BPTA BOARD MEMBERS

President

Justin has been an avid river runner since 1997 when he found himself swimming through rapids on the McKenzie River in Oregon in January on his first kayak river trip. Needless to say he was hooked and has since worked with/owned numerous outfitters throughout the world (Colorado, California, Oregon, Idaho, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Chile and Peru to name a few.)
With an MBA from Seattle University and an undergraduate degree from Lewis and Clark College in Portland OR he also finds some time in the corporate world. When not galivanting on rivers or outside he works his day as Vice President Wealth Advisor for Morgan Stanley and chases his two kids around Bend, OR. As a staunch supporter of whitewater and rivers he believes passionately in the mantra of “conservation and preservation through recreation.

Vice President

Jayson has an Associate’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering Technology from Central Oregon Community College and has worked as a manufacturer of musical instruments for more than 18 years, recently starting his own custom stringed instrument business- Bowerman Guitars.
Jayson was raised in the bottom of a canoe along the Deschutes River and has been an avid paddler as long as he can remember. He has traveled the nation and several foreign countries in search of whitewater, notching first descents in Oregon, California and Colorado and has represented the US at World Championship competitions in Freestyle Kayaking, Open Canoe, and Surf Kayak. He has recently become afflicted with the Standup Paddleboard bug, and can often be found on the Oregon Coast chasing dragons when the waves get big and wind is offshore.

Member

Geoff has a business degree focusing on resort management & outdoor recreation. He has spent his time in & out of the ski industry, while always keeping an involvement with paddlesports. Geoff has worked as a kayak guide & instructor since ’96 and for the past thirteen years has managed Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe in Bend. Geoff has guided many rivers in Oregon, Washington & Idaho; he also has many guided seakayking trips under his belt to the San Juan’s and around the Northwest. Geoff has been paddling whitewater for over twelve years, seakayaking for over 10 years & open boating for about 5 years.
Geoff was actively involved with the Northwest Slalom Race Series through the mid 90’s & maintained the Bull Run course during that time. He now enjoys canoeing & working the sticks of his 18’ cat with his young daughters, introducing them to the wonderful realm of the aquatic environment. Geoff holds certifications with the ACA as an advanced WW instructor, Swiftwater Rescue instructor, Open water Coastal instructor, he also holds a BCU 3 star certification. Geoff is a member of the BCU, ACA, AW, POCO, & OKCC.

Member

Myria has her Masters of Arts in Teaching from OSU and Bachelors of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing from Pacific Northwest College of Art. She also studied for 2 years at School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. She grew up in various towns across Oregon and has lived in Bend for the past 17 years with her family. She has homeschooled her 2 children, taught Art privately and in the the public schools and coached and supported her children’s interests.
She is a dedicated local kayaker and looks forward to multi day raft trips throughout the Northwest. You can find her in her free moments on one of our favorite local kayak runs or developing her play-boating skills at the new whitewater park!

Member

Borned and raised out of east Tennessee and the western North Carolina areas, Christie Dobson found Bend because of kayaking but ultimately it was the surf wave that brought her to town. She works full-time for Astral while also helping the Oregon Timber Trail raise money and awareness as their sponsorship coordinator. In addition she is our BPTA resrepentative for the Deschutes Trail Coalition.

She adores kayaking, and loves surfing, skiing, and mountain biking. The rotation of sports and seasons that Bend has to offer has proven to be the perfect playground for her. She’s found a new home in Oregon and spends as much time possible exploring the mountains, rivers and trails while also working to find ways to help protect them.

She joined the BPTA in 2017.

Member

David has been an outdoorsman all his life and is devoted to preserving and protecting wild lands and waters for his daughter and many generations to come.  He grew up in Central Oregon in the 70’s and 80’s fishing and canoeing on the Cascade waterways.  He spent 15 years in Western Montana where he got a degree in Environmental Studies and Sustainable Community Development.  When he was not working with numerous youth programs to engage with nature he was out playing in it and protecting it.  David is dedicated to developing communities that respect and are stewards to the natural resources and wilderness that surrounds them.    

He’s been an avid whitewater paddler and explorer since the mid 90’s.  He is often found playing in and on the many dynamics of the water cycle: from the first snows that hit the high mountains, to the streams and rivers that coarse down the elevations, to the waves that break on the coastal shores.  Lately you can find him on the wave in Bend’s whitewater park right in front of his acupuncture clinic: AcuCascadia.  He is hoping to bring more environmental education to Central Oregon with the help of BPTA and is excited about being one of the newest board members.