Paul Thompson, President & Birkie Green Chair
Retired second grade teacher, Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (71-73-Malaysian Borneo) and full time community builder from Edina, MN. After 42 Birkies Paul feels like there’s one more in the tank before relaxing to the Korte. Birkie Green has given me confidence that Nordic skiers and the Birkie can lead the charge to preserving the season we all love.
Bob Britz, Vice President & Fundraising Chair
Ski-Run-Bike Live
The Birkie motto has been a part of what I have always tried to do. Being active on a daily basis keeps life interesting and enjoyable. Like the 4 seasons variety for me is the spice of life - baseball, running, biking, golfing or cross country skiing.
Let's make it a great day!
Ever since being chased off a trail by the angry landowner while on X-C skis for the first time, “JT” has been inspired to SKI FASTER!
Dave Balsiger, Past Treasurer
I learned to ski, to wax, and to appreciate klister as a high school exchange student to northern Sweden. I brought skis back with me. Leonard and I first skied the Birkie in 1976. I have been associated with the Birchleggings Club since its beginning, serving as treasurer and data keeper for the club.
Ralph Bovard, Board Member
I am a semi-retired physician that lives in Minneapolis with his wife, Marnie, and three cats. I am an ex-rugby player who now participates in cross-country skiing and master swimming, and have done 25 Birkies and 10 Korte races since 1981. I remain interested in cardiorespiratory “fitness age" and body composition analysis as they relate to optimal aging. Likewise, I am an advocate for lifelong participation in the "Silent Sports”.
Steve Carmazon, Membership Chair
I have been blessed to have been able to ski and finish every Birkie since 1975 and have skied in 9 states, and 4 countries, and one other World Loppet race. I have been a massage therapist since 1987, a US Cross Country Ski Team Therapist at the World Nordic Ski Championships, Thunder Bay, Ontario in 1995, and in 1997, for several Olympic hopefuls at Cross Country Ski Olympic Trials, Lake Placid, New York, prior to 1998 the Nagano Winter Olympics. I am one of 3 skiers to be the first to contiguously ski the 106-mile Luce Line Trail across Minnesota in 1975, prior to my first Birkie. I am especially grateful for the many nearly lifetime friends I’ve made because of the Birkie!
Nona Goertz, Board Member
I was introduced to the Birkie in 1977, and it has been a big part of my life ever since. I skied my first Birkie in 1979 and became a Birchlegger in 1999. Furthermore, I have skied 27 Birkie and 9 Korteloppet Ski Races. I have also skied in a number of Worldloppet races in Canada, Europe, Norway, and Sweden. Currently, I am an Assistant Nordic Ski Coach at Duluth East High School. Being a part of the Nordic Ski Community has been and continues to be an important part of my life, as I treasure all the friendships made along the way and hope to make more.
Nona Goertz, Board Member
Connie Meek, Board Member
I am a retired high school math teacher and coach.
Currently, I am coaching for Ski and Tea and women’s ski clinic as well as competing in skiing, triathlons, inline skating, and running events.
Gus Virkus, Board Member
I live in St. Louis Park, Minnesota with my wife, Julie and am a retired public school teacher, and coach. We have two adult daughters and five grandchildren. I have skied 21 Birkies and currently compete in wave Two Classic. Julie and I are both World Loppet Masters at the Gold level. We embrace the Birkie philosophy of living active, healthy lifestyles.
Edward Eroe, Webmaster & Social Media
I have volunteered with the Birchleggings Club since becoming a Birchlegger in 2007 and developed the website and setup all the social media for the club at that time. Currently, I am the Webmaster and Social Media Coordinator and serve as a Board Member since the club was incorporated. I have completed 35 American Birkebeiner Ski Races and 47 total marathon ski races.
I retired in 2019 from a career in healthcare administration with a specialty in emergency medical and trauma services. Currently, I work part-time at Freewheel Bike in Roseville, Minnesota and lead the Bike University and the Green Miles program for the Twin Cities Bicycle Club. I am a graduate of Michigan State University and the University of Michigan School of Public Health. I have two grown sons who live in Denver, Colorado and Austin, Texas.
John Kotar, Founder
John Kotar, retired from UW-Madison where he developed the forest habitat-type classification system, established the Birchleggings Club in gratitude for being designated as one of the Birkie Founders, recognizing his continuous participation in the first 10 Birkies. He shepherded the club through its first 20 years, and has since watched it grow impressively to its current stature. John completed 38 Birkies himself before being sidelined by orthopedic problems in his 39th running. John also completed the Norwegian Birkebeiner and Canadian Birkebeiner, and several World Loppet races. He currently lives in Cable, WI in his beloved Northwoods.
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