The Port Angeles City Council has accepted $3.4 million in grant funding to plan and design four different city trail segments.
Read all the details here.
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Merrily Mount, Vice President, Jefferson County
Joined: 2019
PTC Focus: It gives me great pride, pleasure, and purpose to represent my community on the Board of Directors of the Peninsula Trails Coalition.
Background & Hobbies: My career spans a forty-five year period of time where I practiced primary care as a family nurse practitioner in settings around the world and transitioning to retirement in Quilcene, Washington. I enjoyed my career and had many new adventures hiking, walking, and bicycling. I find a great sense of well being sharing with nature. We have the best of the best here on the Olympic Peninsula.
The Larry Scott Memorial Trail / Olympic DiscoveryTrail will link our trail towns together so we can connect our energy and resources. This trail is an alternate transportation route. This trail will benefit all of us in many ways and will have a positive effect on our health and well being.
Hippocrates stated “Walking is man’s best medicine.“ Take time and enjoy life in motion.
Whether you are with a horse, a bicycle, a walking stick, solo or with friends… running, walking, or meandering in Nature… send a Smile and Hello as you pass.
See you on the Trail.
Goal: To have the Olympic Discovery Trail – “Pathway to the Pacific” – completed for all to use.
PTC Focus: As a member of the PTC BOD, Judy combines her passions of the trails, whether hiking or on horseback, with her professional experience in Finance and Data Management for the benefit of the PTC to ensure its sustainability.Judy is honored to act as one of the representatives for Back Country Horsemen of Washington (multiple chapters) to further collaboration, and partnership across the diverse users of the Olympic Discovery Trail.
In Judy’s own words: “The Olympic Peninsula is breathtakingly beautiful and can be intimidating to many. The Olympic Discovery Trail makes the outdoors accessible to all: walking, hiking, biking, and horseback to reconnect with oneself and nature, exercise, or connect and socialize with others. It’s such an asset to the community both for residents and those who visit.”
Don Willott
Joined: 2024
PTC Focus: Progressive realization of our regional trails providing continuous habitat corridor for wildlife and people of all ages and abilities to be physically active in nature.
Don is a member of the Consortium working to complete the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s cross-country Great American Rail-Trail between Bainbridge Island and La Push, now dubbed the “Puget Sound to Pacific,” aka “PS2P.” This unites the Sound-to-Olympics Trail (STO) across Kitsap County with the Olympic Discovery Trail crossing Jefferson & Clallam Counties.
He and his wife, Judy, have been walking, cycling and bird watching along the Olympic Discovery Trail for many years, and now have homes both close to the STO near the Bainbridge ferry, and on the ODT near Port Townsend.
In Kitsap, Don wrote the concept for the STO in 2006, and co-wrote major grants that constructed its first sections. Don continues as the STO VP for the North Kitsap Trails Association.
The Willotts were deeply engaged in the Kitsap Forest & Bay Coalition, which conserved 3,500 acres of forest open space land in Port Gamble, now the Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park. In 2022, they worked with Forterra on the campaign which successfully purchased timber rights on 756 acres to preclude further clear cut tree harvest.
In Don’s own words: “Judy and I love collaborating with so many people to create an extraordinary linear park for people and habitat across the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas!”
Jeni Little, Jefferson County
Board member 2014-2019; 2023
PTC Focus: Recruitment/retention committee member.
Background & Hobbies: As an avid runner/cyclist I’m interested in supporting events that happen on the Olympic Discovery Trail such as the North Olympic Discovery Marathon/Run the Peninsula races & Ian’s Ride which highlight accessibility to the ODT.
Longtime board chair/race director of the Port Townsend Marathon Association’s/ Jefferson Healthcare ‘Rhody Run’
Former Head Coach for PT Highschool Cross Country team.
Former board member and staff person for the Olympic Peninsula YMCA.
Longtime marathon & ultramarathon runner including Boston, New York & – Marine Corps Marathon, Mt. Si 50 miler & 50k.
Member of Threshold Choir in Port Townsend.
In Jeni’s own words: “In late August of 2019 Jeff Selby, Bob Peterson and I cycled the entire Olympic Discovery Trail (133 miles) from sunup at Boat Haven in Port Townsend to sundown in La Push… that experience sustained me in subsequent years and serves as the vision for completion of the Olympic Discovery Trail.”
Jeff Selby, Jefferson County
Joined: 2008
PTC Focus: Jeff’s current interests are the completion of the ODT in Jefferson County and the annual PTC fundraiser. The connection of the current end of the Larry Scott Trail, the first 7 & 1/2 miles of the ODT from Port Townsend, to the southern end of Discovery Bay is a priority on which there has been great progress made in recent years. His efforts there will hopefully result in a safe route for trail users in the next few years in order to bypass a very dangerous section of State Route 20 between Discovery Bay and Port Townsend. “I’m thrilled to be involved in the effort to complete the ODT over this difficult terrain to connect to Clallam County.”
Background & Hobbies: Born and raised in the Pacific NW, Jeff enjoys both road and mountain biking, skiing, and hiking.
In Jeff’s own words: “Having grown up in Port Angeles, I’ve hiked most of the trails on the Olympic Peninsula, skied on its mountains and lakes, and cycled many miles on the northern Olympic Peninsula. I’ve traveled to all seven continents, but can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather live and play than the beautiful Pacific Northwest.”
Erik Rohrer, Forks
Joined: 2021
PTC Focus: Trail Completion & Maintenance. Erik, an active hiker, biker and sailor, has been an attorney and elected judge in Clallam County for the past thirty years.
