AIROW's Mission

Hello! My name is April Katz, and I started the AIROW project in 2020. I am interested in helping people reach their health and helping local individuals with disabilities enjoy more access to recreation. I have worked in the lives of children and adults with a wide range of disabilities since 2004. I am a Certified Life Coach. I have worked at ABA therapy clinics as a Certified Behavioral Technician. I have also been an individual respite provider. My goal for the AIROW project programs is to make recreation fun for EVERYONE.
My hobbies include anything active, surfing, being an outdoor enthusiast, and being an avid bike rider. 

Jill has lived and worked in Bellingham as a pediatric physical therapist for the past 20 years. She is an avid mountain biker and advocate for accessible outdoor recreation. She works at PeaceHealth Children's Therapy clinic in Bellingham, and she is a certified Ride Leader through Bike Instructor Certification Program.

My name is Brooke Friesen. I grew up in Flint, Michigan, where I was deeply connected to a nonprofit called The Disability Network, whose mission is to revolutionize communities to be inclusive and accepting, where all people thrive in the quality of life they create. Entering college, I knew I wanted to focus on creating accessibility to the outdoors for all people and the recreation that happens in the outdoors. 

I love recreating in the backcountry; for the day or for long expeditions. Rock climbing, mountain biking, skiing, and kayaking are some of my favorites, but I’ll do anything that gets me outside and connects me to the people around me.

I am a long time Whatcom county implant/resident, meaning I moved here just in time for the big winter of ‘98, pipeline explosion of ‘99 and "lane changing" critical mass bike rides of ‘00. I graduated from WWU/Fairhaven College with Environmental and Place Based Education and have been teaching in some form ever since. I am now a Special Education teacher for Bellingham Public Schools.  I am happy to work with AIROW and blend my passion for outdoor play and profession with individualized education. There are no limits to the Joy and Empowerment I see people gain as they learn new ways to be in their body outside and I am thrilled to help make that happen. I’ve raised my kids here and watched Bellingham blossom into this bustling little city of subdued excitement! I am so grateful to be able to hike a glacier in the morning, pick fresh berries by day and paddle with bioluminescence in the bay at night! I share my love for big play and open space with my husband Peter, boys Milo and Noah and side kick dog Tahra.

My name is Dillen Maurer and I love bikes! After retiring from a career in professional cycling, I decided to use my knowledge to start a custom bicycle fabrication business. I have a masters degree in neuroscience and couldn't have gotten through all that without the fine outdoors community I met climbing, biking and skiing. As a recent amputee, I want to do my part to make sure folks who can't traditionally spend time outdoors have the freedom to do so. Every person deserves to get out and explore the beauty this world has to offer! 

My name is Gina Bozzo. I moved back to Bellingham in 2021 after graduate school at Eastern Washington University. Since then, I have been working as an early intervention Occupational Therapist, supporting infants, toddlers, and their families in doing the things they need and want to do. I am a native of Whatcom County and have been working in adaptive recreation for many years. As a certified therapeutic riding instructor, I worked in various roles at multiple nonprofits across the country and on the Hawaiian Islands. When I am not working you can find me and my dog chasing waterfalls and big trees. In both my professional and personal life I am passionate about health equity, access to natural spaces, community building, and of course hiking, biking, and climbing. I am so excited to be working with the AIROW project, combining passions and profession, to expand access to accessible recreation for ALL residents of Whatcom County! 

Katie Wood is an Occupational Therapist with 20 years of experience, working with clients across the lifespan.  She currently works as a full-time OT for the Bellingham School District and is a member of the school district’s Inclusionary Practices Committee.  Katie is working on completing her ADA Coordinator Certification. Creating inclusive experiencing and increasing access to activities that have not been an option before, is something Katie is very passionate about.

When she is not being a fierce advocate for the students and families she serves, Katie loves spending time with her husband, two daughters and two dogs.  She enjoys playing golf, volleyball and going to sports events with her family and friends. In the summers, Katie and her therapy dog Sully volunteer their time visiting care facilities and support events.