This award recognizes an individual that has made outstanding contributions and provided consistent support for trail planning, development, or maintenance. It is intended to recognize the efforts of a private or public sector individual working for enhanced trail recreation on either the local, state, or national level.
Tom is a volunteer who works with every public agency on the Olympic Peninsula to construct and maintain trail, plan trail work, and recommend trail use and policy changes.
A retired Boeing executive, he has left the corporate world and has taken up the chainsaw and chaps as his new work gear. Tom patiently worked through the challenges of required chain saw certifications for the federal agencies, so that he can operate a saw to open trails for Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest. Diligent about following safety regulations, he ensures that all those working with him do the same.
In Wilderness areas, chainsaws are not allowed, so his next challenge was to become certified at the highest level for operation of the cross cut saw. He has become so skilled that he now teaches cross cut saw certification classes for Forest Service and Park Service employees. He also learned the skill of sharpening cross cut saws, and he had to travel a ways to find someone who could teach him, and sharpens saws for anyone who needs it. His wife says Tom is most happy when he can learn something new and share it with others.
427 views • posted 01/16/2018
