Executive Team
Liz Bergeron
Executive Director and CEO
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 916-285-1846
Since October 2001, Liz Bergeron has served as the Executive Director and CEO of the Pacific Crest Trail Association, growing the Sacramento, California-based organization from three staff members and a small number of volunteers to a successful and influential stewardship organization.
Under Liz’s leadership, the PCTA has become the primary nonprofit steward of the Pacific Crest Trail.
Today, the PCTA’s 29 staff members manage more than 2,000 volunteers from its Sacramento, California, base and six field offices in California, Oregon, and Washington. The PCTA’s volunteer chapters and hundreds of public and private partnerships maintain the 2,650-mile trail for thousands to enjoy.
Liz’s accomplishments with the PCTA include:
- Guiding growth of the organization’s trail operations program to enable greater ability to take care of the entire PCT
- Developing the PCTA’s successful land protection program and leading fundraising campaigns to acquire PCT properties. These once-threatened lands eventually are transferred to public agencies or land trusts for permanent protection
- Raising public awareness of the PCT as one of America’s greatest wilderness experiences while working to reduce the impact of increasing numbers of trail users
- Developing an advocacy program that includes an annual “Hike the Hill” trip to Washington, D.C. to communicate with elected officials and agency leaders about the importance of robust funding for the PCT
Liz also serves on the board of directors of the Partnership for the National Trails System and was its president from 2012-2018.
Before joining the PCTA, Liz served as Development Director for the Stanford Home for Children, Development Director for the American Red Cross, and Development Director as well as Interim Executive Director for the Sacramento Society for the Blind. She earned a B.A. in Government from California State University Sacramento and an M.A. in Philanthropy and Development from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota.
Teresa Raichart
Chief Financial and Administrative Officer
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 916-285-1848
Teresa grew up in North Dakota where she spent many weekends with her family hiking, sledding, and skating on ponds. In 2000, she graduated from California State University Sacramento with a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting. After graduating, she worked for a startup telecommunications company and then for Sacramento’s Capital Public Radio. Teresa joined PCTA in 2005 as the Accounting Manager and has grown with the organization. Working with the PCTA team has made accounting more fun than she could have imagined. In her free time, Teresa loves camping and spending time outdoors with her family.
Leslie Sabin
Executive Assistant
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 916-285-1852
Leslie was happy to join the PCTA in 2007 as an administrative assistant, after spending two years in corporate office jobs. She graduated from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon with a B.A. in Philosophy. As a native to northern California, she has spent a great deal of time hiking and camping in the northern Sierra Nevada with family and friends. Leslie tries to get out on at least one trail work project per year, and she volunteers for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Sacramento, where she has been trying (so far unsuccessfully) to get her “little sister” interested in hiking.
Trail Operations
Jennifer Tripp
Director of Trail Operations
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 916-285-1853
Jennifer started with PCTA in 2007 as Coordinator of Volunteer Programs to help PCTA’s Regional Reps build and grow their volunteer programs. Before coming to the PCTA, Jennifer worked in Michigan for the North Country Trail Association, another long-distance National Scenic Trail, as Director of Development and Communication and has a background in business and communications. When she’s not at home with her two cats, Puck and Bean, Jennifer enjoys hiking, traveling and, in general, exploring.
Justin Kooyman
Associate Director of Trail Operations
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 530-414-3422
Justin came to PCTA in 2008 after working as the Seattle Program Manager for the Student Conservation Association (SCA), managing the Seattle Leadership Conservation Corps, and SCA’s National Conservation Crews in Washington. Prior to that, he served as SCA’s Southwest Program Representative. His work history also includes time spent as a biological science technician for the U.S. Forest Service and as a teacher, naturalist and assistant director for Westminster Woods. Justin holds a BA from UC Santa Cruz in Environmental Studies. Outside of work, Justin loves being on the trail and spending time in the backcountry hiking and climbing.
Ellen Ginda
Volunteer Programs Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 916-285-1838
Ellen joined PCTA in 2015 as Volunteer Programs Assistant. A three-time AmeriCorps alumna and proud graduate of Bryn Mawr College, Ellen is passionate about engaging individuals in meaningful and memorable volunteer work. She credits her time with AmeriCorps NCCC with her love for the outdoors, as she had the chance to spend several months as a volunteer Wildland Firefighter with the US Forest Service. When not at work, she’s typically out exploring central California or volunteering with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento.
