George likes hiking, biking and skiing with his wife and kids. He is interested in building better connectivity for pedestrians and bicyclists in the Mat-Su. He has professional experience with land management and environmental projects throughout Alaska. Outside of work he is involved with Palmer Rotary and National Ski Patrol. He is a graduate of the University of Vermont, and holds a GIS Professional certification.

Kathy lives in Wasilla and is a 20+ year Alaska resident, after moving here with her husband who is from North Pole. She is originally from NE Ohio and spent most of her childhood on the back of a horse roaming around farm fields and show rings. She has a BA from Kalamazoo College in Michigan in Anthropology and Spanish and a MA in International Development Studies and Anthropology from George Washington University. She worked at the World Bank for nearly 20 years until she joined the Mat-Su Health Foundation in 2016. She was also a Ford Foundation New Voices Social Justice Fellow and worked at the Cultural Heritage and Education Institute in Fairbanks. Kathy likes to garden, explore new places, and spends most of her time getting her teenagers to and from their sports and other fun outdoor activities. Kathy’s other hobbies include a passion for philanthropy, nonprofit development, grant writing, editing (yes, she really likes to edit), and looking for the positive in everything. If you haven’t figured out, Kathy likes to be busy. Her favorite place to recreate is Hatcher Pass!

Lorraine is a long-time Alaska resident after making the move from New Jersey with 35 years of service to the state. Lorraine has a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and economics from University of Alaska Anchorage. She has enjoyed employment in the private sector, state, local, and federal government. In her various roles, Lorraine led public meetings and conducted economic studies as small as a couple thousand dollars to several million dollars. Lorraine brings a wealth of local and state knowledge to the Board.
In 2017, Lorraine applied for and received grant funds from the Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation for upgrades to the Purinton Creek Trail in Glacier View where she serves as treasurer. This successful project led to an increased interest in the Foundation’s activities and a renewed interest in enabling Alaskans to enjoy and protect our wild places. Lorraine will continue to lie about her age to most inquirers but is passionate about helping Alaska’s older residents to get out and about to enjoy this place we all love.

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.

Ryan joined the board in 2024 and enjoys spending time exploring Alaska’s trails and waterways with his family and community of friends.  Favorite outdoor activities include jogging, cross-country skiing, hunting & fishing, and float trips down wild and scenic rivers.  He has worked professionally for two decades on conservation projects across Alaska and currently focuses on delivering federal assistance to environmentally threatened communities.  Ryan is committed to access and stewardship of public lands and is grateful to be a part of the foundation’s work in the MatSu.

Ryan joined the board in 2021. Ryan works for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a wildlife biologist and administrator for the science program within the National Wildlife Refuge System in Alaska. Ryan has served as a federal land manager at Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge where he oversaw the construction of trails, campgrounds, and interpretative sites. He also represented Alaska on a national team working closely with the Secretary of the Interior on efforts to promote hunting and fishing. Ryan and his family have lived in Alaska for over fourteen years where they spent several years living in the small communities of Tok and Galena. Since moving to the MatSu Valley over six years ago, Ryan and his family spend much of their time hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, and gathering. “The many lakes, trails, and access to the backcountry makes the Valley a wonderful place to live. I look forward to serving on the board and building our world-class trails and parks system.”

Troy is a 20+ year Alaska resident who enjoys hiking with his wife, dog and kids when they are home.  He is interested in improved trails and access to public lands.  As a professional accountant, he worked in the banking and mortgage finance industry for over twenty years.  He has a BBA degree in Financial Management from the University of North Dakota and a Masters of Accountancy degree from the University of Montana.  Additionally, Troy has volunteered as a board member on State of Alaska and non-profit agricultural boards and is a member of Wasilla Sunrise Rotary Club.

Susie lives in Palmer. She’s always loved hiking and camping, but a summer spent volunteer trail building after high school gave her a deeper appreciation for trail development and maintenance. Susie works as an attorney for the State of Alaska. She spends her time outside of work hiking, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, trail running, and spending time outside with her husband and their two young sons. Susie is honored to be a part of efforts to ensure a vibrant trail system in the Mat-Su that endures for future generations.

Brian Moved to Alaska in 1996 to attend college in “the land of snow.” His love of nature and being outside led to explor ation of Anchorage’s extensive trail network and quick access to the mountains. Brian appreciated being able to access his “sanctuary” right out his back door and strongly desires for people in the Mat-Su to have quick-easy access to the land and the mountains for exercise, rejuvenation, fun, health and food. As a hunter that has spent many miles bush-wacking, Brian has learned to appreciate a well maintained trail that allows easier access to and from his forays away from the road system. As a father of three, Brian appreciates any park that his children can play in safely and that they enjoy. “I am honored to be on the board to help create and maintain trails and parks for all the people of the Mat-Su Valley. Trails are vital to our health and economy. Well maintained trails make the Mat-Su a great place to work and live!”

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.

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.

Born and raised in Alaska, Heather grew up exploring the trails and parks of Yaghanen (Kenai Peninsula in Dena’ina).  One of her first jobs was working as a City of Soldotna campground entrance attendant.  Since then, she has worked for different state and federal agencies, including Alaska State Parks, US Fish and Wildlife, and Alaska Dept of Fish and Game, helping manage parks and public spaces.  She fell in love with the Mat-Su after working as a Park Specialist for Alaska State Parks, managing the visitor center at Independence Mine State Historical Park.  

Heather received her BA from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in Northern Studies and completed a MS in Geography from The Pennsylvania State University in 2015.

Heather and her family live on the ancestral territories of the Dena’ina and Ahtna peoples, in Palmer (Dnal’iy Kena in Dena’ina, Nuutah in Ahtna).  Heather cares deeply about accessibility and stewardship of the incredible resources available to our communities here in the valley.  When she’s not out on the trails, Heather likes to curl up with a book or play board games. Have an idea for parks and trails and playgrounds in the area, or want to play a game of Wingspan? Reach out to her at hfernstrom@matsutrails.org.