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Kristin WhitakerPatrol Director
Mt Spokane Ski Patrol Kristin is entering her 16th year with the legendary all-volunteer Mt. Spokane Ski Patrol, currently serving as MSSP's Patrol Director. From the family camaraderie of the patrol, to beautiful sunrises and sunsets, pow turns, and of course saving lives or even simply making people smile, patrolling is her passion. She enjoys actively sharing the mission and culture of ski patrol with others.
With a strong background in marketing and ten years in resort marketing and management, she is able to apply her marketing skills to share patrol culture and attract recruits. As a member of the National Ski Patrol's Marketing Advisory Committee, she led the team that created NSP's Recruiting Toolkit in 2020. She spends her free time working on entrepreneurial pursuits, and anything leftover is enjoyed on her motorcycle exploring our beautiful region. [email protected] |
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Fred NowlandMountain Host
49 Degrees North Ski Patrol Fred Nowland began working in the local ski industry in the late 80’s, gaining a job at Sunset Sports Center, which later became Herman’s Sporting Goods. In 1989 one of Nowland’s buddies got him a job as a rental dog, which later turned into ski tuning a year later. By 1990, Nowland was the head ski tuner at the legendary Lou-Lou’s Ski Chalet, a position he held until the shop closed permanently in 2002. During the summer months, Nowland ran the Rossignol Test Center at Mt. Hood, working with athletes from the US Ski Team and other national teams that trained on the Palmer Glacier. After Lou-Lou’s closed in 2002, he took his skills to the Spokane Alpine Haus for 20 years and then on to Shred Sports where he currently works. Over a 35-year span, Nowland figures he has touched somewhere around 180,000 pairs of skis. When not in the shop, Nowland spends his weekends at 49 Degrees North, where he serves as a mountain host, directing guests and assisting ski patrol when needed. |
Feedback Forms
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Presenters
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Brad Acker is starting his third season as the PNW Avalanche Advisor. He is the past Advisor for Southern Idaho Region and a member of the 705 Backcountry Ski Patrol based out of Boise, ID. Brad is also a Level 2 Ski Guide for Soldier Mountain Ski Area in Fairfield, ID.
Brad has been learning about snow science since the mid-1990’s where he helped with research at Montana State University, Bozeman and received his undergraduate in Mechanical Engineering. Brad holds a Masters in Engineering and works professionally with energy efficiency, HVAC and high performance building design. Brad splits this time between Boise, ID and Sandpoint, ID, being better positioned to hit the power highway from Sandpoint is a great benefit. Adventure racing, ultra-marathons, and commercial river guiding have all been part of his outdoor life. |
NA 7780-- I am one of two Division Awards CoAdvisors (+ Pam Carson) who jumped into the empty position in February. I have always been an eager instructor and mentor, and began helping recognize fellow patrollers as Inland Empire Region Awards Advisor from 1995 to 2003 and again from 2019 to 2023. I have learned a LOT since starting this new position, particularly during the monthly National Awards Committee meetings.
Attend Pam’s and Sue’s break out session to find out how to make awards nominations easier and more fun! There will be resources to take home, and treats… Please plan to attend the Saturday Night Awards Dinner. There will be more than a few nice surprises and awards for impressive patroller service and performance; guaranteed to be inspiring! In the rest of my patroller life, I continue to instruct OEC, OET and ID, have held a variety of leadership positions, and am an active alpine patroller on alpine and tele gear. I began patrolling in 1979 at Marshall Mountain in Missoula and have been at 49 Degrees North since 1992. I also enjoy bike patrolling on the Hiawatha and am fortunate to be married to another patroller (Danial) who is just as active as I am. |
A native New Jerseyan, I have lived in Bend, Oregon, for the past 35 years.
