Tusker Trail's US-based staff are absolute professionals. They go to great ends to ensure that your trip plans go smoothly. They have each been hired for their commitment to the environment, their love of the outdoors, and their effciency. Each year, to experience the magic that drives our company, they get to join a Tusker expedition. Tusker also provides them with the opportunity to further their knowledge of the outdoors by signing them up on Tusker-sponsored Wilderness Medical courses.



ANDREW SPRINGSTEEL
North American Operation Director

Andrew is 30, and was born in Ohio, USA. He studied journalism at Ohio State University. Andrew is married with a newborn son, and is a fanatic backpacker, who will drop anything to sail his hobiecat. In 2003 Andrew climbed Kilimanjaro for the first time - as a Tusker client. Three months later he moved to Tahoe and joined Tusker Trail. He is also a certified EMT and Wilderness First Responder.

Short term goals: Sail a 36-foot boat on the ocean; enjoy newfound fatherhood.
Long term goals: Hike the entire Pacific Crest Trail; build a house from indigenous materials.
Stupidest thing he's ever done: Flipped his catamaran in a shipping channel in Tampa Bay, Florida.



KEVIN CARROLL
Expedition Coordinator

Kevin is 27, and was born in Washington State, USA. He studied writing at the University of Washington. Kevin lives to climb & snowboard and has traveled to the great mountains of the world in pursuit of his passion. In January 2005, Kevin climbed Kilimanjaro with Eddie Frank, and then certified as a Wilderness First Responder soon after.

Short term goals: Finish his house renovation; learn to telemark better.
Long term goals: Stay out of trouble.
Stupidest thing he's ever done: Fell asleep on a local bus in Chile with his wallet on his lap. Only realized it had disappeared after 8 hours and 500 miles.

MEL KAIDA
Expedition Coordinator

Mel is 23, and was born in Lodi, California, USA. She has a Bachelor's degree in recreation and leisure management from San Diego State University. Mel is a certified snowboard instructor at Lake Tahoe and is an ace surfer. She moved to Lake Tahoe for the snowboarding, the hiking, the mountains, and the beautiful lake.

Short-term goals: Snowboarding in fresh powder; traveling, having fun.
Long-term goals: Living in Tahoe; success; getting old with no regrets. Craziest thing she's ever done: Skiing down a double black diamond slope of shear ice during a snowstorm - when she was 6!



MATT DODSON
Expedition Coordinator

Matt is 33, and was born in Virginia, USA. He has 2 kids and is the best dad in Tahoe (according to his kids). Matt is a kayaking guide, and has a bachelor's degree in recreation management. He is a manic snowboarder and is great at changing diapers. Matt will climb Kilimanjaro with his wife, Tara, in February 2006 (probably with Tusker).


Short term goals: Eating; sleeping; paying his mortgage.
Long term goals: Living on a beach in Central America; hanging with his kids. Stupidest thing he's ever done:Forgot to strap his surfboard to his roof rack. One look back revealed what used to be a surfboard - in the middle of the road.




JIM COOKE
Expedition Coordinator

Jim is 27, and was born and raised in New Hampshire, USA. He has been studying music ever since he can remember and attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Jim grew up skiing, snowboarding, and backpacking across the Appalachian Mountain Range, and in his words, he "came to Lake Tahoe for the epic powder!"

Short term goals: Travel more.
Long term goals: Be Happy; help others to be happy.
Craziest thing he's ever done: Jumped off a chairlift!