MEET OUR STAFF!
Our Ski Challenge staff works hard to give you the best experience in recreational team ski racing in the Metro area. We couldn’t have the program we have without them!
Barb and Dave Everson
Owners
Barb and Dave have owned The Ski Challenge since 1997. They purchased it from Patricia Lecy who started Twin Cities Ski Challenge in 1985. (SEE THE HISTORY OF SKI CHALLENGE) They met back in College where Barb attended Mankato State University and Dave attended Gustavus Adolphus.
Barb – I grew up in Burnsville and started skiing in 6th grade after my school trip to Buck Hill. I just couldn’t get enough skiing after that! There was no racing at Burnsville High School back then, so I participated in the weekly Ski Club. I started racing at age 29 in The Ski Challenge. After just hanging out at Ski Challenge races for a few years, I figured I could do it too. Besides skiing, I enjoy gardening, golfing, biking, running and taking our dog, Odie, to the dog park. Along with selling stuff on E-bay and running Ski Challenge, I also sell Real Estate and work as a marketing/communication/transaction coordinator at my brokerage, Trenary Realty Group.
Dave – I grew up in Rochester and also started skiing in 6th grade. I started ski racing in College. My friends saw all my ski posters in my dorm room and invited me to join the team. I joined Ski Challenge in 1990 on Team Dirtbag. Besides skiing, I enjoy golfing, biking and selling stuff on E-bay. I also spend much of my Winter coaching the Prior Lake High School Alpine Team.
We both enjoy spending time at the Everson Family Cabin in the Summer. We have two kids, Abbey and Luke who also love Ski Racing and skiing. It’s a great family activity!
Abbey Everson
BHSUNP, BHMON
Ski Challenge has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember – my parents bought the league when I was a year old. In fact, saying it’s just a part of my life is probably an understatement. I skied in my first Ski Challenge race when I was five and have so many memories of skiing with my friends and family on Friday nights and Saturday mornings throughout my younger years.
I raced for Prior Lake High School from 7th through 12th grade and watched the team grow from about 7 of us to close to 50 by the time I graduated. I then went on to race at St. Olaf College which introduced me to the more “rigorous” world of ski racing. I’ve gained several lifelong friends from that team and am lucky enough to ski with them on Wednesday nights at Ski Challenge along with my other three teams on Sunday nights, Monday nights, and Tuesday nights.
I feel so grateful to be a part of this incredible ski racing community we have in Minnesota and I am truly the happiest when I’m out on the hill with all of you. So, thank you! And I’ll see you out there!
Luke Everson
BHTUES, BHTHUR
I’ve been around Ski Challenge and ski racing my whole life. I raced for Prior Lake High School and St. Olaf, and now work in data analysis at Ameriprise. Outside of work, I enjoy playing softball, spending time at our cabin, working out, and socializing with friends. Ski racing is a true passion of mine, and I love helping out at the races.
Derek Hennekens
BHSUNA, BHMON
I have worked for Ski Challenge for over 15 years, primarily for the Buck Hill Sunday AM league. I waited three to four years to get on board, and I’m never quitting!
I have raced in Ski Challenge for 25+ years. I had probably skied 20 times in my life before that (with zero formal training, which explains my form).
Besides skiing, I enjoy traveling, scuba diving, and photography.
I have been married to Gina and have two boys, Matai and Kian, and a dog, Zealand. I was born in Wisconsin and have been in Minnesota since 1983. I have five sisters and no brothers. I grew up on a hog farm and have been in IT for almost 24 years.
Dawn (and Jeremy) Peterson
BHSUNA
Hi! I’m Dawn, your Sunday AM Ski Challenge awards announcer. I’ve been involved with Ski Challenge for years and recently began announcing races at Buck Hill.
I grew up in Rochester, where I started out skiing in Ski Club. Now, I ski for fun with my friends and family, usually at Buck Hill or Giants Ridge. As a child, I enjoyed playing sports such as basketball, softball, volleyball, gymnastics, and eventually found my niche in High School dance line. I also played piano and flute in our High School marching band. It was here that I met my husband, Jeremy, who also attended Ski Club, then became a Ski Patrol at Buck, and now skis on Sunday mornings with Team Velociracers. Jeremy and I are also involved in the Midwest Masters Ski Club. For a while, we oversaw sponsorships, and it was here where I started announcing races.
Outside of skiing, I’ve worked as a Dental Hygienist for 30 years and dabbled in real estate.
In summer, I love being outdoors, tending to our acreage, gardening, and golfing. I’m also an animal lover—we have two small, fun dogs, a Yorkipoo who is addicted to playing fetch, and a Silktese, who has a super funny personality. Jeremy and I also have a beautiful daughter who graduated from college and is now enjoying adulthood, working and living with her cat.
I can’t wait to announce your names, times, and handicaps—and maybe even see you on the slopes!
Mitch Wall
BHTUES
I’m Mitch- Regular Emcee Tuesday nights at Buck Hill and Ski Challenge Championships at Giants Ridge. I have been racing in the Ski Challenge for over 25 seasons. I currently race with the Locked and Loaded and the Dirt Bags.
When I’m not at the hill, I’m moonlighting as a software executive for USI an employee benefits consulting company. I am blessed with great friends who share the same passion for ski racing, my wife, Sam, who is learning to love the 10 weeks of winter madness, our two boys, Asher and Owen, and two furry Goldens.