I joined NSP in 1986 and have been a paid and a volunteer patroller at 2 ski areas in Central Oregon. Certified as an Instructor and IT in Avalanche, MTR, OEC, and ID, I also instruct CPR/AED for my present patrol: Santiam Pass. With my 2 Alaskan Malamutes and my twin sister, Katie, I hike, visit dog parks, camp in my RV, and drive cross-country every fall to visit my family in New Jersey, Georgia and South Carolina. |
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Kathy AlexanderPNWD Instructor Development Advisor
Santiam Pass Ski Patrol A native New Jerseyan, I have lived in Bend, Oregon, for the past 35 years. I joined NSP in 1986 and have been a paid and a volunteer patroller at 2 ski areas in Central Oregon. Certified as an Instructor and IT in Avalanche, MTR, OEC, and ID, I also instruct CPR/AED for my present patrol: Santiam Pass. With my 2 Alaskan Malamutes and my twin sister, Katie, I hike, visit dog parks, camp in my RV, and drive cross-country every fall to visit my family in New Jersey, Georgia and South Carolina. |
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Andy BechdoltOregon Region Director
Willamette Pass Ski Patrol Andy Bechdolt is entering his 20th season as a volunteer patroller. He is a senior, OET Instructor, OET IT, OEC Instructor, OEC IT. Andy spends his time patrolling at Willamette Pass in Oregon. He was selected as an assistant Hill Chief in his rookie year. He spent time in that role for 2 years. He was a Hill Chief for 4 years, Assistant Patrol Director for 4 years, Patrol Director for 4 years, Assistant Oregon Region Director for 4 years and is currently in his second term as the Oregon Region Director. In his day job, Andy is the Tactical Training Coordinator for the State Police Academy in Oregon. He coordinates, develops curriculum and teaches every police officer in Oregon in all of the high fidelity scenario based training, building searches and DUI. He is also a senior instructor in firearms and emergency vehicle operations. Andy is also an instructor in advanced courses such as leadership, instructor development courses and staff in service training. Andy also runs a part time professional photography business and is a full time adventure seeker. In his spare time he kiteboards, backpacks, rides mountain and road bikes and of course skis. |
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Dave CampbellSo Idaho Region Director
Anthony Lakes Ski Patrol Joined the Anthony Lakes Ski Patrol in 1988, Skied all my years there. Have held every patrol office. Achieved senior in 1991. Awarded National #8774 in 1998. Awarded Yellow merit star 2009. Have been Southern Idaho OEC Administer. Currently Southern Idaho Region Director.. |
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Shirley CummingsPNWD Historian & Special Projects
Hyak Ski Patrol National #4852 - 56rd year patrolling.
Joined home patrol (Hyak (POOB-020) in 1965. Have worked on several national NSP committees, was PNWD Secretary 35 years, Northwest Region Secretary 3 year and an assistant patrol director for many years. During those years, I also served in the position of Division Convention Coordinator, Special Projects and more recently Historian. I graduated from the University of Washington and have been involved in UW homecoming and reunion committees. For 33 years I was a firefighter/EMT (#4415) with Vashon Island Fire & Rescue (#130015). I began skiing in 1957 and that same year also began my first winter ski job as cashier in the Thunderbird Lodge at the top of Snoqualmie Summit. Often after my work shift, the ski patrol would bring me down the mountain in a toboggan. There began my introduction to ski patrol. My big exposure to ski patrol, however, came in 1964 when my husband managed the ski shop for REI at Hyak while we were in college; every day skied with the Hyak Patrol; we were hooked and became patrollers. My greatest life interests have been my husband, Gary #4585 (his 57th year patrolling), my children Kevin and Katie and my grandsons-Connor, Sam, Jack and Sean. We enjoy boating, traveling, and we spend a lot of time as seasoned spectators at the many sporting events for all our grandsons as well as cheering at UW football and basketball games. In the future, it looks like my ski patrol and grandson-spectating careers will both probably start to wind down and cease at the same time. I guess I will be doing a lot of knitting. |
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Joe FerrarroPNWD Outdoor Risk Management Program Advisor
National Ski/Bike Patrol 49 Degrees North and Mt Spokane Ski and Snowboard Areas Retired USAF Commander, 22 years (LtCol). Flight and Ground Safety Officer, Flight Instructor and Evaluator, Quality Assurance Engineer, General Manager, Operation Manager, Maintenance Manager, Risk Manager at Mt Spokane Ski and Granite Point Lake Resorts. 28 years of National Ski Patrol, CPR Instructor, OEC Instructor, Ski Instructor. Coached football, soccer, baseball, cross county, track and field. Absolutely loves living in the Pacific Northwest Inland Empire with a wife of 36 years and two grownup gentleman, that now help manage Mt Spokane. Currently enjoying camping, biking, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, surfing, wakeboarding, swimming, and hang gliding. Will probably ski patrol another 28 years, if I live that long…. |
