The Academy’s Board is crucial to our success. Our Board Members make financial contributions, donate their time, work many of our events and represent us within the community.
You may send any of them an email at info@BendEnduranceAcademy.org.
Current Term: 2014 – 2017
Consultant, Non-Profit Finance
Cris has been involved in non-profit and commercial finance for more than twenty years. She currently manages a consulting practice advising national foundations and other social investors how to evaluate the financial strength and programmatic performance of the organizations they support. She holds a BA from Yale University and a Master of Public Affairs with a concentration in development studies from Princeton University. She and her family migrated to Bend, via Bozeman, from the east coast in 2003. Cris has been a BEA parent since 2010 when her kids, Alex and Peter, were 11 and 8. Cris and her husband, Tod Heisler, have been long-time supporters of BEA. “With BEA’s amazing coaches,” Cris explains, “Alex and Peter have honed their ski, cycling, and climbing skills, but, more importantly, they’ve laughed with and cheered on friends, helped maintain trails, gained a love of the outdoors and respect for wilderness, and learned to be responsible members of a team and their community.”
Current Term:2014 – 2016
Partner, Karnopp Peterson, LLP
Outdoor recreation is a family affair for Ellen. She and her husband and two boys have been enjoying the outdoors and trails together since before the kids could toddle. Instilling a sense of family and community, as well as respect for the natural resources that support us, by engaging in healthy life-long outdoor recreational activities is important to her. Ellen describes why she supports BEA: “Enrolling the kids in BEA youth skiing and biking programs has provided a fun, safe and community-spirited way for them to grow to love the sports my husband and I love. Even though the boys soon will out- run, bike and ski me, the sense of fun, togetherness and accomplishment we feel when we hit the trails or climb rocks together is strong.” While Ellen relocated to Bend in 2005 from Portland, she grew up in the southeast where there was no snow, so she appreciates the learning curve all kids and adults have in learning to ski. Ellen is a lawyer who practices natural resources and land use law after having received her law degree and natural resources certificate from Lewis and Clark law school. Before joining Karnopp Petersen in 2005, Ellen worked in the Portland area for several years.
Current Term: 2014 – 2016
Lawyer, Community Volunteer
Marsha Rich is an avid skier and has been spreading her enthusiasm for the sport with BEA athletes as a volunteer with the Youth and Mini-Nordies programs. Her two children skied with the development program beginning in 2009 and she saw firsthand the benefits they derived from being a part of BEA. “They experienced improvement in their technical skills,” she says, “but also learned the lessons of becoming independent and responsible for their own efforts and training; and they loved the camaraderie of being part of a spirited and accomplished team.” Marsha is a graduate of the University of Oregon and Suffolk Law School. She has worked as in-house counsel in a hospital and a bank, been in private law practice, and manages two charitable trusts. Her past volunteer experiences include a Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization, YWCA, and warden for conservation trails.
Current Term: 2014 – 2016
Sun Forest Construction
Mike has enjoyed watching his two kids, ages 9 and 7, thrive in BEA programs for the past several years. He comments, “After their first nordic session, I knew BEA was a good fit for our family, offering a great balance of fun, adventure, and discipline. The coaching staff has done an outstanding job to foster a love of outdoor sports in our kids and I look forward to supporting the organization.” Mike is a graduate of UC Santa Barbara and works for a local employee-owned home builder where he manages the remodel division and serves on the board of directors. He and his wife spent 3 months working, climbing, and hiking in Yosemite and 10 years in Colorado before settling down in Bend in 2006.
Current Term:2015– 2017
Physician, The Center, Orthopedic & Neurosurgical Care & Research
Larry, his wife Viviane, and their two daughters, Maya and Annika moved to Bend in 2007. Easy access to the outdoors was one of the big draws of Bend. Larry is supportive of BEA, “BEA provides kids and adults the opportunity to develop active, healthy, lifelong sports.” He goes on to say, “BEA coaches are great, they make the sport fun while building technical skills and self-esteem.” Sports teach kids discipline, team work and how to win and lose. These are lessons he wants his daughters to carry with them throughout their lives. “Most of all, the van rides are half the fun, at least according to his daughter.” Larry enjoys several activities including Nordic skiing and mountain biking. He’s currently learning how to alpine ski race and surf. Larry is also a rehabilitation doctor at the Center in Bend and works to restore active lifestyles for his patients. Larry appreciates being part of the Central Oregon community.
Current Term:2015– 2017
President, HealthCare Analytical Solutions, Inc.
Holly has lived in Central Oregon with her husband Brad since 1999. She has over 20 years of experience in the health insurance industry where she specializes in actuarial and other financial consulting. In 2004 she started HealthCare Analytical Solutions, Inc., and has served as its president since its founding. She received her BS in Mathematics from Oregon State University. Holly’s kids, Leah and Brady, are both long-time members of the BEA climbing team and have also participated in the cyclocross team and summer mountain biking program. Holly reports that, with BEA, her kids have gained not only greater skills in these sports, but also significant self-confidence and lifelong friendships. They have learned good sportsmanship and how to be good stewards of the outdoor places they are so fortunate to enjoy. She says, “The BEA coaches have proven to be excellent role models as they demonstrate and encourage each of these skills.”
Current Term:2016 – 2017
Business Owner, School Psychologist
Rex brings 16 years of professional experience and community involvement in Central Oregon to BEA. He has worked with Bend La Pine schools, in three small businesses, and has served on the boards of two homeowner and one business park association. He has been engaged professionally and personally with Seven Peaks School, Tumalo Community School, Trinity Lutheran School and Cascades Academy. He also actively supports the disability community in Bend. Rex earned a Bachelors degree in secondary education and a Masters degree in school psychology from the Ohio State University. Rex’s kids have been involved with BEA since its inception. He supports BEA because of the opportunities it affords children and teens to experience the outdoors through many different activities and venues. “I believe that lifelong learning and character development are important for personal growth for our youth. BEA accomplishes this goal by challenging those we serve, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally through the various activities we offer.”