EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: SARA MOORE
Sara Moore is the Executive Director for Dragon 5280, the umbrella organization that encompasses the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, the Colorado Dragon Film Festival, and the Emerging Leaders Program. Sara brings over five years of non-profit executive management experience. Sara has managed large scale events and significant fundraising efforts as District Director for the Longs Peak Council Boy Scouts of America in Boulder, Colorado. Sara earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Allied Health Sciences with a Minor in Biology at Grand Valley State University in Michigan.
Sara’s passions include rock climbing, hiking, and learning about her Japanese heritage. Sara can talk on end about her grandfather, Masamichi (Mac) Suzuki. Mac was interned during WWII as a nisei at Tule Lake, California. He later served on the ABCC (Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission) in Hiroshima, Japan, as a OBGYN studying fertility in the victims of the atomic bombs, later retiring from U.S. Army as a Captain. Sara is excited to be a part of this amazing organization that helps promote and celebrate the diversity we have in the Asian Pacific American community.
Sara Moore is the Executive Director for Dragon 5280, the umbrella organization that encompasses the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, the Colorado Dragon Film Festival, and the Emerging Leaders Program. Sara brings over five years of non-profit executive management experience. Sara has managed large scale events and significant fundraising efforts as District Director for the Longs Peak Council Boy Scouts of America in Boulder, Colorado. Sara earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Allied Health Sciences with a Minor in Biology at Grand Valley State University in Michigan.
Sara’s passions include rock climbing, hiking, and learning about her Japanese heritage. Sara can talk on end about her grandfather, Masamichi (Mac) Suzuki. Mac was interned during WWII as a nisei at Tule Lake, California. He later served on the ABCC (Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission) in Hiroshima, Japan, as a OBGYN studying fertility in the victims of the atomic bombs, later retiring from U.S. Army as a Captain. Sara is excited to be a part of this amazing organization that helps promote and celebrate the diversity we have in the Asian Pacific American community.
DRAGON BOAT RACE MANAGEMENT
RACE DIRECTOR: LORRAINE ELORIAGA
RACE DIRECTOR: LORRAINE ELORIAGA
RACE EQUIPMENT MANAGER: WILL BOBER
Will Bober is an IT professional living in Arvada, CO working for Plume Design in Adaptive Wi-Fi. Will is a Colorado native but grew up in rural Saskatchewan, Canada spending summers paddling pristine lakes and rivers. Growing up on a farm Will learned the value of a strong work ethic and “helping out your neighbors”. Will raised his family including two children in Saskatoon, SK, Canada. After working abroad for a number of years Will moved back to the Denver area in early 2019 which is where he discovered dragon boating. In the 2019 Colorado Dragon Boat Festival Will paddled with a Japanese team called Nichi Bei Go and is also a co-captain for the team. He enjoyed the 2019 dragon boat season so much that he is now the CDBF Equipment Manager and is a certified dragon boat stern. He enjoys the “working as a team” nature of dragon boating, the physical exercise and getting to know the larger dragon boating community in Colorado. In addition to dragon boating, Will enjoys other outdoor pastimes such as mountain biking, hiking, camping and fishing.
Will Bober is an IT professional living in Arvada, CO working for Plume Design in Adaptive Wi-Fi. Will is a Colorado native but grew up in rural Saskatchewan, Canada spending summers paddling pristine lakes and rivers. Growing up on a farm Will learned the value of a strong work ethic and “helping out your neighbors”. Will raised his family including two children in Saskatoon, SK, Canada. After working abroad for a number of years Will moved back to the Denver area in early 2019 which is where he discovered dragon boating. In the 2019 Colorado Dragon Boat Festival Will paddled with a Japanese team called Nichi Bei Go and is also a co-captain for the team. He enjoyed the 2019 dragon boat season so much that he is now the CDBF Equipment Manager and is a certified dragon boat stern. He enjoys the “working as a team” nature of dragon boating, the physical exercise and getting to know the larger dragon boating community in Colorado. In addition to dragon boating, Will enjoys other outdoor pastimes such as mountain biking, hiking, camping and fishing.
FESTIVAL CONTRACTORS
PRODUCTIONS COORDINATOR
PAMELAH MARAGH- Owner, Siteline Events
PAMELAH MARAGH- Owner, Siteline Events
Pamelah has a BFA from the California Institute of the Arts, and is a multifaceted artist: she's a teacher, dancer, drummer, festival event planner, stage manager who manages CDBF's production logistic from stages and sound to duct tape and cord ties. She's also performed with her African drum troupe at the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival.
VENDOR COORDINATOR
ANDREA FURNESS - Owner, Classic Events & Consulting Services
Andrea has worked in the events industry in Colorado since 2005, when she joined the staff of Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods, to help produce the annual Capitol Hill People's Fair. Andrea has also produced or been part of the production team of other major events and festivals in Colorado, including the Highlands Street Fair, Denver Burger Battle, Cherry Creek Arts Festival, Boulder Creek Festival, Mile High 420 Festival, and others.
Prior to working in the events industry, Andrea spent eight years working in sports public relations, first for the Colorado Rapids Soccer Team, and then for the Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club. During her time in sports, she assisted in producing several major fundraisers and community events.
