Meeting
When: April 12th, 2026 at 6:15pm
Where: Alpenglow Lodge at Arctic Valley Ski Area
Purpose: To allow Board of Directors to report on the business and affairs of the corporation for the current year, elect directors for expiring (or vacant) board positions, and to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
What we need: We need Anchorage Ski Club members (anyone with a membership or a season pass to Arctic Valley Ski Area) to vote & attend the meeting! Voting can happen in person at the lodge or by ballot via mail or email. We need at least 10% of our members to vote!
What’s in it for you? Sunday April 12th is our last Member’s Ski Free day for members & Bring a Friend Day for season pass holders of the 25/26 season. Come ski for free, cast your vote, enjoy a beverage and live music, and hangout for the annual meeting! Also, members who submit a vote will be entered to win a 10 punch card for the 2026-2027 ski season.
** Note: There’s a strong chance that you have received your ballot in the mail already, but that it is addressed to someone else. We made a mistake in mailing out the ballots, but they are all the same. Please fill out that ballot and return it. More info on this in red text further down this post. **
What is Being Voted on?
Board Member Seats:
There are currently five seats on the board that have expiring terms and two additional seats are open
due to BOD members resigning mid-term. Seven ASC members are seeking seats on the board.
Candidate statements are at the bottom of this post. The ASC BOD endorses the following candidates
as presented by the Nominating Committee as qualified to serve on the board:
- Daniel Jensen (current Board Member)
- Ben Siwiec (current Board Member)
- John Koltun (current Board Member)
- Rich Todd (current Board Member)
- Leslie Need
- Amanda Wheelock
- Kara Norby
The ASC bylaws provide that votes may be cast in person or by proxy. ASC utilizes proxy-style
ballots (proxies) which can be submitted in person at the election, or in advance. In either case, the
BOD Elections Committee will vote each proxy according to the member’s selection. Members 18
years of age or older in good standing 30 days prior to any election will be entitled to vote. The ASC
bylaws also require a quorum of members (which means 10% of members entitled to vote)
participate in the election in order for results to be certified. Proxy votes may be exercised if the
proxy is in writing, signed by the member, and dated within the past year. Valid proxies are to be used
and exercised at ASC meetings for the purposes of establishing a quorum and casting a vote on any
matter that is presented to the membership for and on behalf of the grantor. Incomplete proxies shall
be counted for purposes of a quorum only. For your convenience, a proxy is enclosed with this
notice.
We hope to see each of you in person. However, if you are unable to attend this meeting, you
may send your proxy to Anchorage Ski Club, Inc. Elections Committee, P.O. Box 200546, Anchorage,
AK 99520-0546, or email a copy to vote2026@arcticvalley.org or any member of the club may deliver
your proxy to the Elections Committee at the meeting. We will have proxies available in the ski lodge
up until Election Day and you can cast your vote into a secure voting box ahead of time. Early voting
is highly encouraged.
Remember, we need a quorum, so PLEASE return your proxy by mail, email, or vote in person.
Ballot
Download this file and cast your vote! You may send your proxy to Anchorage Ski Club, Inc. Elections Committee, P.O. Box 200546, Anchorage, AK 99520-0546, or email a copy to vote2026@arcticvalley.org or any member of the club may deliver your proxy to the Elections Committee at the meeting.
** Note: You’ve probably received the mailer with election materials for our upcoming annual meeting. There’s also a good chance the envelope was addressed to someone else at your address. We are sorry for the error – pulling our mailing list together, sorting out the underage members, and identifying the correct number of ballots is still a manual process, and we made an error somewhere in that process.
The good news is that all the ballots are the same, so please fill out the ballot and return it in the included envelope, or email it to us at vote2026@arcticvalley.org. You can also return it in person at the lodge.
If you had an individual membership, you should have received one ballot. If you have a family membership, you should have two ballots. If you didn’t receive enough ballots, please use the one attached to this email (or pick one up at the ticket counter or bar in the lodge).
