Our Board and Advisors
Cultural anthropologist, photographer, videographer, writer and communicator, received her BS in Anthropology from Central Washington University. She often acts as a bridge between individuals, organizations and diverse ethnic groups. She has spent most of her career as liaison with Native Americans and corporate boards. She worked for an Alaska Native Corporation and Grant County Public Utility District where she was the liaison between the utility and the Wanapum Band of Native People. Her experience and writing about cultural resource protection and inclusion of indigenous perspectives in the management of cultural and natural resources guided the Grant County Public Utility District during their relicensing of the Priest Rapids Hydroelectric Project. She is the visionary behind the Pickleball in Bhutan project that is inclusive of Monks and Nuns.
Aletha Bonebrake, Secretary/Treasurer
Aletha Bonebrake received her Masters of Library Science at the University of Wisconsin in 1985. She traveled west to become Director of the Baker County Library District for 22 years. Ordained an Episcopal Priest in 2006, she served St. Stephens Parish in Baker City for 16 years. She was President of the Oregon Library Association, served 7 years as Chair of the Oregon State Library Board of Trustees and 4 years on Baker City Council. She has volunteered in arts and cultural organizations since 1986 and is currently a board member for local nonprofits Baker County Community Literacy Coalition, the Eastern Oregon Regional Theater Advisory Board, and the Baker County Cultural Coalition, as well as a founding member of the Oregon Cultural Foundation, Eastern Oregon Regional Advisory Committee Board. She currently serving in her 4th term as an elected Director of Oregon Trail Electrical Coop, covering four counties in Eastern Oregon.
Judson Keys
Judson Keys is a graduate of the University of Oregon School of Journalism earning a Bachelors of Arts in Journalism, with an emphasis on video productions in 1997.
Judson spent the early years of his career working in independent film and with youth focused non profit organizations. Eventually he landed at US Bank where he has worked for the last 19 years. He currently is a Wealth Management Banker at US Bank in Baker City.
Judson is an avid runner and spends most of his free time volunteering locally as well as enjoying the outdoors with his wife and two dogs. He and his wife have had their house in Baker City for 9 years.
As the owner of Station 3 Media's video production facility, Gene's career interests evolved from his early childhood as an amateur radio operator communicating with people all over the world. It was those early years that led him to his long standing career in broadcast television and video production. Along that path his interest in photography, music and engineering fully charted that course.
A trip to Bhutan in 2017 inspired a quest to build friendships amongst his Bhutanese acquaintances and mentor whenever possible. The profound experience of that trip brought with it a desire to see Gross National Happiness as a goal that Americans should pursue.
Graduated with honors in 2003 from Sherubtse College in eastern Bhutan with a BA in Dzongkha (the language of Bhutan). Worked as freelance tour guide for a year before graduating from Samtse College of Education in 2004 with a certificate in teaching. Taught for 12 years at schools throughout south and western Bhutan. Left teaching and started a restaurant in 2020 which I managed for five years. Started Bhutan Sublime Expeditions, a licensed tour company in 2022. Have travelled extensively throughout all Districts in Bhutan. I’m a master weaver and have been told I am a very good cook. I speak English, Dzongkha, Nepali, and Hindi fluently as well as different Bhutanese dialects.
Damien Yervasi
Damien Yervasi, Legal Council for the non profit is a native of upstate New York. He has resided in NE Oregon for over twenty years where he has been involved with various non-profit organizations on a state and local level. A graduate of The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, he spent several years as an officer in the U.S. Navy. Also a Graduate of Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College He is a trial lawyer trying civil cases for over twenty years. An avid fly fisherman, cook and photographer.
Judson Keys
Judson Keys is a graduate of the University of Oregon School of Journalism earning a Bachelors of Arts in Journalism, with an emphasis on video productions in 1997. Judson spent the early years of his career working in independent film and with youth focused non profit organizations. Eventually he landed at US Bank where he has worked for the last 19 years. He currently is a Wealth Management Banker at US Bank in Baker City.
Judson is an avid runner and spends most of his free time volunteering locally as well as enjoying the outdoors with his wife and two dogs. He and his wife have had their house in Baker City for 9 years.
Advisory Board Members
Richard is one of the founding members of BCE. He was BCE's first elected president. He continues to advise the Board on policy and best practices.
Jack has travelled extensively in Asia. As the owner if Strand Tea Company, he works tirelessly on behalf of small farm tea growers to help bring their specialty and select teas to new markets in the United States.