BAC People
BAC Board Members
Andrew Irvin
President
Originally from Tallahassee Florida. Andrew moved to the Sierras in 1996, and was stationed at the United States Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, Bridgeport California. As a mountaineering instructor for the Marines, he fell in love with the mountains and never looked back. After serving almost 10yrs in the Marines Andrew decided to attend college at Colorado State University where he double majored in agriculture and forestry. In 2009, he became the Natural and Cultural resources manager for the Mountain Warfare Training Center. Andrew also works as a professional avalanche instructor for the Sierra Avalanche Center, he specializes in instructing for the motorized community. His interests are his wife, snowmobiling and mountain biking.
Katherine Tretheway
Administrator
Born and raised in the mountains of Tahoe Kate has made her home in the Sierras. She is a true lover of all things outdoors, not limited to but including snowmobiling, skiing, mountain biking and hiking. Kate works as a registered nurse in the emergency and trauma department of Renown Regional Medical Center. When she is not working or helping out with BAC you can find her somewhere in the Sierras.
Caitlin Rochon
Treasurer
Originally from Rockville Maryland, Caitlin made her way out toward the Sierras in 2020 for a travel nurse contract in the Emergency Department at Renown. She fell in love with the mountains and decided to put down roots in Reno. An avid snowboarder, these past couple years exploring in the backcountry have sparked a passion about avalanche education and forecasting leading her to become a member of this amazing community. When the snow isn’t around, hiking, camping and mountain biking are how she likes to enjoy the outdoors.
Cara Moore
Secretary
Cara Moore is a Tahoe based Environmental Scientist and Cartographer. She grew up in the foothills of California. In her free time she loves to snowboard, snowmobile, ski, mountain bike, garden, and dance. Sonora pass is one of her favorite places on the planet.
Art Baggett
Board Member
Art grew up skating the lakes and rivers of the Midwest and has been free heel skiing for over 50 years. In 1973 Art moved to Yosemite and never left where he taught for Yosemite Institute, UC Santa Cruz, was a winter guide for Yosemite Mountaineering School and a 2 term Mariposa County Supervisor. He served 12 years as the attorney member and chair of the California Water Resources Control Board for Governors Davis and Schwarzenegger. His passion is skiing the High Sierra including the Muir Trail in 1975 and the Bartholomew route in 1999 and 2006.
Kevin Shenk
Board Member
The son of two National Park Service Rangers, Kevin grew up in the mountains of Yosemite. His love for skiing began at the age of 4 on the storied slopes of Badger Pass Ski Resort, where he ski raced as a member of the Yosemite Winter Club. Backcountry skiing is now Kevin's favorite way to move through the mountains, and the High Sierra holds a special place in his heart. As a student of nature, Kevin believes avalanche forecasting and education is a fundamental basis for creating a safe and inclusive outdoor community. When he isn't skiing, Kevin may be found rock climbing, whitewater kayaking, mountain biking, or trail running. He now resides in South Lake Tahoe, where he works as a mechanical engineer for sustainable technology companies.
Forecasters
Joe Soccio
Lead Avalanche Specialist
Originally from Cato, NY, Joe has been with the BAC since 2021 after spending time as an avalanche forecaster at the Mount Washington Avalanche Center. He possesses Wilderness EMT and Professional Level 2 certifications. Joe started his career on snow as a ski patroller in Maine, after working summers in Yosemite National Park Joe was hooked on the Sierra Nevada. If you see him in the field feel free to stop and chat, a good conversation usually involves snow grains and musing what is beyond the next ridgeline. When summer hits Joe enjoys biking and exploring the high country with his wife, son and two dogs.
Feel free to reach out at jsoccio@bridgeportavalanchecenter.org
Nick Bliss
Avalanche Specialist
Nick Bliss grew up backcountry skiing in the southern cascades of CA, and spent the past 20 years in North Lake Tahoe honing the craft of snow science as a patroller, backcountry ski guide, Avalanche and wilderness medicine instructor. Nick holds an AIARE PRO 2 cert, and Avy Course Leader. In the off season when he is not surfing the world's smallest waves, he is teaching wilderness medicine, being a fireline paramedic, doing rescues and hanging with his dog Owen. He now resides in Mono County and loves contributing his time and attention to the BAC and getting out there in the snowpack however he can.
Contact: nbliss@bridgeportavalanchecenter.org
Julian Hanna
Avalanche Specialist
Jules joined the BAC as a forecaster in 2021. Prior to that time, he became one of the first splitboard guides to gain certification through the American Mountain Guides Association. His passion for snow science and mountainous terrain has provided for a diverse career in the outdoors. A keen observer of snow, he holds a Level III certification with the American Avalanche Institute, the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education, and is a professional member of the American Avalanche Association. Jules organizes field days with a balance of respect, creativity, and operational risk management. He values the input of all user groups and operates within the watershed of the Walker Basin on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.
Contact: jhanna@
Travis Feist
Avalanche Specialist
Travis has 30+ years of experience working with snow and avalanches - primarily in the Sierra Nevada, but also with stints in the Rockies and Andes. He's been a guide, ski patroller, and avalanche instructor. Besides working for BAC, Travis teaches a variety of classes at Lake Tahoe Community College and professional avalanche classes for AIARE. He also volunteers with the Alpine County SAR team and as a board member with the American Avalanche Association. Contact: tfeist@bridgeportavalanchecenter.org
