The Academy’s Board is crucial to our success. Our Board Members donate time and resources, 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: 2018 – 2020
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: 2018 – 2020
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: 2018-2020
Bend La Pine School District
Current Term: 2018 – 2020
Deschutes Brewery
Current Term: 2017– 2018
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: 2018– 2020
Community Volunteer