Introducing New LRAA Board Members
Effective May 18, 2020, five LRAA members were officially appointed by the LRAA Board of Trustees to replace outgoing board members. As per the LRAA bylaws, these members will serve on the board in an interim capacity until the next membership meeting, when the membership will vote to officially fill the positions. We appreciate their generousity in stepping up to serve on our (all volunteer) Board.
Since you weren’t able to meet them in person, as would have been the case if the Annual Member Meeting hadn’t been postponed, we thought we’d tell you a little about each of them here.
To find out who else donates their time keeping LRAA running smoothly, please visit the LRAA Board page.
Mark Brown (Airstrip Committee)
My family and I have a cabin on Mercer Rd along the river. We have been residents there now for about 2 years. I have 3 girls and my wife Tara. What drew us to Lost River was the “airport community” as I am a commercial fixed wing/helicopter pilot and flight instructor. We own an aerial agricultural business in Quincy, and I am actively involved in aviation.
I have lived in Washington my whole life and have been coming to the Methow since I was a young child and we love to be able to fly up to our cabin. I understand the importance of our airport and its infrastructure as I own one myself. These airports are so important to the community for many reasons and are nearly irreplaceable. I attended last spring’s meeting and understand we have many important issues we need to deal with. I would be honored to help with the LRAA board in maintaining our special place and keeping it the way it is for many years to come.
Brandon DeCuir (Safety/Environment Committee)
My wife Christi and I, along with our two children Soren & Lena, live full time in Bellingham but have enjoyed our property in LRAA since 2014. While in the Methow, we love mountain biking, hiking, and cross-country skiing.
Professionally I have been active in executive roles with technology business in various capacities for the last twenty years. I am currently the VP of marketing and business development for a Seattle based software company. Previously I owned and operated several businesses. I have a background in management, operations, and finance.
J Gordon (WUCIOA Committee)
I am a geotechnical engineer (soils, foundations, hydrogeology, ground contamination – just about anything below ground). My wife and I have owned in Lost River for about 13 years.
For 11 years I served on the Board of Trustees for the Bellingham Public Library (governing board), where I met with department heads, the mayor, etc. in the process of conducting library business. I served as chair of the library board for the last four years there. I am also on the Board of Directors for my geotechnical company.
Malcolm Griffes (Secretary)
I grew up on the ‘wet side’ of the Cascades in Seattle, and after spending many seasons traveling out to the Methow Valley for climbing, decided to move over to this side of the mountains in February of 2020. Joined by my fiancé Gretchen and herding dog Luna, I have happily made Mazama my home, and I’m eager to get involved with the Lost River Airport Association community. If not out climbing, biking, snowboarding, or running, I can be found writing articles in Twisp for the Methow Valley News. If you ever need a belay or a strong cup of coffee feel free to stop by.
Sylvia Silberhorn (Treasurer & River Access Committee)
I live in the state of Michigan, but my husband and I travel to Lost River a couple times a year staying each time about 3 months.
I retired in 2018. Prior to retirement I was an employee of Milacron Inc. for 30 years. During that time I was a Materials Manager which included Supervising Purchasing, Production Control, Inventory Control, and Shipping and Receiving for 15 years. I worked closely with Sales, Accounting, Engineering and Manufacturing.Before Materials Manager I was a Supervisor over Production Control.
John and I have owned property in Lost River since 2017 and love the charm and mystical qualities that it has to offer.