Officers, Directors and Action Teams
Tim Wright
President (2024)
Adventuring - on bikes, kayak or afoot - is Tim's second favorite activity after spending time with family. A retired teacher from Stevens Point and long time lover of the Northwoods, Tim says, "I am excited to help connect Eagle River to some of the best trails in the state." Tim and his wife, Betty, live in the Town of Washington.
Laura Van Valkenberg
Vice President (2024)
Laura was born and raised in Cambridge, WI. Laura and her husband, Gary Meister, moved to the Eagle River area in 2008. She enjoys biking, hiking, traveling, gardening, baking and quilting. Laura has served as the volunteer ride director for the Ride with Leinie since 2022.
Mark Olson
Treasurer (2024)
Mark and his wife, Karen, live in the Town of Lincoln. He is a retired CPA, and moved to the Eagle River area permanently in 2014. Mark enjoys biking, hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Gary Meister
Secretary (2024)
Gary and his wife, Laura, live in Sugar Camp, just a few yards from the Eagle River border. Gary was one of the co-presidents when GHT was founded in 2010, served as Vice President until 2018, Director-at-Large until 2024, and is now serving as Secretary. Gary enjoys hiking, biking, camping and gardening. He is currently segment hiking the entire Ice Age Trail and hopes to complete the 1,200-mile trail by 2025.
Neal Adams
Director (2026)
Neal and his wife, Cheryl, are residents of the Town of Conover and key members of the new Friends of the Trail group for the Conover-Phelps Trail. Neal has many childhood memories of his outdoors adventures in Conover.
Joe Panci
Director (2024)
Joe is passionate in his love of the outdoors and in connecting people with the land so we all become better stewards of it. He worked in natural resources and outdoor education at Trees For Tomorrow in Eagle River, the Conserve School in Land O’Lakes, and for the U.S. Forest Service in the Ottawa National Forest in Watersmeet as their Conservation Education Coordinator. Joe lives in Lincoln Township. He can be found biking, paddling, XC skiing, and hiking in the Northwoods.
Mike Robillard
Director (2024)
Mike was one of GHT's founding board members and is the River Trail Project manager. Mike is the property manager for Tara Lila, LLC., and president of the Three Eagle Trail Foundation.
Nancy Schuller
Director (2024)
Nancy and her husband, Tom, live in the Town of Lincoln. She is a retired banker and has served on multiple boards in the community throughout her career and in retirement. Nancy enjoys biking, hiking, gardening, traveling and is a volunteer for several local organizations.
| Action Teams | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Conover-Phelps Action Team | Manager | Neal Adams | |
| Public Relations Action Team | OPEN | Mike Robillard, Interim Manager | |
| Marketing Action Team | Managers | Cindy Burzinski, Gary Meister and Laura Van Valkenberg | |
| Ride with Leinie Action Team | Ride Director | Laura Van Valkenberg | |
| River Trail Action Team | Manager | Mike Robillard | |
| Septimber Ride Action Team | Ride Director | James Meiers | |
| Sustainable Funding Action Team | Manager | John Gustavson | |
| Volunteer Action Team | Coordinators | Joy Turpin and Laura Van Valkenberg | |
To contact an Action Team leader, email ghtrails@gmail.com or call 715-303-4483.
If you're interested in serving on an Action Team or other Volunteer Opportunities, click here!