Vernon Trails Board
Board Members
We couldn’t do what we do without a dedicated group of board members. Come meet them.
Brian Huebner
Who are you?
My name is Brian Huebner and I am the father of two young ladies (Denali and Odessa) and husband to a wonderful outdoor loving wife (Stacey). As a lifelong resident of Vernon County I am interested in highlighting, accentuating, and marketing the natural beauty of the Driftless Area.
Why are you on the VT board?
In 199? Dave Maxwell and I put on the TriChallenge, which was a Run, Bike Golf event in Timber Coulee. We started with the idea of creating an event to draw people to experience the resources of Vernon County.
Since that time, I have worked with a number of groups to host events in the Greater La Crosse area. Some of those have included West Salem Triathlon, Dam Challenge, and the Syttendie Mai fun run. All of those events have brought new faces to the area, but I believe there is more work to do and other outdoor interest which may bring more people and that is why I work with Vernon Trails.
What are your special interests?
I have taught Social Studies and coached at Westby High School for the past 14 years. As a Cross Country coach I work hard to incorporate the topography of our area into our everyday workouts. I also participate in many endurance events. I have finished over thirty marathons, three
50 mile trail runs, fifty triathlons of various distances, and five Ironman triathlons. I love racing and in my prime I was very competitive, but on the north side of my competitive age I am finding enjoyment in hosting and running outdoor endurance events.
What do you see for the future of VT?
Limitless. Five years ago, I thought a trail between Westby and Viroqua was a pipe dream, but VT was a huge facilitator of the fulfillment of this idea, so I really think anything can happen. The best part of being on the VT board, for me, is connecting with like-minded people in Vernon County, people I probably would not connect with just walking down the street. In the future, I would like to see VT continue to promote and help develop more trails in the Westby and Viroqua area.
Favorite VT event?
Sidiefest-because it highlights the wonderful trail system built at Sidie Hollow Park.
Elizabeth Roberts
Who are you?
Hi. Elizabeth Roberts here. I joined the Viroqua/Westby area in 2011. My husband, Gregg Roberts, and I decided to move our family back to the Midwest to be closer to our extended-families (I grew up in the Twin Cities; Gregg around Mineral Point, WI). We have three little kids: Wynne, August (Gus), and Henry. I work as a family medicine physician in Viroqua.
Why are you on the VT board?
Like so many others, we were drawn to the hills and rivers, trees and farmland, and the forward-thinking nature of this area. We left mountains and ocean behind in Alaska, and knew we couldn’t live just anywhere. We chose here and love it because many before us have already been working hard to make this a great place to live and raise a family. That said, I am on the board because I want to help make Vernon County an even better place to live. I want as many opportunities as possible in this area for my children to thrive outside in nature. As a family doctor I promote a healthy active outdoor lifestyle – trails of all kinds are essential and we need more here.
What are your special interests?
I enjoy silent sports of all types, but my favorite is cross country skiing. Classic, skating, backcountry – I love it all and am happy on skis out on a sunny winter day, or a quiet snowy evening.
What do you see for the future of VT?
A legacy for our children: massive outdoor “playground” of trails and silent sport opportunities. And my personal goal = more ski trails.
Jordan Brudos
Who are you?
Hi, I’m Jordan Brudos. My husband, Mark, and I grew up in the DeSoto area. We moved away when we went off to college but found ourselves drawn back by the beauty of the Driftless in 2007. We now live in Viroqua, along with our four children: Adyn, Emma, Charlotte, and Asher. I work at Pleasant Ridge Waldorf School as the Enrollment & Outreach Coordinator.
Why do you sit on the Vernon Trails’ Board?
I feel so fortunate to call the Driftless home. The possibilities for outdoor recreation are numerous, regardless of the season! Being on the VT Board allows me to be an advocate and educator to others of the outdoor recreational opportunities here, and to help create access to even more. My love for outdoor recreation, along with my background in marketing, outreach, and non-profit work has made VT a natural fit and a great way to get involved and give back.
What are your special interests?
Anything that gets me outside – running, biking, hiking, snowshoeing, fishing, gardening, kayaking, and camping! I also enjoy a good knitting project and a book.
What do you see for the future of Vernon Trails?
