EXECUTIVE TEAM
Lem was born in the Philippines and moved to Hawaii when he was 4, where he grew up on the island of Oahu. As a pastor’s kid, he grew up involved in ministry, and has worked as a youth pastor and worship pastor in multiple churches. Lem has a BA in Bible with an emphasis in Christian Education, Youth Ministry, from Cedarville College (Ohio), an MA from Biola, as well as a Doctorate in Education, with a focus on Adolescent Identity Formation.
LEM USITA
Executive Director
PHONE 360-733-6840
EMAIL lem@thefirs.org
Kelly grew up in Chilliwack, BC and attended Camp Firwood as a camper for many summers throughout the 80's and 90's. She was on summer staff as a CIT in 1994 and a Counselor in 1996. It was at camp where Kelly fell in love with The Firs and also met her husband, Robb. Kelly and Robb have 3 amazing kids and a wonderful daughter-in-law. Kelly joined The Firs staff in October of 2022 after having served as a Young Life Area Director in Lincoln City, OR for the past 4 years. Kelly is passionate about efficiency and systems, and is excited to bring her skills to the leadership team at The Firs.
KELLY ELLIS
Assistant Executive Director
PHONE 360-733-6840 ex. 226
EMAIL kelly@thefirs.org
ADMINISTRATIVE + GUEST SERVICES
Jen joined the staff in 2007. She and her husband, Miguel, have raised two handsome young men, and she enjoys leading worship at her church. Her passion is to serve well and to train and equip others to serve in the capacity that God calls them to.
JEN RYAN
HR Manager
PHONE 360-733-6840 ext.232
EMAIL jenr@thefirs.org
Kim joined The Firs staff in 2013, but was initially introduced to The Firs as a camper parent (her three boys have attended Fircreek Day Camp and Camp Firwood). In her free time, Kim also started and runs another non-profit, “The Foster Closet”, serving Whatcom County foster families.
KIM GALOIA
Registrar
PHONE 360-733-6840 ext.221
EMAIL kim@thefirs.org
Krista joined The Firs staff in 2018 and is currently responsible for the financial side of the ministry. She migrated from Minnesota in 1995, after falling in love with the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Krista enjoys serving at her church and volunteering at the local Christian school, where she coached archery and math club.
Krista kok
Finance Manager
PHONE 360-733-6840 ext.230
EMAIL krista@thefirs.org
Bio coming soon!
Micah Urness
Retreat Center Facilities Manager
PHONE 360-733-6840
EMAIL micah@thefirs.org
Robb grew up in Salem, OR and was on summer staff at Camp Firwood in 1991 and 1996. Since working on staff and meeting his wife, Kelly, at camp in '96, Robb has always had a heart for The Firs and is excited to step into the role of Retreat Center Director. As a high school counselor and coach for over 20 years, Robb's networking and relational skills will be invaluable to furthering the mission of the Retreat Center.
ROBB ELLIS
Retreat Center Director
PHONE 360-733-6840 ext.216
EMAIL robb@thefirs.org
Before joining The Firs in 2022, Sarah served as an EMT at our local Fire Department for 21 years. She is married to her high school sweetheart Josh, and they have three beautiful teenage daughters. Sarah and her husband, Josh, grew up in Bellingham and now call Sudden Valley home. Their family enjoys serving at their church CTK Sudden Valley, and Sarah and Josh currently volunteer as youth leaders. Sarah is excited to help alongside others at The Firs in her Guest Services role.
Sarah Morell
Guest Services Assistant
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PHONE 360-733-6840
EMAIL sarah@thefirs.org
Will enthusiastically joined The Firs team in January of 2023 as the Chalet Manager. Will is a huge sports fan and proudly roots for the San Francisco 49ers, Giants & Warriors. As much as he loves sports, he's an even bigger fan of his wife Ellie, who is the Fircreek Day Camp Director, and their daughter Clementine. He enjoys cooking, games (such as D&D), and collecting sports and pop culture memorabilia. Will is an incredible conversationalist, makes friends easily, and his laugh is infectious. His life verse is Philippians 3:14.
WILL FOWLER
Chalet Manager
PHONE 360-733-6840
EMAIL will@thefirs.org
SUMMER CAMP
Ellie’s adventure with The Firs began in 2009, when she counseled at Fircreek Day Camp. She returned to Fircreek and served for six summers. Ellie is elated to return to The Firs as the Fircreek Day Camp Director. She has a passion for loving little hearts to Jesus and empowering others to love and lead like Jesus. Ellie and her husband Will met in spring 2018 and married in the fall of the same year. They welcomed their daughter Clementine, who shares a birthday with Ellie, in November 2021.
