Gladys Embury was Willamette Aviation's founding flight instructor — in fact, it's fair to say that without Gladys, Willamette Aviation may not have happened. A veteran pilot, she's logged more than 3,000 hours at the controls, holding a CFII rating. Gladys has lived in Oregon for several years, although when the weather gets a bit cold and gray in the winter months, she's been known to head south, where the flying weather lasts year-round. When not flying, Gladys enjoys spending time with her husband Glen.

A native Californian who has lived in Oregon for the better part of a decade, Steve Thornton loves to teach because it allows him to share his love of flying with other pilots, be they first-time students or multi-rated aviators. Steve also says that teaching flying allows him to pursue every pilot's first goal — to always be better. With more than 1,000 hours in his logbook, Steve has notched more than 400 hours in the right seat as a CFI, and he holds six FAA ratings. Besides flying, he enjoys skiing, back-packing, and scuba-diving. But flying remains his life's passion. His favorite place to get some altitude? Over the San Juan Islands in the spring and summer.

Frank Harlow was born and raised under the 28 right approach into PDX. He watched and dreamed about aviation as a child. When he was 18, the Air Force called his number. After serving his duty he decided that old, beat-up Vietnam-era airplanes were not to his liking and left aviation for education. But in 1988, one of his students conned him back into aviation on a dare, and he hasn't hit the ground since. Frank is a pilot on the Citation SII and a CFI for Willamette Aviation with more than 1,400 hours of instruction. In his spare time he teaches college and raises three wonderful kids with the aid of his wife Beth.

Tom Dawson came to Oregon after spending 20 years in the United States Air Force, where he served as an aircraft and weapons controller. Tom developed his love of flying during his time in the Air Force. He's also been active in the Civil Air Patrol, serving as safety officer and squadron check pilot, and he has worked professionally as a charter pilot. Tom has logged over 3,000 hours, half of that time as a Certified Flight Instructor. A Gold Seal Flight Instructor, he's also an Advanced Ground Instructor and Instrument Ground Instructor. His degree in Secondary Education makes him a valuable teacher who has guided student pilots through Private, Commercial, and CFI ratings. Tom believes flight instruction is the most rewarding and important job in aviation. When not flying he enjoys reading, spending time with his four children, and hiking in the great northwest.

Rose Milbeck's first training flight, on November 2, 1974, was the beginning of a love affair with airplanes and flying. She received her Pilot Private certificate seven months later. A Certified Flight Instructor since 1980, she is still awed when watching students fly their first solos — remembering their first flight in the airplane as a nervous student and now watching as they take off, fly the pattern, and make their first solo landing. Rose says, "I love being part of the learning process of flying and the idea that no matter how long I've been in aviation, there is always something more to learn." When not instructing, she runs an executive coaching and consulting business and sees "a common thread connecting flight instruction and coaching — both are unique approaches for pushing the envelope of self-exploration."

Haley Devine has spent her entire life around airplanes, thanks to her father, who's an A&P. Haley's dad enjoys restoring airplanes, and his first completed project was a Mooney M20C, which Haley then used for flight training. Starting her aviation career just after high school, she's since worked her way up to CFII, logging 1,300 hours and passing her CFI examination on the first try. A native Oregonian, Haley's currently a student at the Portland campus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and she says she loves instructing because of the variety of pilots she gets to meet while developing her aviation career. She's a self-confessed "flying dork," and it's not hard to guess what her favorite airplane make is — the classic Mooney. At last count, her dad's restored four of 'em.

Jess Smith is no stranger to Willamette Aviation, earning his instrument rating at Willamette Aviation in 2002, and returning for his CFII in 2006. Jess is a devoted aviation enthusiast, holding a Commercial Certificate, as well as Advanced Ground and Instrument Ground Certificates. He also passed both the CFI and CFII check rides on the first attempt — a rare accomplishment according to the FAA. When not around the office instructing, Jess will probably be found at his day job (actually graveyard job) as a patrol sergeant for the Portland Police Bureau. Jess also flies commercially for the Portland Police Air Unit. Earning an A&P certificate is Jess's next goal, and he can be seen occasionally assisting Jim Aanes in the maintenance department.

Neil Shepherd has always been passionate about aviation, earning his Private Pilot ticket when he was just 18. Back then, he dreamed of becoming a professional pilot, but his education and subsequent career in electronics sidetracked him. However, after flying as an instrument/commercial pilot for nearly three decades, Neil earned his CFI rating on his first try. "I've spent a lot of time with instructors," he says, "and I hope to take the best in what I've learned from them and share it with new pilots." Neil also has been spending a lot of time practicing aerobatics, with the hope of someday helping other pilots become comfortable with unusual attitude safety. In his spare time, you'll find him flying his Extra 300L aerobatic plane, which he hangars at the Aurora State Airport.