Board of Directors

Deb Essex

Moved to Girdwood in 2005 after skiing around Anchorage for fourteen years. Wondered why there were no dedicated cross country trails in Girdwood, and suddenly became a groomer. Another founding member of GNSC in 2008. Loves being on trails, working on trails, advocating for trails, grant writing for trails – you get the picture.

Brian Burnett

Founding member of GNSC. Ski waxing guru at PowderHound. Girdwood Trails Committee attendee and volunteer since 2004. Former Position: Mountain Services Manager, Alyeska Ski Resort – Management of Hiking & Biking Trails Construction at Resort. 1986 – 2007 U.S. Ski Team Staff – Ski Technician for Men’s World Cup Speed Team. Has attended 3 Olympic Games, 7 World Championships, and 15 seasons on the World Cup tour. A lifelong Alaskan lucky enough to grow up skiing at Alyeska (since 1965) and recreating in Glacier Valley.   His life has revolved around outdoor recreation, elite athletics, and the alpine lifestyle.

Justin Thomas

Our trusty bean-counter Justin is a CPA originally from the Seattle area.  Skied on the Seattle University Ski Team (alpine) and started Nordic skiing when he moved to Alaska. Loves the outdoors and being part of GNSC. He is married to Mary – also a CPA and trail advocate. They also make time to bike or ski a million miles around Girdwood and the U.S. with their two sons.

Briana Sullivan

Nels Barber

I asked Nel what I should write, and he replied, ”just write: Avid Skier”. A fourth generation Alaskan and a 20+ year resident of Girdwood, Nels is a lifelong Nordic skier who has found out what a chairlift is but still continues to enjoy the amazing workout of Nordic skiing. A commercial fisherman in the summer and an avid skier in the winter. He is always looking for adventure with his wife Rachel and daughter Ariana.

Ben Kohler

Ben and family fell in love with this valley 16 yrs ago. They moved here full time shortly after and since enjoyed the many Girdwood trails whether hiking, Nordic skiing, patrolling, or biking. When not grooming narrow gauge multi-use trails, Ben enjoys the Type-2 fun of trail stewardship and maintenance; which is often no small feat with the amount of rain and snow that cycles, as well as our big beautiful trees that often fall. (Read – whenever a tree is down, I call Ben and his wife Jill. They are the “Dream Team” of creating winter flow on the biking trails)

Chris Stinson

Chris is still trying to decide what he wants to be when he grows up and keeps seeking the coolest jobs Alaska has to offer. A sea kayak, ranger-ski patroller, adventure travel company, manager-water taxi operator, life and mindset coach who also hunts avalanche with heavy artillery along the Seward Highway. While getting paid to do fun stuff outside is cool, giving back to the outdoor community is way cooler in his opinion. You’ll find him on the Girdwood Nordic trails cursing himself up the hills and joyfully screaming down them.

Amanda Sassi

Amanda combines her love for cross-country skiing and community with her knack for getting things done. Raised in Kenai, her Alaskan roots run deep, and she didn’t make it far from home settling in Girdwood. Amanda, husband Zach, and pup Arkouda love the Girdwood trails and are especially passionate about outdoor recreation. She is also one of two board members that has completed the Girdwood Marathon!

Past Board Members and Members at Large

Jim Braham

Avid Nordic and telemark skier and Girdwood resident for the past 35 years. Girdwood Trails Committee attendee and volunteer. Participated in the Anchorage Cup race series & Tour of Anchorage for past 11 years. A competitor in the 2003 National Masters Cross Country Ski Championships. Charter member & Secretary of Dimond HS Cross Country Running Booster Club 2001-2002.  Charter member, and Secretary of Dimond HS Cross Country SKIING Booster Club 2001 – 2003. Associate Webmaster of the Dimond Cross Country Cross Country Ski Team 2001 – 2003. He and his wife are super creative – Kathy runs a pottery studio, and Jim creates half our trail signs and our new snow measuring sticks.

Peter Zug

30 year resident of Girdwood Alpine and Nordic skier – and all things related Ski Patrol Director at Alyeska for about 20 years, just retired after 30 years at Patroller “My wife and I are avid hikers; we’ve been walking Girdwood trails since the 80’s” He is very familiar with heavy equipment, and road building, and all things trail (yeah for us!) One of  NSAA’s, and Girdwood’s trusty groomers (and a damn good one) When hosting a race, Peter and Lin are our secret weapon for a smooth day.

Brian Kari

A lifelong Alaskan, skier, baker, and fisherman. Owner of “World Famous” The Bake Shop, Girdwood AK. Former nordic racer, coach and wax tech for high school and national teams. Longtime commercial fisherman and baker. Outdoor enthusiast, ski, bike, climb, fish, hunt. Supported by wife Isha, and daughter Bella. Goal is to help promote, develop, and support trails in Girdwood Alaska.

Karen Loso

Karen grew up in Anchorage as a competitive swimmer but realized that spending time outside on skis was more fun then logging hours inside in the pool. She Nordic skied for Montana State University, then made her way back to Girdwood. She now works as a nurse and spends the rest of her time looking for adventures with her family- two kids Harlan and Ruby and husband Mike. Skiing is a big part of her life and she would like to have more trails available to get more people outside exploring.

Ari Stiassny

Born & raised in AK. Grew up Alpine ski racing thru college. Started backcountry skiing after a ski-bum winter in Chamonix, France. Then telemark skiing to get lower to the ground with his kids, Mia & Col. Got hooked on Nordic racing after participating in the Tour of Anchorage. Started Girdwood’s Kinder Nordic Ski with FVCS for kids ages 4-6 (pre-Junior Nordic). “When you live this close to a ski resort, you have to start them young if you want them to Nordic ski”. His main winter work is running the DEVOs alpine ski program with the Glacier Valley Ski Education Foundation (Alyeska Ski Club), for kids ages 7-14. In summer, he and wife Melanee operate Chugach Adventures, a local rafting, adventure tour operator. Oh, and he’s fast on skate skis.

Christina Gerber

Artist at Large

Nordic trails are more than a means of escape, they’re a means of connection. They bring our communities and our environment together in a way that benefits both. We are so fortunate to have the trail systems in Girdwood and Anchorage and it’s an honor to give back.