Jay Lucas,
Executive Director
 As the Executive Director, Jay is responsible for all the day-to-day operations of the Association and oversees all MVSTA employees. The E.D. reports directly to the Board. Jay has been the Executive Director since 1983. He also serves on the Town of Winthrop Advertising Tax Committee.  
  Paula Christen,
Administrative Director
Paula & Jan

As the Business Manager, Paula handles the day-to-day operations and financial aspects of MVSTA, including payroll, financial and budget management, coordinating volunteers, managing health benefits, working with the board of directors, and advertising for Trails. Paula has lived in the Methow Valley for 25 years, working for the U.S. Forest Service, in real estate, and operating printing and storage businesses. 		 
 

Julie Muyllaert,
Events Co-Director

Kristen Smith,
Events Co-Director



As the Event Co-Directors, Julie Muyllaert and Kristen Smith plan and coordinate all thirteen of MVSTA’s events, manage the volunteer program and oversee event-related marketing and advertising.

Julie is an outdoor enthusiast who loves to spend her time hiking, biking and skiing. Julie brings 20 year of experience, including event management, working with non-profits and managing small businesses to her position.

Kristen has over twenty years of experience working in the outdoor industry, which is why you will usually find her hauling way too much gear into the outdoors. Kristen's passions are biking, hiking, and skiing. 

Julie and Kristen hope that by job sharing each have more time to play outdoors.

  
  James DeSalvo,
Trails Manager

As Trails Manager, James maintains the trails, bridges, and signs year round. He also manages race & event logistics, 'adopt a trail' and general volunteers - and whatever else comes up.

His education background is in biology and snow hydrology. Professionally he has worked most recently as the Regional Director for Outward Bound managing operations in AK, WA, OR, and CA. James also brings experience as a state park ranger, ski patroller, EMT, and wild land fire fighter. James moved to the valley in 1999 and enjoys doing anything outside.

  
  Danica Kaufman,
Development Director
 As the Development Director, Danica assists MVSTA staff in grant writing, public outreach and publication design. Her education background is in biology, geology and environmental education, and most of her professional experience has been in teaching and non-profit development and outreach. Danica moved to the Valley in 2001, where she has worked for the Pacific Watershed Institute and the Methow Conservancy.