A Colorado native, Andrea grew up in the Hilltop neighborhood and attended George Washington High School. She earned two bachelor's degrees from the University of Colorado at Boulder, one in Journalism/News Editorial with an emphasis in Public Relations, and one in Communications with a Minor in Political Science.
ANDREA FURNESS - Owner, Classic Events & Consulting Services
Andrea has worked in the events industry in Colorado since 2005, when she joined the staff of Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods, to help produce the annual Capitol Hill People's Fair. Andrea has also produced or been part of the production team of other major events and festivals in Colorado, including the Highlands Street Fair, Denver Burger Battle, Cherry Creek Arts Festival, Boulder Creek Festival, Mile High 420 Festival, and others.
Prior to working in the events industry, Andrea spent eight years working in sports public relations, first for the Colorado Rapids Soccer Team, and then for the Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club. During her time in sports, she assisted in producing several major fundraisers and community events.
A Colorado native, Andrea grew up in the Hilltop neighborhood and attended George Washington High School. She earned two bachelor's degrees from the University of Colorado at Boulder, one in Journalism/News Editorial with an emphasis in Public Relations, and one in Communications with a Minor in Political Science.
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE/ KEY VOLUNTEERS
PUBLIC SAFETY
TARIKA CEFKIN
TARIKA CEFKIN
A long-time Colorado resident, Tarika grew up very involved in Colorado’s Thai community performing with various Thai music and dance troupes around the Denver-Metro area. She’s been involved with CDBF since childhood as a performer, volunteer, Operations Committee member, and then as Operations Manager from 2012 to 2014. Tarika is the Executive Director of the Nathan Yip Foundation and a graduate of the University of Denver with an M.A. in International and Intercultural Communications.
PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION
BRYAN YEE
Bryan Yee, an engineering geoscience professional, holds a B.S. in Land Use with concentrations in the earth sciences. In the community, he volunteers with the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP), Society of Asian Scientists & Engineers (SASE), and as a professional resource for high school and college students in Colorado. He also served as a youth mentor and program coordinator for the Asian Pacific Development Center. New to the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival leadership team, he looks forward to working with an amazing group of leaders and the challenge the festival provides. As a Colorado native, Bryan loves the outdoors. Besides volunteering, his hobbies include camping, tennis, archery, chess, reading, and exploring new places.
TERESA CARNES
As a Colorado native, Teresa is an avid event-goer that is able to give unique insight gained from years of personal experience as both an attendee and a volunteer/staff. From being a loyal attendee at various events such as Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, Denver Cherry Blossom Festival, Colorado Renaissance Festival, Colorado Anime Fest, and such to volunteering and staffing at events in recent years; she loves to support the local events and communities here in Colorado. She is also a foodie that enjoys trying various Asian cuisines from local restaurants and shops across Colorado, wanting to promote small businesses and cultural diversity. While she is still new to being on the Operations Committee of the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, she is very eager to take on the challenges this festival provides and feels lucky getting to be part of an incredible organization.
BRYAN YEE
Bryan Yee, an engineering geoscience professional, holds a B.S. in Land Use with concentrations in the earth sciences. In the community, he volunteers with the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP), Society of Asian Scientists & Engineers (SASE), and as a professional resource for high school and college students in Colorado. He also served as a youth mentor and program coordinator for the Asian Pacific Development Center. New to the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival leadership team, he looks forward to working with an amazing group of leaders and the challenge the festival provides. As a Colorado native, Bryan loves the outdoors. Besides volunteering, his hobbies include camping, tennis, archery, chess, reading, and exploring new places.
TERESA CARNES
As a Colorado native, Teresa is an avid event-goer that is able to give unique insight gained from years of personal experience as both an attendee and a volunteer/staff. From being a loyal attendee at various events such as Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, Denver Cherry Blossom Festival, Colorado Renaissance Festival, Colorado Anime Fest, and such to volunteering and staffing at events in recent years; she loves to support the local events and communities here in Colorado. She is also a foodie that enjoys trying various Asian cuisines from local restaurants and shops across Colorado, wanting to promote small businesses and cultural diversity. While she is still new to being on the Operations Committee of the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, she is very eager to take on the challenges this festival provides and feels lucky getting to be part of an incredible organization.
DRAGONLAND ZONE
ERIC NG
ERIC NG
STAGES
CARRIE BLAKE
RYAN LOGAN
CARRIE BLAKE
RYAN LOGAN
JAKE VESTAL
Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Jacob "Jake" Vestal moved to Colorado in 2015. He earned his Masters Degree in Architecture from Kansas State University and became a Colorado Licensed Architect in 2018. Jake first volunteered with the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival in 2019 as a band stage coordinator. He appreciates learning about all types of new cultures through food, film, and travel. When Jake isn't designing buildings he enjoys rock climbing, hiking, and snowboarding.
Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Jacob "Jake" Vestal moved to Colorado in 2015. He earned his Masters Degree in Architecture from Kansas State University and became a Colorado Licensed Architect in 2018. Jake first volunteered with the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival in 2019 as a band stage coordinator. He appreciates learning about all types of new cultures through food, film, and travel. When Jake isn't designing buildings he enjoys rock climbing, hiking, and snowboarding.
