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About Us

Mission:  The Colorado Balloon Classic is an annual hot air balloon event held for the purpose of
bringing the community together, improving the quality of life, drawing regional, national and
international tourists, while showcasing our city and ultimately impacting the economic growth of our city. 

Goals:  To provide free family entertainment, and to raise money and awareness for non-profits
and charities.  Click here to see a list of those organizations.

Patsy Buchwald President & CEO Patsy joined the Balloon Classic in 1986 and became the President/CEO in1996.  She was inducted into the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame in 2009, winner of the prestigious Athena Award, Small Business Person of the Year, Board of Directors for Chamber of Commerce, Airport Advisory Commission, Pikes Peak Crime Stoppers and Better Business Bureau Foundation. She is a fixed wing pilot and member of International and Pikes Peak 99s.

Dawn Walker Board of Directors Dawn got involved by being a crew member in 1984, became a Leadership Team Member and joined the Board in 1996.  Dawn, previously a Systems Engineer in the Aerospace Industry, as an award winning Senior Sales Director for Mary Kay Cosmetics who lives in Boulder City, Nevada. She is married to Dean Leas, is a licensed fixed wing pilot, and enjoys jeeping, hiking, biking and reading.

Peggy Ferron Board of Directors Peggy has been involved with ballooning since 1988 and still loves to crew.  She has served as the President of BSOPP (Ballooning Society of Pikes Peak) and as a Board Member of the LTA Colorado Safety Seminar.  She has held the previous positions of Leadership Team Member, Official Souvenir Program Publishers and on the Management Team of the Colorado Balloon Classic.

Brian  Buchwald Board of Directors Brian has been with the Classic since 1986.  As Patsy's son, Brian earned the rank of Eagle Scout, has sold programs, helped with crew training and the field layout.  He has served in the Army Ranger Unit, US Army National Guard and as a Load Master with the Air Force C-130 Reserve Unit. He is a professional chef, has two children, enjoys jeeping, camping, and traveling.

                                                             

Arthur Porter, Esq. Legal Advisor Arthur, who has practiced law in Colorado since 1983, who specializes in small business representation.  He has been involved with the Classic since 2002 and serves as the legal advisor on all matters for the Colorado Balloon Classic as well as assist in drafting contracts and letters for the Classic.  He enjoys his family,racing vintage cars, boating and traveling.

Dean Leas Consultant Dean became involved in ballooning in 1985 when he crewed with a balloon chase team, joined the Classic in 1993 and designed our office database.  He is a Certified Flight Instructor, a former military pilot, an aerospace engineer, a defense contractor, owns D&D Consulting, and is based in Las Vegas, NV.  He is married to Dawn Walker and enjoys jeeping, off-roading, canoeing, mountain biking and motorcycling.

Heather Benavidez Event Organizer Heather has been involved in hot air ballooning her whole life.  Previously a Team Member, she joined the Classic Staff full-time in February 2006.  She has been acknowledged in the region by being selected as the Administrative Professional of the Year, a “Rising Star” by the Colorado Springs Business Journal and served on the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce Rising Professionals Advisory Board. She is married with two children.