Emily Bauska
Volunteer Programs Outreach Associate
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 916-285-1817
Emily Bauska joined the PCTA staff in August 2017 and brings experience working with volunteers and planning events. A passionate advocate for trails, she formerly worked for the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, where she encouraged people to experience 370 miles of the ridgeline trail circling San Francisco Bay. Other prior work experience includes community outreach for REI and AmeriCorps VISTA in Bozeman, Montana.
Emily grew up hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in her native state of Oregon and completed a thru-hike of the John Muir Trail through the Sierra Nevada in 2013. When not on the trail, you can find her bicycling or gardening.
Mila Benson
Volunteer Outreach Intern
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 916-285-1816
Mila Benson recently joined the PCTA team in Sacramento as the Volunteer Outreach Intern. Mila grew up in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and received her associate’s degree in communications from North Idaho College. After spending the last two years as an AmeriCorps member and team leader, Mila understands the importance of volunteer service and hopes to inspire others to volunteer to protect, preserve and promote the PCT. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and backpacking, as well as rock climbing.
Mila’s six-month internship is funded through a grant provided by the Partnership for the National Trail System (PNTS). The PNTS hopes to encourage young adults to get involved with national scenic and historic trails.
Dana Hendricks
Columbia Cascades Regional Representative
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 541-844-9133
Dana’s trail crew experience includes several seasons leading volunteer crews for organizations including AmeriCorps, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and American Hiking Society. Before opening PCTA’s Columbia Cascades regional office in 2007, Dana spent a season training AmeriCorps and Landmark Volunteers. Her resume also includes five seasons as a camp counselor, naturalist, environmental educator, and backcountry youth trip leader; and she has a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Oregon. Dana has solo-hiked much of the PCT through Oregon and taught college courses that focused, in part, on natural resource issues in the Pacific Northwest.
Ian Nelson
Big Bend Regional Representative
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 541-778-3252
Ian joined the staff in 2005. Before that, he had served as Associate Regional Representative in the Mid Atlantic Regional Office of the Appalachian Trail Conference. Over the years Ian has also been a trail crew leader for the Student Conservation Association and has taught environmental education. Ian graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Forestry and Wildlife Resources with an emphasis on wildlife science. When not hiking or maintaining trails, Ian enjoys traveling both in the U.S. and abroad. He is an avid birder and an ultimate frisbee fanatic.
Anitra Kass
Southern California Regional Representative
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 951-257-4100
Anitra joined the PCTA staff in 2009 after spending two seasons working for the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative. Anitra has her Bachelor’s degree and a Masters in Kinesiology and Recreation Management from James Madison University in Virginia. She is a Triple Crowner having hiked the AT in 2004, the PCT in 2005 and the CDT in 2007. Anitra has also worked in the classroom as a teacher in Hesperia and Apple Valley, CA. Anitra and her father have spent time volunteering with the Southern California Trail Gorillas on various projects.
Michael Hanley
North Cascades Regional Representative
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 206-295-9359
Michael is from Seattle and most recently worked as a trail crew leader for the Mountains to Sound Greenway. He graduated from Whitman College with a BA in Politics in Environmental Studies and thru-hiked the PCT in 2013. He brings strong communication and collaboration skills to PCTA programs in the North Cascades.
Connor Swift
Northern Sierra Regional Representative
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 530-570-8276
Connor joined PCTA in 2016 as one of our Technical Advisors, overseeing numerous trail projects and working with corps crews up and down the PCT. Before arriving at PCTA, he spent many seasons leading trail crews and working as a wilderness ranger for the U.S. Forest Service. Connor obtained a degree in Parks and Natural Resources Management from California State University, Chico, which is not far from where he grew up. He enjoys spending much of his free time hiking in the backcountry and skiing the peaks of the high-sierra. Connor lives outside Sierra Valley and enjoys good, long winters.
