Meet Our Awesome Team!
Tucker Middlebrook
Tucker has been a guide with WIK for 3 seasons and has a L3 coastal kayaking cert with the ACA. They’ve lived on Whidbey Island all 25 years of their life. One of Tucker’s favorite places on Whidbey is the Saratoga trail system because the erratic is gorgeous and the trails are enchanting. A fun fact they enjoy about the Salish Sea is that it contains many fun species like the giant Pacific octopus, the fasted small cephalopod, and dalls porpoise. Tucker always keeps a Lärabar, fruit leathers, and ginger chews in the front pocket of their PFD for quick access. Someone who has influenced Tucker’s adventurous passions, to not take life too seriously, and to hold the things they love close is Daniel Pohl – a free spirited rock climber from Czechia.
Ryan DJay
Ryan has been staring at the edge of the water all his life not really knowing why. After moving to Washington State in 2008 to attend the University of Washington and receiving his degree in Oceanography and Marine Biology, he chose to stay for the love of what the Salish Sea has to offer. Every turn he makes and every path he takes from working in research labs, outdoor education, bartending, or as South Whidbey High school Soccer coach — he always comes back to the sea. After joining WIK in 2019 who knows how far he will go.
Patricia Friedman
Patricia has lived on Whidbey 18+ years and know so many stories and incredible people which has taught her that community really is family. She balances her outdoor time with event and video production which has allowed her to learn endless stories of Whidbey’s history, arts, music, lifestyle and of course, nature. Her favorite PNW marine mammal is the orca for their strength and family bond and go to island spot on Whidbey is Lighthouse Point in Deception Pass. She is amused how seals galumph on the shore. One most influential person in her life is Dana Moffett who has taught her the joys of playing marimbas. She loves Whidbey and happiest when sharing it with people.
Sue Rogers
Sue spent most of her life land-locked in MT, WY, and ID before settling in the greater Puget Sound where she fell in love with sailing and is now touring on a SUP. Her favorite spot on Whidbey is Bowman Bay on Fidalgo. She loves to go out on her SUP in the evenings as the light fades to dusk. She’s learned that by being quiet and patient she just may be treated to a visit by the harbor porpoises traveling along the bluffs. Her favorite local fun fact is that the name “Salish Sea” has only been recognized since 2010. Her go to paddling snack is dried mangos and favorite fictional hero is MacGyver – the 1980’s television show because of his superb engineering skills and excellent knowledge of applied physics.
Tom Burket
A word- and water-obsessed storyteller, Tom Burket finds endless inspiration close to home in Puget Sound and farther away wherever the path of the paddle leads. In 2025 and 2024, he completed the Seventy48 as part of tandem kayak duo, and he also races with a local Seattle-based outrigger canoe club. His favorite animals are migratory, from sea birds to orcas. Their journeys connect him to both distant geographies and the local environment. His favorite canoeing and kayaking trips have explored Minnesota and other Midwestern states as well as wilderness areas in Ontario, Manitoba and the Yukon. As a paddling or hiking treat, his #1 choice is a sour apple Jolly Rancher. Tom plays banjo and admires Rhiannon Giddens, Adam Hurt and Dock Boggs.
Kalea Staats
Kalea started at WIK in 2021. She has spent most of her life on Whidbey Island, and has had so much fun growing up here. Her favorite spot on Whidbey Island has to be Maxwelton beach. She can often be found there taking her dog for a walk or admiring the shells, rocks, and other beach treasures. She loves all things nature, and is going to school at Oregon State University for their Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation Science program. There is a ton of fascinating wildlife in the Salish Sea, but if she had to pick a favorite, Kalea would pick the Great Blue Heron. They’re such majestic animals-until they open their beaks to scream, sounding much like a pterodactyl of the sea. Despite being one of the largest birds by wingspan in the area, herons are extremely light, weighing in at only around 10 pounds.
Maci Waldron
This is Maci’s second year with WIK and she is beyond excited to share her love for the outdoors and the ocean with people. The Salish Sea is home to 5 different kinds of pinnipeds and her favorite is the Harbor Seal for their curiosity, intelligence, and huge eyes. Her favorite spot on the island is the wonderful Fort Ebey State Park for its perfect mix of ocean and forest views. She recommends trail mix and a good granola bar for best paddling snacks. Sylvan Esso, who writes songs of free-spirit, love, is one her most influential people.
Tate Waldron
This is Tate’s second year with WIK and his current favorite marine animal is the manatee. When manatees are thriving, so is the environment around them. One of his favorite places on the island is the Putney trail system. He could never get bored running/biking through the beautiful woods. Tate’s favorite fun fact about the Salish Sea is that Whidbey Island is the largest island in the Salish Sea. His favorite paddling snack is a classic granola bar.
Melissa Chevalier
Melissa has been with WIK since 2016 and brings 25 years of experience in design, leadership, and organizational strategy. She focuses on human-centered design that helps teams work together toward clear goals and build practical solutions that support collaboration, creativity, and thoughtful problem-solving. Originally from San Francisco, Melissa moved to Seattle in 2015 but has been visiting Whidbey Island since 2000, so she considers herself a local. She is a nature enthusiast who loves hiking mountains, paddleboarding to experience the beauty from the water, and photographing the wildlife and seasonal flora of the Pacific Northwest. She is also a certified Restorative Yoga and Yoga Nidra instructor, offering practices that promote deep rest, mental clarity, and resilience.
Krista Loercher
Krista has lived on a coastline for most of her life, first in New York, then Seattle and since 2008, on Whidbey Island. She has been a lifeguard, a swim coach, a Red Cross water safety instructor, and open water swimmer. An ACA-certified kayak instructor, she loves introducing newbies to both kayaking and open water swimming. Krista adores otters–river and sea-for their playfulness, and for their backstroke which is her favorite swimming stroke too! Goss Lake is her most happiest place on Whidbey Island. Her favorite Salish Sea fun fact is that the area is defined by Olympia, WA in the south to the Campbell River, BC in the north. She always carries fruit leathers as a paddling snack, but her real indulgence is a little bit a chocolate followed by a swig of coffee. Krista’s most influential artists are Nina Simone, The Beastie Boys, and Marvin Gaye.
Ani, the WIK Mascot
Ani is a border collie-pointer mix who loves to swim after sticks, seagulls, and frisbees. She loves most treats, but is especially partial to beef jerky and peanut butter cookies. She often is the first team member that our guests meet. She is working on improving her greetings from barks to licks.
Jeff Jacobsen
Jeff is a lifetime learner and teacher who uses his extensive backgrounds in education, technology and the performing arts to help build an environment that provides experiences that enrich the lives of staff, community and our guests. Jeff is responsible for the physical and virtual infrastructure of WIK.