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Dr. Jim HamiltonPNWD Medical Advisor
Mt Hood Ski Patrol James J. Hamilton, M.D. was the Rex L. Diveley Professor and Chairman of Orthopaedic Surgery at Truman Medical Center and the University of Missouri – Kansas City from 1980 to 2012. His specialty was major trauma. He served as President of multiple organizations including Truman Medical Center, the Clinical Orthopaedic Society and the Missouri State Orthopaedic Association. He was nominated to Who’s Who in Medicine and Health Care, Science and Engineering, American Education and the World. He has been a member of the National Ski Patrol since 1967 and has served a Division Medical Advisor for both the Central Division and the Pacific Northwest Division. He is a member of the Mt. Hood Ski Patrol |
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Katja HurtKeynote Speaker
Snoqualmie Pass Ski Patrol Katjarina “Katja” Hurt (she/her/hers) is a Senior Consultant in Learning & Development for Plante Moran and the Founder and Director of the non-profit organization, Wilderness Chaplains. She has over fifteen years experience as a ski patroller, primarily at Snoqualmie Pass, with a focus on Psychological First Aid and Outdoor Emergency Care instruction. She has been a paid patroller at Summit Central (Snoqualmie Pass) for four seasons and has previously been a volunteer patroller with Snoqualmie Pass, Hidden Valley (Missouri), and Mount Rainier’s Nordic Patrol. Katja has a background in law enforcement with Washington State and Missouri Departments of Correction. She currently serves as a volunteer chaplain with the King County Sherriff’s Office in Washington State and regularly assists local SAR and Mountain Rescue teams in the Puget Sound region. She credits her lifetime of service to the influence of her mother, Brigitte Schran, a 42-year-patroller and Katja’s “favorite OEC instructor ever!” |
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Jodie JeffersPNWD Safety/Patroller Advisor & Web Asst/Social Media Advisor
Santiam Pass Ski Patrol Jodie has been with NSP for the past 20 yrs, starting with the Mt Hood SP, Wy east Region and currently with Santiam Pass SP, Oregon Region. She started in EMS as a paramedic in Michigan and has been a Critical Care RN for the last 32 yrs specializing in Emergency, ICU & Flight Nursing. This helps support her "paw family". While self proclaimed beginner skier, she has found other important areas to be very involved with NSP. She has been active with teaching and all things medical from the onset, serving many years at MHSP's First Aid Chief and leadership positions, & starting their safety programs. Her participation with local, region, division and national levels started early in her patrolling years. Her interests and participation include OEC & ID, Awards, and more recently with Web/Social Media and her many years passionate about promoting Safety4All. National level participation included OEC Refresher Committee Member, Senior Aid Module Revision & National Safety Team Advisor. She obtained her Senior Patroller and National Appt (LCA). Her latest and ongoing projects include promoting Safety for the public and more recently developed the SafetyCulture4All Workshop Series with the PNWD Safety Team. Expanding with this training, she received multiple training programs on Psychological First Aid with the Responder Alliance and serves on their National Task Force SIG. |
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Karen JensenPNWD OEC Advisor
Soldier Mountain Ski Patrol Karen has been a member of the NSP since the 1990-91 season and patrols at Soldier Mountain near Fairfield, Idaho in the Southern Idaho region. The first part of her patrol career was spent at Bogus Basin where she served her local patrol as OEC advisor on and off during the 2000’s and transitioned to Regional OEC Advisor in 2013. Karen has been serving the division as the OEC Administrator since November. She began teaching OEC in 1992 and has enjoyed teaching it ever since. Teaching is one of her passions. Karen recently obtained a Master of Science degree in Nursing Education and works as adjunct clinical faculty in the nursing department for a local university. She has been a Registered Nurse longer than she's been a patroller. Her specialty is Pediatrics and NICU. Karen's other passions in life are her two children and her three adorable granddaughters |
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Dave MillerMt Hood Ski Patrol
Dave Miller has written software for 20 years building systems in education, banking, sports apparel, and other industries. He has been a member of the Mt Hood Ski Patrol for 16 seasons, was a founding organizer of the annual ski swap, and has served on the MHSP IT committee managing the website, internal wiki, and maintaining the online scheduling system the patrol used from 1998 until 2019. He developed the MHSP’s current scheduling system, Troopiter, which has been in use on Mt Hood and a handful of other patrols since 2019.
