January 10, 2004, Sacramento, California:

The Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) is pleased to announce that Mike Dawson has accepted the position of Trail Operations Director. In this new position, Dawson will be responsible for implementing PCTA policies related to the management of the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT), managing the PCTA trail maintenance program, coordinating land protection activities, and providing public information.

Prior to joining the PCTA, Dawson served as Director of Trail Management and Protection for the Pacific Northwest Trail Association (PNTA) in Mount Vernon, Wash. The Pacific Northwest Trail (PNT) runs for 1,200 miles from the Olympic coast to Glacier National Park in Montana. While at the PNTA, Dawson was the lead staff member for a variety of programs designed to assure long-term protection of the PNT. He developed crew programs to support the construction and maintenance of the PNT route on federal, state and private land. In June 2002, as a direct result of Dawson's efforts, the first section of the PNT was given official federal recognition as a National Recreation Trail.

"I am highly motivated to help make the PCT the best possible trail and the PCTA the best possible steward of this important resource," says Dawson; and with 21 years of experience as the Regional Representative, Central and Southwest Virginia, for the Appalachian Trail Conference (ATC), Dawson certainly brings a wealth of relevant experience to the task. The ATC is the national non-profit resource organization that initially built, and continues to maintain and manage, the 2,100-mile, Georgia-to-Maine, Appalachian National Scenic Trail (AT). While at the ATC, Dawson was responsible for the management of 390 miles of AT and one regional office. He served as the main coordinator of trail and resource management activities for five US Forest Service districts, two National Park Service units, and lands managed by the Commonwealth of Virginia's Department of Conservation and Recreation. Additionally, Dawson acted as a professional advisor to trail volunteers and managed training programs to maintain and expand their skills.

Dawson has expertise in an array of technical trail management skills ranging from trail design and construction to the management of important trail environment resources. His experience also includes extensive work in public policy.

Over the years, Dawson has received numerous awards for his work on behalf of trails and other outdoor resources. Among these awards is the USFS Forest Supervisor's Award, given to Dawson in 2000, "In appreciation of 20 years of dedicated service to the cooperative management of the Appalachian Trail Corridor on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests."

Dawson lives in Vashon, Wash., with his wife Tina. His interests include backpacking, canoeing and restoring old cars.

The PCTA is "The Voice" of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. The mission of the Association is to protect, preserve and promote the PCT so as to reflect its world-class significance for the enjoyment, education and adventure of hikers and equestrians.

For more information, contact Liz Bergeron, Executive Director of the PCTA at 916-285-1846.