Our Crew

The Stewards of Juneau's trails

"I am really proud to be part of Trail Mix and appreciate all the great work the Trail Mix crews do for the Juneau trail system which allows our community and visitors to enjoy the great outdoors we have in our backyard."
Mark Pusich
Board President

Our Team

Executive Director Ryan O'Shaughnessy
Ryan O'shaughnessy
Executive Director

Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Ryan (he/him) moved to Juneau in 2015. He also began working for Trail Mix in 2015. Ryan enjoys hiking and kayaking in and around Juneau. Blackerby Ridge Trail, with its steep climbs and breathtaking views, is one of his favorite trails. He began working for Trail Mix as the Trail Program Coordinator from 2015 to 2019. He began his role as our executive director in 2020. Prior to joining Trail Mix, Ryan attended Hocking College and worked for the USFS in Northwest Montana.

Engagement Manager Carolyn Auwaerter at the Mendenhall Glacier ice caves.
Carolyn Auwaerter
Engagement Manager

In the summer of 2020, Carolyn (she/they) made the big move from New York City to Juneau. She loves to explore Juneau’s trails both on foot and on bike. Her favorite trail is the Mt. Jumbo Trail. Carolyn has spent more than ten years managing grassroots campaigns and organizing for change including building the movement for a more equitable outdoors at the Appalachian Mountain Club and supporting efforts to stop climate change and justly transition to a renewable energy economy at Greenpeace USA. In 2018, she thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail. She is originally from Pennsylvania.

Trail Coordinator Duncan Campbell on the Lena Point Trail.
Duncan Campbell
Trails Coordinator

Duncan Campbell (he/him) has called Juneau home since 2017. He began his journey with Trail Mix by completing a summer of field work in 2014 and then returned in 2017. Duncan has worked for Trail Mix for six seasons, working as a crew member, crew leader, and now as our Trails Coordinator. Duncan mostly gets his fix of hiking during the trail season; but, he enjoys the openness of Gastineau Meadows trail and the variety of Perseverance. As a new dad, Duncan is excited to start exploring more of Juneau’s trails with his family.

Administrative Coordinator Meghan Tabacek skis at Eaglecrest
Meghan Tabacek
Administrative Coordinator

Meghan (she/her) moved to Juneau in 2019 to attend the University of Alaska Southeast. She graduated May 2021 with a degree in Environmental Studies. As part of the Outdoor Studies Program at UAS, she became familiar with the trails of Juneau and enjoys using them to ski in the winter and hike in the summer. Meghan has been with Trail Mix since May 2020. She spent the summer shoveling gravel, chainsawing fallen trees, and working with her crew. In the fall, she transitioned to working at Trail Mix's administrative coordinator.

Board of Directors

Photo of board president Mark Pusich checking off his Hike for a Pint passport on the Horse Tram trail.
Mark Pusich
President

Mark Pusich is a born and raised Juneauite who joined the Trail Mix board in 2015. Growing up on Douglas, Mark had quick access to the Treadwell Ditch trail and the Treadwell Mine Ruins. At a young age, he understood the importance of these trails and what they mean for our community. Mark is an avid trail user, who still considers the Treadwell Ditch to be his favorite trail in Juneau. You can find Mark out on the trails hiking, biking, or cross-country skiing, often accompanied by his wife, kids, friends, and dogs. Mark believes in giving back to our wonderful community and is able to show his appreciation and dedication to Juneau’s world-class trails by volunteering as a Trail Mix board member. As a civil and structural engineer, Mark brings to the team years of experience in trail permitting and design.

Photo of board member Ron Bressette on trail.
Ron Bressette
Vice President

Originally from North Tonawanda, New York, Ron has called Juneau home for the past 47 years. During his career, Ron worked as a Deck Officer with the Alaska Marine Highway System. Ron enjoys exploring Juneau through hiking, biking, and cross country skiing with family and friends. With its sweeping views and great accessibility, Perseverance is Ron’s favorite trail. Ron joined the Trail Mix board in 2017. Ron decided to join our board because of his appreciation for the work that Trail Mix provides for the community and he wanted to get involved in those efforts.

Photo of board member Jill Smith
Jill Smith
Treasurer

Jill Smith moved to Juneau seven years ago, trading in the big skies of Montana for the vastness of Alaska. Jill works as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Her expertise and experience make her an excellent Treasurer for our board. Jill has been on the Trail Mix board since 2020. Her deep appreciation of Juneau’s exceptional trails spurred her interest in joining Trail Mix’s board. Jill enjoys hiking and running Juneau’s trails with her trusty companion, Oxford the Rhodesian Ridgeback. Oxford and Jill often explore the Dredge Lakes trail system, where there is plenty of fun to be had for Oxford and plenty of loops and links in the trail to “choose your own adventure.”

