October is Down syndrome awareness month, a month to celebrate the many ways we are all more alike than different. What exactly is Down syndrome you...
More Alike Than Different
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October is Down syndrome awareness month, a month to celebrate the many ways we are all more alike than different. What exactly is Down syndrome you...
Todd, a Long Beach, California resident, became the Regional Director - California and Arizona for C.A.S.T. for Kids in 2025. A retired L.A. County Fire Department veteran, Todd initially volunteered with C.A.S.T. and quickly became an integral part of the organization. His passion for giving back through fishing and celebrating the outdoors fuels his dedication to the program.
Todd finds immense joy in witnessing the smiles of both parents and children, especially when kids experience the excitement of catching a fish for the first time—a moment he describes as priceless.
Todd has been married to his wife, Jennifer, for 34 years. Together, they have three grown sons: Johnny, Jeffery, and Micah.
Melissa lives in Rathdrum, Idaho with her husband, Tony, and their two children, Emma (15) and Blake (10). She also has a step-daughter, Hannah, who is currently attending college in Florida.
Melissa's love for fishing began after she met Tony, whose passion for the sport inspired the entire family to embrace it as a shared hobby. In 2022, Melissa and her family volunteered at a C.A.S.T. for Kids event in Post Falls, ID. This experience was a turning point for the entire family, and they have been dedicated to attending the event annually ever since. Melissa also contributed to the Jim Owen's Memorial Tournament and the 2024 C.A.S.T. for Kids Northwest Dinner and Auction.
After attending the C.A.S.T. event and hearing the stories of joy and resilience shared by the kids, Melissa became deeply committed to supporting the cause. She is thrilled to join C.A.S.T. in a dual role as Western Operations Manager and NW/Rocky Mountain Regional Director. Melissa looks forward to collaborating with coordinators and connecting with inspiring kids, parents, and volunteers.
Jessica resides in New Braunfels, TX where she lives with her miniature dachshund, Reginald. Jessica’s been volunteering with C.A.S.T since she was 10 years old. Her favorite part about C.A.S.T is watching a child catch their first fish. “I love seeing all the volunteers, parents and participants cheer when a child is reeling in their first fish. The joy on their faces is what has kept me coming back for the past 20 years. There is nothing like it!”
Growing up, Jessica regularly went fishing with her father, Jim, who is a Regional Director with C.A.S.T. She and her dad would regularly fish tournaments together and were the only Father/Daughter team of that association. She has many fond memories of fishing as a child, and she’s thrilled to be able to give back and help others create those same kinds of memories through the sport of fishing at C.A.S.T for Kids events!
Amy was raised on the Wild & Scenic Delaware River. She has been recreating and working in, around and on the water for 20+ years. From fishing and hunting alongside her father as a child to managing river trips for over 10 years then later entering the fishing industry in 2015, she knows how profound being a part of creating special memories for others really is. With a passion for responsible outdoor recreation, meshing personal and career ambitions has allowed her to create positive, meaningful impacts while spreading inspiration. She likes to be available in PA for any children that need assistance on mentored youth day and/or opening day of trout season.
She considers joining C.A.S.T to be “an especially significant honor to serve children, their families and their communities. I hold great respect in being part of a team to further propel the C.A.S.T for Kids Foundation’s mission.”
If she’s not working, she’s out tending to the lawn, kayaking, exploring, trying to grow indoor plants, plowing snow, camping, cartwheeling, improving on her non-verbal communication skill sets, or simply enjoying the river.
Tilly resides in Arkansas and is our Regional Director for the states of Arkansas and Oklahoma. She has been married to Mark Davis for 35 years and has successfully homeschooled and raised three boys James, Fisher, and Hunter all while traveling and supporting her husband’s career as a professional fisherman.
A love for photography caused her to own and operate a studio in her small home town. Having recently sold her studio, Tilly is looking forward to using her new found time and energy to help create positive experiences for children with special needs through fishing.
Jeff resides in Albertville, Alabama and has been the Eastern Regional Director for the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation since 2015. A lifelong fisherman, Jeff really enjoys sharing and helping special needs children as well as active duty and veteran warriors how fun a day of boating and fishing can be. “It’s great to see the volunteer’s reaction when the kids get excited. These events truly touch everyone involved”. Jeff looks forward to helping others put on these great events all across the country.
Jeff has been married 28 years (Kelly) and has a daughter (Lauren) age 18. “I encourage everyone to volunteer at an event or better yet help start your own event, there are plenty of special kids and special warriors who would love to experience the thrill of catching a fish”.
Jim, who resides in New Braunfels, Texas is our Program Events Director and our Texas Regional Director. He has been involved with the Foundation since 2001, first as a volunteer boater, and since 2004 the coordinator for the Lake Calaveras event. Behnken owned his own business in San Antonio for 25 years and has worked 6 years as a bass guide on Falcon Lake, as well as Sugar Lake, and Las Blancas Lakes in Mexico. Behnken, who is a widower, has two daughters, Julie and Jessica, both grown and out in the working world now. He is also a proud grandfather.
Behnken says “Working with children with special needs is a dream come true opportunity for me. I love working with not only the children but also the wonderful coordinators who dedicate their time to doing something amazing for these children. I look forward to helping our C.A.S.T. team put many more smiles on the faces of deserving individuals.”
Rebecca joined the C.A.S.T for Kids Foundation in 2020 and loves being a part of the mission of enriching the lives of children with special needs through the sport of fishing. “It is an honor to serve this foundation. We have an incredible mission that allows us to bring people together from all walks of life in communities across the nation. Fishing brings people together, and the joy that radiates from these special children and their families is life-changing. To play a small role in creating an event to celebrate them is a gift.”
Rebecca is married to Jason, and their daughter, Jailyn, is a junior in college. She is excited to help grow C.A.S.T. to reach as many children as possible across the country.
After serving the CAST for Kids Foundation for 10 years on the Board of Directors, Jay Yelas took over as Executive Director in 2015. “My passion for people and for sharing the great sport of fishing with others, especially with children, is why I love C.A.S.T. for Kids. Amazing things happen at our events when so many good-hearted people volunteer to pour their love out on these children.”
Yelas is a familiar name on the professional bass fishing tour. His notable accomplishments include winning the 2002 Bassmaster Classic, the 2003 B.A.S.S Angler of the Year and the 2002 and 2007 FLW Angler of the Year. Additionally, Yelas won a 2003 ESPN ESPY award in the Best Outdoor Athlete category. In 2020, he was inducted into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame. After 35 years of professional fishing, Yelas retired to serve the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation full time in 2022.
Jay has been married to Jill for 34 years, their two daughters Hannah and Bethany are college graduates and they have 2 grandchildren.
