TREAD accepts new board members on a rolling basis throughout the calendar year. If you are passionate about outdoor recreation, conservation, and stewardship, please get in touch. We'd love to learn more about you and how your lived experience could help us enhance and protect sustainable outdoor recreation.
Board Member and President
About Me
I’m a local business owner at Sage Step Consulting and a volunteer with the Indigenous Roots and Reparation Foundation.
My Favorite Activities
Running
skiing
climbing
alpine traverses
Summer Hess
Reason for Serving on the Board
Proximity to trails has improved my life immensely, and I want to help more people have access and feel included in the outdoors.
Board Member - Vice Chair
About Me
I'm originally from Wenatchee and moved back to the area after earning degrees in Biology and Anthropology, and a PhD in Entomology. Growing up here, I rode horses on the trails around Appleatchee and went backpacking with my parents in the central Cascades. My family (Cy, our son Wyatt, and our trail dog Scarpa) enjoys many forms of outdoor recreation in all seasons - particularly skiing and backpacking. I love outdoor photography and pointing out any insects I can find while on the trail.
My Favorite Activities
Downhill and AT skiing, trail running, backpacking, trail riding, hiking, paddleboarding, bicycling
Alix Whitener
Reason for Serving on the Board
I want to help encourage our community members to recreate safely and responsibly - outdoor activities and connecting to nature have served me so well, I want to give back, both to the environment we live in and our community.
Board Member - Treasurer
About Me
My wife Amanda and I got married in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in 2020. I am originally from Maine, but fell in love with this area from the first time I saw it. After some adventures around the country and world we decided to settle here in the Valley, and immerse ourselves in this wonderful community. For work, I am a CPA at a local accounting firm, Cordell Neher & Company, PLLC and an avid stock trader. During my free time I like to spend as much time outdoors and with friends as possible.
My Favorite Activities
hiking, camping, paddleboarding, pickleball, softball, basketball, gardening, rafting, board games, Wim Hof breathing, yoga, and much more. Any day that is finished by a campfire and sleeping in a tent I'd consider a success.
Joe Violette
Reason for Serving on the Board
As a relatively new resident of the Valley, I continue to be blown away by what an amazing and welcoming community resides here. I am excited to be able to give back to the community and help TREAD expand and grow as the organization continues to help with development of local outdoor recreation. I hope to be able to do my part so current residents, visitors and future generations of the Valley are able to experience the joy of being under the sun in the great outdoors here that I've been so fortunate to experience myself.
Board Member - Secretary
About Me
Originally from Montana, I grew up surrounded by big mountains and forests and had skis on my feet at the tender age of two. In 2016, after graduating law school, I moved to Wenatchee for work and immediately fell in love with the community and its wealth of recreational opportunities. When we are not working, my husband Casey and I enjoy backcountry skiing and "brunning" (he mountain bikes, I run), sometimes with our low-rider Corgi-mix, Sebastian. My other interests include international travel, wine, and food.
My Favorite Activities
Backcountry skiing, alpine skiing, trail running, mountain biking, rock climbing, and backpacking
Jessica Rehms
Reason for Serving on the Board
To preserve the identity and well-being of the Wenatchee Valley/ Central Washington community, certain intentions need to be set to make sure that recreation is accessible and that expansion benefits those who live and work here. TREAD is doing this intentional work by building bridges with different stakeholders and always re-centering the needs of the community. I believe that the work done by TREAD will have ripple effects in the community for generations to come and I am honored to be a part of that work.
Board Member and Past President
About Me
Our family, (my wife Caiti, and kids Maya, Gabe & Cadel) truly loves the Wenatchee Valley's outdoor options. Whether it's summer mountain biking, trail running, hiking, fishing, backpacking; or winter downhill, Nordic or backcountry skiing, sledding or snowball fights we are all happiest outdoors. I have many other hobbies but my true passion is competing in Ironman distance triathlons. My family and friends advise that I need help for this addiction but there is nothing quite like a 5:00 a.m. trail run with the sun coming up in the backdrop as therapy.
My Favorite Activities
Mountain biking, trail running
George Velazquez
Reason for Serving on the Board
There are many reasons I want to serve on the Board. I see the possibilities and opportunities in outdoor recreation that have been building for the last 30 years - opportunities that could bring sustained economic growth and leave our incredible resources intact for generations to come. Simply - to give back and ensure we can all enjoy the natural resources in our backyard.
Board Member
About Me
Jeff Ostenson is a principal at North Forty Productions, a Wenatchee-based documentary film, and commercial production company and he loves his work. Jeff and his wife Heather are also partners in the Mercantile co-working space downtown and are remodeling their historic home in downtown Wenatchee
My Favorite Activities
Alpine Skiing, Mountain Biking, Road Biking, Fishing/Boating
Jeff Ostenson
Board Member
About Me
I have been a lifelong motorcycle rider since the age of 8. That passion took me to professional off rode motorcycle racing. I was fortunate to race all over the Western United States and down into Mexico. I am now sharing this passion with my wife and two daughters. In addition to motorcycles, we take advantage of all four seasons this valley has to offer. One of our favorite places to go in the winter is the Badger Mountain Ski Hill and in the summer we love biking Squilchuck. Working as the Recreational Facilitator at Doghouse Motorsports/Wenatchee Honda for 30 years has allowed me to see my second generation of outdoor enthusiasts come through our door.
