Officers and Directors
Meet the Board of Directors who work hard for you everyday!
President Don Helsel – Term expires January 2027
Don states, “We alone have the responsibility (and the opportunity) to form the future of our sport every day. We do this by the way we ride, where we ride, what we say and how we maintain our trail systems.” Don had a 40 year career working both domestically and internationally for Ford Motor Company. He retired in 2004 and relocated to Ontonagon, MI with his wife, Sue. ATV riding is a favorite activity of theirs. They had heard about “this local ORV group,” which turned out to be MI-TRALE, so they joined! In 2010, Don decided he wanted to take a more active part in the organization’s trail development efforts. From then on, he became very involved with the discovery and development of new trails in the five county area that MI-TRALE covers. In the 2012 BOD elections he attained the position of President, and served continually as President until 2021. Don is now helming our organization once again. Don’s favorite place to ride is the Pioneer Trail System. He urges everyone to ride this trail at only 10-15mph as it changes around every corner. No matter the season, it will keep your attention. It is a trail to enjoy what you are riding through, not just for taking you to your destination. Don’s challenge to every rider of trails: “Become an active ambassador for our sport every day, both off and on the trail. It will take each of us working together to form the brightest future possible for our sport. We have a lot of work (and play!) to do, so let’s get out there and have some fun doing it! Good riding to all.”
Vice President Jon Fourez – Term expires January 2028
As of January 3rd, 2023, Jon was elected to be a member of MI-TRALEs BOD. He retired from farming in East Central Illinois and moved north to explore the many wonders of Michigan’s Western Upper Peninsula. He has one daughter and a son-in-law who also live in his gorgeous, neck-of-the-woods. His other daughter lives in Colorado. One of his favorite ways to explore the UP is to drive his UTV along its many miles of trails. Having been active all his life, he was speaking with our Secretary, Linda Schulz, regarding some ways to keep busy in his retirement. Linda suggested he join MI-TRALE. Jon did so in 2022 and was busy the entire Summer thereafter brushing around trail signs and cutting up trees after windstorms! Jon has found that our trails offer many scenic areas to enjoy and that there are always new friends to be met. “Work is never work when you are among friends,” he says. He also learned how to run our Storch Super Magnet under the guidance of Dave Bishop, our Treasurer. This piece of equipment “grabs” metal off our trails to help prevent punctured tires.. He declares, “MI-TRALE is so unique in that it offers not only ORV trails, but Equestrian trails and even Water trails for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy. I am looking forward to helping out wherever I can to increase the trail riding fun for everyone!”
Secretary Linda Schulz – Term expires January 2027
In 2007, Linda, along with her husband Mike, purchased the Running Bear Resort in Paulding, MI. To further their opportunities of exploring the beautiful wilderness of the UP, they soon acquired ATVs and began to ride our trails. Discovering that MI-TRALE was the organization that did the work of signing and maintaining those trails, they became members in 2010. About one month after joining, Linda was elected to be Secretary of the BOD. She has held that position continually for the past 13 years. Along with the Secretary’s standard duties of minute-taking and record-keeping, Linda has also been responsible for handling all of the DNR Grant paperwork. Those grants are a major part of what enables MI-TRALE to keep our trails in such good condition. She, along with her husband Mike, are Co-Trail Project Managers/Trail Bosses. They are the team that oversees all of the work done on our trails. Linda also helps with our Facebook page and website. She loves being out-of-doors and helps with trail maintenance every chance she gets. Linda would like to say, “Come see what MI-TRALEs trails and the Western UP have to offer. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised!””
Treasurer Dave Bishop – Term expires January 2028
In 2000 Dave and his wife, Pat, retired to Ontonagon, MI. He had a long and successful career as the Maintenance Foreman for the State of Illinois’ 2nd largest Waste Water Treatment Plant, located in Rockford, IL. With a couple years of “UP Living” under his belt, he wanted to more fully explore the spectacular wilderness it offered. He thought ATVing would be the way to go. After the loan of ATVs and instruction from friends, Dave got his own ATV in 2003 and has been a dedicated rider ever since. Don Helsel and Dave are good friends and it was at Don’s invitation that Dave became a member of MI-TRALE in 2010. Two years later he was elected to the BOD as Treasurer and has remained in that position to the present year. Dave is a man who genuinely cares about and is very involved with his community. In addition to his position on our BOD, he is currently serving as Treasurer of the Ontonagon County Historical Society and a Board Member of Ontonagon’s Chamber of Commerce. In the spirit of bringing more members of the community together, he also is a leading participant in organizing activities for our club. A couple of possibilities are: Joint Rides with other Michigan ATV clubs and Member Picnic Rides. New members and ideas are always welcome! Just like Don, Dave has a fondness for the Pioneer Trail, but his favorite is the 32 mile loop of the Baraga Plains Trail. It covers such a wide variety of terrain that you’ll be sure to find anything you’re looking for. Dave extends this invitation to all, “If you plan to ride your ATV/ORV in the UP, make certain to travel MI-TRALEs’ trails. They will guarantee that you definitely experience the magic of the Upper Peninsula’s impressive scenery.”
