Trail Maps & Conditions

The Birkie Team

Staff & Board of Directors

Meet the Birkie Team! We are a dedicated and hard-working – get stuff done – kind of crew who provide world-class experiences to you . . . right here in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.

Ben PoppBen Popp
Executive Director
Gia AccomandoGia Accomando
Retail Associate
Shelby BarnardShelby Barnard
Registration Data Coordinator
Erik BlowErik Blow
Trail Manager
Michael BrownMichael Brown
Chief Financial Officer
Chris CampbellChris Campbell
Trails and Facilities Staff
Shawn ConnellyShawn Connelly
Marketing Director
Jen DeYoungJen DeYoung
Partnership Director
Louise DroesslerLouise Droessler
Development Director
Jane FlygstadJane Flygstad
Volunteer Coordinator
Rachel FrydenlundRachel Frydenlund
Event Logistics Manager
Bob HardakerBob Hardaker
Facilities Manager
Reese HarrisonReese Harrison
Trails and Facilities Staff
Grace HoinsGrace Hoins
Event Manager
Eric HolteyEric Holtey
Trails and Facilities Staff
Redgy JorstadRedgy Jorstad
Marketing Content Coordinator
Ally KingAlly King
Retail Buyer and Manager
Samantha LaSalleSamantha LaSalle
LWC Event Manager
Kristy MakiKristy Maki
Event Director
Stephanie MartinStephanie Martin
Sr. Staff Accountant
Rich MetcalfRich Metcalf
Trail Crew
Kelly NechutaKelly Nechuta
Registration Manager
Deb NelsonDeb Nelson
Retail Associate
Kyle ParkerKyle Parker
Partnership Coordinator
Victoria RossVictoria Ross
Birkie Retail Assistant
Ken SchmockKen Schmock
Equipment Mechanic
Jeff TumblesonJeff Tumbleson
Senior Race Manager
Your Name Here!Your Name Here!
Trails & Facilities Director

Paul EckerlinePaul Eckerline
President
2027
Bill Brown
Vice President
2026
Kathie PautschKathie Pautsch
Secretary
2026
Kris BjerknessKris Bjerkness
Treasurer
2027
Jan GuentherJan Guenther
2027
Yuriy GusevYuriy Gusev
2025
Michael MandliMichael Mandli
2026
Karen ManskeKaren Manske
2026
Chris MorleyChris Morley
2025
Marit Ross-SonnesynMarit Ross-Sonnesyn
2027
Andy UbelAndy Ubel
2025
Tom DuffyTom Duffy
Representative, Sawyer County Board of Directors (Appointed)
Jeff OlsenJeff Olsen
Representative, Bayfield County Board of Directors (Appointed)

Foundation Committees

Capital Campaign / ABSF Development Committee

  • Chair: Bill Brown
  • Members: Kathie Schaus, Mike Cleary, Karen Manske, Paul Eckerline, John Schneider, Jan Guenther, Scott Chapin
  • Staff: Ben Popp
  • Consultant: John Munger

Finance Committee

  • Chair: Kris Bjerkness
  • Members: Jan Guenther, Tom Duffy, Sue Scheer, Andy Ubel, Paul Eckerline
  • Staff: Mike Brown
  • Minutes: May 2017

HR Committee

  • Members: Paul Eckerline, Bill Brown
  • Staff: Mike Brown

Birkie One

  • Chair: Chris Morley
  • Members: Andy Ubel, Sue Scheer, Madelyn Rekemeyer, Ernie St. Germaine, Thom Malnourie, Bob Kovar
  • Staff: Jeff Tumbleson

Documentation