Tread Lightly! Board of Directors

Kevin Lund-Chair

Kevin is Product Line Marketing Manager for Utility Vehicles for John Deere in Cary, North Carolina, and oversees Product Marketing for John Deere’s “Gator” line of Utility Vehicles.  In this role, Kevin works closely with vehicle customers worldwide to develop and market products to meet their transportation and recreational needs.

Growing up in Minnesota, Kevin developed an affinity for the outdoors, including camping, canoeing, fishing, snowmobiling and water sports.  The popularity of these practices across the outdoor areas and especially the wetlands in Minnesota brought the need for responsible use and management of these lands in into keen focus.  Year-round camping trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Northern Minnesota brought this need especially into focus as the popularity of that Wilderness Area has grown over the years.

Kevin graduated from the University of Minnesota, Duluth in 1986, and continues to return to Minnesota to enjoy the outdoor activities with his extended family.

Jan Rintamaki-Vice Chair
Director, Government Relations
Polaris Industries

Joel Pedersen-Secretary

Joel Pedersen has been employed by the National Wild Turkey Federation as a Wildlife Biologist for 15 years.  Joel has been a member of the Tread Lightly! Board of Directors since 2007.  The NWTF is a non-profit sportsmen’s organization with 230,000 members and chapters in all 50 states.  Joel is currently the Director of Lands and Policy and is responsible for the development and management of the NWTF’s More Places to Hunt, program which will help ensure hunter and other recreational access to private and public lands into the future.  In addition to projects that directly improve access, an important part of this program is to educate users on their responsibilities to act ethically on the land.   In addition, Joel coordinates the NWTF’s Conservation Easement program, and coordinates NWTF policy efforts at both the state and Federal  level.

Joel has a strong personal interest in maintaining public access for recreational activities.  He firmly believes that the actions of users have a direct impact on continued and future access.  As a certified wildlife biologist, Joel is able to offer insight as to how OHV use may impact wildlife and wildlife habitats; a unique perspective to bring to Tread Lightly!’s Board of Directors.  As an avid hunter, and representative of a hunting organization, Joel also brings the hunter’s perspective to the Board, and provide insight regarding effective ways to reach this important user group.

Christine Jourdain-Treasurer

Christine Jourdain is the Executive Director of the American Council of Snowmobile Associations.  ACSA works with the 25 state snowmobile associations across the country and provides leadership and coordination on national snowmobile issues.

As the Executive Director of ACSA, Christine has the responsibility to act as the national coordinator and spokesperson for state snowmobile associations and snowmobile clubs throughout the U.S. to educate and inform the public about snowmobiling to increase awareness, understanding and appreciation of the sport.

Christine has been very effective at building partnerships between the snowmobilers and the federal land agencies where snowmobiles are utilized.  ACSA coordinates an annual Legislative Visit to Washington, DC and snowmobile rides with representatives from the federal land agencies across the country.

Christine is a life-long outdoor enthusiast and grew up snowmobiling.  She enjoys summer activities as well as winter activities, both motorized and non-motorized.  Christine has been in association management for nearly 25 years.

Brad Franklin, Yamaha Motor Corporation U.S.A. (Industry)

Brad Franklin has been involved with the motorsports industry for over 30 years, most currently with Yamaha Motor Corporation USA in numerous and diversified positions within Yamaha’s service group. For the last 13 years he has served as Government Relations Manager, directly involved with vehicle compliance and regulatory issues as well as Land and Water access issues. Prior to his involvement with Yamaha, Franklin worked for American Suzuki Motors.

Franklin’s first experience with OHV recreation started early and took him to Southern California where he and his family make their home. He is an avid motorcyclist and rides as often as possible, including an everyday commute, rain or shine, and at least a few holiday rides. Franklin is an avid outdoorsman. From ATV riding in the desert, and snowmobiling in the mountains, to offshore fishing and hunting with his sons and close friends or backpacking the high Sierra, Franklin is very much at home in the outdoors.

