Mountaineers Staff
Martinique Grigg
Executive Director
Phone: (206) 521-6009
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Joined Staff: 2009
Background: Martinique comes to The Mountaineers with over nine years of management experience in both the for-profit and non-profit sector. She has worked with a variety of outdoor-oriented organizations, most notably the Appalachian Mountain Club in Boston and L.L. Bean in Maine. Martinique holds an undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Outdoor Activities: Hiking, skiing, snowboarding, biking, snowshoeing
Other: Martinique recently moved to Seattle with her husband and enjoys skiing, snowboarding, hiking and biking. “I am honored to serve as The Mountaineers executive director. We have a well-deserved reputation as an exemplary pioneer in outdoor, education, recreation and conservation. I look forward to working with our members and volunteers to grow and strengthen our organization,” says Martinique.
Leann Arend
Director of Finance
Phone: (206) 521-6007
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As director of finance Leann oversees all accounting, finance, insurance, payroll and human resources functions. Leann also manages member services and building operations for the program center.
Background: Leann comes to The Mountaineers with 20 years of accounting and financial management experience in the hospitality industry. A native of Fairbanks, Alaska, Leann spent most of her childhood summers camping and fishing. Introduced to climbing and skiing as an adult, Leann has found even more motivation getting outdoors.
Outdoor Activities: Climbing, skiing, camping, hiking, biking, running, photography, and travel.
Other: “New to this role with The Mountaineers, I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to choose a job utilizing my financial skills and experience in an organization with people who share a passion for the outdoors and believe they can make an impact.”
Jeff Bowman
IT ⁄ Member Services ⁄ Bookstore
Staff Liaison to Stevens Lodge and Snoqualmie Campus
Phone: (206) 521-6002
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Joined Staff: 2000
Jeff Bowman keeps his fingers in a lot of pies at The Mountaineers. He has served as a staff member for more than 10 years. A "jack of all trades," he is currently working as the bookstore manager, a member services representative and as IT support for members, volunteers and staff.
Background: Jeff’s undergraduate alma mater is West Virginia University--whose mascot moniker is also The Mountaineers! It is also his parents’ alma mater. Jeff was born and raised in West Virginia, so he’s been a “Mountaineer” all his life! He obtained BS and MS degrees in chemical engineering and worked five years for DuPont between degrees. At the University of Washington he spent a lot of time writing FORTRAN code, so he’s very happy with his new IT responsibilities. He has completed several courses with The Mountaineers, has been leading climbs since 1998, and reached the summit of Denali in 2003. Over the years, Jeff has taught, helped design or revise nearly all of the climbing courses we offer. He’s currently teaching Intermediate Rescue Methods, the Climbing Self-Rescue Course, the Denali Expedition Planning Seminar, and Aid & Big Wall Climbing Course. He served as illustrations coordinator for the 7th and 8th editions of Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills.
Outdoor Activities: Climbing, skiing, hiking, backpacking, biking
Other: There’s life outside of The Mountaineers? Well, maybe a little...says Jeff. In winter, Jeff teaches skiing for Lyon Ski School at the Stevens Pass Ski Resort. He may also be found training or on a search-and-rescue mission with Seattle Mountain Rescue. When time permits, Jeff enjoys cooking, mostly Italian and fruit desserts like cobblers, crisps, buckles and pies! Being the bookstore manager also keeps Jeff busy reading, mostly in his spare time and even on a Kindle. His favorite quote is "brevity is the soul of whit" Hamlet Act 2, Scene 2. Jeff’s favorite climb is Mt. Logan: "all-in-all the most spectacularly enjoyable alpine climb done with some great friends!" His favorite ski descent: "anything as long as the snow is good!"
Shauna Broady
Facility and Events Manager
Staff Liaison to Snoqualmie Campus
Phone: (206) 521-6005
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Joined Staff: 2009
Shauna’s duties cover a broad spectrum at the Program Center: facility and event management, member services, and support for marketing and development. She handles internal and external room reservations while managing overall usage of the Program Center, including facilitation of special events such as OutdoorsFest, Evening of Legends, and the many outreach events.
Background: A graduate of the University of Washington, with a bachelor’s degree in society, ethics and human behavior, Shauna’s work history includes customer relations in finance and technology. “I found my calling in the event industry in 2008. I worked as an event planner for a catering company until I came to The Mountaineers in October 2009.”