My Favorite Activities
Off Road motorcycle riding, hiking, hunting, bicycling, skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling
Taber Murphy
Reason for Serving on the Board
I was fortunate to be raised by parents that were huge outdoor enthusiasts. They taught me to cherish the outdoors and leave it better than I found it. My hope for TREAD is to work together as a community to develop outdoor recreation opportunities for all motorized and non-motorized users and to carry on the tradition my folks taught me, to leave our valley better than we found it.
Board Member
About Me
Growing up in Wisconsin, my family valued time spent outdoors and I’ve always had a curiosity for the mountains. In 2014, I moved to Washington State and have since enjoyed all of the varied landscapes that lend themselves to so many different recreational opportunities. When not recreating, I can be found sipping a local wine, pretending to be a good cook, or learning more about gardening and composting.
My Favorite Activities
Nordic skiing brings me the most joy, but running, backpacking, and alpine skiing are also very important to me. I’m up for almost anything that takes me outside with friends!
Amanda Lawson
Reason for Serving on the Board
As a new resident to the Wenatchee Valley, I was seeking a way to connect and give back to my new community. TREAD was top of the list because I’m inspired by the mission to bring local stakeholders together to positively impact and expand the outdoor recreation community.
Board Member
About Me
I grew up in the Wenatchee Valley, and am completely content living, working and recreating here. The outdoors are a big part of my life, from fighting fire in the forest service, to ski patrolling at Mission Ridge. I enjoy spending time with my family, who live here locally, and also volunteering in this awesome community.
My Favorite Activities
Hiking, biking, trail running, downhill and skate skiing, and traveling.
Reason for Serving on the Board
I feel it is important to spend your most precious asset (time) on our most precious assets, recreational resources, access and sustainability.
Delcie Proffit
Reason for Serving on the Board
I am passionate about public service, STEM education, sustainable stewardship of public lands and natural resources, solving problems through networking and pooling collective interests and resources, and finding ways to make learning and recreational opportunities more accessible to all.
Piper Petit
Board Member
About Me
Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, this country girl at heart couldn’t have felt more out of place in tropical paradise. But that all changed when I moved to the mainland to study veterinary science at WSU (Go Cougs!) and felt an immediate connection to the land among the wheat fields and dry pine forests of the Palouse. I got a bit side tracked in my studies and ended up leaving Pullman with a degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering and the man I now call my husband (Devon), who I followed back to his hometown here in the Wenatchee Valley. And it didn’t take long to realize that my heart had found home in this uniquely beautiful place, surrounded by nature and farming. I found a job with WSDOT in 2011, working in the design and construction of highway preservation and fish passage projects, which has since developed into a passionate career and helped me get to know this place and network among people in the community (and the greater NCW). These days I enjoy getting outside with the family, including our two kiddos (Maya and Easton), on the river, slopes, or trails, often with our pup, Bubba, or our small troop of ponies.
My Favorite Activities
Horseback riding, paddle boarding, gardening, camping, white water rafting, Hiking, and cross-country skiing.
Danny Zavala
Board Member
About Me
Born and raised in Lake Chelan I’ve always appreciated the outdoors and natural beauty of Central Washington. I met my wife at Central Washington University where she introduced me to hiking, mountaineering, and backpacking, which further deepened my love for the area. When I’m not working or spending time with my family, I enjoy skiing, riding my bike, trail running, and serving the community.
My Favorite Activities
Working out, Skiing, Biking, Running, Swimming, and Traveling
Reason for Serving on the Board
As an avid trail user and outdoor recreationalist, I want to see the area further preserved so we can enjoy the natural beauty of central Washington for decades. With the forward-thinking approach of TREAD, we have the opportunity to mold and shape the region’s outdoor recreational eco-system to coinside with growth in the area.
Shiloh Burgess
Board Member
About Me
I am a lifelong resident of the Wenatchee Valley. I am the Manager of Government Affairs for Douglas PUD. In addition to the TREAD board, I serve on the Recreation and Conservation board, Alatheia board, and the Chelan County LTAC board.
My Favorite Activities
Horseback riding
Reason for Serving on the Board
To give back to the community.
Staff - Executive Director
About Me
Mat Lyons has been with TREAD since 2014. He has been the Executive Director since 2018. Mat enjoys everything about the outdoors and all of the seasons associated with our area's outdoor rec opportunities. He really enjoys snowboarding, mountain biking, climbing, hiking, fishing, camping, 4-wheeling, boating, and, and, and...
My Favorite Activities
Mountain biking and snowboarding
Mat Lyons
Staff - Associate Director
About Me
I love to share my adventures outside with my children and husband. We chose Wenatchee to raise our children because of the vast outdoor activities. I look forward to volunteering for activities/events my children choose to participate in.
My Favorite Activities
hiking, running, snowboarding, skiing, rock climbing and Nordic skiing.
Lisa Foster
Hanne Beener
Staff - Special Project Manager
About Me
Hanne is proud to have roots in Ferry County, but has called the Wenatchee Valley home for over 15 years. She has enriched her education in protected areas management through years of experience working on the ground on our public lands, and more recently through land trust conservation and stewardship. She is excited to continue expanding our regional public access resources.
Outside activities that bring joy:
Finding solitude, views, and giant ponderosas in any season.
Alicia Meier
Staff - Administrative Assistant
About Me
Outside activities that bring joy: