Board of Directors
Laurie Staley—Board President
Laurie has been a WWTA board member since November 2008. She currently resides on Mercer Island, Washington. She is married with two grown daughters and one grandchild. She works as a Contract Carpet Sales Representative for Shaw Industries. An avid outdoor enthusiast, Laurie enjoys kayaking, bicycling, hiking, down hill skiing, and gardening. She also LOVES to cook! In 1984 she rode a tandem bike across America in two months, and in 1996 Laurie completed the Ridge of the Rockies bicycling event in 19 days, from El Paso, Texas, to Calgary, Alberta!
Ann Rieser—Board Vice President
Ann has been active in the Washington kayaking community since 1995. A board member since October 2008, Ann co-chaired the WWTA fundraising auction in the spring of 2009. With many contacts in the kayak community, she loves to lead overnight trips in the San Juans, Canada, and other attractive paddling destinations. Last year she led multi-day trips to the Queen Charlotte Islands, and then down to Costa Rica. Ann is currently involved with the WWTA Membership and Advocacy Committee.
Karen Scharer—Board Secretary
Karen is a native Washingtonian. She fell in love with the local waters as a child visiting the San Juan Islands each summer. Karen is an avid sea kayaker and skier who is thrilled to explore all waters. As a Tacoma Mountaineer, she enjoys teaching paddling and safety skills for those new to kayaking. Karen also enjoys hiking the local mountain trails, biking in the valleys, and sometimes just walking a few miles to a local coffeehouse. With a degree in Urban Planning from the University of Washington, Karen has managed land use, and environmental and development applications in King County and local cities. Some of her bigger projects include the Klahanie neighborhood on the Sammamish Plateau, telecommunications towers on Cougar Mountain, the East Lake Sammamish Interim Trail that ultimately connects to the Burke Gilman Trail. Karen's project list also includes sewage treatment facilities for Beulah Park, Bunker Trail Beach and Spring Beach on Vashon Island, as well as many other projects along the shorelines of Puget Sound and Lake Washington. With a lifelong passion for outdoor recreation and a career in urban planning, Karen is excited to support WWTA through her unique skill set.
Phil Philbin—Board Treasurer
Phil was born in Toledo, Ohio, earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Ohio State University, moved to Seattle, and became a CPA in Washington State in 1979. Phil’s career has spanned work in public accounting systems consulting to CFO/Controllership positions prior to becoming self-employed in 2001 with Interlake Consulting, Inc. Phil has worked with several non-profit organizations in his career. He has been sea kayaking for almost two decades, and is connected to three online kayaking networks. Phil is married (Betsy) with a 27-year-old son (Andrew), both rock climbers.
Gus Bekker—Board Member
Gus graduated from the University of Idaho with two degrees: a B.S. in Forest Management and a B.S. in Wildlife Management. Gus has worked in the natural resources field for over 25 years as a Biologist and Forester. He has served in the Peace Corps in Ecuador, South America, as an Extension Forester from 1992-1994. Gus speaks, reads and writes fluent Spanish. Gus is an avid seakayaker, canoeist, and whitewater kayaker and he works part-time as a whitewater river guide in the summer months. He has served on two regional advisory committees with the Forest Service and BLM, and lived in Seattle for fifteen years prior to moving to Wenatchee several years ago.
Rob Casey
—Board Member
Helen I. Daniel —Board Member
Jeremy B.L. Mauck—Board Member
Jameson Riser—Board Member
Jameson's paddling passion began at age 12 in open boats and quickly moved to kayaks. She continued paddling professionaly in whitewater freestyle, to present recreational and competitive Surf Zone Kayaking. She earned a 1st place finish in Ottawa at the 1999 Pre World Whitewater Freestyle Championships. As a five time member of the US West National Team, Jameson's highest finish was a 2nd place in Women's International Class at 2007 World Surf Kayaking Championships, in Bakio, Spain. She teaches both Surf Kayaking and Sea Kayaking with level III ACA certifications. Jameson works in Sales and as Inventory Manager for Feathered Friends, a world renowned outdoor outfitter and Down product manufacturer in Seattle, Washington.
Tom Steinburn—Board Member [Co-Founder of WWTA]