uman Powered Trails, Inc. is a non-profit organization whose mission is:  “To develop and maintain first class sustainable and environmentally correct, human-powered, shared use trails for the La Crosse, WI region."

Home News Volunteer of the Year - 2008
Volunteer of the Year - 2008 PDF Print E-mail
Written by Dan Luebke   
Thursday, 19 February 2009 20:34
At Wednesday nights General Meeting the first annual HPT "Volunteer of the Year" was recognized.  This award goes to the person that best displays all of the attributes we look for in a volunteer: Commitment, Total Contribution, Quality of Work, Leadership, and Willingness to grow and Teach others.

alt

There were four finalists selected, who were then voted on (by secret ballot) by the HPT Board of Directors. 

The 2008 nominees were...

Roger Lundsten -
Roger has been volunteering with HPT for many years; and in 2008 he stepped up and became a Crew Leader. 

altEarly in the trailbuilding season Roger recognized that there were others that wanted to help with trailbuilding; but couldn't make it on the scheduled "Dirty Thursday" trail work days.

Roger then worked with the HPT leadership to organize an alternative trail work day. He also took the initiative to contact and enlist others into joining the "Black Ops Trail Crew".

Throughout the summer Roger used his many years of trail building knowledge to lead the crew and work to improve and maintain the existing HPT trails. The Black Ops Crew did a huge amount of work, and made it possible for the Thursday night crews to focus on building new trail and work on the Dirt Park.

He was also instrumental in helping to get the dirt park up and running... He consistently came out on nights and weekends to run the machinery, volunteered a transit, and used his knowledge of construction to make sure water would flow off the site correctly.

Roger also volunteered his time to lead rides at the Trail Fests and help out at the Blufflands Epic race.

Matt Dotta –

altMatt started out with HPT a few years ago as a novice trail builder and novice mountain biker.  He went on his first intro ride with Frenchy about four years ago and actually survived!

In a few short years Matt improved his skills on the bike and greatly increased his knowledge about how to build fun and sustainable trails. 

In 2008 he agreed to become one of HPT's first "Crew Leaders" and was there almost every week leading crews to build miles of new trail. 

Matt is always willing to step up and lead when help is needed.  It seems that he is always there to lend a hand, and teach what he has learned over the years…  both in trail building and by helping other beginning mountain bikers.

With all the changes that have happened with HPT this last year, his consistent help week in and week out was greatly appreciated!  There is NO DOUBT that we would not have been able to accomplish what we have this year without Matt’s tireless work.

Jed Olson -

altJed just got involved with HPT this last summer.  He had an idea to create a Dirt Park with a pump track, and contacted the HPT leadership with his ideas in the middle of June, while we were attending the IMBA World Summit in Park City, UT.  We thought it sounded like a great idea, and Jed had the credentials and well thought out plan to make it a reality.

Once the leadership of HPT was on board Jed took the shovel and ran with it! 

He started out by planning the design and flow of the park to make it safe and fun for everyone… from the smallest child or novice rider, to the most seasoned biker.

Once the plans were set, Jed worked day and night to get the needed dirt for the park and organize volunteers.  He also ran the machinery to clear the area, figured out a way to store and use the water needed to build the park, and probably about 100 other things we don’t even know about.

Thanks to Jed's tireless work….  In a few short weeks the Dirt Park idea went from concept to reality, and it was ready to ride by early August. 

In addition to the Dirt Park; Jed also led Kids rides at the Trail Fests, and put on skills clinics for the HPT/IMBA International Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day.

Matt Kuennen -

altMatt K also started with HPT a few years ago as a novice trail builder and novice biker.

In 2008 Matt agreed to step up and become HPT's very own tool guru! 

He has kept the all the tools (power and hand) in top condition throughout the year.  He made sure all the hand tools were organized, inventoried, sharpened, clean and in good condition before every trail building day. 

He also tuned up and maintained all of HPT's power equipment including trimmers, leaf blowers and chain saws. 

Besides tools…  Matt also went down to Prairie Du Chien in the spring to attend a DNR trail building class to learn how to build sustainable trails.  He also attended Chain Saw Safety Certification training in order to operate a chain saw in a safe manner while volunteering with HPT.

Matt has a great attitude, is willing to lend a hand to anyone that asks or needs help, and is always enthusiastic about teaching others what he has learned over the years.


And the Human Powered Trails "2008 Volunteer of the Year" is...
JED OLSON!

Thanks Jed, and all of the HPT Volunteers, for all of your hard work and dedication to HPT!

alt






Trackback(0)
Comments (1)add comment
feedShow/Hide comments

Matt Jones said:

0
 ...
Knowing how Jed is I'm sure he worked his butt off (happily)...... Way to go Jed!!!!! and way to go Oliver for the helping your dad!
 
Wed - Feb 25, 09
Votes: +0

Write comment
hide/showShow/Hide comment form
You must be logged in to post a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.

busy
 
Banner