Franklin has previously served as the Chairman of the American Watercraft Association and also as Chairman of Tread Lightly!’s Board of Directors for the last five years.  He is an active member on many committees of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and board member for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and the Off-Road Business Association.

Franklin’s extensive experience with the power sports industry, his wide ranging outdoor interests, along with his proven ability to work with diverse individuals and groups, gives him the tools to be an effective champion of outdoor recreation

Michael J. Schmitt, Esp. Attorney at Law-Emeritus

Domenic Bravo

Administrator
Division of State Parks, Historic Sites & Trails
State of Wyoming

Amanda Covington

Amanda is Vice President of Communications and Government Relations for Vista Outdoor Inc., a leading global designer, manufacturer and marketer in the growing outdoor sports and recreation markets. The company operates in two segments, Shooting Sports and Outdoor Products, and has more than 40 well-recognized brands that provide consumers with a range of performance-driven, high-quality and innovative products.

Amanda leads corporate communications and government relations strategies impacting financial communications, crisis communications, domestic and international media/public relations, corporate branding and advertising, digital media, employee relations, public policy and legislation, industry associations, and community relations. Amanda has worked in the outdoor industry for eight years.

Amanda is an outdoor enthusiast whose hobbies include: camping, hunting and fishing, running, biking, snow skiing and golfing. She has a strong interest in conservation and education through her role at Vista Outdoor and in her community.

Mitch Butler

As Senior Principal and Partner of Natural Resource Results LLC, Mitch Butler represents clients on government affairs issues with an emphasis on natural resources conservation, outdoor recreation, public lands access and fisheries issues.

Mr. Butler began working with Natural Resource Results LLC in December of 2008, having recently served as a Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior from 2007 to 2008. At Interior, Mr. Butler was responsible for policy development, management and oversight of the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

From 2004 to 2007, Mitch served as an Associate Director and Attorney Advisor for the White House Council on Environmental Quality where he was responsible for the development of natural resources and sportsmen’s policy.

Prior to serving in the White House, he worked as Senior Legislative Assistant to Congressman Scott McInnis, past Chairman of the House Resources Forests Subcommittee.

Mitch spent six summers as a fishing guide in Alaska and is a professional member of the Boone and Crockett Club.  He is a graduate of the University of Denver College of Law and the University of Vermont.  An avid hunter and angler, Mr. Butler and his family reside in Bethesda Maryland.

 Paul Golde

Golde has held the position of Senior Product Specialist at Kawasaki Motors Corp. U.S.A. since 2006 and has enjoyed working for numerous other powersports industry companies since 1977, including Vetter Fairing Company, Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC), Malcolm Smith Products and Intersport Fashions West. While at the MIC, Golde was part of the industry team that developed and implemented the highly successful Trailbike Workshop program, bringing all levels of public land managers together to understand and plan for the sport of trail riding.

In the mid-1980’s, he served a four year term on the California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission where he also chaired the Grants and Cooperative Agreements Committee. A lifelong motorcycle and outdoor enthusiast, Golde is well familiar with the need for motorized recreationists to ride quietly and responsibly on public lands.

Andrew Hoit

Falken Tire Corporation

Andrew Hoit is currently the Vice President of Sales for Falken Tire Corporation in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.  Andrew has a diverse background with over 20 years experience in the North American tire industry. His past experiences include retail operations, procurement, and executive roles in both the Marketing and Sales functions.  In his past role as Vice President of Marketing, he helped Falken introduce itself into the off road category with the launch of its first All Terrain and Mud Terrain tires.

Andrew grew up in Georgia and is an outdoor enthusiast.  He enjoys surfing, hiking, biking, camping, motorcycling, and off-roading in his Jeep.  His passion for the outdoors helped create his commitment to increasing awareness of responsible land use and protecting our access for the future.

