in rural areas.

Kate has honed her leadership and interpersonal skills through volunteer work and
serving on multiple boards and committees. She looks forward to helping the Airshow of the
Cascades grow and prosper for many years.

Margaret Kincaid is a teacher who also coaches tennis at Madras High School. She came to Central Oregon in 1991 and has been very involved in her community including serving a seven-year position on the Madras Aquatic Center (MAC) Board as well as acting as Interim Executive Director. She is active on many boards including the American Legion Auxiliary…when she’s not teaching cake decorating! Margaret began volunteering at the Airshow in 2010 before becoming our first-ever Volunteer Coordinator in 2015. With the connections she has built over the years, she is an invaluable resource when it comes to Volunteers.

Melanie Widmer got involved in the early days of the Airshow through her work on the Madras Airport and Industrial Park Committee. She oversees Airshow Hospitality including performer transportation, VIP and other high profile guest areas. Melanie owns and operates Madras Sanitary Service, and is retired from a 14-year stint on Madras City Council, where she served her last six years as Mayor.

Rick Allen serves on the Airshow Board as the Secretary and Treasurer and, while he deals with many facets of the Airshow, his primary duties include finance and working with aerobatic performers. He spends his free time floating the rivers of the west and volunteering for his local fire department. Rick splits his time between business and public sector positions.

Tom Brown began working with the Airshow in the early stages. With a lifetime interest in aircraft and photography, the Airshow was a natural fit for his talents. A life-long resident of Madras and local business owner, Tom has volunteered for many years on the Madras City Council, Redevelopment Commission, Airport-Industrial Site Committee, Chamber Board, Boy Scouts and many others. He and his wife spend their free time traveling and doing photography.