Ben Barry
Southern Sierra Regional Representative
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 916-847-4393
Ben originally started with the PCTA as a volunteer in 2012, then returned as one of our Trail Crew Technical Advisors in 2015 and 2016. He became a permanent staff member in 2019. A native Californian, Ben traveled far and wide working on trails seasonally, including time on the Appalachian, Florida and New England National Scenic Trails. Most recently he was the trail manager for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s southern regional office. Ben graduated from Humboldt State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources and did graduate work in wilderness management at the University of Montana. Happy to be back in his home state, Ben can be found climbing high in the Sierra or untangling his fly line on the banks of the Kern River.
Philanthropy and Membership
Angie Williamson, CFRE
Director of Philanthropy
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 916-285-1849
Angie Williamson brings more than twelve years of experience in the field of not-for-profit management and fundraising. Prior to joining the staff, Angie worked as a special projects consultant for PCTA since 2002. She is excited to join the team full-time to help the organization protect the PCT. In her consulting work with other organizations, she has led numerous projects to support board development, Capital Campaigns and capacity building. She is a former Administrator of the Association of Fundraising Professionals California Capital Chapter and a former Director of the BoardLink program at the Nonprofit Resource Center. Angie is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and serves as the Membership Chair for the California Capital Chapter. Angie lives in Grass Valley, California and enjoys hiking, snowshoeing, and kayaking.
Shari Hansen
Associate Director of Philanthropy, Membership
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 916-285-1851
Shari had always wanted to work for an organization that shares her passion for the outdoors. As luck would have it, she encountered some trail magic and joined the PCTA as Development Associate in February 2008. A graduate of California State University, Sacramento, Shari has worked in development for KVIE Public Television, the Sacramento Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Millennium Advantage. She loves hiking the PCT but enjoys any trail that allows her to spend quality time with her family.
Mark Waters
Associate Director of Philanthropy
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 916-285-1902
As the Associate Director of Philanthropy, Mark enjoys helping supporters engage with the mission and vision of the Pacific Crest Trail Association. Mark says he was first “smitten” by the Pacific Crest Trail 28 years ago after moving to the US from his native England. He has been an enthusiastic hiker ever since. Mark comes to the PCTA with many years of non-profit experience that includes time working with international relief and development organizations overseas. He received a BA in Environmental Studies from Pitzer College, CA and a MSc. in International Development from University of London, UK. In his free time Mark is an avid sailor and also enjoys cycling, camping with family, and playing his accordion. Mark joined the organization in 2015.
Donna Cline
Donor Relations Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 916-285-1855
Donna joined the PCTA in April 2017 after raising a family, and is thrilled to work for an organization that promotes the outdoors. Previously, she spent ten years in the technology industry as a customer service manager and in account and program management—so she’s very comfortable working closely with people solving problems and providing support.
Chris Mejia
Membership Assistant
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 916-285-1831
Chris joined the PCTA in December of 2016. He is currently pursuing a degree in environmental science at Cosumnes River College, and also works at the Sacramento Zoo. He was a Boy Scout and has always been interested in the outdoors. In addition to hiking and backpacking, Chris enjoys time with family and friends and working on projects at home.
Stephanie Plunkett
Philanthropy Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 916-285-1869
Stephanie joined the PCTA in 2017 to connect the outdoor industry and other businesses with trail stewardship and believes that protecting outdoor spaces and the environment should be a high priority for everyone. She has a background in retail management and outdoor education and has a degree in Kinesiology. She loves dogs, long distance trail running, backcountry skiing and mountain biking and can often be found in Tahoe with her friends and family.
Katherine Eason
Membership Clerk
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 916-285-1842
Kathy joined the PCTA in October 2016. She brings with her over 25 years of clerical experience that began in Silicon Valley Semiconductor industry and the past 9 years in the medical community. She was a dance major in college, has been practicing Transcendental Meditation for 40 years, and is now an avid runner. Kathy enjoys time spent with family, running, scrapbooking, quilting, camping and enjoying the peace and beauty of nature. She hopes to one day thru hike the PCT.
Land Protection
Megan Wargo
Director of Land Protection
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 415-516-3126
Megan Wargo became the PCTA’s first Director of Land Protection in January, 2015, and will oversee the expansion of a program dedicated to protecting the landscape and trail miles that are still held by private landowners. Megan brings 12 years of experience leading teams and managing landscape-scale conservation projects. She has a background in resource and environmental economics, conservation planning, real estate and contract negotiations, grant writing and coalition building. Megan has worked for the Pacific Forest Trust, the Trust for Public Land and the Piedmont Land Conservancy. She holds a Master of Environmental Management degree from Duke University and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies, Economics & Politics from Claremont McKenna College.
