Jessica Holden Braunlich, President
Jess is a true Alaskan, born and raised in the interior and spending most of her childhood in Fairbanks. She works as an independent consultant, though her background is in nonprofit management, facilitation, public engagement, and policy! She joined the board in the summer of 2021, and we are excited to have her around! Fun fact: Jess’s kids stack more wood than most of us do at Woodstock!
Michael Henrich, Vice President
Massage Therapist
Michael originally hails from Iowa, though he moved here in 1985. He graduated from UAA with his certificate in Massage Therapy, and also has an MBA, also from UAA. He works as a massage therapist in Anchorage. Michael is our longest-serving board member since joining the board in 2007. He loves that Alaska Huts helps to get more young people into the outdoors by making it accessible. Fun fact: Michael designed and built the sauna at Manitoba!
Jen Willette, Treasurer
Accountant, Northwoods Accounting
Jen, originally from northern Maine, lives in Anchorage and became a board member in 2020. She works both as the Client Accounting Services Supervisor at Altman Rogers & Co. and owns her own bookkeeping business, North Woods Accounting. Fun fact: Jen has a variety of hobbies, foremost of which is beekeeping!
David Popiel, Secretary
Senior Architect; Bettisworth North Architecture & Planning
David grew up in Michigan and after hanging around the midwest for a while, started moving west, first to Colorado, and then Alaska in 2009. His work as an architect has been focused on community and civic design and has taken him around the State. He enjoys getting outside with his wife and kids, winter and summer, rain or shine. He joined the Board in 2022 to learn how to support access to the outdoors and is excited about helping with the new Lars Spurkland Memorial Hut. David was once on a competitive eating show on the Travel Channel… but he lost.
Joan Travostino
Attorney,
Joan has been on the board for over 10 years and works for Dorsey and Whitney as an attorney.
Greg Stiegel
Operations Director, Renewable Energy Alaska Project
Greg grew up in Sudbury, MA and lived in Hood River, OR for the better part of a decade before moving to Anchorage. He became a board member in 2019. He is the Operations Director for the Renewable Energy Alaska Project, a local nonprofit working to increase the use of clean energy in our state. Fun fact: Greg used to teach at a traveling high school designed for some of the world’s best youth kiteboarders called the World Class Kiteboarding Academy.
Eric DeCook
CPA Auditor – Altman Rogers & Co
Eric grew up in Rochester, MI. After finishing his undergrad, he moved to sunny southwest Florida for the better part of a decade before the mountains of Alaska drew him to Anchorage. Eric has a desire to share his love for the outdoors, which is why he joined the board in 2023. He is an external auditor with Altman Rogers and Co, a local CPA firm specializing in non-profit and governmental audits. When not in the office, you can find Eric on the river trying to catch salmon in the summer, on the hiking trails in the fall, or attempting to snowboard in the winter.
Victoria Flint
Grants Manager – Mat-Su Health Foundation
Victoria has lived in Alaska for over thirty-five years and loves all things outdoors, except mosquitos. As a full-time grants manager for the Mat-Su Health Foundation, joining the AK Huts Association board in January of 2024 organically aligns with her knowledge and passion for supporting and developing Alaska’s nonprofits. As a confirmed tree-hugger and granola girl, she strives for healthy living, staying active, and cherishing her time with family and friends. Fun fact: Victoria won a log sawing contest in middle school and will probably never do so again.
Interested in joining the Alaska Huts Association Board of Directors?
The Alaska Huts Association is actively seeking board candidates who are:
- Motivated, diverse, experienced
- Passionate about the backcountry huts experience
- Have the time and energy to spend 4-6 hours a month to attend meetings, participate in committees, and be an ambassador in our community
- Eager to help Alaska Huts raise money and continue to grow our Hut system
We’re especially interested in individuals who:
- Have been leaders of nonprofit boards before and are ready to bring their skills and insights to another organization
- Have expertise in accounting or finance, especially nonprofit accounting practices
- Are experienced fundraisers
- Have experience with construction projects in remote locations
- Have nonprofit management or business management experience
Email us at [email protected] if you are interested in joining the Alaska Huts team
Ready to reserve a hut?