Mike Madden – President (2020-present)
Mike was born and raised in Chicago, graduated from Purdue in Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering. His ‘inner gypsy’ led him to adopt a school-teacher’s schedule, doing contract engineering for 9 months, then taking the summer off. His first 6 summers were spent bicycle camping, logging 25K miles. In an effort to leave the roads, slow down, and be closer to nature, his next 5 summers were spent hiking the AT, PCT and CDT. The gypsy was satisfied. So at 33 he moved to So Cal, and stayed there 22 years, retiring from Boeing in 2005. He chose retirement in NM because of the four seasons, strong sun, mild temps, blue skies, wide open spaces, and relatively few people… a place where one could make a difference.
Cliff Giles – Vice President (2020-present)
Grew up in and around Lubbock, Texas. Moved to Albuquerque in 1969 with wife Joyce and two sons. 43-year career in science and technology management with USAF, EG&G, and Los Alamos National Laboratory. Retired since 2006. Enjoyed lots of business and personal international travel. Commercial pilot (SEL) with instrument rating. (Commuted to Los Alamos by air.) Loves hiking, snowshoeing, and downhill skiing. FOSM member since 2018. Assumed webmaster responsibilities in 2021.
Tim Brown – Treasurer (2010-present)
Graduated from the University of Wyoming with degrees in Economics and Law. Lived in Texas, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas and New Mexico. Retired Attorney with the Farm Credit System. Moved to Albuquerque in 2003. Loves Hiking and Collecting. FOSM member since 2004.
Silke Bletzer – Secretary (2021-present)
Originally from Germany, Silke grew up hiking and skiing in the mountains in Europe. Work took her to New York, until her husband Michael and she decided to move to the SW following his research here. Since moving to Albuquerque ten years ago, hiking buddies have taken her exploring the local mountains. After losing trails a few times, particularly when covered in snow, she got interested in local trail maintenance and joined FOSM and the NM Volunteers for the Outdoors. Silke has worked in the US and in Germany for Bayer Healthcare, the College Board as well as several Salesforce implementation partners. When not in front of the computer, she enjoys outdoor activities in the mountains and on the water.
Sam Beard – All Projects Chair
After high school joined the USAF and trained as a Russian linguist in Texas and Monterey, CA. Stationed in England near London three years. Earned degrees in physics from Mars Hill Junior College and N. C. State University. Retired in 2003 from Sandia National Laboratories after 37 years in the Aerothermodynamics Group. Moved to Albuquerque with Edwina in 1965. Developed an interest in cross country skiing and published a trail guide in 1979 with a second edition in 1988. Began developing ski trails on the Sandia Ranger District as a volunteer in 1970. Was a founding member of the N. M. Cross Country Ski Club, N. M. Volunteers for the Outdoors, and Friends of the Sandia Mountains.
Don Carnicom – Interpretive Signage
After graduating from Ohio State University in 1957 with a degree in Electrical Engineering, moved to Albuquerque to work for Sandia National Laboratories for 34 years as Member of the Technical Staff in electro-mechanical component design. After retiring in 1991 from a Division Supervisor position, began volunteering for the Sandia Ranger District in the Wilderness Information Specialist Program. In 1997 became one of the founders of The NM Friends of the Forest (aka Friends of the Sandia Mountains) organization. After cycling through the Treasurers and Adopt-a-Trail positions, initiated the creation of The Field Guide to the Sandia Mountains and the Visitors Recreation Guide and Map to the Sandia and Manzanita Mountains. Produced an inventory of all the interpretative Education signs on the District. Most recently had all new signs designed and installed for the Crest/Tram/ Kiwanis Meadow area. It’s been a great 30-year experience with the SRD.
Sim Cook – At large
Moved to Albuquerque from Arizona in 1953. Graduate of NMMI, UNM, and Baylor University College of Dentistry. Completed an internship in the US Army at Womack Hospital, Ft. Bragg, during Vietnam and served 5 and a half years. Had a 42-year career in dentistry and solo private practice. Served on the Maxwell Museum Board of Directors at UNM. Seven Years with FOSM. Interests are downhill skiing, mountaineering, fly fishing, cycling, golf, and hiking. My wife, MaryJane, is my biggest supporter and encourager!
Byron Garner – At large
Moved to New Mexico, from Memphis, in 1988 to continue a 40-year career in Allied Health and has been hiking, fishing, CC skiing and exploring the Southwest ever since. After retirement in 2015 from UNMH, he was introduced to FOSM and began volunteering for trail-maintenance projects. Additional volunteer work has been doing trail maintenance for the New Mexico Cross Country Ski Club In the Jemez since joining them in 1989. When not on the trail, he can be found pursuing other interests, which include reading, cooking, travel, guitar, and a life-long fascination with railroads.
Joelle Hertel – Special projects
Joelle grew up in Wisconsin. She moved to Albuquerque in 1975 to pursue a graduate degree in archaeology. After getting a Masters Degree, she worked for a few years in that field before returning to UNM to study Civil Engineering. With a Civil Engineering degree and later a Masters in Engineering Management, she worked throughout the country planning and directing large scale construction projects. Joelle retired after 30 years of traveling for work, and settled back in New Mexico in the East Mountains. She has volunteered with the USFS since 2014, coordinating restoration of heritage projects. The rest of the time she gardens, travels for fun, and enjoys her dog.
David McCreery – At large
Dave is a life-long hiker and canoeist who moved to New Mexico in 1981 to have more mountains and less humidity in his life. He holds a degree in Engineering from Wichita State University and retired in 2018 after an engineering career that included substation and power plant automation for New Mexico’s Rural Electric Cooperatives, design, build and startup of semiconductor manufacturing plants in the US, Ireland, and Israel, and design and integration of motion control systems for applications including breast biopsy, imaging radar, and laser communications. He has been a member of FOSM and part of the Monday trail maintenance crew since 2012. When not in the forest his is likely playing golf or volunteering at a PGA tournament. He and his wife Pat have two daughters and three grandchildren.
Steve Roholt – At large
Steve is a native of Wisconsin and has lived in Albuquerque since 1979. He has a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Wisconsin, Doctor of Dental Surgery from Marquette University, and completed a residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He practiced Oral Surgery in Albuquerque from 1979 until his retirement in 2016. Steve has been a FOSM member (Life) since 2014. He enjoys spending time with his two children, and two grandchildren. He has been married to his wife Sue for 42 years. His other interests include fly fishing, hiking, downhill and cross-country skiing, and road and mountain cycling. He loves trail building and maintenance in the Sandias.