Again, apologies for the error in the membership mailing. Turns out we’re better at grooming than we are at sorting mailing lists. **
Meeting Agenda
6:00pm: Review of Volunteer Awards
Beverly Luedke-Chan, President, Anchorage Ski Club
John Robinson-Wilson, General Manager
Andy Sullivan, Director of Ski Patrol
6:15pm:
I. President’s Report (Business Meeting Begins)
Beverly Luedke-Chan, President
II. Board Member Nominations / Presentations
Ben Siwiec, First Vice President – Membership
III. Treasurer’s Report / Finance Report
Daniel Jensen, Treasurer
IV. Operations Report
John Robinson-Wilson, General Manager
Tol Fishburn, Second Vice President – Operations
V. Membership Report
Ben Siwiec, First Vice President – Membership
VI. Other Business
Beverly Luedke-Chan, President
VII. Election Results
Ben Siwiec, First Vice President – Membership
ASC Current Board of Directors
- Beverly Luedke-Chan – President
- Ben Siwiec – First Vice President
- Kevin Keeler – Second Vice President
- Daniel Jensen – Treasurer
- Shea Siegert – Recording Secretary
- John Koltun – Correspondence Secretary
- Luke Clement
- Tol Fishburn
- Erik Gabrielson
- Steve Heinle
- Mark Heysell
- Josh Morales
- Adam Smith
- Rich Todd
- Marissa Wardrop
2026 ASC Board of Directors Candidate Statements
Daniel Jensen
Daniel has been in Alaska since 2012 after slowly working his way farther and farther north. Growing up in Steamboat Springs, he was able to work through various disciplines as a competitive skier: racing, freestyle, and freeride. After high school, he held on to the ski bum life, working as a terrain park attendant. Eventually the malnutrition caused by ramen and PBR led him to college where he earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in business and accounting from Montana State University. After initially coming to Alaska for “just a summer” he couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.
Today, Daniel works as Principal, Business Development and Asset Management at Cook Inlet Region, Inc. managing an energy-focused investment portfolio and leading corporate finance initiatives. He also serves on the nonprofit boards of Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP) and LaunchAK. He holds an active CPA license and a Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst certificate.
Daniel has been ASC Treasurer since 2017, overseeing more than 300% revenue growth. During this term, he hopes to identify and mentor his successor. His passion for ASC and Arctic Valley stems from his love of skiing. After joining as a member and skiing at Arctic Valley, it was quickly apparent how unique the area was in terms of community. After the birth of his two sons in 2023 and 2024, the area has even more meaning to preserve for future generations.
John Koltun
John was first attracted to Arctic Valley soon after moving to Alaska in 1996, because it reminded him of the small ski areas in the Sierra’s where he learned to ski. Though he frequently enjoyed the larger resorts in the Tahoe region, he was always drawn to the community and atmosphere of the smaller areas. He recognized the then struggling Arctic Valley as a place where he wanted to contribute, began volunteering in the mid 2000’s, and enjoyed learning all aspects of ski area operations.
John was first appointed to the ASC Board in 2010 to fill a vacancy and was duly elected by the membership in 2011. Later in 2011, he was elected as President by the Board, a position he served until 2015. He has also served as First Vice President of Membership and currently serves as Correspondence Secretary. In addition to his responsibilities on the Board and associated committees, he continues to be an active volunteer providing technology support and constructing our new public use cabins. John is also a member of the National Ski Patrol volunteering for the Denali Patrol at Arctic Valley where he is a snow safety team leader and explosives technician.
Leslie Need
Leslie served on the ASC Board from 2013–2018, including as First Vice President of Membership. Since then, she’s stayed involved however she can — from volunteering her time to providing the occasional pro bono legal assist.
Leslie and her husband, Harry, found their community at Arctic Valley in 2007 after moving to Alaska far from family and friends. Arctic Valley quickly became home. Harry has served on the Denali Ski Patrol since 2007 and previously on the ASC Board, so you could say volunteering runs in the family.
In 2018, they added a new skier to the roster. William, now 7, skis with the Arctic Valley Ski Team and has already made it abundantly clear that he has no intention of waiting his turn to be the best skier in the family — he easily out skis his mom.
The views from Gordon-Lyon, Chair 2 (and yes, even the T-Bar and Chair 1) are rivaled only by the people you share them with. Leslie has loved serving on the Board, watching the Club grow, and seeing new families find their place on the hill. She would be honored to help guide ASC into the future — one that ensures the kids who bomb past us today (William included) will one day watch their own kids do the same.
Kara Norby
I am a fourth-year volunteer race coach with the Arctic Valley Ski Team and a Life Member of the ASC. I grew up skiing at Cascade Mountain in Portage, Wisconsin, starting at age two. I began racing at age six and continued through college, competing for Colorado Mountain College in Steamboat Springs and the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse.