ELLIE FOWLER
Fircreek Director
PHONE 360-733-6840
EMAIL ellie@thefirs.org
When I was 16, I met Jesus at summer camp. I think it’s fair to say that my passion for camp started then. Over the next decade, I spent every summer (and many other seasons) on staff at Hume Lake Christian Camps in California. I attended The Joshua Wilderness institute on their campus and finished my education with studies in Bible and Philosophy at San Diego Christian College. Spending the next 10 years in youth and college church ministry, I’m so excited to return to my first love in camp. I enjoy trees, coffee and my two pups, Gunther and Daisy Mae.
KYLE KERCHNER
Firwood Director
PHONE 360-733-6840
EMAIL kyle@thefirs.org
After school adventure + Firs & Fiddleheads
Stacy has been on staff since 1985 in many different roles. Stacy and her husband, Darell, have three grown children. She’s involved with local agencies and non-profits who are committed to the welfare of children, working to ensure they have a hope and a future.
Stacy Smith
After School Adventure Director
PHONE 360-733-6840
EMAIL stacy@thefirs.org
Cameron joined The Firs in the fall of 2022, after moving to Bellingham earlier that year. Prior to moving to the Pacific Northwest, she lived in an RV with her husband, 3 kids and dog, while traveling the country full-time. Over the course of two years of travel, they visited 10 National Parks and 38 states. She has an obvious passion for travel, anything outdoors, and is always up for an adventure! Cameron and her family are active members at Northlake Community Church.
Cameron Sandgren
ASA / F&F
PHONE 360-733-6840
EMAIL cameron@thefirs.org
Hannah joined The Firs staff in August 2021. She came up to Bellingham to go to Western where she studied Cell & Molecular Biology. After participating in a one-year ministry internship with Campus Christian Fellowship (CCF), she decided she wanted to stay in Bellingham and find a way to use her detail-oriented skills. She’s excited about working with kids and serving families as the ASA Registrar.
HANNAH HALSTEAD
ASA Registrar
PHONE 360-306-3101
EMAIL hannah@thefirs.org
Maddie “Shaboygan” Moore has been spending her summers at the Firs since 2012!
Her love for all things camp & Jesus has kept her coming back to play in the dirt and sunshine! She enjoys photography & being outside here in the Pacific Northwest.
Maddie Moore
ASA Coordinator
PHONE 360-733-6840
EMAIL maddie@thefirs.org
FOOD SERVICES
God is the Master Orchestrator and it is nothing short of His handiwork that Val is at The Firs. Val has a heart for serving others and carries that love over into her cooking. She has been a military spouse to her husband Jesse for ten years. They have a son, and will soon be welcoming their baby girl in December of 2022. Val enjoys a good cup of joe and knitting, primarily socks. Historically, Val has felt like the “new kid;” here at The Firs she feels accepted and feels that she has a place to belong.
VAL VOS
Food Services Supervisor
PHONE 360-733-6840
EMAIL val@thefirs.org
Maintenance + FACILITIES
Doug had been on staff previously and again joined our staff in 2000. He heads up maintenance at Camp Firwood and the Chalet, and fills in at the Retreat Center as needed. His wife, Marie, also helps with our Scrapbooking events. They have a grown son and daughter.
DOUG WALKER
Head of Maintenance
PHONE 360-733-6840
EMAIL doug@thefirs.org
Brian and his wife, Julie, have been volunteers at The Firs for many years before joining our staff. In his free time, Brian enjoys working on house projects and playing card games with Julie (Julie is also on our Scrapbooking and housekeeping team). They have three grown children; one son and two daughters.
BRIAN LINGBLOOM
Facilities Manager
PHONE 360-733-6840
EMAIL brian@thefirs.org
My time at The Firs began with Firwood’s CIT program. I fell in love with the organization. Subsequent summers, I worked multiple staff positions, eventually landing in maintenance. I met my beautiful wife Adeline at camp and we have had the opportunity to share The Firs with our two children, Zion and Yovel (Hebrew for “jubilee”). I feel very blessed to be a part of what The Firs is doing to serve God’s kingdom.
KEITH KRANICH
Maintenance Assistant
PHONE 360-733-6840
EMAIL keith@thefirs.org