Outdoor Activities: “I was introduced to climbing and loved it! I plan to learn more once I have the chance.” Currently most of Shauna’s outdoor time includes urban walks around Green Lake or by her house, and summer barbecues at the river.
Other: Shauna is an avid reader. “I belong to a book club!” She loves to antique and vintage shop, is an inventive cook, and does freelance event planning.
Vito Dumo
Facility Manager
Phone: (206) 892-8782 (shared with Frank)
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Joined Staff: 1985
As facility manager Vito oversees the physical operation of The Mountaineers Program Center: its electrical systems, its sound systems, its security systems, safety measures, heating/cooling, fire protection, room setup and storage units. He also enables clients who rent space at the program center to present their functions effectively and professionally.
Background: Vito's career with The Mountaineers has intersected with two pivotal moments for the organization: The Mountaineers’ move from downtown to Queen Anne and the more monumental move from Queen Anne to the current program center in Magnuson Park. He had been employed with the Norwegian Club at the Norway Center when The Mountaineers purchased that building in 1983. He resumed his plant operation duties, including maintenance of the plumbing and electrical infrastructure as well as room reservation setup and cleanup, wood floor maintenance, painting, alarm system management and boiler room maintenance. He assumed the position of facility manager in 2001. When the organization moved in 2008 from Queen Anne to its current site off of Sand Point Way in northeast Seattle, Vito’s duties expanded to heating and cooling system maintenance, not to mention exterior maintenance given the new climbing plaza and wall.
Outdoor Activities: Bicycling, golfing, gardening, beach combing
Other: Vito likes to spend time with his family in the Philippines from time to time as well as with his family in the Seattle region.
Helen Engle
Tacoma Program Center Secretary
Phone: (253) 566-6965
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Joined Staff: 1993
Helen manages the phone and internet connections for the branch, schedules rentals at the Tacoma Program Center, processes rental paperwork and payments, and manages electronic mailing lists.
Background: The Mountaineers, trustee two terms, 1974-78; Branch Board; Committee Chairs, etc., since 1954. Basic Climbing Course graduate, and longtime instructor about food on the committee. Climbed most of the Irish Cabin Peaks; was twice in charge of Irish Cabin Thanksgiving Dinner; many years of doing the Annual Salmon Roast and Annual Banquet; Campcrafter activities, and over 50 years hosting the Annual Midsummer Picnic. Enjoyed putting on the 50th Anniversary of our Tacoma Clubhouse.
Outdoor Activities: Hiking, backpacking, nature study, biking, canoeing, native plant gardening
Other: Leadership role for decades in The Mountaineers' allied organizations: Audubon, WA Environmental Council, People for Puget Sound; and membership in Sierra Club, WA Native Plant Society, Olympic Parks Associates, Federation Western Outdoor Clubs, Nisqually Delta Associates, etc.
Mary Hsue
Director of Development and Communications
Staff Liaison to the Everett Branch
Phone: (206) 521-6004
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Joined Staff: 2011
Mary directs development and communications activities for The Mountaineers.
Background: Mary comes to The Mountaineers with seven years of marketing and communications experience and over five years non-profit experience focused on fundraising, event production and donor relations. She has led development activities for a local biomedical research organization as well as a variety of outdoor-oriented organizations.
Outdoor Activities: Rock climbing, mountaineering, hiking, snowshoeing, flyfishing, running
Other: A native Washingtonian, Mary grew up in the South Sound area in the shadow of Mount Rainier. Though always awed by the Cascade Mountains as a child, it was not until later in life did she become serious about climbing to seek out summits of local volcanoes and alpine rock climbing routes in the North Cascades; and she makes a point of reviewing her worn and marked up copy of Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills before every trip.
Marjorie Kittle
Accounting Manager
Staff Liaison to the Seattle Branch
Phone: (206) 521-6008
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Joined Staff: 2012
Marjorie is responsible for daily accounting operations and human resources.
Background: In addition to a wealth of nonprofit management skills, Marjorie brings experience leading teens and adults in outdoor expeditions throughout the Southwest. She has cooked for groups of 25 people over an open fire, driven many miles of dirt road, and built trail with a volunteer group in Siberia. She most recently worked for NPower Northwest and EarthCorps. She holds an MBA from Boston University and a BA from the University of Southern California.
