Meet the DXC Board of Directors
Thank you to the incredible volunteers who keep Duluth Cross-Country Ski Club growing! Learn more about our Board of Directors below.
Emily Korsch
Jake Dalberg
President
Hello! I am a Duluth native but didn't pick up nordic skiing until I moved back in 2021 with my husband Scott (also on the board!) and our golden retriever Tess. My first season of skate skiing was helped immensely by DXC's adult programming, so much so that I added classic skiing the following year. Again, DXC's adult programming was critical to improving my skiing technique and therefore enjoyment.
When not skiing, I also coach youth mountain biking with Duluth DEVO and high school girls soccer with Duluth Marshall.
Braxton Hjelle
Treasurer
My love for winter sports started from family trips to the ski hill and snowboard racing in highschool. It wasn't until college at Northern Michigan University that I discovered how fun the nordic world could be. Surrounding myself with others who enjoyed the sport made it easy to get on the trails everyday between classes.
After college I moved to Colorado but found myself missing the midwest ski culture and trail systems. Knowing what Duluth had to offer, I made my next move with little hesitation. My goal is to encourage others to enjoy our amazing trail resources as much as I do.
Emily Ranta
Trails; Programming
I grew up skiing in Ely, MN and moved to Duluth in 2013. My feet first had skis on them starting at age 4! I skied competitively in high school and then was connected with the National Guard Biathlon team. From there, I went on to spend six years training and racing competitively with Biathlon and making two junior world championship teams, US Biathlon development group and many military biathlon races. I have skied on dozens of trail systems around the country and world and hope to bring some of that knowledge to Duluth skiing. Now I have shfted to be a little more recreational, though I still race a few times a year and try to participate in as many Wednesday night races that I can.. I also have many connections in the nordic ski, biathlon, cycling and outdoor communities and have had hundreds of conversations with local skiers while employed for 8 years at a local ski and bike shop and hope to bring that knowledge to DXC. I now work as a physician assistant with Tamarack Health. I love the outdoors and I love that Duluth has so many outdoor opportunities to offer! My desire is to see those opportunities continue to grow and to help continue to build on the great nordic ski community that we have!
Eric Hansen
Lester Amity Chalet
My wife and I relocated to Duluth from Anchorage, Alaska a few years ago and quickly felt at home here along Lake Superior. I appreciate the wide breadth of activities this area has to offer and have enjoyed getting to know the local trails and nordic ski areas surrounding us. This last winter my dog Cooper and I have begin Skijouring and while we are both learning the technique, it's been a fun new way to embrace winter. I have a background in facilities and operations, and currently work as a Maintenance Manager at Essentia Health. Happy to see what I can bring to DXC and find new ways to put down roots in the Northland.
Ann Farley
Communications
I grew up in southern Indiana, and had never even heard of cross country skiing until my teenage years. After moving up to Ely, MN in 2006, I tried nordic for the first time, and immediately fell in love with the sport. After racing throughout high school, I transitioned to coaching both adaptive alpine skiing, and cross country skiing for 6 years between Bemidji, MN, Bend, OR, Colorado , and Duluth. I now enjoy racing and skiing within our wonderful twin ports community. My secondary passion is rehabbing runners, cyclists, and skiers alike as a physical therapist at Center for Muscle and Joint, and as a certified bike fitter at Boundless Bike Fitting, LLC. I decided to join the DXC board this year to give back to the ski community that I love so much here in Duluth. I hope to foster more love and lifelong performance of our sport in others, as well as improving the race scene in the Twin Ports locally.
Scott Erlandson
Volunteer Coordinator/Events
Board Resource Members
Sean Foley
IT Tech man/Go-to guy
Ketzel Levens
Newsletter Editor & Weather Wizard
Staff
Jonathan Rova
Interim Executive Director
Jonathan Rova has been a part of the Duluth ski community for a while if his first stint in the city is included. Although a South Minneapolis kid, he last moved here with his family from up the shore in Grand Marais. He has skied from birth and participated in a bunch of races at venues from the historic Chester Park to the historic Vasaloppet. (They were racing in Chester before the first Vasaloppet in Sweden).
Outside of his efforts in our ski community, he does pastoral work, writes theologically and, most importantly, supports his family. Unafraid to wear tights in cold weather or questionable situations you might see him skiing around or waxing prophetic.
Current & Former DXC Board Members
Duluth Cross-Country Ski Club was founded in 2004, and since has worked to promote healthy lifestyles, fitness, and fun through cross-country skiing by providing programs, informational resources, and special events to the community.
Below is a list of current and past board members; thank you to the many people who have made this work possible. If you're interested in learning more about our story, CLICK HERE.
Eric Hansen (2026-current)
Jake Dalberg (2025- current)
Ann Farley (2024- current)
Emily Ranta (2023- current
Scott Erlandson (2023- current)
Braxton Hjelle (2023-2026)
Emily Korsch (2023-2026)
Sara Hendrickson (2021-2026)
Sean Foley (2025)
Matt Nistler (2024-2025)
Jake Morgan (2020-2025)
Kate Meisner (2022-2024)
Waylon Munch (2020-2024)
Dan Maki (2018-2024)
Jonathan Rova (2017-2024)
Nick Lansing (2020-2023)
Eric Chandler (2020-2023)
Erik Julsrud (2019-2023)
Mark Wallis (2019-2022)
Sarah Grenberg (2018-2021)
Stacey Jutila (2019-2020)
Bridgit Maruska (2019-2020)
Amy Haggenmiller (2019)
Ben Hugus (2019)
Kristin Lusian (2017-2020)
David Arvold (2017-2020)
Todd Holmstrom (2017-2020)
Kari Hedin (2016-2019)
MaryBeth Nevers (2016-2019)
Nils Arvold (2016-2019)
Matthew Ryan (2015-2018)
Annalisa Peterson (2015-2018)
Mike Kokotovich (2015-2018)
Chad Salmela (2014-2017)
Kris Osthus (2014-2017)
Beth Foudriat (2014-2017)
Siiri Morse (2012-2017)
Kaitlin Erpestad (2013-2016)
Lane Palmer (2013-2016)
Molly Hoeg (2013-2016)
Andre Watt (2012-2015)
Grant Nelson (2012-2015)
Shawnee Stephenson (2012-14)
Tony Shoberg (2011-2014)
John Ipsen (2011-2014)
Bonnie Williams (2012-2013)
Rhett Bonner (2012-2013)
Anne Flueckiger (2005-2013)
Jay Monson (2011-2012)
Phil Rogers (2011-2012)
Kristin Riker-Coleman (2011)
Jed Downs (2010-2011)
Bonnie Fuller-Kask (2007-2011)
Nikolai Anikin (2007-2011)
Morris Levy (2006-2011)
Robin Downs (2007-2010)
Kirsten Bich (2006-2009)
Adam Sundberg (2006-2007)
Kate Stenehjem (2006-2007)
Brian Bich (2005-2007)
Doug Olsen (2005-2006)
Sandra Beck (2005)
Greg Minerich (2004-2005)
FOUNDERS:
Bryan French (2004-2012)
Patti Harvieux (2004-2011)
Paul Bartlam (2004-2007)
Dee Bartlam (2004-2007)
Sisto Santodonato (2004-2007)
Eric Chandler (2004-2006)
Eric Viken (2004-2006)