Chugiak Dog Mushers Association
Nominees for Board of Directors, 2020-21
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: 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 would like to work with a club that promotes racing and community involvement in all levels in South Central. 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.
Scott Maruskie:
I moved to Alaska in 2002 and I became active in dog mushing in 2007. I became active through Rick Cavens when he was the pastor at St Mark Church and he invited my kids to run his dogs. My first time on a sled was in 2009 at the Chugiak Businessman’s Race. Unfortunately, I became hooked. We bought our first sled dogs in 2011 and we began racing. My kids were competitive junior racers and won many races and I raced the dogs when they were not racing. Over the years, our kennel has grown to 19 dogs with 15 very competitive race dogs. We moved to Chugiak 3 years ago and have become more active in CDMA.
After a couple of seasons, I became a board member with ASDRA and have been serving on their board since 2011 and have been the vice president of their board for the past 5+ years. I have been active in both ASDRA and CDMA for years now in racing and volunteering both. With ASDRA, I have been part of the executive board, assisting in making Rondy OWC a success, trail crews, construction crews and fund raising. In that time, my wife became a board member as well and the kids have also been active in volunteering with both clubs and we remain active members in the mushing community
Zach Maruskie: I have been a part of mushing since I was in kindergarten. We got our kennel started when I was in middle school and have been racing consistently for ASDRA and CDMA since then. I have competed in Junior World Championships, ASDRA Championships, Junior Eagle River Classic, North Pole race and have helped out in Fur Rondy and really whatever race could use my help. i would love to continue to help out in both clubs but want to get more involved with the club that is nearest to my house.
Kevin O’Shea: I am relatively new to mushing, I started running dogs in 2014. I have a small but growing kennel with 5 dogs most of which are rescues. I enjoy helping CDMA with events and am currently serving on the Board. I would like to continue to help the club grow its membership in all areas of mushing, sprint, distance, recreational and juniors. I work full-time as a Safety & Environmental Manager for a marine shipping company and serve as a Director for an industry non-profit.
Kourosh Partow: I have served on the CDMA board in many capacities such as VP, Race Committee, Trail Groomer for the last 5+years. I was involved in the trail improvement project these past 5 years and help with trail grooming during the winter time. I hope to continue making improvements next year. We have been racing sled dogs the last 35 years, in Europe, the lower 48 and the last 18 years here in Alaska. We moved to Chugiak to be close to these trails. I believe we should work to get community involvement to sponsor our races, and continue to keep the State sport promoted in the Anchorage bowl area. I am also Regional Director for ISDRA and on the committee to coordinate IFSS and ISDRA.
Marti Rhyne: Moved to Alaska in 2009 and started mushing our Siberians for the first time, and I have been involved in showing Siberians since 1986. I joined CDMA fall of 2009. I am committed to keeping the Beach Lake trails dedicated to mushing only. I am willing to work towards continuing the tradition of some longer races when weather conditions permit. One of my goals is to help create a beginner’s series of classes to attract new members to the sport.
Adeline Schlabaugh: I was first introduced to CDMA and its activities in 2015 when I was recruited by Debora Summers to help with the Dryland race series. I have since announced and timed at all dryland races and many winter races. I love what this association does for the racing community, especially for kids. I personally don’t race, but I have one dog who loves to run and bikejor with me. I work full time, teaching at UAA.
Debora Summers: I am a current CDMA Board member and have been active on the race committee and nomination committee. My focus the past few years has been to bring Dryland races to the CDMA community. If elected I will continue to promote the dryland sport and expand our offerings to ISDRA sanctioned events. I have been involved with mushing since 2002 and have been active in both ASDRA and CDMA's junior and adult clubs, volunteering in any needed capacity: timer, trail guard, chute judge, Jr. Co-advisor, and much more. As a coach for two Arctic Winter Games and mentor for a variety of youth, I have enjoyed introducing the sport to new mushers. I currently run a small sprint kennel (12 dogs) and train and race in the adult 4, 6, 8, and occasional 10-dog classes. The ethical care and treatment of sled dogs of of prime importance to me. Promotion of our sport is essential to our mushing community and I would be honored to continue my involvement as part of the CDMA board.
Nominee for Humanitarian Award
Kris Rasey: Kris went to extraordinary measures to rescue a dog that escaped from a visiting musher's team during a training run: setting up and monitoring remote cameras, posting signage and notices on social media, maintaining a "homing area," and patrolling trails in hopes of returning the dog to its owner.