Outdoor Activities: Hiking, biking, camping, and exploring Seattle’s open spaces on foot
Sarah Krueger
Public Lands Programs Manager
Staff Liaison to the Kitsap Branch and Kitsap Cabin
Phone: (206) 521-6012
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Joined Staff: 2010
As conservation manager, Sarah coordinates and implements a conservation and recreation access agenda for The Mountaineers, publishes the Currents e-newsletter, and manages programs and initiatives to protect the outdoors such as Leave No Trace training, conservation-related outings and volunteer stewardship efforts.
Background: Sarah’s involvement in conservation began when a proposed highway threatened her teenage stomping grounds at Shelby Farms, one of the country’s largest urban parks in Memphis, Tennessee. Since those formative years of grassroots campaigning, Sarah has spent over a decade working to facilitate public involvement with a variety of conservation causes - from endangered wolf reintroduction to recreational shoreline access for non-motorized boaters. Currently president-elect for the Washington State Trails Coalition, Sarah has a bachelor’s degree in environmental writing from Warren Wilson College in Asheville, North Carolina, a Certificate in public relations from the University of Washington, and is a Leave No Trace master educator.
Outdoor Activities: Backpacking, sea kayaking, canoeing, biking, climbing, cross-country skiing and nature study
Other: Sarah is an avid gardener but also enjoys the abundant wild foods of the Pacific Northwest. She especially enjoys rummaging through huckleberry bushes, hunting elusive mushrooms, digging for clams and searching for pearls by eating copious amounts of oysters fresh off the beach.
Frank McCord
Facility Assistant
Phone: (206) 892-8782 (shared with Vito)
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Joined Staff: 2010
Frank serves in a support role to facility services--mostly on evening and weekend shifts but occasionally during the day as situations demand. He makes certain that clients are provided with everything they need when reserving space at the program center (e.g., tables, chairs, podiums, projectors, power cords and microphones) and that their events run smoothly.
Background: Born and raised in rural Montana, Frank enjoyed riding horses, hiking and camping. He joined The Mountaineers in 1995 when he married Anne Smart, current chair of the Seattle Branch Photography Committee.
Outdoor Activities: Photography, camping, hiking
Valerie Normand
Membership Program Manager
Staff Liaison to the Bellingham Branch and Meany Lodge
Phone: (206) 521-6023
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Joined Staff: 2011
As membership program manager, Valerie manages the database and membership reports, including the tracking of all dues, renewals and donations. She is also involved in organization-wide member outreach and marketing efforts. Val works closely with The Mountaineers’ event planning staff, collaborates with the membership committee and supports member program volunteers at all of the branches.
Background: Valerie has a broad background in environmental education, program management and communications. Prior to joining the staff, she worked nine years as a national park ranger and wilderness manager, and four years for an outdoor gear sales company. In recent years she has also coordinated an international exchange program, worked as an environmental consultant and managed IT and communications for a nonprofit foundation focused on parks. Valerie earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Louisiana State University, a master of science degree in environmental management from Western Washington University, and is a Leave No Trace master educator.
Outdoor Activities: Hiking, scrambling, backpacking, paddling, skiing (including skijoring with her dog), biking, running, gardening
Other: Valerie moved to Washington from Louisiana 20 years ago to study ecology. In the meantime, she fell in love with the North Cascades and decided to stay in the Northwest. “At heart, I am an environmental educator and steward who is passionate about exploring the diversity of the Northwest through my work and play, preferably centered in the outdoors. I have the greatest respect for the mission and legacy of The Mountaineers, and am excited to support the members and volunteers who keep the organization vibrant by sharing their experiences and energies,” says Valerie.
Becca Polglase
Education Manager
Staff Liaison to the Tacoma Branch
Phone: (206) 521-6011
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Joined Staff: 2010
Background: Becca brings over 12 years of experience in Outdoor Experiential Education to The Mountaineers. She has a master of science in organizational management and leadership from Springfield College. Becca is also a Leave No Trace trainer and is a graduate of Outward Bound’s wilderness educator’s course. She recently moved to the Pacific Northwest after almost a decade in New England.
