Program Staff

Working with people of all ages and abilities in the outdoors has been a lifelong passion for Mark. Over the past 25 years, Mark has worked with both non-profit and for-profit organizations in leadership management, training, and risk management serving clients of all ages and abilities in a variety of outdoor and wilderness programs, and residential treatment.

For 11 years, Mark effectively facilitated programs for a residential treatment center in northern Minnesota where he was instrumental in its inception of a wilderness program, including the development of policies/procedures to meet industry and state licensing standards. While at this facility, he served in positions as Program Coordinator and Director.

Mark also helped the Northland Chapter of the American Red Cross develop Wilderness First Responder training and facilitated high level rescue training for State Parks, and rural and urban fire departments.

When not at Soltreks you can usually find Mark out on some sort of adventure with his wife Katya and two young daughters Cedar and Lamar.

Matt manages the overall logistical coordination and operation of treks. He provides administrative oversight in the areas of policy adherence and staff training. He also spends time in the field with staff and students sharing stories.

Matt grew up in New England outside of Boston (Go Sox!). Growing up he wandered, fished and loved the mountains and rivers of New Hampshire, Vermont and the Berkshires. His love of the ocean and lakes found him right at home in Minnesota with over 10,000 and then one of the biggest in the world besides.

Matt studied art and literature in college and draws on this background often in his work with youth and peers. He is passionate about working with people of all ages and walks of life. He has worked and grown in the experiential field for six years. He has led wilderness treks in several states in every type of weather imaginable and has worked with hundreds of youth as well as young adults.

He has strong values around mindfulness, faith, awareness and relationships. He enjoys canoeing with his wife and dog, x-country skiing, photography and practicing wilderness survival skills.