Nominees for Board of Directors, 2020-21
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: 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 would like to work with a club that promotes racing and community involvement in all levels in South Central. 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.
Scott Maruskie:
I moved to Alaska in 2002 and I became active in dog mushing in 2007. I became active through Rick Cavens when he was the pastor at St Mark Church and he invited my kids to run his dogs. My first time on a sled was in 2009 at the Chugiak Businessman’s Race. Unfortunately, I became hooked. We bought our first sled dogs in 2011 and we began racing. My kids were competitive junior racers and won many races and I raced the dogs when they were not racing. Over the years, our kennel has grown to 19 dogs with 15 very competitive race dogs. We moved to Chugiak 3 years ago and have become more active in CDMA.
After a couple of seasons, I became a board member with ASDRA and have been serving on their board since 2011 and have been the vice president of their board for the past 5+ years. I have been active in both ASDRA and CDMA for years now in racing and volunteering both. With ASDRA, I have been part of the executive board, assisting in making Rondy OWC a success, trail crews, construction crews and fund raising. In that time, my wife became a board member as well and the kids have also been active in volunteering with both clubs and we remain active members in the mushing community
Zach Maruskie: I have been a part of mushing since I was in kindergarten. We got our kennel started when I was in middle school and have been racing consistently for ASDRA and CDMA since then. I have competed in Junior World Championships, ASDRA Championships, Junior Eagle River Classic, North Pole race and have helped out in Fur Rondy and really whatever race could use my help. i would love to continue to help out in both clubs but want to get more involved with the club that is nearest to my house.
Kevin O’Shea: I am relatively new to mushing, I started running dogs in 2014. I have a small but growing kennel with 5 dogs most of which are rescues. I enjoy helping CDMA with events and am currently serving on the Board. I would like to continue to help the club grow its membership in all areas of mushing, sprint, distance, recreational and juniors. I work full-time as a Safety & Environmental Manager for a marine shipping company and serve as a Director for an industry non-profit.
Kourosh Partow: I have served on the CDMA board in many capacities such as VP, Race Committee, Trail Groomer for the last 5+years. I was involved in the trail improvement project these past 5 years and help with trail grooming during the winter time. I hope to continue making improvements next year. We have been racing sled dogs the last 35 years, in Europe, the lower 48 and the last 18 years here in Alaska. We moved to Chugiak to be close to these trails. I believe we should work to get community involvement to sponsor our races, and continue to keep the State sport promoted in the Anchorage bowl area. I am also Regional Director for ISDRA and on the committee to coordinate IFSS and ISDRA.
Marti Rhyne: Moved to Alaska in 2009 and started mushing our Siberians for the first time, and I have been involved in showing Siberians since 1986. I joined CDMA fall of 2009. I am committed to keeping the Beach Lake trails dedicated to mushing only. I am willing to work towards continuing the tradition of some longer races when weather conditions permit. One of my goals is to help create a beginner’s series of classes to attract new members to the sport.
Adeline Schlabaugh: I was first introduced to CDMA and its activities in 2015 when I was recruited by Debora Summers to help with the Dryland race series. I have since announced and timed at all dryland races and many winter races. I love what this association does for the racing community, especially for kids. I personally don’t race, but I have one dog who loves to run and bikejor with me. I work full time, teaching at UAA.
Debora Summers: I am a current CDMA Board member and have been active on the race committee and nomination committee. My focus the past few years has been to bring Dryland races to the CDMA community. If elected I will continue to promote the dryland sport and expand our offerings to ISDRA sanctioned events. I have been involved with mushing since 2002 and have been active in both ASDRA and CDMA's junior and adult clubs, volunteering in any needed capacity: timer, trail guard, chute judge, Jr. Co-advisor, and much more. As a coach for two Arctic Winter Games and mentor for a variety of youth, I have enjoyed introducing the sport to new mushers. I currently run a small sprint kennel (12 dogs) and train and race in the adult 4, 6, 8, and occasional 10-dog classes. The ethical care and treatment of sled dogs of of prime importance to me. Promotion of our sport is essential to our mushing community and I would be honored to continue my involvement as part of the CDMA board.
Nominee for Humanitarian Award
Kris Rasey: Kris went to extraordinary measures to rescue a dog that escaped from a visiting musher's team during a training run: setting up and monitoring remote cameras, posting signage and notices on social media, maintaining a "homing area," and patrolling trails in hopes of returning the dog to its owner.