Gavin Woody

President (2012 - 2014)

Member Since: 2008

"After climbing Mt. Rainier with a guide service in 2008, my wife and I joined The Mountaineers to learn how to be independent climbers and explorers of the Northwest. The tremendous support provided by countless volunteers inspired me to want to help the organization thrive and become an even stronger part of our community. I am thrilled to work with such a dedicated group during this time which, I believe, will prove to be one of the most important periods in the history of The Mountaineers."

An Intermediate Climbing Course student, Gavin has been taking full advantage of all the opportunities to find adventures on the snow, rock and ice on nearby peaks. He also enjoys skiing, triathlons and long-distance running. Gavin was elected to the board as treasurer in early 2010.
Prior to joining Expedia, where he is currently a director, Gavin was a management consultant with McKinsey & Company. He is a former U.S. Army infantry captain and decorated combat veteran (Operation Iraqi Freedom). He holds a mechanical engineering degree, with honors, from the United States Military Academy at West Point and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Dan Lauren

President-Elect (2012 - 2014)

Member Since: 1998

"I joined The Mountaineers in 1998 to take the Basic Climbing Course and quickly fell in love with climbing, the outdoors, the organization and the people I met along the way. The organization opened a whole new world to me, and made me want to share that world with others. I love getting outdoors as often as I can, as well as mentoring and teaching others about safely getting into the backcountry and reaching their objectives. I’ve met many of my now lifelong friends in The Mountaineers. I stay active as a climb leader, mentor and instructor in order to pass on the mountaineering spirit.

The Sharkfin Tower Accident in 2005 really had an impact on me as I lost a friend and mentor in that accident, and it prompted me to take a leadership role in creating and chairing The Mountaineers Safety Committee, as I wanted something positive to come out of that accident. There was a lot of apprehension among leadership at that time as accidents had never been talked about or discussed openly. The experience proved to me that the organization is capable of changing for the better.

I see a tremendous opportunity for our organization to be more than the sum of our branches and our activities. We have a lot to offer our community. We have a tremendous body of energetic volunteers that are passionate about the outdoors. What I can bring to this organization is clear thinking, organizational skills, and an attitude of getting things done. I get along well with people, I listen and try to understand, I see the big picture, and laugh a lot."

John Ohlson

Secretary (2012 - 2014)

Member Since: 1999

John started his service as a director in 2009. He has chaired the Building Operations Committee, served as a Seattle Branch Safety officer for several years and has taken on multiple responsibilities within the Seattle Climbing Committee. He also keeps his Mountaineers burner going at other levels, as a Freedom 8 author of the chapter on safety and with his involvement in the program center renovation and construction of the center’s climbing walls.

"I grew up in Seattle, returned 11 years ago, embraced our courses and learned much. I enjoy volunteering for The Mountaineers as a payback. I consider us an activities-based organization with vital educational and conservation roles, which I embrace and support.

"I offer my corporate skills in decision-making, marketing, negotiations and consensus management. I have an unyielding view of budgets (every operation’s true cost must be visible), many years of managing multi-million dollar budgets, plus a fervent belief that leadership is action, not just a job title."

Steve McClure

Treasurer (2012 - 2014)

Member Since: 2010

After receiving a hot-off-the-press Freedom, 2nd Edition, from his mom--followed by decades of good intentions--Steve finally joined The Mountaineers in 2010. A Seattle native, Steve gained a love for our wild spaces as a Boy Scout and from his family of active skiers. He remains an avid hiker, scrambler and cyclist and is a scrambling course student. He loves climbing physically difficult, technically easy peaks that most people have never noticed. He might make it past Ingraham flats some day but would rather glissade again from the top of Adams. He has been an active member of the finance committee for the last year-and-a-half.

Tab Wilkins

Vice President, Outdoor Centers (2012 - 2014)

Member Since: 2000

"I moved back to the Puget Sound region in 1999 and joined The Mountaineers in 2000. It’s been a wonderful way to explore Washington state and the outdoors, challenging myself and continuing to learn new things while meeting fascinating and dedicated people. I’m slowly switching from ice hockey as my defining sport to climbing/skiing. To support this habit I help manage a network of non-profit manufacturing engineering consulting firms on the West Coast."

