Bob is from Bethel, Alaska where he was born and raised, and moved to Wasilla twenty-two years ago and is a Knik tribal member. Bob’s professional qualification includes over thirty years of business development, and executive management experience, community planning, infrastructure development, and grant writing. He has an MA degree in Rural Development from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Recent work experience includes the Association of Village Council Presidents as Energy Planner, Calista Corporation as Vice-President Management Services and VP Government External Affairs.
Bob also served as Vice-President of Operations for Association of Village Council Presidents in Bethel, Alaska and as their Economic Development Planner; a consultant to tribes and tribal organizations; and Program Manager for the Calista Elders Council. Other positions and memberships held include President of the Calista Scholarship Fund; member of the Alaska State Community Services Commission; member of the Board of Directors for Yulista Management Services, Inc., an SBA 8(a) subsidiary of Calista Corporation; board member of the Alaska Native Heritage Center Board of Directors; board member of Knik Tribe subsidiary companies.
Bob is Knik Tribe’s Transportation Department Manager to oversee the tribe’s transportation planning, road construction, and maintenance services. He brings his skills and experience in tribal services, business development, government and commercial contracting to assist the tribe to advance its economic development goals for tribal enterprise and employment of tribal members.

Josh is a lifelong Alaskan and has been a Mat-Su Valley resident for 20 years. Josh grew up in South Central, AK and whether it was playing sports, exploring or making memories with his family the outdoors has always been his place of comfort.

Josh has worked in emergency services for 20+ years and counting. When not at work he can be found in the front country of the Chugach and Talkeetna Ranges or in any other part of our Valley which isn’t paved. Josh is passionate about physical fitness and has invested in assisting others to find the right tools for physical and mental health; both in his workplaces and in his personal life.

Josh is excited about assisting helping to build our future recreating in the Valley, finding ways to share and communicate the vast opportunities outside our doorsteps and in improving access for all people as they venture into the fresh air.

Josh likes to be a part of teams, to create and to grow himself in many facets. Josh loves to spend time with his wife Sara, their fur babies, Higgins and Hattie and his friends and family.

Talis is the retired Director of the Matanuska-Susitna College, University of Alaska Anchorage, where he started teaching history in 1992. He received his Ph.D. In Northern Political History and Culture from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He has been Alaska’s Attorney General, served on the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly and as borough mayor. He has been a member of the Alaska State Fair Board, the Alaska Humanities Forum Board, the Alaska Sealife Center Board and the board of the Musk Ox Farm.  

Talis is a third generation Alaskan, a bird watcher, hiker and orchardist. He is a graduate of the Palmer High School class of 1976. He and his wife Krystyna have two daughters and three grandchildren. 

Tom Quimby is a lifelong Alaskan with a passion for the outdoors.  He can be found most days outside utilizing the trails in the Mat-Su Valley.  He enjoys backcountry, alpine, and x-c skiing, mountain biking, wild ice skating, packrafting, hiking, backpacking, hunting, and ATV riding with friends and family. Professionally, has worked as an emergency physician at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center since 2012.  He has a strong interest in wilderness medicine and has volunteered with search and rescue, ski patrol, wilderness medicine education, and the Denali Rescue Volunteers.  He couldn’t imagine a better place to live and recreate than the world class landscape of the Mat-Su Valley. He is excited to serve on the board to continue the work of promoting and enhancing these opportunities.

While growing up in Vermont, Taylor spent her time outside with family, playing sports, skiing, and any other activity she could fit into her schedule. In 2012 Taylor moved to Alaska for the summer, ended up sticking around, and completed her BA from Alaska Pacific University in 2015. Taylor later graduated with a Master of Business Administration from Norwich University. She has worked in a variety of positions in the Alaskan Outdoor Industry and is excited to bring her knowledge and experiences to work with you to make sure that everyone in the Mat-Su has access to world-class recreation opportunities in their communities!
Taylor lives, works, and recreates on the ancestral territory of the Dena’ina and Ahtna peoples, in Palmer, Alaska. Taylor spends most of her free time enjoying public trails, gardening, dog training, and practicing pastry and culinary arts.
Taylor began working with the Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation since 2020 and is excited to work with you to make sure that everyone in the Mat-Su has access to wild and world-class recreation opportunities in their communities!
If you would like to reach out to Taylor to find out how you can impact trails and parks in the Mat-Su, to introduce yourself, or to simply express what accessible trails and parks mean to you, send an email to traftery@matsutrails.org.

Colleen was born and raised in Minnesota, where her love for the outdoors started early. She spent her days paddling northern lakes, fishing, riding bikes around the neighborhood, skiing, and running barefoot through the woods. These experiences shaped a deep connection to the natural world. She holds a B.A. in Psychology and Sociology of Law from the University of Minnesota, and has worked at the intersections of outdoor leadership, education, mental health, and nonprofit work.
After guiding a backpacking expedition through the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, she was drawn in by the wild lands and the opportunities they offered, and in 2023, moved to Palmer, Alaska to continue work in the outdoor recreation industry.
Colleen believes the outdoors is a vessel for building connections between people, communities, and the places we call home. She looks forward to creating meaningful partnerships in this role and ensuring that everyone in the Mat-Su has access to trails, parks, and outdoor spaces.
Colleen lives, works, and recreates on the ancestral lands of the Dena’ina and Ahtna people in Palmer, Alaska. In her free time, you can find her out on a trail with her partner and pup, learning something new, cooking, or getting crafty. If you would like to connect with Colleen to share about what trails and parks mean to you, explore ways to partner, or simply talk about the places we love, you’re welcome to reach out at clomenick@matsutrails.org.