Organizing Committee
The organizers of SISU Ski Fest are a group of Ironwood area professionals dedicated to promoting silent sports in the Gogebic Range. Learn more about us below:
Pam Kauppila - Race Director
I'm Pam Kauppila, the Race Director for the SISU Ski Fest. I can't profess to being a marathon ski racer, but I can tell you that I know how to run a business and I love skiing! I am willing to offer my skills and do the best job possible in leading Ironwood to hosting a world class event! I enjoy cross country and downhill skiing. Winter is my favorite season, so I am living in the right place!
I moved back to my hometown of Ironwood in 2007 after being gone for many years. I was a State Farm agent in Marquette, but now I am the agent for Gogebic County. It's been fun to work the same agency that my dad had for 40 years. I am volunteering my time as RD because I think the race will be something good for the community. I hope all the people from out of town that come to the race can see that we have the best ski conditions in the Midwest. ABR will be grooming our race course, so we are confident racers will expect the best! I hope everyone enjoys their time here and comes back for more!
Scott Erickson
Scott is the Ironwood City Manager and City Engineer and is highly involved in any and all activities that contribute to making Ironwood even better. He currently lives in Ironwood with his wife Elaine and kids Katie and Jon, although he came to the area after obtaining his MBA at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management. Scott enjoys all outdoor activities, especially running, biking, kayaking, golf, downhill skiing and of course cross-country skiing, in which he is a beginner but figures he's a fast learner and likely the next Bjorn Daehlie.
Will Andresen
Will Andresen is the Community Resource Development Agent for University of Wisconsin-Extension and the Head Coach for Gogebic Community College's new Nordic Ski Team. Will has been a competitive runner and skier for most of his life. In high school, he ran track and cross-country, setting a high school record in the 3200 meters. In college, Andresen was a member of the Northern Michigan University Ski Team, serving as team captain in his Senior year. While at Northern, he qualified for the NCAA National Championships and was the lead-off skier on the NCSA National Champion relay team. Andresen continues to pursue his duel passions for running and skiing. He is a wave 1 Birkie skier and a 2:51 marathoner. Currently, Andresen is training for his second 100 mile trail run this summer. See the GCC Nordic Ski Team Page here: www.gogebic.cc.mi.us/athletics/nordic.shtm
Morgan Grasso
Morgan was born in Ironwood and grew up in Montreal, WI. He and his wife Linda own and operate the Indianhead Motel in Ironwood. Morgan spends a lot of time outdoors and has been skiing for fourteen years. Linda was actually the first to get him out on skis—first downhill and then cross country, and Morgan has stuck with it since. In their free time Morgan and Linda enjoy exploring all of Gogebic County's scenic trails.
Paulette Nemi
Paulette is the Transition Services Coordinator for the Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District. She is a member of the Skinnyski.com race team and is sponsored by Atomic skis. Paulette loves x-c skiing and is an accomplished racer. Paulette trains and hits the race circuit along with her husband, Ray, and two sons, Nick (8) and Anthony (6). In the off-season, Paulette competes in 10K road races and enjoys swimming, waterskiing, surfboarding, biking, hiking and traveling with family.
2008-2009 Race Results:
- 1st Overall Female Stormy Kromer Pursuit 15KM Freestyle/10KM Classic
- 3rd Overall Boulder Mountain 31KM Freestyle
- 1st Female Overall Noquemanon 51KM Freestyle
- 3rd Female Overall Seeley Hills 42KM Classic
- 1st Female Overall Pre-Birkie 42K Freestyle
- 11th Female Overall Birkie 51KM Freestyle
- 1st Female Overall Sleeping Giant 50KM Freestyle
- 1st Female Overall Lakeland Loppet 25K Freestyle and 8KM Classic
- 1st Overall ABR Spring Race 19K Freestyle
Geneva Smiles
Geneva Smiles is on the SISU Ski Fest Race Committee. She has lived in Ironwood for the past six years and enjoys many of the outdoor activities that the U.P. has to offer. Geneva enjoys exploring its natural beauty by hiking, camping, mountain biking, kayaking, downhill skiing, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. She also likes to compete in marathons and half marathons and has run the Boston Marathon. She is the Community Health and Wellness Coordinator for Grand View Health System in Ironwood. She belongs to the Team Gogebic Nordic Ski Club, volunteers for Big Brother Big Sisters, teaches yoga, and is looking forward to the first annual SISU Ski Fest.
Eric Anderson - Chief of Trails
Eric and his wife Angela own and operate ABR Trails. Eric is an Ironwood native known for his passion for meticulous ski trail grooming. Eric has been skiing on the ABR Ski Trails since age 7 and has been grooming and building trails for the last 16 years.
