Musher Bios
Nominees for CDMA Board of Directors
Voting will be conducted online:
- A link to the 2021-22 ballot will be emailed to CDMA members by April 15
- Votes must be submitted by 6 pm April 29 to be counted at our general meeting
Chugiak Dog Mushers Association
Nominees for Board of Directors, 2021-22
Returning Board members (Terms ending in 2022):
Scott Maruskie
Kourosh Partow
Marti Rhyne
Debora Summers
Nominees for 7 remaining positions:
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.
Michelle Hill: Currently on Board. I would like to continue to serve on the Board and learn how I can help CDMA continue to be a great place for all mushers.
Stacie Tarpey: I have been mushing/racing dogs since I was five years old. I figured I would try my knack at the sport since I was big enough to hold on to a shovel and scoop dog poop!! I have been hooked since. As a junior musher I was very active in the Chugiak Dog Mushers club participating as a racer. Over the past few years, I have volunteered either during dryland or adult races, such as the Eagle River Classic or the dryland championships. I am very passionate and dedicated to the sport of mushing and want to grow the sport.
As a CDMA board member I would try to bring more races to the organization-sprint or dry land, help with trail maintenance, and offer a class for potential volunteers on what is expected during races. I would also assist in gaining sponsorships for races and try to bring the junior races back. I hope with my hard work, passion, and dedication that I would be a great asset to the board.
Sean Williams:
Sean has been mushing for fifteen years and originally got his mushing start working for Iditarod champions Martin Buser and Dean Osmar, also having worked with other well-known mushers including DeeDee Jonrowe, Matt Failor, Matt Hayashida, and others. Sean is presently the founder and president of Alaska Mushing School, three-time winner of the Anchorage Daily News award for "Best Winter Adventure Tour Company" and two-time winner for "Best Summer Adventure Tour Company," and has actively promoted dog mushing year-round for several years now. Sean is a rookie in the 2021 Iditarod and has completed several other mid-distance races over the years. Sean holds a B.A. in Economics from Vanderbilt University, has a small but growing family that moved to the area just in the past year and lives about a mile from the Beach Lake trail system, and has also operated other non-mushing entrepreneurial startups in the past as well as spent some time as a commercial salmon fisherman in the Cook Inlet. The opportunity to contribute to the growth of CDMA by helping out locally would be welcome and familiar and hopefully bring another active mushing perspective to help keep mushing culture alive and well in the greater Anchorage area.
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.
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.
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. (Note: Adeline has been a board member since 2019, serving as Treasurer).
Matt Paveglio: I am a 41-year-old Mushing enthusiast from Eagle River. My family moved from Michigan to Alaska in 2008 for a three month travel nursing contract. We finally decided after 10 years we are not leaving. For the last three years I have enjoyed the sport of mushing from a dog driver's perspective. Many people have come together to give me my opportunity in the sport. I’d like to spend time with the Chugiak Dog Musher’s Association and help be an ambassador to the sport. I can only offer enthusiasm and the ability to talk mushing. My goal in the sport is to continue to open the door for people new to the sport. I love our trails and I love our dogs! Thank you for any opportunity I have to help the club.
Josh Shumen: My name is Joshua Shumen and three years ago Matt Paveglio took me out on a whip sled pulled by Jim Lanier’s Northern Whites. It was just a half hour, five mile loop that lasted two hours and 20 miles resulting in the worst frostnip of my life; It was the most beautiful thing I ever accidentally experienced. The pitter-patter of paws on snow beneath a full moon illuminating the icy haze over a frozen lake changed my place in the world. I was lucky enough to train with Jim the following year and even handle his dogs during the Yukon Quest.
I do my best to train with a kennel every year starting in fall and I’ve been very fortunate in finding my way to Cim Smyth’s kennel this year. I never realized dogs could haul iron sleds full of lumber en route to ice-fishing. It’s truly a privilege to work with these canine athletes. I may or may not complete the Iditarod some day, but I will complete all three qualifiers and I will continue to do my best to facilitate the natural abilities of these dogs and their un-ending journey across the tundra.
I’m a neurophysiologist when I’m not mushing dogs. I was born and raised in Florida and had no intention of moving to Alaska or running sled dogs until one day… I did. Life is funny but the dogs remind us everyday to give it our all at every moment and around every bend of the trail.
Casey Randall: I grew up in Michigan and have lived in Alaska for 21 years. I am 43 years old, married to Matt Randall and we have two children, AddieAnn & Thale. We own 22 dogs and we all enjoy mushing together as Rock On Racing. We participate in both distance and sprint races. 2020/2021 included Copper Basin 300, Willow 300, Denali Doubles, Willow Jr 100, Junior World Championships, 36/20, Nome Sign 40/20 and sprint races in Willow, Chugiak & Anchorage. We love dogs, Alaska, and adventures! I am running for the Chugiak Dog Mushers Association Board because I feel I will bring a positive energy, a voice to support both distance and sprint mushers for the winter and dry land seasons. I am proud and humbled to have been awarded the Humanitarian Award at the Willow 300 race this year. Thank you for your vote! I look forward to being a board member and promoting CDMA.
