About Us

Organizers

Run For Water is an Abbotsford based nonprofit society dedicated to staging a high-calibre running event. The directors of Run For Water share the goal of promoting healthy physical activity and community spirit as well as raising funds for clean water development in under-privileged communities.

Ken Baerg 

Ken has been honoured to call Abbotsford home for his entire life. Professionally, he has worked extensively in the field of labour relations and currently serves as the Provincial Director with a construction industry advocacy group, the PCAC. He holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Business Administration. Ken's passions include running, cycling, reading and spending as much time as possible with his wife Betty and two young daughters, Eden and Jaimie. Ken's engagement with the local community includes participating in a wide range of sports as both a participant and a coach. In addition to his involvements with the Run For Water Society he also serves on the Abbotsford Economic Development Commission. 

David Letkemann

David is a partner with the law firm of Linley Duignan, a general practice firm located in Abbotsford and serving the Fraser Valley for 35 years. He practices in the field of civil litigation and has done so for 10 years. David is also a director of Envision Financial Credit Union, a 3.5 billion dollar organization.  David graduated from Law School at UBC and prior to that obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration with a double concentration in marketing and finance from Simon Fraser University. When not working, David enjoys spending his time volunteering as a coach in various kids' athletic programs, including softball and basketball. He resides in Abbotsford and is happily married with three wonderful children.

Randall Mark

Randall is a television producer for Vision TV. He also currently hosts a television show called 'Perspectives' on JoyTV. Randall is a father of four daughters and has run two sub-four hour marathons.

Kelly Neumann

Kelly Neumann, originally from Winnipeg, has been a Fraser Valley resident for the past 15 years.  Her background in education and subsequently the director of an English language program, helped develop her innate organization skills and fuel her excitement for connecting global and local thinking.  In the past few years, Kelly has taken up running and is still looking to tackle her first half marathon.  Kelly lives with her husband, Shawn and two daughters in Abbotsford.

Robert Schmidt

Abbotsford born and raised.  Prominent in local basketball scene as an all-star at the highschool and college levels.  Coached at CBC for 11 years until 2004.  Worked at CLAC since 2000 in a variety of positions including union representative, research and education specialist and director of training.

Stan Wiebe

Stan Wiebe is a local high school teacher and twenty-year resident of Abbotsford. He brings experience in event coordinating and fundraising to our Run For Water team. Stan is excited about building our local community spirit while encouraging a global vision among Abbotsford residents.

Michelle Watrin 

Michelle Watrin is happy to join the board of Run for Water. Michelle is a member of the Indiana Track and Field Hall of Fame inducted for success in middle distance running. She was a member of the Purdue University Track and Field team from 1988-1993 and team captain for the 1992 and 1993 seasons. Currently a teacher at Abbotsford Virtual School, Michelle has coached track and field at MEI and Rick Hansen Secondary in the past. She enjoys running 10Ks, half marathons and triathlons, but the most running she does these days is chasing her four young children! Also a freelance writer, Michelle will use these skills to help with public relations for Run for Water.

Bruce Kehler

Bruce has been a resident of the Fraser Valley since his parents moved their family to BC from Manitoba in the early '70's. He is a Field Sales Manager for a building products manufacturer, is married and has two sons. He was involved in various sports throughout his youth, including running track in high school, but didn't develop a real passion for running until 2001. After running the inaugural Run for Water, Bruce was so impressed by the event as a whole that he wanted to be a part of the organization team. Bruce has run 4 marathons, several half-marathons, many 10Ks and a triathlon and is excited to see a high-caliber running event in the Fraser Valley. Not only is this event making a difference to people locally by encouraging fitness, it has a profound impact on the people in Ethiopia by providing clean drinking water; something that we take for granted every day.

Jana Ratzlaff

Jana has been a resident of Abbotsford for the past 16 years. She and her husband co-own a private, personal training facility, Proactive Transformations. Jana’s love of fitness and heart for others keeps her actively involved in the community. She has done volunteer work for the BC Summer Games, our local TeleCare Crisis Line and Elections BC. Jana has three boys and a daughter who keep her life full of adventure.

Jasbir Singh

Jasbir is a local teacher and coach. He is in his second year at Clayburn Middle School, and taught previously at Princess Margaret Secondary in Surrey. He has been actively involved in coaching soccer, volleyball, and basketball in Abbotsford for seven years. His business experience includes Managing Director of Gentec Technologies and Regional Manager for International Investments and Mortgages.

Rob Quiring

Rob is a Structural Engineer and owner of IQ Engineering, in Abbotsford, BC. He grew up in Abbotsford and graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a degree in Civil Engineering. When not at the office, Rob enjoys spending time with his wife Suzanne and 2 young daughters. He also started running 3 years ago and has run a few 10k events and 3 half marathons. His personal best time was at the 1st Annual Run for Water!

DeVonne Friesen

DeVonne Friesen leads the Marketing and Sales efforts for an Abbotsford based company, and holds degrees from Trinity Western University and Queen's University. He lives in Abbotsford with his wife and two children. DeVonne is passionate about the Run for Water cause, and enjoys the racing part too -- though he is still recovering from being beaten by his son the past two years in a row (his son is now ten).