WVSTA Board Officers

  • Jeff Bayard, President

    Jeff Byard

    President

    Has been volunteering with WVSTA since the spring of 2019. Jeff is a hammock’er who dedicates a lot of time serving on the WVSTA board, organizing trail workdays and enjoys Chicken Pad Thai by the fire after a long day of hiking on the Allegheny Trail (ALT). Jeff is the WVSTA President, section 2 Coordinator and works tirelessly with the WV state parks and national forests representing WVSTA. He loves sharing about West Virginia’s only long distance trail and is very excited about the future of the ALT. He loves the large amounts of single track hiking on the ridges of West Virginia.

    grizzlyjb@yahoo.com

  • Justin Mullins

    Vice President

    Has been helping WVSTA since June of 2020. He serves as WVSTA Vice President, section 4 trail coordinator and leads a few WVSTA organized hikes each year. He is an avid backpacker who uses both a tenter and a hammock. Justin loves the amazing views, peace and quiet the Allegheny Trail offers. He is often found hiking miles a rip and enoses testing new protein bars.

    justin25801@gmail.com

  • Marissa Bennett

    Marissa Bennett

    Secretary

    “I love that it’s our state's only long-distance trail. It connects so many great trail towns and points of interest together. It also takes you into some of the state's most remote areas giving the hiker a true feeling of solitude.”

  • Mitch Klein

    Treasurer

    Mitch has been volunteering with WVSTA for 4 years. He was previously Section 1 Coordinator and has been the Treasurer for 2 years.

    Before “retiring” from backpacking, he completed the Appalachian Trail (in 2 yrs) with his dog Max (in the picture).

    One of his favorite trail snacks are Kind Bars.

    Mitch appreciates the rich history and the varied terrain in all four sections of the Allegheny Trail.

At Large Board Members

  • Doug Wood

    Publications Chair

    Volunteer since August 7, 1976

    Former President, Vice President, Secretary and ALT Section 4 Coordinator from the summer of 1979 until June 2021 — 42 years.

  • Kris King

    Hours and Awards Chair

    A lover of nature who has been helping WVSTA for about 5 years. She is a tenter who enjoys the all hardworking and knowledgeable people on trail workdays. She also makes time to slow down and enjoy the varied terrain, solitude and beauty the Allegheny Trail offers. Kris loves all things chocolate and makes great cookies to share with others! Kriskingmillen@gmail.com

  • Newt Harman

    Mary Ingles Trailblazer Representative

Additional WVSTA Representatives

  • Tiffany Mullins

    Web Store Manager

    Tiffany has been volunteering with WVSTA since 2020 and is now is the Web-Store Manager. A nature lover at heart, Tiffany works hard behind the scenes receiving orders and ships them to YOU! She is also the creator of a few items in the store. She also appreciates the heath benefits hiking the ALT offers and looks forward to spending more time on trail in 2023!

    She is an integral part of the WVSTA success and enjoys helping the Allegheny Trail get recognized throughout the region.

  • Nicolle Flood-Sawczyszyn

    Outreach Coordinator

    Nicolle is an avid outdoors woman who likes to hunt, fly-fish, forage, garden, ski and now Backpacks! She is a tenter who enjoys nuts, chocolate and veggies. Nicolle has been helping WVSTA since the fall of 2022. She authors the monthly ALT newsletter and helps with various administrative tasks and outreach. She enjoys the challenge, health benefits and majesty the Allegheny Trail offers. She appreciates the positive people associated with WVSTA and their dedication to have others enjoy the ALT for generations to come. mtnpermigirl@gmail.com

  • Steve Ballman

    Website Administator/ Newsletter Administrator

    Steve has been helping WVSTA for 5 years as webmaster and MaiCchimp administrator. Although Steve hasn’t hiked a lot on the ALT, he can dance circles around you in a heart beat- literally- he and is wife are avid Contra and square dancers. Steve is hard at work keeping the websites up to date and making sure technology is running smoothly so you can stay update with the Allegheny Trail newsletters and make your purchases safely.

  • Vicky Shears

    Membership