Today, I spend most winter weekends on the hill coaching the Flying Ptarmigan intro-to-racing group and working closely with young athletes and their families. I love watching kids progress from nervous first-timers on the rope tow or T-bar to confidently navigating race courses, skiing the mountain independently with friends, and eventually waiting at the bottom of the lift for their parents to catch up.
Professionally, I worked for many years as a surgical technologist and now serve as a Territory Manager and surgical device representative. I work closely with surgeons and healthcare teams across Alaska to coordinate logistics before cases and be present in the operating room when our implants and devices are used, helping ensure everything runs smoothly.
As a parent of two young skiers, Henry (nine) and Thora (six), I am deeply invested in Arctic Valley’s long-term future. I want to become more involved, learn from current board members, and help support thoughtful improvements and sustainable growth while preserving the culture and sense of family that make Arctic Valley special.
Ben Siwiec
My name is Ben and I’m running for re-election to the ASC Board! I was first elected 3 years ago and have been serving as the First Vice President of Membership since then. You’ve probably seen me on stage at the annual Membership Kickoff Party at Williwaw, or heard from me by email!
I started skiing in elementary school at Snoqualmie Pass near Seattle, then continued while attending college in Bellingham, WA -skiing at Mount Baker during its record-breaking 1,140” season. I attended graduate school in Flagstaff, AZ, skiing at Arizona Snowbowl, before moving to Alaska in 2004 and discovering the skiing world’s best kept secret. Within 2 years of arriving in Anchorage, I joined the Denali Ski Patrol at Arctic Valley and have been actively patrolling since 2006 (it’s my 20th ski patrol anniversary!).
Professionally, I’ve worked as a geologist at the US Geological Survey, in mining exploration, I worked underground at a gold mine for a year, and then in environmental consulting. I now work with the FAA’s environmental cleanup group. When I’m not working or skiing, I enjoy traveling the world on our tandem bike with my lovely partner, Jenn!
In my second term, I look forward to continuing to serve our membership and supporting the future of Arctic Valley. Thank you for considering me!
Rich Todd
I grew up in West Virginia skiing neighborhood sledding hills on skis with cable bindings from Sears. My older sister taught me at small ski areas in West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia. In high school, I worked at a local ski shop tuning skis by hand to afford new gear. Later, while studying Resort Management at Colorado Mountain College in Steamboat Springs, I skied daily in the legendary “Champagne Powder.” I worked in hotels and restaurants before returning to West Virginia University to study Geology and guide whitewater rafts.
In 2002, I moved to Anchorage and began skiing at Alpenglow to build backcountry skills on telemark skis. I immediately connected with the vibe at Arctic Valley—it was exactly what I’d been looking for.
When ASC called an Emergency Meeting in 2009, I volunteered to get more involved. Appointed to the Board in 2010 and elected in 2011, I’ve since contributed across ski area and lodge operations. In recent years, I’ve focused on Food and Beverage, working to enhance the indoor customer experience. Owning and operating a food truck for four years has deepened my expertise in kitchen design, space planning, purchasing, and efficient prep. I’d love to help design a new kitchen for Alpenglow Lodge.
I became an ASC Life Member in 2018 and served as Board President from 2018–2024. We have a great group of people dedicated to the mission and I’m excited to be where we are. I’d be honored to serve another term if elected.
Amanda Wheelock
Amanda has dedicated her career to ensuring everybody has opportunities to connect with the natural world. She’s worked as an outdoor educator, an advocate for trails and recreation on public lands, and a federal land manager with the US Forest Service. In Colorado, Amanda gained significant experience managing ski areas on public lands, first as the permit administrator for Vail and Beaver Creek, and later as a Deputy District Ranger overseeing an area home to world-class ski resorts Copper Mountain, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Arapahoe Basin. After scheming a move to Alaska for several years, she and her husband made the jump to Anchorage in 2025 and promptly became ASC members.
Since then, they’ve been spending their free time skiing at Arctic Valley, exploring the extensive trail network of Anchorage, chasing powder in the backcountry, and finding ways to become part of their new community.
“I love skiing and am thrilled to ski in a place where my local hill truly feels local. ASC’s mission resonates deeply for me. Though I am new to the community, I feel confident that my professional experience will enable me to begin contributing right away. I want to help ensure that ASC continues to successfully serve our community for decades to come.”