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Richard MurphyPNWD Web/IT Advisor
Crystal Mountain Ski Patrol Richard, better known as “Murph”, has been on a quest to modernize the Ski Patrol’s relationship with Information Technology. Murph has helped various patrols, the NW Region and the Pacific NW Division save thousands of dollars acquiring software that makes managing a volunteer organization easier. Murph graduated from the UW’s Foster business school, with a concentration in Finance, and has been a commercial electrical contractor for the past 25 years. This is Murph's 9th year with the National Ski Patrol, starting with Snoqualmie Pass - Summit Central. While at Central Murph served on the Board of Directors as well as the patrol's bookkeeper. As bookkeeper Murph migrated the patrol's finances to Quickbooks online, established a highly automated Docusign processes to handle expense reimbursements and instituted online payments, reducing the reimbursement process from nearly 3 weeks to 2 days. Murph subsequently acquired Office 365 for the patrol using a special program offered by Microsoft enabling the patrol to securely store and share data. Murph is also the Webmaster and IT support for both the NW Region and the Pacific NW Division, which includes the Division's convention website and online store. For the past several years Murph has been part of the Crystal Mountain patrol where he has helped the patrol incorporate Microsoft 365 and Teams into patrol operations. |
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Steve PotterPNWD MTR Advisor
Mt Hood Ski Patrol As a member of Mt. Hood Ski Patrol since 2009 I have been active in the Nordic and Associate programs. As a Nordic Patroller I have received the Nordic Patroller of the Year recognition in 2001 and 2014, and Pacific Northwest Division Outstanding Nordic Patroller of the Year for 2020-2021. As an Associate patroller was recognized as the Associate Patroller of the Year in 2015. As a General Patroller I was honored to receive the First Aid Instructor of the Year in 2016. As a Nordic Patroller I have served as the Nordic APC for two seasons in 2016 thru 2017. Following the APC service, I have served on the MHSP Council as Nordic Director for four seasons starting in 2018. In my time as Nordic Director I have strived to coordinate with and follow the leadership of our Council, Region, Division, and the National Ski Patrol utilizing the recourses and guidelines provided for Nordic Training, MTR, and OET. As A Nordic and MTR Instructor and IT I have worked to establish a group of Nordic instructors, added new MTR instructors. Recently I have led in the implementation of a Teacup Lake Nordic specific OET program. In 2021 I was honored with the PNWD Outstanding Nordic Patroller award for 2020-2021 and awarded the NSP Leadership Commendation Appointment No. 8553. I have been active with the Boy Scouts of America for thirty-five years as a Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, District trainer and committee member. I have served as District Commissioner and District Chairman in two Scout Districts. Within the Scout District and Council organizations I am recognized as a go-to for outdoor travel, camping, and emergency medical training. This involvement led me to Ski Patrol service in 2008. Steve Potter ,MHSP 1630, NSP 236276, NSP LCA 855 |
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Jack RamseyPNWD OET Supervisor
Crystal Mountain Ski Patrol Going into my third year as the PNW Division OET Supervisor I am looking forward to accomplishing the goals I set in my first year. Barring further complications due to whatever may happen next, my goal again this year, is to attend all Senior OET final evaluations in the Division. Covid-19 kept me from most of the Senior events in 2020 and 2021. Please help me out with this by staying healthy and doing all you can the limit the spread of this and any other challenge that presents itself. |
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Dave SchweitzerPNWD Mountain Host Advisor
Willamette Pass Patrol Host Coordinator Dave Schweitzer was born in southern California in 1957. He was raised both
