2023 Board of Directors
Emily Gilbert, 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. at West Beach in the summer – the perfect office.
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.
Megan Schorr, Vice President
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.
Carol Bromel, Treasurer
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, Secretary
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, recently undertaking the position of secretary. 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!
Terica Ginther, Past 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
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.
Dawn Glavick, Volunteer Coordinator
Dawn knew the minute her young family drove across Deception Pass Bridge, 27-years ago, she was home. (She spent 30-years in Arizona, searching for shade, and most happily found it here!)
She has worked as a marine naturalist/boat crew at Deception Pass Tours, exploring the Salish Sea, for ten years; loves hiking with her two goofy golden retrievers in Deception Pass Park nearly everyday; and the park is her backyard. Seemed inevitable she would become part of the DPPF board. A day spent outside where the forest meets the sea, is exactly where Dawn loves to be. The air is salty and clean. She also enjoys watercolor painting, kayaking, boating, standup paddle boarding, writing and hanging out with her family.
Ty Mechling, Adopt-a-Trail Coordinator
Ty joined the foundation in March 2023. He is in the Navy and has come to love Deception Pass Park while he has been stationed at NAS Whidbey Island. A native of Colorado, he asked to be assigned to fly the EA-18G Growler so he could live in Washington and experience the outdoor lifestyle he grew up with. His favorite activities in the park include hiking, running, mountain biking, and boating. He joined the foundation in order to help care for this park that offers such incredible recreation to the local community and naval air station. He is the Adopt-a-Trail coordinator and organizes volunteers to maintain the trails on a regular basis.
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.
Foundation Staff
Corinne Boroff, Development Director
Corinne moved to Washington to pursue a career change by serving as an Americorps with Deception Pass State Park’s interpretive team. She loved her experience working with the Park and living in the Deception Pass area so much that she was eager to stay. Prior to working with the Park and DPPF, she worked as a graphic designer and event planner in a variety of industries. She loves bringing her skills in design and organization to help grow the Foundation.
Outside of work, Corinne loves sailing and racing with the local yacht club, exploring the nearly infinite number of parks and trails all throughout the state, and traveling around the world.