Lisa Berntsen

Vice President, Publishing (2012 - 2014)

Member Since: 1998

Lisa has held a lifelong interest in outdoor activities and cannot remember a time in her life that did not include skiing, hiking and camping. Her passion toward nature is what led her to her lifelong work as an environmental scientist at GeoEngineers, working out of Tacoma. Lisa joined The Mountaineers in 1999 and has participated (and graduated) from almost every class the Tacoma Branch offers. She started with scrambling, then kayaking, then back through the climbing series to graduate from Intermediate in 2007. She has been a climb leader since then and has been active on Tacoma Mountaineers committees for years while taking several leadership roles.

Lorna Corrigan

At Large Director (2012 - 2015)

Member Since: 1998

Lorna is an attorney in Everett, Washington, where her practice involves general civil litigation. Prior to assuming the office of secretary for The Mountaineers Board of Trustees, Lorna served as the chair of the Everett Branch. She has lived most of her life in Western Washington and grew up in a Mountaineers family. Lorna has fond memories of learning to ski during family weekends at the Snoqualmie and Meany Lodges. She enjoys skiing, snowshoeing, hiking and scrambling, and appreciates the camaraderie and shared adventure that comes with membership in The Mountaineers.

Rich Draves

At Large Director (2012 - 2015)

Member Since: 1993

Active in the climbing and family activities programs for The Mountaineers, Rich has been a member since 1993 and relishes the friendships he has developed within the organization since joining. A Microsoft researcher and father of two daughters, Rich applauds recent efforts by The Mountaineers to engage more families and aims to help continue this pursuit.

"This is an exciting and challenging time for The Mountaineers. I see the move to Magnuson Park as an opportunity to revitalize our programs. I look to the new building to set the tone for The Mountaineers as a modern club, still vibrant and relevant to everyone interested in outdoor recreation," Rich says.

Besides climbing, Rich enjoys skiing and windsurfing.

Lee Fromson

At Large Director (2010 - 2013)

Member Since: 2009

"I have had the privilege of earning a living by working in the outdoor industry for the past 28 years. This experience has taught me how important “getting out into the mountains” is for the U.S. economy, for a person’s mental health and physical well-being, and for developing our next generation of environmental stewards of the remarkable treasures that exist in our country. For many people the outdoors can be an intimidating place. The importance of having safe, fun and understanding mentors is vital to introducing more members of our community to the natural wonders right here in the Pacific Northwest. The Mountaineers is uniquely positioned, I believe, to be the most influential and trusted pathway to helping people get outdoors. I would be honored to serve this organization. As a member of The Mountaineers Board of Directors, I hope that my passion for the outdoors and prior experience help shape the strategic direction of the organization’s future."

Mark Scheffer

At Large Director (2009 - 2012)

Member Since: 1986

Mark Scheffer grew up hiking and scrambling in the Cascades. He joined The Mountaineers to take advantage of the many trips and classes offered. He has taken the alpine scrambling, basic climbing, and intermediate climbing courses. A longtime climbing committee member, he has also spent many years on the scrambling committee and leads trips for snowshoes, hikes, backpacks, scrambles and climbs.

"What originally drew me to The Mountaineers was the desire to go on trips with experienced leaders who could show me places I had never seen before and that I was unwilling to try without more experience. I quickly discovered that what I liked most about The Mountaineers, and what has kept me a very active member, was not only the excitement of seeing new places or climbing challenging peaks, but the friendships and connections that are developed with others who also seek these same challenges and adventures.

"One of the challenges for the organization is the impact our larger courses have on the wilderness environment, both physically as well as visually. Magnuson Park gives us a unique opportunity to reduce, if not eliminate, the impact of these large courses in the environment, yet provide high-quality classes for our members so that they can safely enjoy activities in the outdoors. It's an exciting time to be a member and help mold the changes that will be felt for years, if not decades, to come."

Kara Stone

At Large Director (2012 - 2012) *

Member Since: 2012

"For all of us that consider time outdoors essential to life and have found assurance and stability in the unpredictable environs of the mountains; there has likely been an influential person or organization that has connected us to the outdoor lifestyle. After a childhood filled with camping in Michigan; for me it was my sister, Krista, who introduced me to the joys of skiing, backpacking, climbing, and biking in the mountains. It was this foundational influence that also fueled my career choice to link millions of co-op members to the outdoors via my role as the REI Flagship General Manager here in Seattle.

