2025 Board of Directors
Terica Ginther, President
Terica Ginther was born and raised in Skagit County, and she helped form a local wildlife tour company, Deception Pass Tours, with her husband Brett. Terica and her husband, Brett, have two grown children, two dogs, two cats, and have lived in Oak Harbor for more than a decade.
Terica has an extensive background in Non- Profit Management, specifically in Tourism and Economic Development. She is a Nationally and Regionally awarded Economic Development professional, and a Paul Harris Fellow.
Terica previously served as Vice President of the Deception Pass Park Foundation Board of Directors, and has maintained constant connection to the Foundation through various partnerships.
Dave Myers, Education Team Lead & Vice-President
Dave Myers joined the Deception Pass Park Foundation in 2017. He is a Retired Navy Veteran that still works for the Navy where he is the Manager of Cliffside RV Park. Dave is an avid hiker and burgeoning naturalist whose passion is sharing his knowledge and love of the outdoors and the spectacular places of Whidbey Island with others new to, or visiting the wonderful world of Island Life. Deception Pass has always held a special place for him, it’s his go-to getaway to relax and unwind, The Tursi Trail is his new favorite hike, so if you see him out there take a moment and say “Hello”! Dave heads up the Education Committee for the Foundation.
Megan Schorr, Treasurer
Megan Schorr is a lifetime Washingtonian who was raised in Seattle and graduated from Washington State University. Megan’s passion for adventure and travel has taken her all over the globe, including spending an Antarctic summer working at McMurdo Station.
Megan and her husband, Erik, lived on San Juan Island for 7 years where they worked in the sea kayaking and whale watching industry. In 2003 they moved to Anacortes to start their business, Anacortes Kayak Tours. AKT is entering its 19 season of business, 18 of which they have been running kayak tours from Bowman Bay as the paddlesport concessionaire. This past year, AKT was awarded a 2nd concession to run paddlesport rentals from Cranberry Lake near West Beach.
Deception Pass State Park is an integral part of Megan’s life. In addition to operating her business there, she hosts yearly family picnics with her extended family, has run three 50K races within the park, and frequently explores the trails on hikes with her family.
Batur Oktay, Secretary
Batur has been visiting Deception Pass State Park with his family and dog for many years, creating lasting memories in Washington’s most visited State Park. Based in Seattle, Batur has served on several non-profit boards and is thrilled to be helping the Foundation in its mission to preserve and enhance the Park through conservation and education programs.
Batur brings a wealth of experience to the board, having served as General Counsel for Rad Power Bikes, Adobe, and Starbucks. His passion for the outdoors combined with his legal expertise, helps strengthen the Foundation’s efforts to protect and improve this cherished park.
Emily Gilbert, Past President
Emily joined the foundation in June 2021. She has spent every summer in a small cabin down the road from Deception Pass State Park (except for one when she was an intern in Indonesia) and it has been a major influence on her life. Now she operates a kettle corn and ice cream business called Sister Sister Snack Co.
She has a background in communications. When she is not working, Emily can usually be found on or near the water. Her favorite place in the park is Rosario Head because of the short walk to a panoramic view.
Carol Bromel, Board Member
Carol grew up in upstate NY, graduated in Education from the State University of New York at Brockport, taught elementary education for a couple years and moved west. Arriving in Seattle in the mid 70’s she opened a kitchen store, Mrs. Cook’s in University Village in Seattle. She served on the UV board for many years and after 43 years in business, she retired and moved to Anacortes. She enjoys the outdoors, hiking, skiing, boating and her two dogs. Carol joined the foundation in the fall of 2019 and is heading up The Lake Store.
Alicia Vertefeuille, Board Member
Born and raised in Kitsap County, Alicia relocated to Deception Pass in 2018 as a volunteer caretaker for Ben Ure Island. Although she knew very little of the area before moving here, her love of the park developed immediately!
She joined the Foundation in 2019 as part of the social media committee and has continued to expand her role here. She is an avid kayaker, backpacker and dog lover with a full time job making ice cream for Lopez Island Creamery. When she’s not at work she loves exploring Rosario Beach, combing the shores of Cornet Bay, and walking the local beaches at night when the bioluminescence is active!
Jason
Armstrong, Park Manager and Advisory Member
Jason retired from the Washington State Patrol in 2015 as a lieutenant; supervising Skagit, Island and Whatcom County. After retiring from the Washington State Patrol Jason worked for the Washington State Department of Corrections as a Community Corrections Supervisor, managing a small parole office in Whatcom County. Jason took over as the Area Manager for the Deception Pass Area in 2017, which includes Deception Pass, Kukutali Preserve, Hope Island, Skagit Island, and Dugualla. Jason’s favorite place in the park is Bowman Bay as it offers some mild hikes and a beautiful view from the Bowman Bay Pier.