Communications and Marketing
Scott Wilkinson
Director of Communications and Marketing
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 916-285-1841
Scott Wilkinson is the PCTA’s Director of Communications and Marketing. A Juilliard School graduate and former professional musician (percussion), Scott has 20+ years of experience in almost every marketing role. Before joining the PCTA he was a marketing/creative director at West Virginia University and the University of Oregon. An outdoor addict, Scott is an experienced whitewater paddler, hang glider pilot, flyfisher, mountain biker, and (of course) hiker and backpacker. Scott lives in Eugene, Oregon.
Mark Larabee
Associate Director of Communications and Marketing
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 503-880-5987
Mark Larabee is a nationally recognized journalist who spent 25 years as a newspaper reporter and editor, most recently for The Oregonian in Portland, Oregon. In 2007, he was part of team of reporters who won the Pulitzer Prize for breaking news. In 2005, he spent four months researching a 13-part series about the Pacific Crest Trail, which included a month-long hike across Oregon. Other than hiking, he spends his free time rock climbing, mountain biking, mountaineering and back country skiing.
Jack Haskel
Trail Information Manager
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 916-285-1846
As the Trail Information Manager, Jack is honored to help people experience the trail. He is a thru-hiker (Pacific Crest Trail in 2006; Colorado Trail in 2008; Continental Divide Trail in 2010) and a weekend warrior. Jack is a second generation PCT hiker and has been obsessed with backpacking since childhood. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Nature and Culture from U.C. Davis, Wilderness First Responder, and LNT Master Educator certifications. Jack previously worked in the backpacking industry (guiding, publishing, retail) and devoted years to backcountry and international travel. He started at the PCTA in 2011.
Cassidy Barkalow
Trail Information Assistant
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 916-285-1843
Cassidy started work at the PCTA as Trail Information Assistant in 2018, a week after completing a northbound thru-hike of the PCT. She also thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail southbound in 2017. Cassidy grew up camping and hiking in New Jersey and Maine but has fallen in love with California since moving to the Sacramento area and hiking the trail. Long-distance backpacking has only increased her passion for the outdoors and she is excited to help others learn about the trail. Other than backpacking, her hobbies include crocheting, gaming, cooking, and long walks with her dog, Zia.
Daniel Carmin
Communicator Magazine Design and Production
Email: [email protected]
Daniel has been an artist since childhood and received his Bachelor’s degree from Skidmore College in 1976. He graduated from Platt College with a computer graphics diploma in 1999, and took a position creating advertisements for the Los Angeles Times and the L. A. Daily News. He went on to work for a full-service advertising agency and later became a freelance graphic designer. He started doing design work for the PCT Communicator in 2002 as a volunteer and then happily transitioned to contractor status in 2008 so he could devote more of his time to PCTA projects.
Accounting and Operations
Ryan Brizendine
Systems Administrator and Web Developer
Email: [email protected]
Ryan has worked at the PCTA since 2005 and has provided assistance in fundraising, website development, and information technology. Camping and backpacking as a child, along with working at the PCTA has brought him closer to the outdoors and its importance for everyone now and in the future. In his spare time he enjoys golfing, hiking and biking in the summer time, and snowboarding in the winter.
Tammy Marsh
Accounting Manager
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 916-285-1837
Tammy joined PCTA in August 2012. After working for a large corporation for 10 years, she decided to use her accounting skills in a more meaningful way and has now been working in non-profit accounting for 11 plus years. Tammy enjoys spending time in nature and believes everyone should have the opportunity available to them. When she is not at her desk, you will find her at a yoga class or on a long walk.
Erin Lane
Accounting Specialist
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 916-285-1837
Erin graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a BS in Marketing, International Business and Entrepreneurship. She has traveled abroad extensively, studying in Hungary and the Dominican Republic and also helped build a clean water system on a mission trip to West Africa. Before joining PCTA Erin was an analyst with the State Treasurer’s Office and was also director of finance at her church. She loves hiking, camping, and exploring with her dog Penny—being out in nature is where she thinks best.