What is your background in? What are some of the things you enjoy doing for fun?

My background professionally, for the first 20 years of my working life was in hotel sales, catering and convention services. During that time I discovered long-distance hiking. I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail solo in 1994, all the way from Mexico to Canada. I was hooked. After that, I tried to get a long hike in as often as I could get away with!

My wife Deb and I through hike the Appalachian Trail in 1997, and the Pacific Crest Trail (a second time for me) in 2004. Deb and I also hiked the Continental Divide Trail over three summers. So we are “Triple Crowners!” As a couple. And that’s rare. We’ve also had hiking other adventures including Walking the Coast to Coast trail across England. But the wildest one of all was paddling the trip the Yukon river from the headwater lakes in British Columbia all the way to the Bering Sea. The Yukon Territory and Alaska is some really wild country!! I consider these trips to be my background, at least as far as my interest in trails and wild places. They certainly form the basis for my interest in recreation, public land conservation, and stewardship work.

In 2005, I pivoted professionally, and became involved with founding the Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness. For 21 years I served as the founding executive director, retiring only recently in March 2026.

And, in 1994, I was one of the founding Members of the American Long Distance Hiking Association West.

How and why did you first get involved with ITA?

In 2010, at the urging of Chris Ryan, who at the time was the Region 1 USFS Wilderness Director for the Forest Service, a small group of us got together to form  Idaho Trails Association. I was one of the original six founding board members. And became the first vice president. Conversations between us all and with Chris had been swirling around for a couple years. We agreed that there was a need for both a vocal presence advocating for backcountry quite use and a group to step up to do the volunteer work needed to hep keep trails open.

I remained vice president and a board member until 2015. After getting Tom Dabrowski to join our board so that we would have a board representative from North Idaho, I stepped back from being and official ITA board member, but have remained active on the advisory council. I did this because at the time, the Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness advocacy and stewardship efforts demanded my complete attention.

What are the different ways you’ve volunteered for ITA?

I’ve been a project volunteer, a project leader, a board member, vice president, a fundraiser, an advisor to both the board and staff. I’ve done webinars and public talks on hiking and related matters. Set up outreach and fundraising events in north Idaho. And have acted as a liaison between Idaho Trails Association and other recreation and conservation nonprofits.

How have you seen ITA grow over the years?

Having been there at the beginning, it’s been a great pleasure to watch Idaho Trails Association grow from a wild idea shared by a few people to being one of the most effective and strong trail organizations in Idaho.

What do you like about volunteering with ITA?

I myself agree with the vast majority of our trail project volunteers: it’s the camaraderie, the scenery and the sense of accomplishment that keeps me engaged.

Most memorable backcountry or ITA experience?

Well there was the time that we got a passing by Bigfoot to pitch in on one end of the crosscut saw. But no one would believe that, so I’m not gonna tell you anything more about it. Every time I walk by certain trails, and see logs that I cut out years ago, I am brought back to the moment when sweet perspiration formed in getting them removed

Why are trails worth protecting?

We need trails, just as we need wild country, to take us to places where we can reflect upon who we really are, what’s really important to us and why we are so lucky to live in this special place called Idaho.