Rachel Soward

Rachel Soward has been with the Bureau of Land Management for over 11 years, working in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and the King Range National Conservation Area. She has an MS degree from Utah State University in Recreation Resource Management with an emphasis in environmental education. Her career has focused on education and engagement projects and programs. She is married and has two young sons.

Jon Lee 

Jon is currently the Brand Communications manager with BP. He has served on the Tread Lightly! Board since 2009. His extensive background in the outdoor retail industry makes him a valuable asset to Tread Lightly!

This role also allowed him to be close to the outdoor industry, where he was a regular at events such as Moab Easter Jeep Safari, Jeep Jamboree, Off-Road Expo and King of the Hammers.  Jon played a big part in creating incentive programs with Tread Lightly! that increase Tread Lightly!’s base of individual members.  In addition to Jon’s career that brought him closer to the outdoor industry, his hobbies include activities that get him into the mountains to ski or camp.  He enjoys spending time on the slopes or in the woods with his family.

Mark MacGuinness

Mark is a 29 year employee of Discount Tire and is the Vice President in charge of Discount Tire Direct. He is responsible for Discount’s online sales channel and works on much of the company’s marketing and advertising efforts in social, digital, and print media. Started in 1960, Discount Tire is known as the largest independent tire dealer in the country and has over 850 retail stores, all company owned. For the past several years Mark has worked hard to bring Discount Tire into the off-road community in a greater way.

Mark grew up hunting, fishing, and off-roading in Michigan. An off road enthusiast from a young age, he was interested in any motorized vehicle that could move in the dirt. Building and rebuilding motorcycles, ATV’s, snowmobiles, and trucks was the norm and that passion only grew over time. He now has two sons that share these same interests and is motivated to protect their access to the outdoors.

Mark is acutely aware of the challenges to the lifestyle that he has grown to love and the role that responsible use of our public lands plays. He is passionate about protecting access for future generations and feels that promoting education and responsible use fit perfectly into the ideals of Discount Tire.

Jeff Nasi

Prior to becoming Senior Director of Digital Media Advertising for The Enthusiast Network, Jeff was the Group Publisher of TEN’s five 4×4 & Jeep 4×4 magazines. He is a 19 veteran of TEN, the largest publisher of niche-interest magazines, websites & events in USA. TEN’s brands are predominantly automotive with 50+ magazines & websites covering the auto & truck media markets.

Jeff’s passion for the outdoors & off-roading spans 25+ years and he is keenly aware of the challenges facing its future. He has a deep love & appreciation for proper use of the environment and broadcasts it at every opportunity. Jeff joined the Tread Lightly! board of directors in 2006 in an effort to help broadcast its message and help Tread Lightly! develop market-appropriate media campaigns and grow membership. TEN supports Tread Lightly! with a substantial supply of PSA ads annually.

Don Striker

Superintendent, Denali National Park and Preserve
National Park Service

Jamie Schwartz
Outdoor Ethics Program Manager
USDA Forest Service

Scott Strotman
Recreation Program/Business Line Manager
US Army Corps of Engineers

Todd Smith

Todd Smith has more than 30 years of media experience creating best-in-class content for online, video and print. He is currently Vice President of Content Development at Outdoor Sportsman Group where he is responsible for creating large, multi-media editorial programs.

Smith is an avid outdoorsmen whose entire career has been spent in the hunting and fishing industries. Prior to joining Outdoor Sportsman Group in 2011, Smith was editor-in-chief of Outdoor Life for 14 years during which time the brand won numerous awards for editorial and online excellence.

While Smith has hunted and fished on five continents, he still considers America’s wilderness his favorite place to escape to. In addition to hunting and fishing, Smith is an avid backpacker, survival authority and Boy Scout leader. He also sits on the board of Tread Lightly!, whose core focus is on supporting and encouraging stewardship from those engaged in outdoor recreation on America’s lands and waterways and on the board of the Rye Nature Center in his hometown.