Director Adam Gingery- Term expires January 2028
Adam and his wife Christine, along with their son Tyler and daughter Allison, live in Marshfield, Wisconsin where he works as CFO at Trierweiler Construction. He does have a second home in Land O’ Lakes, Wisconsin with quick access to all of MI-TRALEs trails. That is an advantage he makes great use of! A transplant to Wisconsin when he was a kid, Adam was actually born in central Lower Michigan. The meeting points for his immediate and extended family have always been in the UP. Thus, he has been coming to the UP his entire life, even graduating from Northern Michigan University in 2004. Adam and his family enjoy every part of the UP: Whether it’s fishing the lakes and streams, hiking around waterfalls or obviously getting in the UTV to spend the day exploring. He feels that no part of the country does it better when it comes to connecting people with nature than the UP. When MI-TRALE Director Chris Palmer reached out to all club members a couple years ago asking for help in some trail maintenance, Adam thought this was such a great way to give back. These trails take you through so much history with the mines and railroads as well as seeing some of the most breathtaking waterfalls, pristine lakes and gorgeous trout streams. In addition, the amount and variety of timber stands from old growth tree canopies to the aromatic pine and cedar, the UP is truly a special place. In his opinion, the best way to experience all of it, and the Western UP in particular, is to spend a day riding on MI-TRALEs trail system. He loves sharing his enthusiasm for the amazing resources available throughout MI-TRALEs expansive trail system. Adam considers it an honor to be part of MI-TRALE.
Director Chris Kooyers- Term expires January 2028
Chris was born and raised in the city of Holland, Michigan. He is now semi-retired and spends most of his time in Sidnaw, Michigan. He started coming up to the Sidnaw area in 1993 and was staying at a friend’s camp. He enjoyed the area enough that he decided to begin trail riding in 2004. He learned about MI-TRALE and became a member in 2006. MI-TRALE once had a special award given out to someone who rode all the trails in their system. It was designated the CP2R Award, (Certified Pride To Ride Award). Chris’s enthusiasm for trail riding led him to do all that riding and win this Award in two consecutive years: 2010 and 2011. He and his wife, Cindi, bought their house in Sidnaw in 2015, so they are long-time residents of this area. Chris and Cindi both love to ride and do lots of it every year. And by lots, he means an average of 4,000 miles a year! Some of their trips have taken them from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to Hurley, Wisconsin and from Copper Harbor, Michigan to further South in Wisconsin. Chris hopes to serve MI-TRALE well by now being a member of its Board of Directors.
Director Chris Palmer – Term expires January 2028
Chris and his wife Heather moved to the Ewen, MI area from Belvidere, IL in July of 2023. Being avid snowmobilers for years they started exploring the Western UP by SxS during the off snow season. Having been heavily involved in snowmobile clubs at the local, region and state level they wanted to get involved in the clubs that keep our SxS trails accessible and in good riding condition. There is a lot more pressure to close trails and restrict access to public lands than the average person riding the trails is aware of. If we don’t get involved, educate the current and next generation of riders and support organizations like MI-TRALE, we won’t have anywhere to ride. No matter how you use the trails it takes people getting involved and working together to keep them open and maintained. After attending monthly meetings and showing interest in getting more involved, Chris was asked to fill a board position being vacated in 2024. They look forward to helping with trail maintenance and wherever else it is needed.
Director Steve Slater – Term expires January 2027
Steve has been riding or driving anything off-road since, well…forever! Although he resides in WI, he has been an avid fan and traveler of our panoramic Western UP trails since 2007. He has spent a fair amount of time in the UP over the years. He attended both Gogebic Community College and Michigan Tech during his time here. Steve initially became a member of MI-TRALE and was elected to its BOD in 2010 and served his two year term. He remained a MI-TRALE member and was, once again, elected to the BOD in January of 2023. His main focus is to promote the philosophy of: “Have courtesy and tread lightly while on the trails. Leave them in better condition than you found them. Doing something as simple as picking up sticks, rocks and large pieces of debris, and removing them from the trails, is a major help to the club responsible for maintaining those trails.” He very much enjoys “trail days” and sharing adventures with anyone he encounters along the way. If you come to (or volunteer for) our Senior Fall Color Ride, you’ll most likely meet Steve, and he’ll look forward to meeting you! It’s one of his favorite rides—be sure to check it out!
Director Cathy Wainio – Term expires January 2027
Cathy retired from her career as a government employee in financial services. She and her husband live on a small farmstead with a few critters, including her two horses. She declares, “Caring for critters, fence line and the garden, and running amuck with grandkids makes a good life.” Cathy often rides in local parades, (with her horse decked out in hats, sunglasses and bangles), while she tosses candy to kids. She also enjoys volunteering at her church and other community events. Cathy joined MI-TRALE in 2011 and has been the Chair of the Equestrian Committee ever since. She and the other members of the Equestrian Committee have worked under a partnership agreement with the Ottawa National Forest, to improve and maintain the Courtney Equestrian Trails and also to develop equestrian campsites within the Courtney Recreation Area. They promote educating the public about the safe sharing of trails, as well. Cathy states, “I believe that everyone is important. We should all remember that when we are riding the trails together.” Cathy continues, “Celebrate life, pass it on to others. Trail recreation offers a retreat, places to rest and calm the heart and mind, and places to gather with friends old and new.” She wants you to know that the members of the BOD of MI-TRALE are a great group of hard-working people who all have the same passion: Bringing enjoyment to as many different kinds of trail users as possible. Cathy concludes, “Come and enjoy the natural beauty and numerous locations of interest along our trails in the wilderness of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. I am honored to be a part of MI-TRALE.”