Kyle Bingham, Board Member
Kyle Bingham is an adventurer, small-business owner, and Firefighter/EMT who brings a lifelong passion for the outdoors to the Deception Pass Park Foundation Board. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Kyle grew up exploring the forests, coastlines, and mountain trails that shaped his love for wild places and community stewardship.
He is the owner of Campstuff Coffee, which has operated inside Deception Pass State Park since 2018, and he has spent years leading national and international expeditions—from the Himalayas to East Africa and deep-ocean exploration in the North Atlantic. His work in travel, guiding, and emergency services blends a commitment to safety, education, and meaningful outdoor experiences.
Kyle proudly serves with Camano Island Fire & Rescue and is dedicated to supporting public lands, fostering environmental education, and helping the next generation discover the magic of Washington’s state parks.
Kiera Wright, Board Member
Kiera Wright is a local educator with twenty-four years of experience who has happily settled in the Skagit Valley after bouncing around the US and Europe as a military dependent during her childhood. Her current community involvements include Skagit Runners, Skagit Habitat for Humanity, Immaculate Conception Regional School Commission, and the Burlington Arts Commission. She joined the Foundation in 2024 to support fundraising events such as the Swing the Gates 5k Fun Run and Scavenger Hunt and to help engage youth volunteers in environmental education and hands-on experiences as the next generation of Park stewards.
Tristan Boyce, Board Member
Tristan Boyce is a seasoned nonprofit professional with over 20 years of experience in event planning, fund development, and project management. She is passionate about building strong communities and fostering collaborative partnerships. Holding a Bachelors of Arts in Fine Arts from Washington State University, Tristan brings creativity and dedication to every project. Growing up near Deception Pass, Tristan developed a love for the outdoors—especially hiking the Lighthouse Point loop—and enjoys exploring the park with her dog, Coco. She is committed to preserving the natural beauty of the San Juan Islands and keeping Deception Pass State Park accessible for the next generation.
Foundation Staff
Mary Bourke, Executive Director
Mary was born and raised in Missoula, Montana, gradually made her way across Washington State during the 80’s ending up in Anacortes, Washington by 1990. After graduating from Eastern Washington University, Mary moved to Bellevue and began her career in commercial property management. After working for several years, she decided to raise her two children on Fidalgo Island, on old homestead property that their great great grandparents homesteaded in 1882. Mary has owned several successful businesses in Skagit County, in both construction and real estate. In 2023 Mary was asked to take over the Foundation as Executive Director, excited to try something new but using her past entrepreneurial experience to keep the Foundation moving forward. Mary has a deep appreciation of Deception Pass and the park, loving to hike, bike, lake swim and kayak.
Currently, you will find Mary during the summer at the Lake Store and during the winter at the new Foundation Office located at the Cornet Bay Retreat Center. Come introduce yourself and get involved. See you in the park!
Kaley Stevenson, Administrative Coordinator
Kaley joined the Foundation in 2023 and has loved being a part of the organization that supports her favorite State Park. Originally from Florida, Kaley was drawn to the PNW for its towering trees, lush landscapes, and endless outdoor adventures. She quickly fell in love with Washington’s natural beauty and now calls Oak Harbor home, where she enjoys exploring the outdoors with her family. One of Kaley’s favorite ways to explore Deception Pass State Park is by hiking from Rosario Head to Lottie Point. She never gets tired of the breathtaking coastal views, from the cliffs overlooking the Salish Sea to the iconic sight of Deception Pass Bridge. Whether she’s out enjoying Deception Pass State Park or helping support the Park through her work with the Foundation, Kaley is passionate about preserving and sharing this incredible place with others.
Jaidan Suber, Administrative Assistant
Jaidan is a Washington native devoted to the ocean. She went to Western Washington University to receive her degree in Environmental Science-Marine Science. During her time at Western, she got to attend a study abroad in the Bahamas which drove her admiration for sharks and rays. To wrap up her degree she came to Deception Pass as a Beach Naturalist Intern. Since then, Jaidan has continued to return to the park in many roles. She jumpstarted the recycling program in the Cranberry Lake campgrounds and was an AmeriCorps Interpretive Naturalist. She is excited to return and provide additional support to the foundation. The park community is what keeps her coming back, so if you see her around to park be sure to say hello!
