First Tracks, A Glance of the Event
From Chair Evacs to Celebrations: Highlights from First Tracks
The First Tracks Central Division Patroller Conference in Milwaukee brought together patrollers from across the division for a weekend of leadership, learning, and camaraderie. Attendees experienced interactive chair evacuation demonstrations and hands-on training led by experts from Cascade Rescue and Peak Rescue (a division of Harken, Inc.), making for an engaging and educational experience. Saturday offered a wide variety of sessions, ranging from Avalanche and Senior Aid Room Module certifications to OET round tables, ensuring there was something for everyone. An exciting awards ceremony concluded the weekend, recognizing many deserving individuals for their contributions and achievements.
Award Recipients
Last Run Award
Jimmy Ferguson – Pine Knob
Bob Solonen – Ski Brule
Don Steen – Chestnut Mountain former Southern Region Director
Eric Bayer – former Southern Region Director
Lenny Kunkel – Four Lakes
Tom Jordan -Chestnut Mountain
Dave Allers – Four Lakes
Steve Seligson – Four Lakes
Tom Fischer -Timber Ridge
Joan Bailey – Timber Ridge
John Weslund – Cannonsburg
Steve Muma – Cannonsburg
Fred Clark – Andes Tower & Detroit Mountain
Marlow Fredrick – Hardscrabble & Christie Mountain
Lawrence Salo – Giants Ridge
James Scanlon – Three Rivers
Bruce Walker – Spirit Mountain
Larry Williams – Giants Ridge
David Long – Crystal Mountain
Tim Richardson – Snow Snake
Jerry Burge – Pine Knob
Mike Ferrigan – Alpine Valley West
Certificates of Appreciation
Mark Anderson
John Davis
Larry Golding
Jim Hubing
Erik Hudson
David Kleinschmidt
Lyn McMurray
Derrick Pawlick
Kristin Reichart
Stacey Streich
Tim Theisen
Yellow Merit Star
Anne Blaedow
Mike Husar
Chris Dragosh
Mary Dunphy
Erik Rambo
Jeff Olsen
50 Year Service Award
Martin Jarvi
David Zoromski
Patroller Cross
Jeannine Mogan
Outstanding Region Program Award
Wrick Dunning – Nordic
Jim McLeod – OET
Chris Dragosh – Senior
Cody Jones – Ski School
Craig Johnson – Skills Development
Central Division Outstanding Supervisor Award
Skills Development – Jackie Bottomley
Awards – Mike Husar
Central Division Outstanding IT
Brian Monroe – OET
Meritorious Service Award
Anne Blaedow
Jerry Cavellier
Guy Day
Ron Gerdes
Martin Jarvi
Les Robinson
Jeff Schmidt
Green Merit Star
Brady Wellman
Outstanding Runner-Up
Administrative – Jim McLeod – Lutsen, Western
Outstanding Large Patrol – Wild Mountain Western
Alumni – Sue Brann – Western Michigan
Non OEC Instructor – Steve Alm – Wild Mountain, Western
OEC Instructor – Tara Bachman* – Cascade Mountain – South Central
Patrol Representative – Jeffrey Schneider* – Paoli Peaks – Ohio
Mountain Host – Tom Hardin* – Tree Tops Sylvan – Northern Michigan
YAP – Landin Nelson – Powder Ridge – Western
Paid Patroller – Cody Turcotte* – Caberfae Peaks – Western Michigan
Patroller – Ruth Ann Molmen*- Schuss Mountain – Northern Michigan
Bike Host – Derek Orme – Crystal Mountain – Western Michigan
Outstanding Awards
2025 Central Division Outstanding Alumni of the Year is Rose Dejarnette of Perfect North Slopes
2025 Central Division Outstanding Patrol Representative of the year is Jonathan Ragnone with the Otsego Ski Patrol
2025 Central Division Outstanding Nordic Patroller is Sue Fishburn of Glacial Park Nordic
2025 Central Division Outstanding Mountain Host is Amy Johnson-Velis Crystal Mountain
2025 Central Division Outstanding Paid Patroller – David Gravning Giants Ridge
2025 Central Division Outstanding Alpine Patroller is David Markwardt – Giants Ridge
2025 Central Division Outstanding Small Alpine Patrol is presented to Mont du Lac Ski Patrol
2025 Outstanding Bike Patroller and the National Outstanding Bike Patroller is Joseph Hrudkaj – LAMBO – North Central
2025 Central Division Outstanding Administrative Patroller is Diane Henry -Mt Brighton – Eastern Michigan
2025 Central Division Outstanding Non OEC Instructor is Dylan Shotwell – Nubs Nob – Northern Michigan
2025 Central Division Outstanding OEC Instructor is Jen Squires – Timber Ridge – Western Michigan
2025 Central Division Outstanding Paid Patrol Representative is
Debra Cook* Marquette Mountain – North Central
2025 Central Division Outstanding Young Adult Patroller is Claire Banowetz – Seven Oaks – Ohio
2025 Central Division Outstanding Host Unit is the Great Bear Host Unit in South Dakota! Their Host representative is Jeff Johnson.
2025 Central Division Outstanding Host Unit Representative of the Year is Dennis Courtier, also 2025 National Runner-Up Host Unit Representative
2025 Central Division Outstanding Large Patrol is the Cascade Mountain Ski Patrol – Dick Wolkowski, Patrol Representative, also 2025 National Runner-Up Outstanding Large Patrol
2025 Central Division & National Outstanding Bike Host is Kim Schott – CRAMBA Bike Patrol Eastern Michigan
2025 Central Division Outstanding Bike Patrol is: LAMBO Patrol from North Central Region. LAMBO Patrol is also the 2025 National Outstanding Bike Patrol
National Service Excellence Award
Dick Jacques
Distinguished Service Award
Rodney Childs from the Perfect North Slopes patrol
Lifetime Achievement Award
Jeannine Mogan
National Appointments
Julie Erdmann – 12411
Erica Pacal – 12432
Hall of Fame Recipients
Kathy Ferrigan
Michael Schons