In the future, I hope to see VT gain access to more land so that our trail network can grow. By continuing to expand our trails we would draw more outdoor enthusiasts to the area, which would have a direct impact on our local economy. That’s a win for everyone!
Pete Taylor
![pete-taylor](http://vernontrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/pete-taylor-300x186.png)
Who are you?
Pete Taylor- I am the husband to my best friend of 17 years-Alycann, the Daddy of two very strong willed little girls, and the obedient servant to a trail crazed, yellow lab. I am a local, small business owner, and the volunteer Board President of Vernon Trails.
Why do you sit on the Vernon Trails’ Board?
Seven years ago I moved to Viroqua with my family to start a small business. Having come here from the mountains of Idaho, we really wanted to do our part to help create the same kind of spectacular outdoor playground. This area is well on its way to becoming just that. The topography of southwestern Wisconsin is the perfect canvas to work with. We have found the community to be very supportive and the land managing agencies to be very cooperative. Understanding the strength in numbers, we’ve organized with some other passionate locals to start developing, promoting and protecting our environmental resources. We are determined to introduce silent sports to those who are new to them, and continue to provide the best outdoor opportunities we can for those who are already hooked.
What are your special interests?
I would suspect that the word out there is that I’m “all trails all the time”, mountain biking and trail building. Those are definitely two of my very greatest passions. Really, I just want to be outside always, whether the medium is snowshoes, skis, foot, or wheels. The forest is my cathedral. That’s where I gain affirmation that there is something bigger than I.
What do you see for the future of Vernon Trails?
The growth and success of Vernon Trails hinges on four main factors: membership base, volunteer support, strong leadership, and financial structure. Provided we can keep heading towards positive growth in these areas, I believe that Vernon Trails can do great things for the communities in which we live and reach. I want to continue to promote our existing events and programs and see them grow in terms of participant numbers. I want to work with other organizations to help with similar projects. I want to continue to gain greater access to lands, both public and private, and develop more “shared use” trail networks. This provides our local communities the opportunity for a healthier lifestyle and presents a real economic driver in “eco-tourism”. And that benefits us all.
Alycann Whalen Taylor
Who are you?
My name is Alycann Whalen Taylor. I am the proud wife of Pete Taylor, and mother of two fabulous girls, Wilma and Lucy. Pete and I have had many life adventures, including living in the mountains of Idaho, but after the birth of our daughter Wilma, the desire to move closer to family and simplify life for our young family, was powerful. So we decided to call Wisconsin home again. We choose Viroqua because it is in the heart of the Driftless Region, and the outdoor recreation potential is vast .
I am the co-owner of Bluedog Cycles. I am also the Human Resource Manager for the Viroqua Food Cooperative. I also serve Vernon County as a board Supervisor for District 13.
Why do you sit on the Vernon Trails’ Board as Volunteer Executive Director?
We live in an area that is rich with outdoor recreational potential. I believe that outdoor activities and recreation is essential to a happy life. I want future generations to be able to have access to the outdoors and all it’s wonder. Vernon Trails is an avenue that allows us to create, promote, and educate on the benefits of outdoor recreation. This belief, coupled with over 20 years of non-profit management experience , and a wide variety of both local, regional, and national board work, makes being a part of Vernon Trails a logical fit.
What are your special interests?
Being outside, and enjoying the sun on my face, whether it’s hiking or biking, or playing in the garden dirt. I long for afternoons when I can lay in the sun and read a book. I love listening to music, dancing with my family, and recently I began taking Banjo lessons.
What do you see for the future of Vernon Trails?
Limitless possibilities. When we starting on this VT journey 8 years ago, we were trail users looking to gain some access. Since those intial meetings, we have built miles, and miles of new trails. We have gained access to public and private land. We have certified trail builders that are nationally recognized . We have added countless events, and promoted dozens of recreational activities. We have educated countless youth groups.
If we can continue to build, and maintain, what we have been doing, I think Vernon Trails will begin to be recognized as a transforming agent in our local economy. Vernon County is still one of the poorest counties in the state of Wisconsin, recreational tourism has proven to provide positive financial impact on local economies. Vernon Trails is the organization committed to expanding it’s outdoor recreation opportunities. Our future is bright and full of things.
HOW TO CONTACT VERNON TRAILS: vernontrails@gmail.com
![Vernon Trails On The Road](http://vernontrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/3451795751_61f3603681_o.jpg)