Current: Trail Adopter (along with Cari) of a five mile West-end section of the ODT and a member of the Clallam County Trails Advisory Committee.
Past: Chair/President of several boards, including Peninsula College, Pacific Northwest Trail Association and Forks Chamber of Commerce.
Jim Mantell, Jefferson County
Joined: 2020
PTC Focus: Work on trail projects and marketing.
Background & Hobbies: Jim is currently on the board of the Jefferson County ReCyclery. In 2018/2019, he was the President of the Cyclists of Greater Seattle, a recreational cycling club. From 2008 to 2018 he was the co-owner of NetReflector, a Seattle based market research company focused on customer experience.
For over 50 years Jim has been an active cyclist, biking on less traveled roads throughout North America, Europe and Asia.
In Jim’s own words: “Cycling improves the quality of life for both individuals and the community at large.”
Rich James, Clallam County
Joined: 2019
Rich worked for Clallam County for 28 years with 25 of those years being in the Public Works Department.
As the County Transportation Program Manager, Rich worked on planning, property acquisition, funding, engineering and contract supervision for the Clallam County effort to construct the Olympic Discovery Trail.
Rich also supervised the County Trail Volunteer effort in support of the trail and the County Chain Gang work in building the Olympic Discovery Trail Adventure Route segment.
Brian Anderson, Clallam County
Joined: 2016
PTC Focus: Corresponding Secretary, Constituent Database and ODT website.
Background & Hobbies: Brian spent his career in sales and marketing. Prior to retiring, he was president of Vision Bankcard, a merchant bank card provider with more than 8,500 clients. He enjoys traveling, hiking, and cycling.
In Brian’s own words: “I want to give others who love the outdoors a means to discover the wonders of the Olympic Peninsula.”
Bob Petersen, Jefferson County
Joined: 2015
PTC Focus: A jack-of-all-trades, Bob is up for taking on any trail project that needs to be done.
Background & Hobbies: Bob’s work life focused on building teams for complex technical project, first as an environmental engineer, and later in automotive software development. Today, Bob teaches people how to move using the Feldenkrais Method and is on the board of wind energy startup Regenedyne.
In Bob’s own words: “Coming from a long line of fisherman, being semiretired and living on Discovery Bay is like coming home in a very deep, satisfying way. I’m looking for a way to build community in my community. Building a trail across the Olympic Peninsula offers a unique opportunity to do that using the skills and interests I have developed over the years.”
John Dolansky, Treasurer
Joined: 2010
PTC Focus: Provides the PTC with responsible financial management and reporting to enable it to succeed in achieving its mission and vision.
Background & Hobbies: Sixteen years as a controller, assistant controller, and data processing manager in various firms. Owner of John F. Dolansky CPA since 1988. Former Big Brother in Big Brothers Big Sisters; former Jaycee. John enjoys cycling, traveling, and cooking spicy food.
In John’s own words: “Ever since I retired to Sequim and the Olympic Peninsula, my hope has been to help finish the length of the ODT and showcase it to all cyclists around the world.”
Andy Stevenson, Clallam County
Joined: 2008
PTC Focus: Trail construction and maintenance west of the Elwha River.
Background & Hobbies: In addition to his PTC board responsibilities, Andy currently serves as the chairman of the Clallam County Trails Advisory Committee and is a member of the Recreation and Conservation Office WWRP Trails Advisory Committee.
He is a former president and vice president of the PTC. Andy lives on the West End, where he can usually be found cycling the local trails, tracks, and back roads. He also enjoys kayaking and hiking with his dogs. Andy is a Marine Geologist, retired from a 32 year career with the USGS.
Molly Erickson, Vice President, West Clallam County
Joined: 2018
PTC Focus: Trail projects. Liaison to the Forks and LaPush communities.
Background & Hobbies: After 44 years, Molly retired from the US Forest Service with 30 years in development and operation of recreation facilities and trails. As the former project lead for the Olympic Discovery Trail on Olympic National Forest, she continues to help link the West End communities with the rest of the trail system. She also is a member of the Red Cross, is a long term care resident advocate, and enjoys her three granddaughters and exploring our created world.
From Molly: “Help us make a Difference.”
Jan Whitlow, Vice President, Central Clallam County
Joined: 2016
PTC Focus: Representing the equestrian community to cultivate shared-use standards and practices on the Olympic Discovery Trail.
Background & Hobbies: Jan has enjoyed a varied career as an archaeologist, historian, and technical writer for computer and medical device manufacturers. Horses are her passion. She takes care of a small herd at her home in Port Angeles. Jan is also a member of Backcountry Horsemen of Washington—Peninsula Chapter and helps to maintain the trails in western Clallam County.
Gordon Taylor, Vice President, East Clallam County
Joined: 2013
PTC Focus: Trail projects. Liaison to the City of Port Angeles.
Background & Hobbies: Gordon worked in heavy industrial maintenance and military testing for 40 years before retiring from Nippon Paper in Port Angeles. He began bicycling after being advised to pick up lower-impact exercise. This led to riding the West Port Angeles trail before it had a bridge and paving, and then joining that trail’s improvement project and the Peninsula Trails Coalition. Gordon is also into metalworking, motorcycles, and auto racing.
One of Gordon’s favorite quotes: “Those that say a job cannot be done should not interrupt those that are doing it.” ―George Bernard Shaw
Jeff Bohman, President
Joined the Board: 1991
After a career with the National Park Service and other employers in a series of natural resource and watershed management positions, Jeff spent his last nine years before retiring working for Olympic NP on the Elwha River Restoration project (hydro dam removal, etc.). Retirement is spent on various recreation and travel experiences, often with family, as well as a variety of community service activities.