Outdoor Activities: Climbing, cross-country skiing, canoeing, canyoneering, biking, exploring, tree-hugging
Other: As an outdoor enthusiast, astronomy and geology hobbyist, occasional tide-pooler and lover of Ponderosas, Becca is thrilled to be in the Pacific Northwest and honored to be a part of The Mountaineers. She looks forward to getting to know The Mountaineers’ present and future members, learning from The Mountaineers’ incredible volunteers, and sharing her love of the outdoors with others.
Chris Pyper
Development Associate
Phone: (206) 521-6006
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Joined Staff: 2011
As Development Associate Chris is responsible for Development Information Services, the database as it relates to development and support in building a Foundation and Grants Program. He also is charged with supporting the effort to expand our Corporate Matching Program, coordinating donor communications, supporting events and assisting with Board of Directors and Advisory Council operations.
Background: A native of Utah, Chris has a Bachelor of Science and Master’s of Accountancy from Weber State University. After working for two years as a cost analyst at Hill Air Force Base, he served in rural Morocco as a Peace Corps volunteer. Advising traditional dagger makers in small business skills has been his most rewarding experience to date. Following Peace Corps, Chris co-led an AmeriCorps crew performing trail maintenance work on the Pacific Crest Trail. He is currently enjoying his explorations of the Pacific Northwest.
Outdoor Activities: Running, biking, cross-country and downhill skiing, backpacking, horseback riding, gardening, trail maintaining
Brad Stracener
Managing Editor
Staff Liaison to the Olympia Branch
Phone: (206) 521-6013
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Joined Staff: 1994
As managing editor Brad produces the bi-monthly Mountaineer magazine and monthly e-newsletter, the Routefinder. He manages content for The Mountaineers website and produces various other publicity and Member Services literature.
Background: A native of Anchorage, Alaska, Brad has spent most of his life in the greater Seattle area. He graduated with a journalism degree from Washington State University and began his career as a community newspaper editor amidst the golden wheat fields of Lincoln County just west of Spokane. He later co-published a weekly newspaper in the rolling, verdant hills of southwest Oregon and moved back up to the Seattle area to dabble a bit in radio marketing, only to stumble upon his catbird seat of jobs--editor of a sportfishing magazine, Washington Fishing Holes. After the magazine was sold he cast his line back into the familiar pond of newspapering as special sections editor and outdoor columnist for the dailies in Bellevue and Kent. From there he moved downstream to The Mountaineers, near the shore of Elliott Bay, as editor of The Mountaineer. The Mountaineers’ move to Magnuson Park served a bit of a homecoming for Brad. He had edited the Morale, Welfare and Recreation newsletter, The Sandpointer, for the naval station during its final years at Magnuson Park in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was lucky enough to arrange a hiatus from the work-a-day world in 2003 when he lived for nine months on the shores of the Caribbean Sea where he wrote, read, helped teach basic computer skills to school children in a nearby village, and tried to inveigle bonefish to take his latest fly pattern.
Outdoor Activities: Backpacking, scrambling, bicycling, fly fishing, skiing, softball, golf
Other: Indoors Brad prefers rambling over a game of Scrabble when not wondering which mountain lake has the hungriest and most unsuspecting trout.
Debbie Wick
Member Services Representative
Staff Liaison to the Foothills Branch
Phone: (206) 521-6003
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Joined staff: 2001
From her member services desk, Deb connects members and non-members to the resources they need to participate in Mountaineers activities. Additionally, she enters and amends membership data, processes new-member packets, handles the mail and troubleshoots when members have questions. She also assists with outreach and promotional events.
Background: Deb grew up in Indiana and graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Outdoor Recreation. For two years she worked at the Nature Center at Brown County State Park, the largest state park in Indiana and one of the largest in the United States. She moved to the Seattle area in 1983 and joined The Mountaineers in 1984 to enroll in the Basic Climbing Course. She continues to recreate and volunteer with The Mountaineers!
Outdoor Activities: Climbing, scrambling, hiking, biking, sea kayaking
Other: Basic Grad 1984; Intermediate Grad 1986; Sea Kayak Grad 1991. Awards - 5 Peak Pin, Snoqualimie First and Second Peak Pins, Teanaway Ten and Teanaway Twenty Peak Pins, Tahoma First and Second Peak Pins, Irish Cabin First and Second Peak Pins, Everett's Bronze, Silver and Gold Scramble Peak Pins and 100 Seattle Alpine Scramble Paperweight. Currently working on Clubhouse Scramble Peak Pin.