Officers

Chair

Walter Opuszynski, Trail Director-Northern Forest Canoe Trail

PO Box 565
Waitsfield, VT 05673
office: (802)496-2285 ext.2
cell: (802)498-4506
walter@northernforestcanoetrail.org

Walter has lead trail crew for the Maine Conservation Corps, acted as seasonal Trail Coordinator for the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation, runs a side business called True to the Land Trails and oversees stewardship activities along the 740-mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT).  Working for the NFCT has given him the opportunity to catch a glimpse of how recreation trails are managed across the North Country.  It has also given him the opportunity to work with many diverse land managers.  He is honored to work with the fine group of people on the VTGC.  Walter is more than happy to talk about technical trail layout and construction and has negotiated the trail permitting process on a number of occasions.

Vice-Chair

Jessica Ricketson, Trail Coordinator- www.vtfpr.org

111 West Street
Essex Junction, VT 05452
office: 802-879-5680
cell: 802-917-2372
jessica.ricketson@state.vt.us

Jessica Ricketson has been working and playing on trails since 2001.  From Glacier National Park to the Appalachian Trail to the Long Trail, she has made a career of making the places we play more sustainable.  She enjoys working hard and getting muddy, so Vermont has been a perfect fit.  She currently works for the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation as a Seasonal Trail Coordinator.  You can find her hiking with Kipa the Perfect Trail Dog or working on Council initiatives with the rest of the awesome VT&GC folks.

Treasurer

Amy Kelsey, Trail Director-Catamount Trail Association

1 Mill Street, #350
Burlington, VT 05401
office: 802-864-5794
cell: 802-598-4551
www.catamounttrail.org

Amy is responsible for all aspects of trail development, improvement, maintenance, and conservation on the Catamount Trail, Vermont’s 300-mile backcountry ski trail.  When she is not inside coordinating trail projects, she is likely leading work parties, instructing backcountry ski clinics, or scouting new routes for the Trail.  Prior to joining the CTA staff, Amy worked in outdoor education and land-use planning.   She lives with her family in Winooski.

Secretary

Ry Parcell

Directors

Local Trails

CJ Scott, Trail Director-Kingom Trails Association

P.O. Box 204
East Burke, VT  05832
802-626-0737
cj@kingdomtrails.com

Regional Trails

Dave Hardy-Green Mountain Club

Dani Cady-Vermont Off-Highway Recreation Association

Dani Cady is currently employed by the VASA, and has been since 2007. She currently sits on the Executive Board of VORA as Secretary/Treasurer. She grew up surrounded by motorized recreation of various sorts and is proud to hold a position that allows her to combine work and play. If you don’t see Dani in the office at VASA, chances are she is probably hitting the trails on her ATV or hitting the pavement on her Harley. 

Statewide Trails

Danny Hale-Vermont ATV Sportsmans Association

14 Don Camp Dr.
Barre, Vt 05641
802-477-5075
director@vtvasa.org

Danny Hale, Executive Director for VASA was born and raised in Vermont and has always been an avid enthusiast of outdoor recreation. Danny has been snowmobiling since early childhood, and became involved with ATVs around 2000. Upon buying his first ATV, he became involved with the local clubs and VASA. A hobby quickly turned into a full time job as Danny became more involved with the organization and took a full time position as Trails Coordinator for VASA. With a background in construction and an enthusiasm for his work, Danny excelled as Trails Coordinator which led to a promotion to Executive Director. He now oversees the operations of VASA’s 21 individual clubs. He considers himself a lucky man for being able to do what he loves for a living.

Alexis Nelson-Vermont Association of Snow Travelers

Commercial Trails

Josh Ryan-http://www.timberandstonellc.com     

Timber & Stone, LLC
1820 County Road
East Calais, VT 05650

Josh Ryan is a professional trailbuilder and the Manager of Timber & Stone, LLC, a sustainable trail design and construction business based in central Vermont. After receiving his Master’s Degree from Antioch Graduate School in 2004, Josh founded Timber & Stone, LLC culminating his decade of experience working for trail focused youth development organizations. Josh’s trail consultation and construction services have allowed him to work with a diversity of non-profits, municipalities, land management agencies, volunteers, and individuals in every corner of Vermont and throughout the Northeast. Josh and the dedicated crew of Timber & Stone, LLC are members of the Professional Trailbuilders Association and have a strong commitment to the final result of trail construction: allowing people to safely recreate while exploring New England’s natural environment. Though he and his family reside outside of Montpelier, the trails and wild places of Camel’s Hump State Park remain his favorite place to recreate in Vermont.