Tsalteshi Trails Association has two seats open for membership election on its Board of Directors for the 2024-2025 term, and one seat open for board appointment for a 2024 term. Below are board candidate bios, as well as information about our current and retiring board members.
TTA members in good standing as of Dec. 1 will get an email link to an online poll for voting. The poll will be open Dec. 5 through Dec. 11.
Family memberships: Unfortunately, our database system only allows the family membership coordinator to submit a vote through the poll. Other family members listed in the family membership can submit their vote to info@tsalteshi.org. (We’re researching new database options now. This should be the last election where you have to jump through this extra hoop!)
If you did not receive a link to the poll, please contact us at info@tsalteshi.org.
2024-2026 Tsalteshi Trails Association Board of Directors candidates:
Dan Harbison, Soldotna
Skills:
Maintenance/facilities operations, recreation management, race organization, schools liaison
Previous nonprofit organization experience:
TTA Board Member, Arctic Winter Games Nordic Chief, Nordic Ski Coach
Other Board/Committee Service?
Various Educational Boards and Committees
Why do you want to serve on the Board of Directors for Tsalteshi Trails Association:
I believe in the concept, purpose, and future of Tsalteshi Trails to our community and the greater Kenai Peninsula. I have been involved with Tsalteshi Trails since 1996 and I take great personal pride in how Tsalteshi Trails has evolved, expanded and matured over the years. The contribution to the health and well-being of our youth, our working-age population, and our elderly is immeasurable. I believe the value of Tsalteshi Trails will only continue to increase for our community far into the future. I not only would like to be part of Tsalteshi Trails’ future, but I believe I can help contribute to ensuring the realization of this bright future.
Share a little bit about yourself:
I am a retired local educator. I have been involved with Tsalteshi Trails since moving to our community and I use the trails year-round for skiing, biking, and walking. I have coached our local High School Nordic Team for the better part of the past quarter century and as such I have been involved in the
development, expansion, widening, and homologation of the trails over this period. I have also been involved in the development and creation of the Star Trails behind Soldotna High School. I can also operate a snowmachine and groomer, a chainsaw, a skidsteer, and a bulldozer.
Dan Keck, Soldotna
Skills:
Maintenance/facilities operations and recreational management
Previous nonprofit organization experience:
I have been volunteering with Tsalteshi, coaching both youth skiing and Sprockets. I have been active with the Boy Scouts since earning Eagle Scout, including helping with the local Cub Scout pack and Boy Scout troop.
Why do you want to serve on the Board of Directors for Tsalteshi Trails Association:
Both of my children have enjoyed skiing and biking at Tsalteshi and participating in the events provided. We are lucky enough to have an amazing trail system so close to home with amazing year-round opportunities. I look to support Tsalteshi in continuing to provide community-focused activities and offer a world-class trail system.
Share a little bit about yourself:
I am a Physician Assistant with over 11 years of orthopedic experience, including sports medicine and volunteering with multiple sports teams. Prior to attending PA school, I majored in Outdoor Recreational Leadership at the Colorado Mountain College in Leadville, Co. While in Leadville, I volunteered with Lake County Search and Rescue and worked as a Snowcat operator grooming trails. I have helped with and have led many trail maintenance projects while earning Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts.
Ben Wishnek, Soldotna
Skills:
Maintenance/facilities operations, personnel/human resources and recreation management
Previous nonprofit organization experience:
Two years of AmeriCorps membership/service
Other Board/Committee Service?
Currently Secretary on Board of Directors of the Alaska Invasive Species Partnership
Previously on Board of Wildlife Society Invasive Species Working Group (2020-2023)
Previously on Board of Wildlife Society Habitat Restoration Working Group (2012-2018)
Why do you want to serve on the Board of Directors for Tsalteshi Trails Association:
Tsalteshi offers our community an amazing resource to get out and enjoy many of the reasons we all live in and love Alaska. Over the last three years of living here, I have gained a lot of mental and physical health benefits from using the trails (skiing, biking, hiking). I plan to serve as a board member to be able to give back for a couple years so that other community members can continue to gain these similar benefits into the future. All of my board membership experience in the past has been related to my profession. I look forward to serving as a board member on an organization that is tied to my personal life’s activities that I have a passion for. Thank you for your consideration, and see you on the trails!
Share a little bit about yourself:
My “day job” is a Wildlife Biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the field of ecological restoration accomplished through invasive species management. My love of our natural resources expands out of the office, as I spend a lot of my free time xc skiing, biking, camping, hiking, and gardening. Specific skills I will bring to the Board include event planning/organization, vegetation management (as needed for trail maintenance), and a positive attitude and sense of humor (both of which are necessary to be able to accomplish goals while having fun). Much of my experience with Tsalteshi Trails has been with the Kenai Peninsula Outdoor Club. Our club collectively spends a significant amount of time on the trails in all seasons and types events. I have seen the benefits of the trails to the community and look forward to helping carry on the legacy of the organization.
Current TTA Board of Directors
Pat King — Vice chair
Skills: Maintenance/facilities operations, recreation management and race organization
Interests: Cross-country skiing, biking, running
Stephanie Lambe — secretary/treasurer and Sprockets coach
Skills: Finance, event volunteering
Interests: Cross-country skiing, biking, hiking
Tony Doyle — director, maintenance building construction liaison
Skills: Maintenance/facilities operations, construction and building design
Interests: Cross-country and alpine skiing, mountain biking and running
Makenzie Jorgenson — director, Sprockets substitute coach, youth bike park committee chair
Skills: Maintenance/facilities operations; singletrack planning, building and design; organizing and supervising volunteer maintenance groups
Interests: Biking, cross-country skiing
Bill Larned — director
Skills: Business management, finances, fundraising, marketing/public relations, recreation management
Interests: Biking, hiking, cross-country and alpine skiing
Ed Schmitt — director
Skills: Business management, finances, maintenance/facilities operations, recreational management.
Interests: Cross-country and alpine skiing, mountain biking
Retiring/resigning board members
Larissa Arbelovsky — Board Chair, previous board vice chair and previous Youth Ski coach
Skills: Business management, safety, board organization, event planning/volunteering
Interests: Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, biking
Joel Todd — director, liaison with Kenai Peninsula Borough, previous Sprockets coach and treasurer
Skills: Business management, recreation management, finance, event planning/volunteering, youth programming
Interests: Cross-country skiing, biking, hiking
Julie Williams — director, events coordinator and appreciation committee chair
Skills: Recreation management, event volunteering and volunteer organization
Interests: Cross-country skiing, hiking, snowshoeing