Nominees for Board of Directors, 2021-22
Returning Board members (Terms ending in 2022):
Scott Maruskie
Kourosh Partow
Marti Rhyne
Debora Summers
Nominees for 7 remaining positions:
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.
Michelle Hill: Currently on Board. I would like to continue to serve on the Board and learn how I can help CDMA continue to be a great place for all mushers.
Stacie Tarpey: I have been mushing/racing dogs since I was five years old. I figured I would try my knack at the sport since I was big enough to hold on to a shovel and scoop dog poop!! I have been hooked since. As a junior musher I was very active in the Chugiak Dog Mushers club participating as a racer. Over the past few years, I have volunteered either during dryland or adult races, such as the Eagle River Classic or the dryland championships. I am very passionate and dedicated to the sport of mushing and want to grow the sport.
As a CDMA board member I would try to bring more races to the organization-sprint or dry land, help with trail maintenance, and offer a class for potential volunteers on what is expected during races. I would also assist in gaining sponsorships for races and try to bring the junior races back. I hope with my hard work, passion, and dedication that I would be a great asset to the board.
Sean Williams:
Sean has been mushing for fifteen years and originally got his mushing start working for Iditarod champions Martin Buser and Dean Osmar, also having worked with other well-known mushers including DeeDee Jonrowe, Matt Failor, Matt Hayashida, and others. Sean is presently the founder and president of Alaska Mushing School, three-time winner of the Anchorage Daily News award for "Best Winter Adventure Tour Company" and two-time winner for "Best Summer Adventure Tour Company," and has actively promoted dog mushing year-round for several years now. Sean is a rookie in the 2021 Iditarod and has completed several other mid-distance races over the years. Sean holds a B.A. in Economics from Vanderbilt University, has a small but growing family that moved to the area just in the past year and lives about a mile from the Beach Lake trail system, and has also operated other non-mushing entrepreneurial startups in the past as well as spent some time as a commercial salmon fisherman in the Cook Inlet. The opportunity to contribute to the growth of CDMA by helping out locally would be welcome and familiar and hopefully bring another active mushing perspective to help keep mushing culture alive and well in the greater Anchorage area.
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.
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.
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. (Note: Adeline has been a board member since 2019, serving as Treasurer).
Matt Paveglio: I am a 41-year-old Mushing enthusiast from Eagle River. My family moved from Michigan to Alaska in 2008 for a three month travel nursing contract. We finally decided after 10 years we are not leaving. For the last three years I have enjoyed the sport of mushing from a dog driver's perspective. Many people have come together to give me my opportunity in the sport. I’d like to spend time with the Chugiak Dog Musher’s Association and help be an ambassador to the sport. I can only offer enthusiasm and the ability to talk mushing. My goal in the sport is to continue to open the door for people new to the sport. I love our trails and I love our dogs! Thank you for any opportunity I have to help the club.
Josh Shumen: My name is Joshua Shumen and three years ago Matt Paveglio took me out on a whip sled pulled by Jim Lanier’s Northern Whites. It was just a half hour, five mile loop that lasted two hours and 20 miles resulting in the worst frostnip of my life; It was the most beautiful thing I ever accidentally experienced. The pitter-patter of paws on snow beneath a full moon illuminating the icy haze over a frozen lake changed my place in the world. I was lucky enough to train with Jim the following year and even handle his dogs during the Yukon Quest.
I do my best to train with a kennel every year starting in fall and I’ve been very fortunate in finding my way to Cim Smyth’s kennel this year. I never realized dogs could haul iron sleds full of lumber en route to ice-fishing. It’s truly a privilege to work with these canine athletes. I may or may not complete the Iditarod some day, but I will complete all three qualifiers and I will continue to do my best to facilitate the natural abilities of these dogs and their un-ending journey across the tundra.
I’m a neurophysiologist when I’m not mushing dogs. I was born and raised in Florida and had no intention of moving to Alaska or running sled dogs until one day… I did. Life is funny but the dogs remind us everyday to give it our all at every moment and around every bend of the trail.
Casey Randall: I grew up in Michigan and have lived in Alaska for 21 years. I am 43 years old, married to Matt Randall and we have two children, AddieAnn & Thale. We own 22 dogs and we all enjoy mushing together as Rock On Racing. We participate in both distance and sprint races. 2020/2021 included Copper Basin 300, Willow 300, Denali Doubles, Willow Jr 100, Junior World Championships, 36/20, Nome Sign 40/20 and sprint races in Willow, Chugiak & Anchorage. We love dogs, Alaska, and adventures! I am running for the Chugiak Dog Mushers Association Board because I feel I will bring a positive energy, a voice to support both distance and sprint mushers for the winter and dry land seasons. I am proud and humbled to have been awarded the Humanitarian Award at the Willow 300 race this year. Thank you for your vote! I look forward to being a board member and promoting CDMA.