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.
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 have been around Ski Challenge and ski racing my entire life. I raced at Prior Lake High School and then at St Olaf. I recently graduated and am now working in the data analysis field for Ameriprise. I like to play softball, go to our cabin, work out, and hang out with friends.
I’ve worked and raced on and off for quite a while with Ski Challenge. I like being around full-time now!
Derek Hennekens
BHSUNA
I have worked for Ski Challenge for 13+ years mainly 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 23+ years. I maybe skied 20 times in my life before that (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.
Mitch Wall
BHMON, BHTUES, BHWEDP
I’m Mitch- Regular Emcee Tuesday and Wednesday nights at Buck Hill and Ski Challenge Championships at Giants Ridge. I have been racing Ski Challenge for more than 23 seasons. I currently race with the Locked and Loaded, Naski Boys and Dirt Bags.
When I’m not at the hill, I’m moonlighting as a software executive for Ascentis- a human capital management company based in Eden Prairie. I am blessed with great friends who share the same passion for ski racing, a wife who is learning to love the 10 weeks of winter madness, our little guy, Asher, and two furry Goldens.
Randal Zoeller
BHSUNA
I grew up in the Texas Hill Country and didn’t start skiing until I was 17. I didn’t get serious about skiing until about 10 years later after I moved to Minnesota in the 1990’s and started to race in Ski Challenge along with my wife, Pam. I enjoyed going to the early season race camps that Ski Challenge offered and tried to get better but with clearly mixed results.
Both of our kids were active in Ski Challenge and high school racing until they graduated and moved away. A lot of years ago I started working Sunday mornings for Ski Challenge and have been Emcee-ing for the past 15+ years. I also fill in on Sunday nights and at other races.
Professionally, I was a software development leader managing teams in India and Israel, but the travel got old so I’m retired now. But I still enjoy working for Ski Challenge as much as ever. At State and at some races you might even see me on the hill with my camera. With all the great racers in Ski Challenge, I think we’ve been able to take some good pictures over the years.