For over 100 years; through remarkable volunteer leaders, the very best in outdoor books, and the endless array of classes and programs, The Mountaineers have provided the vital influence for countless adults, children, and families to safely connect with the outdoors and even more importantly, to each other! I am thrilled and extremely honored to be a granted the opportunity to serve The Mountaineers members and the outdoor community on the board of directors. It is serendipitous; as REI and The Mountaineers have a long history of affiliation that dates back almost 75 years. I am proud to be a part that strong history of partnership; as both organizations have been fixated on getting people outside and protecting our wild places for future generations. I am excited to contribute to the continued health of The Mountaineers; as our capacity and potential to deliver on our core purpose is profoundly important to me as an avid outdoor enthusiast as well as an outdoor industry professional."

Matt Sullivan

At Large Director (2010 - 2013)

Member Since: 1998

"I am a Mountaineers member because I am amazed by the natural bounty we have in the Pacific Northwest. From Puget Sound paddling to Cascades trail running, skiing, and snowshoeing, there is something exciting to do every season. I am passionate about sharing this natural bounty with my sons, aged 10 and 8."

Matt is an experienced marketing and market research executive with such Fortune 100 companies as Microsoft, Kellogg's Company, Procter & Gamble, Guinness, and J. P. Morgan, and he currently runs his own research company. In addition to The Mountaineers, he promotes youth education and physical activity with the YMCA, Seattle Schools and Seattle Community Centers.

Tom Varga

At Large Director (2010 - 2012) **

Member Since: 2002

"Since first experiencing the Pacific Northwest in the mid-1980’s (I grew up in Ohio), I have been mesmerized by the sheer beauty and amazing diversity of this region. The foresight of those who worked to protect and preserve our wilderness areas has provided us today with the awesome gift that is the Northwest outdoors. I feel both obligated and privileged to pay that stewardship forward for future generations, and I am convinced that helping The Mountaineers is one of the best ways to accomplish this goal.

Winston Churchill once said, 'We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.' I look forward to giving my time and talent to The Mountaineers."

Gene Yore

At Large Director (2012 - 2015)

Member Since: 1991

Gene had climbed Rainier and the Grand Teton with guides before moving to Seattle in 1989. “After two years of solo mountaineering, getting lost and one potentially fatal mistake, I decided I needed more skills and climbing partners. With The Mountaineers I have learned to become self-sufficient in the mountains, improved my leadership skills, developed climbing partners and found the best friends of my life.”

As a volunteer leader, Gene has chaired basic climbing field trips and other subcommittees, has helped start the Aid and Big Wall Seminar and leads many climbs. Yosemite, Joshua Tree and the Alps are favorite destinations beyond the Cascades. He also co-chaired the Magnuson Instruction Requirements Group which develops the Magnuson Instructional Vision.

He just completed two years as Climbing Committee chair and recently led the Basalt Column project. He helped form the Friends of Magnuson Climbing which raised funding for The Boulder and Basalt Columns projects. Currently he chairs The Mountaineers Technology 2.0 Committee and represents The Mountaineers on the Magnuson Park Advisory Committee.

Gene managed the renovation of Building 67--now known as The Mountaineers Program Center--a world class facility for teaching mountaineering skills. “Our Vision is to develop facilities to teach every mountaineering and climbing skill in town. The result makes instructing and learning more accessible, conserves fuel and helps preserve the wilderness and environment.”

“There are so many skills to Learn to be able to Explore so many great places. We must Conserve these great places for our grandchildren and their grandchildren.”

Steve Glenn

Director - Bellingham

Member Since: 1971

For the past 40 years, Steve has had the opportunity to participate across the spectrum of The Mountaineers as a volunteer with several committees and groups, including three different branches. A Bellingham Branch member, Steve helped design the Winter Travel Course for the Seattle Branch, has edited The Mountaineer and has taught basic and intermediate climbing, MOFA, scrambling, snowshoeing, and navigation.

Evelyn Dudey

Director - Everett

Member Since: 1986

Evy originally joined The Mountaineers in order to take the Sailing Course. Over the years she has been an active member of the Everett Branch, and has instructed Leading on Rock, Basic Climbing, Instructor Review, Sport Climbing, MOFA, Nordic Skiing, and Scrambling courses. She has served on the Everett Branch’s Climbing Committee, Basic Climbing Committee, Intermediate Climbing Committee and Leading on Rock/Intermediate Rock Subcommittee.

With a BS degree in Electrical Engineering from Michigan Technological University, Evy is a Product Standardization Manager in the telecommunications industry. She’s a member of the Everett Sail and Power Squadron, Everett Mountain Rescue Unit, and the Upper Edmonds Book and Cake Society. Her passions include spending time with her husband and their dog, skiing the Hog Loppet and pumpkin carving.

