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NEW PERSONNEL:
SEQUOIA DISTRICT RANGER: DAN PONTBRIAND. Dan is coming to us with an unmatched exemplary NPS resume. He's done it all in the field ...Search And Rescue....Law Enforcement.....NPS dive team....and most recently the head of the NPS Emergency Medical Services program in Washington D.C..He's a ranger's Ranger and we all have a lot to learn from Dan. We are lucky to have him here. I spent three days skiing with Dan during our winter SAR training at the Pear Lake ski hut. (an eight mile uphill ski to over 9000') He's in great shape and you'll see him out on the trails this summer getting acquainted with his new District.
LAW ENFORCEMENT RANGER: Kelly VanDerveer has been hired as this summer's seasonal Law Enforcement ranger. She comes to us from Grand Tetons National Park where last year she worked a very busy front-country Law Enforcement position. She
has told me that she wants to work towards becoming a back-country ranger. I told her about the Mineral King Valley and the impression it has made on me and she accepted my offer. She will be seen on the trails as much as in the camp grounds and her patrol vehicle. She comes to us with outstanding references.
Last year’s seasonal Law Enforcement ranger, Mitch Hauptman, is working in
Yellowstone National Park this year. He has a special someone there and I could not compete with her for his time. He did a fine job for us. A quick learner, good guy and a solid Ranger, he will be missed.
TRAILHEAD RANGER: Jay VanDerveer (yes, they are married) is our new trailhead ranger and is looking forward to putting lots of miles under his boots getting to know
Mineral King. He has extensive experience as a multi-year veteran of Grand Tetons National Park as a back-country ranger. I am pleased to have him and his experience on the Mineral King team.
RETURNING PERSONNEL:
As for Mineral King staff news: Len Dickey and Margaret Johnson are returning to anchor the Mineral King ranger station. Their knowledge, experience and commitment to the Mineral King community is exceptional. I am comforted to know they will be in the ranger station when the doors open, Friday, May 23rd.
I have been told that Alicia Schmidt is going to be the interpretive ranger for the summer. Evan and Aden will be moving up for the summer too. Two great folks with valuable Mineral King knowledge and experiences returning to share it with us and the visitors.
[Mineral King’s intrepid regular, Mary Cochrun, and other volunteers will also help man the back country desk.]
Since writing this piece, Roger Mayo has left Mineral King to work for the Forest Service. No one to date (July 19) has been assigned to take his place.