Board member Diane Mayer and her dog pose for a photo at Boy Scout beach.
Diane Mayer
Secretary

Diane began her career with the Forest Service, bushwhacking through national forests in Wisconsin, Oregon, and Alaska, went on to lead interagency, environmental reviews of coastal development projects for the State of Alaska, then ran the Southeast Alaska Land Trust. Now retired, Diane “really appreciates Trail Mix for keeping trail access to Juneau’s forests in such great condition, funding its efforts by working across agency lines, and managing it all as a non-profit.” Gracie keeps her out on the trails, rain or shine.

Photo of board member Jack Kreinheder standing at the gravel fly-out site.
Jack Kreinheder

Jack Kreinheder joined the Trail Mix board in 2010. He has lived in Juneau for over 35 years and enjoys hiking, mountain biking, trail running, and cross country skiing on Juneau’s trails. The Treadwell Ditch trail is Jack’s favorite trail. He retired in 2011 from a career with the State of Alaska and now keeps himself busy with volunteering for several nonprofit organizations and doing volunteer trail work.

Board member Dave Haas sits on his bike on the Treadwell Ditch trail
Dave Haas

While Dave Haas originally hails from Wisconsin, he has called Juneau home for the past 44 years. Dave has worn many hats during his life. Most notably, he’s worked in the State Assembly, in the Alaska Governor’s Office, and as an elementary school teacher. After he retired, Dave joined the Trail Mix board in 2010 as a way to stay creative, busy, and out of trouble. On top of being on our board, Dave co-founded the Volunteer Trail Maintenance Team where he works with a crew to build and maintain sustainable trails. Dave's favorite trail in Juneau is the Treadwell Ditch. He likes to recreate with his wife and friends. Dave can be found doing a little bit of everything that Juneau has to offer recreationally-hiking, skiing, biking, cross-country skiing, swimming, hunting, and maintaining the trails of Juneau.

Photo of board member Chris Meade on Dzantik'i Heéni loop trail.
Chris Meade

Chris Meade grew up in Jersey and after attending the University of Alaska (Fairbanks and Anchorage), he and his wife joined the Peace Corps. He knew he wanted to come back to Alaska, where the quietude and connection to the land resonated with him. Like many who move here, one of the first things that struck him about Juneau was the trail system, and its trails have become an integral part of his family life. Some of the places they frequent include Under Thunder, Nugget Falls, Brotherhood Bridge, Airport Dike, Twin Lakes, and Point Caroline, a new favorite.

Photo of board member Peggy Cowan on the Auke Lake trail.
Peggy Cowan

While originally from Michigan, Peggy Cowan has called Juneau home for the past 37 years. Living in Juneau gives Peggy access to many different ways to recreate. She enjoys spending her time outside hiking, skiing, biking, running, kayaking, and camping. Peggy’s favorite hike is the scenic Juneau Ridge to Granite Creek. Peggy joined the Trail Mix board in the fall of 2021 to contribute to Juneau being a place with a high quality of life for generations to come. Peggy recognizes that trails provide access to the outdoors, wild places, and beaches for all in Juneau. That access enhances the quality of life of Juneau residents. Peggy particularly likes the partnerships that Trail Mix facilitates and the organization’s emphasis on environmental stewardship.

Photo of board member Rebecca Hall standing on a snowy trail.
Rebecca Hall

Rebecca Hall has called Juneau home almost her entire life. Rebecca likes to spend her time outside hiking and cross country skiing. Her favorite trail in Juneau is Grandchild’s Peak, a mountain that offers magnificent views. Rebecca works as a financial advisor. She joined the Trail Mix board in 2015 to support recreation that is accessible for everyone and help create a trail system that future generations can enjoy.

Photo of board member Alida Bus on Perseverance Trail.
Alida Bus

Alida grew up in Juneau and has always felt a strong sense of place living here. Alida has worked in the tourism industry and holds a degree in recreation with a focus on communications and interpretation. She is passionate about connecting people to the outdoors. You can often find her out on the trails by herself, or with family. She’s also active with the Juneau Trail and Road Runners. Initiatives like Hike for a Pint and the COVID-19 Conservation Corps inspired her to join the Trail Mix board.

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