WPMA Board Members

President's Photo David Hoff, President

David was born in the Phillipines and grew up in Germany, Greece and Thailand while his father served with the U.S. State Department. He finally settled down in the Seattle area after attending college in Massachusetts. David first became interested in gold prospecting as a child while in Greece (1967) after watching a movie about Jason and the Argonaunts. Since then he has hunted for the elusive yellow metal while in Massachusetts, Alaska, California, Oregon and Washington. David joined the WPMA in February of 1993 and started helping out by finding guest speakers for the monthly meetings. He was then elected as WPMA President in 1995 and has served in that position ever since. Some of David's prosepcting toys include a four inch Pro-Mac dredge, a Gold Screw trommel, Gold Bug metal detector, and an assortment of sluice boxes and other hand operated prospecting gadgets.

Bill Thomas, Vice President and Chapter Coordinator

Dave Eason, Claims Officer

Dave was raised in Alderwood Manor and Everett. He then moved to Marysville in 1972 where he lives today. He was in construction for many years, then went to work for Bayliner and has been there for almost 15 years. From the time Dave was a child he has enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating and archery. He got interested in prospecting in 1994, and that same year he became a member of the WPMA. In 1995, he became a life member, and was appointed to the board of directors as claims manager.

Keith Hovland, Treasurer

Chuck Cox, Recording Secretary and Newsletter Editor

Chuck was born and raised in Seattle, and joined Washington Prospectors in 1984. He became newsletter editor in 1989. Chuck assisted with the Association's incorporation as a non-profit organization in 1994, and was elected recording secretary that year. He has continually served as recording secretary and newsletter editor ever since. Chuck started prospecting in 1982 with a pan, shovel and bucket, sampling the gravel around mile marker 8 on the Index-Galena Road along the North Fork of the Skykomish River. Upon finding that proverbial speck of gold, he then purchased a sluice box, followed by several motorized suction dredges. Today, Chuck prospects and dredges in Oregon and northern California, preferring to visit sites in states that recognize the value of adhering to common-sense rules and regulations governing mineral prospecting. Needless to say, he doesn't do a lot of prospecting in Washington State. Chuck operates a 4" Keene dredge powered by a 5.5 hp Honda engine, with sluice box modifications of his own design. Finding enough gold to pay for the gas to drive home makes for a successful prospecting trip, according to Chuck.

AJ Barkis, Legal Council

A.J. was raised in New Jersey, and joined the US Navy when he was 17. While in the service he acquired his GED and two years of college credit. He returned from Southeast Asia in 1972, and was based in Washington State. He became interested in mining and prospecting when the U.S. legalized private possession of gold. He retired from the Navy in 1981 and continued his education, eventually obtaining his juris doctorate from the University of Puget Sound in 1986 and he was admitted to the Washington State Bar Association in 1987. His interest in gold prospecting heightened in 1997 and he now lives in Cle Elum, practicing law in Kittitas County. He assists the WPMA in matters requiring legal analysis and also works with various federal agencies on behalf of the Association.

Clark Chase, Claims/Research

Greg Christensen, Legislative Representative

I have been prospecting for many years. My dredge of choice is a 5" Dahlke, with a 4" reducer for Washington. I have a 'hillbilly' adapter for it to when using a 4" hose and nozzle in Oregon. Of course I run it wide open in California. Underwater dredging is certainly a passion for me. I was born in Sunnyside Washington and attended high school in North Bend Washington. My wife and I have lived in Bellingham for the last 40 years. I retired several years ago from [US West] Qwest Telephone Co. My wife Candy and I go everywhere together; we're a good team. We normally spend winters in Arizona looking for gold [and meteorites] in the desert. Quartzsite is the destination of choice. My children are grown (but no grandkids yet) and both enjoy prospecting. Otherwise, I volunteer 1 day a week at the local Food Bank, I was elected as a Commissioner of my Water District (7 years ago) and I'm deeply involved in the WRIA (Water Resource Inventory Area) issue as a caucus member. I became concerned with the regulations for prospectors with the issuance of the 1999 Gold and Fish pamphlet. It removed my ability to take a gold pan to the South Fork of the Nooksack when I wanted. Since then I have been working diligently with the WDFW and the legislature to make changes to benefit all miners. Currently 3 members coordinate the North Puget Sound Chapter of the WPMA. I assist, along with David Smith and Duane Suthers. We have a great time each month at the meetings.

Bill Baker, North Cascades Chapter Chairperson

Dan Johnson, Claims Historian

Jim Miller, Geology

Jim Miller has been a practicing geologist for more than 30 years. His gold prospecting hobby has taken him to streams and placer deposits in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California and Alaska. Jim is experienced with panning, sluicing, dredging and metal detecting. As the official WPMA geologist, he helps evaluate our claims and assess likely spots for prospecting. He also helps Association members identify minerals and ore samples, as well as swap tales about prospecting adventures.

Dick Thomsen, Claims/Research

Dick Thomsen grew up in Snohomish County, Washington where he enjoyed many outdoor activities including hunting, fishing and Ham radio. The Ham radio hobby lead him into the military and the space program and then a career at Boeing from which he retired in 1996. Dick contracted gold fever in 1991 after many years of reading about the history of the Gold Rush and with the introduction of the Outdoor Channel on television. Dick joined the WPMA in 1993 and became a life member and board member in 1995. He appreciates all the valuable prospecting tips and tricks he has received with his membership in the club. These days he enjoys spending his spare time designing and building various prospecting tools and equipment which he proudly displays at the club's annual gold show. He also enjoys taking first-time prospectors out to the club's area claims and seeing their faces light up at the first glimmer of gold. Happy Prospecting!

Lyle Vogelpohl, Gold Show Operations

Dan Yesberger, Gold Show Operations

Jason Decelle

Kelly Reid

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