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.
Mike Deacon
Vice President
Drawn to the Sierra Nevada for skiing, alpine climbing, kayaking and hang-gliding Mike fell in love with the greater Bridgeport area 25 years ago. Mike’s an experienced guide, and dedicated outdoor enthusiast, with a passion for skiing the High Sierra. Married and a father of two, Mike enjoys hiking, river rafting, skiing, and mountain biking.
Katherine Tretheway
Treasurer
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.
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.
Vijay Chander
Board Member
Vijay's love for skiing started from that first ski lesson at Sugarbowl after emigrating to the US for higher studies. He likes being in the mountains as much as possible in the winter in the backcountry or in the summer hiking. Eastern Sierra holds a very special place in his heart. Avalanche forecasting and education, backcountry awareness programs are what drew him to be part of the newly formed Bridgeport Avalanche Center and to be a volunteer in their efforts. Honored to be on the board of directors with esteemed colleagues with like minded values.While not in the mountains, he is either long distance biking or playing poker tournaments. He lives in the bay area and is currently the co-founder and chief scientist at Valtix.
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 returned to the BAC after spending time as an avalanche specialist at Mount Washington Avalanche Center. He possesses Wilderness EMT and Professional Level 1 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 human factors in the backcountry. When summer hits Joe enjoys climbing and biking with his wife 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@