"I hope that my own enjoyment of the outdoors, my appreciation for the volunteers that have helped me, and the family of friends to which I belong all give me the right background to assist the organization, provide fun, teach safety and build community for the membership."

Gerry Haugen

Director - Foothills

Member Since: 1992

Bio to come.

Jimmy James

Director - Kitsap

Member Since: 2003

Jimmy has served The Mountaineers off and on since he joined some 50 years ago. He has been a vital cog in the formation of one of the newest branches of The Mountaineers, Kitsap. He has been an avid climber, reaching the summit of most of the major Northwest peaks and has volunteered his time to search-and-rescue organizations over his long climbing career. He has also served with the National Ski Patrol at Snoqualmie Pass.

A retired tax consultant, Jimmy trains his focus on crafting Mountaineers products so that they appeal to "the young men and women who are our next generation members." He maintains that "when we accomplish that, our other challenges will be much easier to handle."

Michael Riley

Director - Olympia

Member Since: 1997

Mike Riley joined The Mountaineers in 1997 after moving to Olympia from Colorado. He took the Basic Climbing course in 1999-2000 and completed the Intermediate course in 2007. "The Mountaineers is a great way to meet a lot of climbers and find a niche for your interests and style in climbing."

Mike has been a member of the Olympia Basic Climbing Committee and the Olympia Intermediate Committee. He co-teaches the intermediate ice module and has put together ice climbing trips for Canada and Colorado for intermediate climbing students.

His main interest for the organization is for innovation in the design and implementation of courses. He helped design the Olympia modular approach to the Basic Climb course, the Beyond-Basic-Rock course and a new course, Beyond-Basic-Ice climbing that will start in 2011. "Providing climbing opportunities and instruction beyond the basic level provides a path for basic graduates to increase their confidence and climbing skills and to remain actively involved with the club."

Kirk Alm

Director - Seattle

Member Since: 1998

Kirk has immersed himself in the climbing community, most recently in the transition of the climbing curricula to the new club headquarters at Magnuson Park. However, he enjoys a wide breadth of other Mountaineers activities, including sea kayaking, snowshoe travel, skiing, photography and hiking.

"My passion and commitment to wilderness adventure led me to seek out The Mountaineers shortly after moving to Seattle. Since then, my involvement as a club participant has evolved into leadership positions from which I thrive on bringing diverse ideas and people together," Kirk says.

A construction engineer by trade, Kirk adds, "As we move to Magnuson, these are exciting times. The location gives the club greater exposure as a premier leader in the Pacific Northwest and is an ideal venue for hosting conservation and community awareness activities."

Jim Feltus

Director - Tacoma

Member Since: 1996

Jim has played in the outdoors all his life. He grew up skiing, hiking, backpacking and climbing in Western Colorado. He moved to the Northwest in 1980 with his young family. Since joining The Mountaineers in 1996, he has been lucky enough to get out climbing a lot and have made many dear friends. He has served on a variety of committees over the years, served as the Tacoma Branch chair, 2004-2005, and served on the Tacoma Branch, 2003-present. When he is not out climbing or volunteering for The Mountaineers, he practices law in Tacoma.

"These are exciting times for The Mountaineers, with many interesting challenges to be met. I look forward to working with such a dedicated team of people who will continue to move the organization to greater heights."

Martinique Grigg

Executive Director

Please see the Staff page for details.

Gates of the Arctic National Park. Photo by S. Campion.

Helen Cherullo

Publisher, The Mountaineers Books

Helen Cherullo is publisher of The Mountaineers Books, the publishing division of The Mountaineers and dedicated to "leading our readers to the lessons and pleasures of the great outdoors." She has been a Mountaineers member since 1992, when she first started at "Books."
Born in Chicago and raised next door to a forest preserve in the city's suburbs, she has had a lifetime passion for nature study and preserving wild places. Other passions include day hiking, canoeing, and gardening. Her modest-sized city lot includes over 20 dwarf fruit trees rapidly transitioning into an out-of-control forest. She has a BA in journalism from the University of Montana, with a major in fine arts -- and believes in the power of words and images to inspire and transform lives.

*Kara Stone assumed the director position vacated by John Ohlson when he became Secretary. She will finish out John's term and be up for re-election in the fall of 2012.

**Tom Varga assumed the director position vacated by Mona West when she became President-elect. He will finish out West's term and be up for re-election in the fall of 2012.