Nominees for Board of Directors, 2025-26
Voting will be conducted online:
**Many thanks to all candidates for their interest in serving on the board.
- A link to the 2025-26 ballot will be emailed to CDMA members by April 16
- Votes must be submitted by 6 pm April 24 to be counted at our general meeting
**Many thanks to all candidates for their interest in serving on the board.
Musher Bios
Robert Bundtzen: I began running sled dogs in 1994 and have completed the Iditarod 15 times, as well as the Knik 200, Klondike 300, Tustumena 200 and Copper Basin 300. I am a current member and have been since 1994 and use the Beach Lake Trails each season to prepare for Iditarod. I am continually amazed at what the Alaskan Husky can do and I just love spending my time with them. I am looking forward to serving on the board and being able to give back to the sport and CDMA.
Robert Forto (Willow): I have been involved in mushing since 1994 in everything from carts and scooters to multi-day expeditions. I run and operate our kennel with my family in Willow, AK. We have 38 dogs, mostly Alaskans and a few Siberians. I am an adjunct at UAA and teach classes in outdoor leadership. I am also the host of the popular Mushing Radio show, the only weekly mushing show in the world. It is heard locally on KVRF in Palmer. I think I would be a good fit for CDMA because of my experience as a business owner and my vast knowledge of web design, social marketing and event planning. I have experience in dry-land/cart racing and mid-distance racing. I have served on the board for several years, and would like to continue working to promote racing and community involvement in all levels in Southcentral Alaska. I think that CDMA is doing everything right and in a positive direction and I would be honored to assist in whatever way I can.
Monica Heath-Brost: Monica Heath-Brost operates her dog training business in Anchorage. She has a bachelor degree in animal behavior and business administration. She owns three dogs and enjoys competing in dryland events. Monica is passionate about dogs and educating people. She enjoys dedicating her time to CDMA to help run races and complete maintenance projects.
Mike Parker (Eagle River): Mike has been involved with sled dog sports, kennels and race organizations in the coastal, interior and southcentral areas of Alaska. He has experience racing and handling in distance, sprint, and dryland events. The majority of his training is done at CDMA, giving him a vested interest in successful club operations & a well maintained and entirely available trail system. Mike also started a new mid-distance style race at CDMA, the Solo Sweepstakes. As a returning member of the CDMA board, Mike would continue to focus on increasing club and race participation for all mushers, regardless of disciplines or kennel size, for the benefit of the entire Alaskan mushing community. Mike lives with his wife, children, and sled dogs in Eagle River, and works as a Technology Project Manager.
Deanna Partow (Chugiak): I have been involved with sled dogs for over 30 years, racing locally, nationally and internationally in the sprint 4- and 6-dog categories. In the past 12 years, I have mainly been a sport support person, handling, training, organizing races, working with sponsors and on fundraisers. I believe it is important to keep the trails open and safe, to offer a place where all mushers can train, and to keep the community interested with fun events for all. It takes a combination of a great volunteer membership, a hard-working board, fundraisers and great sponsors to keep a club running, but as evidenced by the last couple of years, flexibility and innovation may have to come to the forefront as well! Thank you for considering me for the CDMA Board of Directors.
Susan Selzer (Anchorage): Currently I am the Treasurer and Alaska Charitable Gaming Permittee for CDMA, previously the Treasurer for ASDRA. Alaska resident for over 40 years, sprint musher for 30 years, private pilot for 7 years. I'm a Senior Accountant for Crowley Fuels.
My goal as Treasurer for CDMA is to keep us compliant with Alaska Charitable Gaming regulations and to support the club with Treasurer duties: keeping accurate records, writing checks, reconciling bank accounts, and tracking our income and expenses. Timely record keeping, attending meetings, and reporting to the Board are all important aspects of being Treasurer, and I work hard to fulfill those responsibilities. I appreciate your vote and support. Thank you.