in Big Bear Lake and the Oregon Coast, where he started his first business in 1978. Dave is the owner of Schweitzer's Automotive Center in Eugene, and has been in his present location for almost 29 years. Dave learned to ski in elementary school, the last class of the day being ski school where we put our skis on the side of the bus and rode to Snow Summit. He has ski throughout the west, from southern California to Alaska. Dave joined Willamette Pass Ski Patrol 7 years ago as a Host. He became the Mountain Host Coordinator 5 year ago, overseeing approximately 15 hosts. Dave has extensive experience in, and a love of, the outdoors. He is an avid water and snow skier and enjoys hunting, fishing, boating, RV's, and motorcycles. Dave has traveled both domestically and abroad in pursuit of his activities, and believes that active outdoor activities enrich people's lives. |
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Sally SeelyePNWD Woman's Program Supervisor
White Pass Ski Patrol Growing up on Mercer Island in Washington State, Alpental was my ski home. Sunny days or pow days you would find me there rather than in school, whether I had to beg for rides or hitchhike. Oddly enough, my parents were fine with my missing school - so long as it was for skiing. In the mid 80s, pre-OEC and soon as I was old enough, I joined the Alpental Ski Patrol for a few years. Then life happened and skiing fell by the wayside. It took a long while before I finally found my way back, joining the White Pass Ski Patrol just a few years ago. Outside of ski season and when I'm not working selling houses, I can usually be found camping somewhere near water or in the mountains. Preferably both. |
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Doug StantonMt Hood Ski Patrol
15 plus years patrol experience, the past four as a Pro Patroller III with Mt Hood Meadows. Certified Toboggan Pro IT; Avy I and II certified, Pro Avy I certified; Senior Certified; Senior S&T Instructor, Hill Captain and Patrol Director, MHSP; Region Director-Wy’East Region; National Appointment #12082; Technical Rope Rescue Technician (TRRT) certified. |
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Matt StrauserPWND Nordic/BC Assist Advisor
Santiam Pass Ski Patrol |
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Shelley UrbenPacific Northwest Division Director
Santiam Pass Ski Patrol Shelley is the current PNW Division Director since 2019. She has been with NSP and Santiam Pass Ski Patrol in the Oregon Region for the last 22 years. During this time she has been very active at all levels from patrol, region, division and national levels contributing her experience and knowledge to all whether with Alpine, OEC, Area Management, Policy & Procedures, NSP. To name just a few of her many experiences beyond Division Director: *PNWD Nor Wester Editor for 9 seasons *Santiam Pass Ski Patrol Director for 7 seasons *Assistant Patrol Director for 3 seasons Participation in national-level activities: * A member of the NSP National Leadership from 2010-present * A member of the NSP Business Process Committee from 2019 - present * A member of the National Education Committee from 2019 – present * Chair of the Initiative for Change Task Force from 2021 - present * A member of the NSP Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Task Force * Participation at Powderfall Shelley has both her Alpine Senior Patroller & National Appointment. |
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Bob WaddellSAM Splint
Bob is the Training Manager for SAM Medical, Inc. With 47 years of EMS/EM experience Bob has an extensive & diverse background at the local, regional, national, and international levels. His excellence in EMS has been recognized by numerous organizations, agencies, and governments across America and around the world. He is dedicated to assuring every Healthcare Provider deliver the highest quality of compassionate care to all. Bob and his wife live in Wyoming, have two adult married children, and two grandchildren who give them massive bragging rights daily |
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