Leadership Team

Marvin Baber Chief Launch Director Marvin has been involved with the Classic since 1997.  He has served as a crew member and held various Launch Director positions.  He is a retired Air Force CMSgt and works as a Systems Engineer supporting the Air Force.  He is married to Millie and has one son, Sean, who is currently serving in the Air Force, and one grandchild.  He enjoys traveling, sports and the outdoors.	Millie Baber Projects Manager Millie has been involved with the Classic since 1997.  She has been a crew member and Launch Director and joined the Balloon Classic Leadership Team in 2006.  She is married to Marvin and has one son, Sean, who is currently serving in the Air Force and one grandchild.  Cruising and traveling the world, Scouting, the outdoors and her Siamese cats make up her list of enjoyments.	Marilyn Cale Balloon Mail Marilyn, who was on the Classic’s Executive Committee from 1992-1997, rejoined the Leadership Team in 2011.  She previously volunteered as Pilot Registration Chair, Sponsor Registration Coordinator and Chief Launch Director. Her flight instructor was Art Walsh. She is a retired Police Officer who specializes in Human Resources.  She loves spending time with her family and her dog.	Donna Campanelli Stage Manager Donna joined the Team in 2010 but she is no stranger to balloons. She crewed often when she lived back east and is the previous Newsletter Letter Editor for the Ballooning Society of Pikes Peak.  She is a very successful realtor.  She loves light hiking and the beach.  She is very organized, detail orientated, as well as creativity and admits she is a “work alcoholic”!
Jennifer Corbin-Carson Merchandise Coordinator Jennifer first joined the Team in 2009 as an Assistant Merchandise Coordinator.  She stepped down in 2010 due to personal reasons but was able to rejoin in 2011 as Merchandise Coordinator.  She is married, has one daughter, two dogs, one cat, and loves to hike and ride motorcycles.  She is perfect for this position because she is a visionary and she loves to shop!	Chip Coughlin Crew Director Computer Support Chip joined the Classic in 2003 as an Executive Assistant and was promoted in 2004 to the Leadership Team in charge of Crew Training, Crew Database and Crew Assignments.  Chip loves to chase and crew.  He is the "IT Department" in charge of the computers for the Balloon Classic.  Chip is retired from the US Air Force.  He is married and has three sons and two daughters.	Doug Meikle Assistant Chief Launch Director Doug joined the Team as a Volunteer Launch Director in 2008.  He was promoted to Assistant Chief Launch Director in 2010.  His skills include organizing and attention to details.  He is semi-retired but also volunteers for Boy Scouts, Home Owners Association Board of Directors and School District 49’s Gifted Education Committee and numerous positions at his church. He is married with two very active sons.	John Robeda Field Manager John joined the Leadership Team in 2011 as the Assistant Crew Director.  In part because he is great with logistics, John was promoted to Field Manager in January 2012 to oversee the field operations both before and during the event which includes getting the park ready and working with concessionaires.  Born in Colorado, he enjoys hiking, running, and camping, as well as spending time with family and friends.
Peggy Sansom Field Liaison Peggy joined the Classic in 2009 as an Assistant and was promoted in 2010 to the Leadership level. She has one son, loves quilting, refinishing furniture, gardening, and chasing balloons. Her strongest skill is organizing and is always up for a challenge to learn something new. She is very involved with the local balloon club and brings an impression level of energy to the team.	Craig Shutt Official Photographer Craig joined the Team as an Event Photographer in 2008, was promoted to Lead Photographer in 2010 and became one of our Official Photographers in 2011.  He is charge of a group of Volunteer Event Photographers tasked with capturing the history of the event. Craig, who is married to Dusty Shutt, is an Information Technology Specialist with the Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs.	Dusty Shutt Design Manager Dusty joined the Team in 2007.  She designs and publishes the “Official Souvenir Program” for the Classic.  She works with students at Pikes Peak Community College to create the “Official Event Poster” each year. She is active in the local balloon club and is a published photographer. She and her husband, Craig, moved to Colorado Springs from Illinois.  She loves hiking, arts and crafts.	Ken Tadolini Weather Ken joined the Leadership Team in 2006.  He earned his Private Pilot Certificate in 1988 and his first event that year was the Colorado Balloon Classic.  He received his Commercial Certificate in 1990, owns Rocky Mountain Hot Air Balloon Repair Station, and operates a hot air balloon ride business.  He was previously a race car builder and driver. Ken enjoys flying balloons all over the world.
Kelsie Wilson Announcer and Field Office Manager Kelsie has literally been with the Classic all her life so she knows this event!  Since her Dad is on the team, her first job was to be the “Crew’s Princess”. She is a now a college student who manages our on-site office, is in charge of all event radio communications, is the Lead Announcer, and works directly with the Launch Directors and Stage Manager.	Brian Wilson Event Site Director Brian has been involved with the Balloon Classic since 1992 and joined the Leadership Team in 1998.  He is in charge of the Launch Site set up including the layouts for the balloons and concessionaires.  Brian is a commercial fixed wing pilot and Certified Flight Instructor.  he enjoys hiking, golfing, camping and 4-wheeling.  He rides motorcycles and has one child who is also on the Team.

                                                                               updated 3/12/2012