Kevin Snyder: Kevin runs a kennel of Siberian huskies that compete in mushing and conformation dog shows. He is passionate about preserving CDMA's mushing-only trails and educating the public about dog mushing. He is a veterinarian and Alaska's only board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist, owner of Polar Eyes Veterinary Ophthalmology. He travels around the state to local veterinary clinics, providing specialized eye care to animals. He is the current president of the Alaska Veterinary Medical Association on a 3-year term, and a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology.
Robert Forto (Willow): I have been involved in mushing since 1994 in everything from carts and scooters to multi-day expeditions. I run and operate our kennel with my family in Willow, AK. We have 38 dogs, mostly Alaskans and a few Siberians. I am an adjunct at UAA and teach classes in outdoor leadership. I am also the host of the popular Mushing Radio show, the only weekly mushing show in the world. It is heard locally on KVRF in Palmer. I think I would be a good fit for CDMA because of my experience as a business owner and my vast knowledge of web design, social marketing and event planning. I have experience in dry-land/cart racing and mid-distance racing. I have served on the board for several years, and would like to continue working to promote racing and community involvement in all levels in Southcentral Alaska. I think that CDMA is doing everything right and in a positive direction and I would be honored to assist in whatever way I can.
Monica Heath-Brost: Monica Heath-Brost operates her dog training business in Anchorage. She has a bachelor degree in animal behavior and business administration. She owns three dogs and enjoys competing in dryland events. Monica is passionate about dogs and educating people. She enjoys dedicating her time to CDMA to help run races and complete maintenance projects.
Mike Parker (Eagle River): Mike has been involved with sled dog sports, kennels and race organizations in the coastal, interior and southcentral areas of Alaska. He has experience racing and handling in distance, sprint, and dryland events. The majority of his training is done at CDMA, giving him a vested interest in successful club operations & a well maintained and entirely available trail system. Mike also started a new mid-distance style race at CDMA, the Solo Sweepstakes. As a returning member of the CDMA board, Mike would continue to focus on increasing club and race participation for all mushers, regardless of disciplines or kennel size, for the benefit of the entire Alaskan mushing community. Mike lives with his wife, children, and sled dogs in Eagle River, and works as a Technology Project Manager.
Deanna Partow (Chugiak): I have been involved with sled dogs for over 30 years, racing locally, nationally and internationally in the sprint 4- and 6-dog categories. In the past 12 years, I have mainly been a sport support person, handling, training, organizing races, working with sponsors and on fundraisers. I believe it is important to keep the trails open and safe, to offer a place where all mushers can train, and to keep the community interested with fun events for all. It takes a combination of a great volunteer membership, a hard-working board, fundraisers and great sponsors to keep a club running, but as evidenced by the last couple of years, flexibility and innovation may have to come to the forefront as well! Thank you for considering me for the CDMA Board of Directors.
Susan Selzer (Anchorage): Currently I am the Treasurer and Alaska Charitable Gaming Permittee for CDMA, previously the Treasurer for ASDRA. Alaska resident for over 40 years, sprint musher for 30 years, private pilot for 7 years. I'm a Senior Accountant for Crowley Fuels.
My goal as Treasurer for CDMA is to keep us compliant with Alaska Charitable Gaming regulations and to support the club with Treasurer duties: keeping accurate records, writing checks, reconciling bank accounts, and tracking our income and expenses. Timely record keeping, attending meetings, and reporting to the Board are all important aspects of being Treasurer, and I work hard to fulfill those responsibilities. I appreciate your vote and support. Thank you.
Kevin Snyder: Kevin runs a kennel of Siberian huskies that compete in mushing and conformation dog shows. He is passionate about preserving CDMA's mushing-only trails and educating the public about dog mushing. He is a veterinarian and Alaska's only board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist, owner of Polar Eyes Veterinary Ophthalmology. He travels around the state to local veterinary clinics, providing specialized eye care to animals. He is the current president of the Alaska Veterinary Medical Association on a 3-year term, and a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology.