Jessica Holden Braunlich, President
Jess is a true Alaskan, born and raised in the interior and spending most of her childhood in Fairbanks. She works as an independent consultant, though her background is in nonprofit management, facilitation, public engagement, and policy! She joined the board in the summer of 2021, and we are excited to have her around! Fun fact: Jess's kids stack more wood than most of us do at Woodstock!
Michael Henrich, Vice President
Michael originally hails from Iowa, though he moved here in 1985. He graduated from UAA with his certificate in Massage Therapy, and also has an MBA, also from UAA. He works as a massage therapist in Anchorage. Michael is our longest-serving board member since joining the board in 2007. He loves that Alaska Huts helps to get more young people into the outdoors by making it accessible. Fun fact: Michael designed and built the sauna at Manitoba!
Jen Willette, Treasurer
Accountant, Northwoods Accounting
Jen, originally from northern Maine, lives in Anchorage and became a board member in 2020. She works both as the Client Accounting Services Supervisor at Altman Rogers & Co. and owns her own bookkeeping business, North Woods Accounting. Fun fact: Jen has a variety of hobbies, foremost of which is beekeeping!
David Popiel, Secretary
Senior Architect; KPB Architects
David grew up in Michigan and after hanging around the midwest for a while, started moving west, first to Colorado, and then Alaska in 2009. His work as an architect has been focused on community and civic design and has taken him around the State. He enjoys getting outside with his wife and kids, winter and summer, rain or shine. He joined the Board in 2022 to learn how to support access to the outdoors and is excited about helping with the new Lars Spurkland Memorial Hut. David was once on a competitive eating show on the Travel Channel… but he lost.
Jane Boer
Natural Resource Specialist, Alaska Department of Natural Resources
Jane grew up in Northern California before moving to Alaska in 2006. She lives in Girdwood, where she has been since 2013 after falling in love with Alaska. She joined the board in 2020 because the mission of Alaska Huts to provide outdoor education opportunities, foster stewardship, and increase the accessibility to the backcountry resonates with her. Jane works as a Natural Resource Manager for the Alaska DNR. Fun fact: Jane has hiked both the Pacific Crest and Continental Divide trails!
Joan Travostino
Attorney, Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Joan has been on the board for over 10 years and works for Dorsey and Whitney as an attorney.
Greg Stiegel
Operations Director, Renewable Energy Project Alaska
Greg grew up in Sudbury, MA and lived in Hood River, OR for the better part of a decade before moving to Anchorage. He became a board member in 2019. He is the Operations Director for the Renewable Energy Alaska Project, a local nonprofit working to increase the use of clean energy in our state. Fun fact: Greg used to teach at a traveling high school designed for some of the world's best youth kiteboarders called the World Class Kiteboarding Academy.
Seth Weingarten
Financial Advisor, Wells Fargo
Seth moved up to Alaska in the mid-00's, having grown up outside. He works as a financial planner for Wells Fargo in Anchorage. He joined the board in 2018 because Alaska Huts provides such an accessible option for families to get outdoors. Fun fact: Seth hauled a whole cord of wood all by himself at various woodstock events this year!
Interested in joining the Alaska Huts Association Board of Directors?
The Alaska Huts Association is actively seeking board candidates who are:
Motivated, diverse, experienced
Passionate about the backcountry huts experience
Have the time and energy to spend 4-6 hours a month to attend meetings, participate in committees, and be an ambassador in our community
Eager to help Alaska Huts raise money and continue to grow our Hut system
We're especially interested in individuals who:
Have been leaders of nonprofit boards before and are ready to bring their skills and insights to another organization
Have expertise in accounting or finance, especially nonprofit accounting practices
Are experienced fundraisers
Have experience with construction projects in remote locations
Have nonprofit management or business management experience
Email us at [email protected] if you are interested in joining the Alaska Huts team