Board of Directors
Jeff Gibson
President
President Jeff Gibson’s gateway sport to winter activities was downhill skiing, but when he found backcountry skis, he realized how much further he could go. His favorite activity in the state park is side-country skiing. And nothing rounds out a day of skiing like a batch of Jeff’s signature homemade paella. It’s not hard to imagine that his favorite inspirational quote from Dostoevsky, “Man is sometimes extraordinarily, passionately in love with suffering,” is a driving force behind his outdoor pursuits. In 2019, he even climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro! If he could, Jeff would like to experience life as a humpback whale, traveling from Alaska to Maui and back, not unlike many Spokane natives with the itch to travel.
Sean Harrington
Vice President
When Sean Harrington isn’t helping to lead hikes at Mt. Spokane, he might be found coaching youth sports, or restoring his 1936 International pickup. Since his first mountain bike race on the ‘Kan in 1995, he has visited the mountain and come to love his time there. He most enjoys fall when the leaves are changing–an ideal season for hiking, trail running, and mountain biking in the state park. Sean helps with the education committee and website administration for Friends of Mt. Spokane.
Ken Carmichael
Treasurer
Atop his horse and in both Mt. Spokane and Riverside State Parks, Ken Carmichael finds tranquility, peace, and connection with friends. Spokane’s immediate access to these parks and other public lands has allowed him to pursue his equestrian passion for years. Now retired, he can give back to the community by supporting activities like horseback riding and boating. He has been involved with the State Parks locally since 1993, helping with long-term planning for the Park. He serves as board treasurer for Friends of Mt. Spokane and also serves on the Riverside State Park Foundation and the Lake Spokane Association of the Back Country Horsemen of Washington. The quote he lives by, from his father, is, “When the hay is in the barn, get your drink of water then be the first one back on the hay wagon with your gloves on ready to work, and volunteer to get the gate.”
Mike Henneberry
Secretary
Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio was not the ideal city to get involved with winter sports. Since moving to Spokane in 1981, Mike has been drawn to Mt. Spokane for its proximity and the all-season sports it offers. He was involved for years when his sons were active in the SSRA ski-racing program. While still enjoying the downhill skiing, retirement has allowed him to spend almost as much time on the Nordic trails as well. Many Wednesdays are spent with his hiking group on the myriad trails within the park. Most recently this summer, he enjoyed spending a night in the Quartz Mt. Fire Lookout Tower with his son and 10 year old grandson (a wonderful hike available to anyone on the Washington State Parks website).
Anita Boyden
Member At Large
Bio coming soon
George Momany
Member At Large
George Momany’s role on the board, and for much of the year with other organizations, is to advocate for nonmotorized winter recreation. A leader for the Spokane Nordic Ski Association, George fell in love with Nordic skiing as a 12-year-old, exploring abandoned farms near his family home in Michigan. He says the winter wildlife encounters were an added treat. Not surprisingly, given his passion for open water swimming, if he could live as an animal for one day, George says he would be an otter–playing on land, snow, and in the water, he says, they always appear to be having a great time! The mock Latin aphorism “Illegitimi non carborundum,” loosely translated, “don’t let the bastards get you down,” gives him the juice to keep going when life gets frustrating.
Duane Crockett
Member At Large
A member of the International Mountain Biking Association and Evergreen East, member at large Duane Crockett fell in love with snowsports in 1966 on wooden skis at Lookout Pass. Years spent with wood and wax in the winter, taught him the love that drives his Mt. Spokane “triple crown” of snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and Alpine skiing. An avid mountain biker also, Duane can often be found working on his mountain bike to keep it in tip-top shape. HIs bucket list dream is to learn German and the quote, “Jump it and get it,” drives a number of his outdoor adventures.
Carol Corbin
Member At Large
Working a day job with Inland Northwest Land Conservancy, member at large Carol Corbin fell in love with the outdoors on the Youghiogheny River in Pennsylvania. A small taste of whitewater rafting convinced her that the outdoors would be part of her life forever. Rainy autum gravel rides in the park are just the right level of suffering for her. Near the top of Carol’s bucket list is a scuba diving adventure to Belize. In her free time, you might find her folding origami cranes–she’s up to 7,000 and counting so far. While she doesn’t love things like board meetings, her favorite quote is, “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair,” by Shirley Chisholm. In the interest of a solid nap, she would like to spend the day as a sloth.
Dean Meakin
Member At Large
Since he was a kid in Boy Scouts, Dean’s favorite season has been winter. From snowshoeing and tobogganing, to winter camping and snowmobiling, he loves the snow! With four generations of snowmobilers in his family, he is well-suited to represent motorized winter recreation on the Friends Board. During the summer, he travels to regional lakes trying to hook the biggest large-mouth bass. His favorite quote is, “Keep the gates open,” as a reminder of how important trails and outdoor access is year-round. His bucket list calls for a trip to Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan, to snowmobile with the locals.
Holly Weiler
Member At Large
Bio coming soon
Chris Conley
Member At Large
Also a member of Evergreen East, Chris Conley serves as a member at large on the Friends of Mt. Spokane board. A native of Portland, OR, Chris fell in love with the outdoors on Mt. Hood. While he loves winter at Mt. Spokane the most, his bucket list activity is mountain biking in New Zealand. When he’s not outside, you might find him playing drums in his newly formed local rock band. If he could, Chris would take the form of an eagle so he could soar over mountain tops and see the beautiful scenery from above.
Carrie Dugovic
Member At Large
A friend invited Carrie Dugovic, member at large, to run her first Bloomsday race in the early 1980’s. While training, she found a life-long passion for outdoor recreation. She enjoys photography, watercolor, hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing, and bird watching. Now retired, Carrie gives back by leading outdoor events so others can experience a similar joy found in nature. When asked her favorite bird, “the black-capped chickadee, there are other majestic and lightning-fast birds, but the tiny chickadee, calling ‘cheeeseburger’ and ‘chickadeedeedee’ while flitting about brings a smile every time.”
Tina Stevens
Member At Large
Bio coming soon