Meet the Board
Steve Paulson
President
Steve has been a resident of Kodiak since 1998 after a Coast Guard move with his family from Virginia. He and his wife Shelley loved the community of Kodiak so much that Shelley was able to keep her position as the USCG pharmacy officer for 12 years until her retirement. Meanwhile, Steve led the local Boy Scouts as scoutmaster for many years with a passion for Kodiak treks and wilderness survival. After a decades-long technological career, Steve retired in 2016 and now enjoys adventures that include mountain biking and hiking. He also enjoys assisting in local trail maintenance and development. ITN’s mission is a perfect fit.
Sandra West
Vice President
Sandra came to Kodiak in 1977. Since then she has added plenty of sweat, blood, tears, and skin to many Kodiak trails. This island is her home. These are her people.
Ben Millstein
Board Member
Ben arrived on the ferry in 1994 with his then-girlfriend Karen. Soon after, they married, had kids, and settled into a house with no desire to leave. He enjoys mountain biking, trail running, hiking, kayaking, and skiing. Ben and Karen raised two kids and a brewery here and have no plans to leave. Ben believes trail use has increased with changing demographics. Kodiak is tough to access and navigate, keeping it wild and wonderful but still impacted by growing backcountry use. Ben aims to expand recreation opportunities while minimizing degradation through planning, design, and maintenance.
Dan Urban
Board Member
Dan worked as a shellfish biologist for both the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the National Marine Fisheries Service but is currently retired. He holds a BS from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a MS from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. Dan has lived in Kodiak for 25 years and really enjoys the opportunities it provides for kayaking, biking, and hiking. Dan lives with his wife Kim, and one dog.
Katie Kesling
Board Member
Katie has lived in Kodiak since 2007 and grown increasingly passionate about making Kodiak a better place for her family and friends. She is a strong supporter and advocate for Kodiak schools and education and serves on the city Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. She recognizes access to recreational areas is an important part of a healthy community. Her family has a long history of involvement with Island Trails Network, working on trails and marine debris removal. The Keslings have been proud sustaining members to ITN and as a newer director Katie brings her fresh ideas and social media savviness.
Eric Linscheid
Board Member
Eric first arrived in Kodiak in 1980 to visit his sister, which turned into an unforgettable experience as he fished the final winter of Kodiak’s king crab and shrimp seasons. Though he returned to Minnesota to pursue a graduate degree, Kodiak stayed in his heart. In 1985, Eric and his wife, Mary, returned to Kodiak to setnet and build their life together, raising two boys and immersing their family in the island’s natural beauty and adventures. With a career split between fishing and teaching, Eric discovered a passion for building mountain bike trails. To this day, his commitment to expanding Kodiak’s trail system reflects his love for the community.
Nicole Budd
Treasurer
Nicole first came to Kodiak in 2018 for what was supposed to be a seasonal job with Alaska State Parks, but the island stole her heart. She and her partner Conner, along with their two dogs Kid & Philomena, put down roots and began building a life here. She is absolutely enamored with Kodiak—the land, community, and the rawness of Afognak and Shuyak Islands. Through her work with State Parks, she has spent years maintaining trails, public use cabins, and supporting access to the wild spaces that make the island special. Life took them off-island for a chapter, but they returned in 2024 with a deepened appreciation for Kodiak, fueling her passion for public lands, trail access, and preserving the natural beauty that breathes life into her.
Peter White
Board Member
An active-duty Coastie, Peter came to Alaska almost four years ago, first to Sitka, where he worked extensively with the local trail organization there. Finding joy & exhaustion in moving rock, he quickly fell in love with trailwork, and after moving to Kodiak in 2024 began working with ITN whenever possible. A runner, biker, kayaker, splitboarder, and mountain biker, giving back to the local trail system just made sense. He has passion for maintaining and improving Kodiak's current trail system and advocating for improvements to pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.
April Erickson
Board Member
April Erickson has worked in Kodiak since 2020 and currently serves as the Medical Director of the Anesthesiology Department, a role she has held since 2024. She earned her doctoral degree in Leadership from Boise State University and purchased a home in Kodiak in 2024, remaining committed to investing in the community and its future. In addition to her clinical leadership, she serves on the Alaska State Board of Nursing and brings prior board experience with a strong background in governance, bylaws, and policy development.
Outside of work, April enjoys Kodiak’s trail system with her husband and their two rescue labs, Sig and Kimber. She is passionate about hiking, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, and both motorized and non-motorized recreation. As a donor and supporter of Island Trails Network, she believes strong trail systems are essential to the health and quality of life of the Kodiak community and looks forward to contributing to ITN’s mission.
About the Board
The members of our board serve as dedicated volunteers, donating their time and their expertise. They bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and new ideas to Island Trails Network and we are so appreciative of all they do for the organization and the community in Kodiak.
Board Responsibilities
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Guides and supports the Executive Director & staff
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Oversees org financials and approvals of budgets
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Contributes to fundraising efforts through grant writing and networking
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Participates in a variety of committees that support the ITN mission
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Provides direction on strategic planning and program priorities
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Supports all community events and programs
Meet the Staff
Natura Richardson
Executive Director
Natura has always lived up to her birth given name, which translated means nature. With a love of the outdoors, she and her husband Michael started their life together in Kodiak in 2009. She worked with Alaskan fisheries for over a decade, bringing experience in project management, remote field work and logistics, technical writing and reporting, and an extensive Alaska network. After serving as the treasurer on the ITN board, she is excited for a second career with a focus on the Kodiak community. She strongly believes great communities need great trails and can frequently be found hiking the local trails.
Mallory Simmons
Communication Coordinator and Donor Management
Mallory moved to Kodiak in 2024 with her Husband and Daughter, Mallory has lived in 2 other Alaska locations and has fallen in love with the state and all things Hiking and running.
Mallory has a passion for health and wellness and is excited to join the mission at Island Trails and help people experience the beauty of Alaska and all its wildness.
Once Alaska grabs ahold of your heart it just won't let go.
Shawna Nelson
Volunteer Coordinator
Shawna relocated to Kodiak full time in 2026 after calling it her second home for 40+ years.
An avid outdoorswoman, she can often be found on a mountain or beach with her two Vizslas - Benelli & Gita.
Marcus Dunbar
Trail Builder Extraordinaire
Marcus Dunbar is a prominent figure in Alaska’s running community, known for his success as an athlete and coach. In the early 1990s, he was one of Alaska’s fastest runners, winning the 1993 U.S. indoor mile championship and setting a state record. As a coach, Dunbar strengthened Kodiak High School’s track and cross-country programs. His dedication earned him the Alaska School Activities Association’s Gold Lifetime Pass in 2021. Beyond coaching, he organizes events like the Brian Young Invitational and announces local races. Dunbar’s impact in Kodiak reflects his commitment to developing athletes and supporting community sports. Trail Builder Extraordinaire, make sure to add the extraordinaire.
Kodiak High School Cross Country
Trail Builders
Island Trails Network has been partnering with the local cross country team to provide job opportunities and improved trails for team training. During the summer months, the athletes are paid through Island Trails Network and work primarily under Marcus Dunbar’s guidance. In return for their paid and volunteer efforts, Island Trails Network makes a financial contribution to Kodiak High School Cross County. Check out the Near Island project to see what they’d been accomplishing. Near Island