Board of Directors

Mark Lee – President

Mark became a Board member in 2017, and has been a co-chair of the running leg of the Ski to Sea Race since the 2016.  Mark has also participated in the Ski to Sea race on numerous occasions, alternating over the years between the downhill ski, run and mountain bike legs.  By day, Mark is a local attorney with the firm Brownlie, Wolf & Lee, LLP.  In his free time, Mark can typically be found on his skis at Mount Baker Ski Area, or on a road or mountain bike.  Being on the Board of Whatcom Events provides Mark with the unique opportunity to preserve, grow and foster what he considers to be the single most important community event in Whatcom County.

Mike Trowbridge – Vice President

Mike joined the Board in 2011 and has served on the Race Committee and as the Executive Director ever since.  Mike grew up in Bellingham and has been the Operations Manager of the Mount Baker Ski Area since the early 90’s. He has participated in Ski to Sea over a dozen time in numerous legs, often racing for the Mt Baker Ski Area team.  In his off time he is skiing, biking (road and mountain), running and trying to keep up with his kids, literally, as the entire family participates in numerous athletic events each year.

Terri Lee – Secretary

Terri joined the board in 2017 and has been on the Ski to Sea Race Committee since 2016 after having participated in the race several times.
Terri is a graduate of WWU. She moved back to Bellingham with her husband to raise their two sons. Terri works for Mt. Baker Ski Area and not surprisingly loves to ski, as well as mountain bike, road bike and trail run. Outdoor recreation provide her with a sense of belonging and well-being which is important to her and her family. Whatcom Events gives her the chance to support and give back to the community.

Larry Bussinger – Treasurer

Larry joined the Board in 2017 and has been on the Race Committee since 1990 working on the kayak leg of Ski to Sea.  He has participated in the race 32 times (sailing, x-country, canoeing, and kayaking)!  Larry grew up in NE Montana and earned a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering at Montana State University.  He worked 43 years doing Project Management in heavy industry (mining, refining, and smelting), the last 37 years in Whatcom County, before retiring in 2015.  He has two grown children, one granddaughter and a tolerant and loving wife of 46 years.  Larry’s retirement activities include kayaking, power boating, and x-country skiing.  Whatcom Events gives Larry a unique opportunity to support the community and promote his love of physical fitness at the same time.

Tracy Gorham

Tracy became a Board member in 2017 and has been co-chairing the Kayak Leg since 2015.  She has been an active volunteer since 2013 with Ski to Sea, organizing the safety boats from United States Power Squadrons of Bellingham.  Tracy works as a Nurse and office manager at Bellingham Medical Clinic, then after hours she runs her own business, Accent Embroidery and Sewing, custom embroidery and sewing.  Tracy puts in time with Dog training classes and trains her own German shepherd Dog for AKC shows.  Being on the Board of Whatcom Events is an opportunity to support the community with amazing outdoor recreational adventures in the Pacific Northwest.

Don Kurtis

Don was born at a very young age in Tacoma where he grew up learning things and doing stuff. His family moved to Gig Harbor and he did more stuff and learned some more things. He graduated from WSU with a degree in advertising, got a job in newspaper and then at radio stations. Along the way he met and married an incredible woman, had 3 kids and in 1990 left the big city and moved to Bellingham. He has been involved in Ski to Sea ever since either as a competitor or broadcasting the race on KGMI. Don has also been involved every year except the first one with the Tour de Whatcom. Don retired from the Cascade Radio Group in 2019 after serving as Director of Sales and President/General Manager. Don sits around a lot now when he isn’t cycling or water skiing.

Jessa Loudon

Raised in Whatcom County, participating in Ski to Sea has been a cherished tradition for Jessa since she was young. Jessa joined the Board in 2023 after years of racing the downhill running leg and working as the Ski to Sea Volunteer Coordinator. As an avid ultra runner, mountain biker and snowboarder, Jessa holds deep roots in the outdoor rec scene that makes Bellingham such a special place. Throughout her life, Jessa has always aspired to pursue meaningful career choices where she felt she was making a difference. Jessa graduated Western Washington University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Community Health. Since then she has developed a diverse work experience as a health education specialist, case manager, grant writer, human resource coordinator, project manager, and business owner. Jessa is a Realtor at Brandon Nelson Partners, who has traditionally sponsored the kayak leg of Ski to Sea. She loves working in a profession focused on building relationships, organization and helping others. Being on the Board is an especially rewarding experience for Jessa because it allows her to work with others to improve the community she grew up in and share her passion for outdoor recreation.

Whatcom Events Staff

Race Director
Anna Rankin

Operations Assistant and Equipment Coordinator
Aurielle Buermann

Volunteer Coordinator and Jr Race Director
Sarah Beck