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The wonderful people who have committed a portion of their hearts and souls to the dream


Current Staff

Steve Silber

Owner

"Hi, I'm Steve, Chulitna Lodge has been a special place to my heart since my first visit in 1978 when I was 3 years old.  It is a pleasure to share this picturesque location.  I invite you to join me in the tranquility found only in such places as this."

Steve Silber has an MFA from Rhode Island School of Design; a BFA from University of Colorado, Boulder; is a certified Massage Therapist; USMC veteran; and teaches skiing in Aspen Colorado.

Mara Bartlett Asenjo

Director

Giver of Warm Smiles and Morning Hugs

"Dancing on mountaintops or in a foggy dive bar, doing yoga on the beach, art making in the forest, camping on cliffs, biking down Esplanade Avenue, unknotting knots - these are a few of my favorite things."

Mara Bartlett Asenjo graduated from The College of Wooster with a major in Psychology and minor in Studio Art.  Since, she has been exploring, living and working around the world on various social justice, education, and arts projects. She currently calls New Orleans home when she is not living off-grid in Alaska. 

Justin Richards

Maker, Fixer, Undercover Plumber
(Basically Schneider from One Day At A Time)

"By no fault of his own, Justin Richards grew up in Texas.  While living in New Orleans as a student of architecture, he discovered a passion for woodworking, which has remained his primary interest for over fourteen years. He often refers to himself in third person, though not while he was writing this."

Justin has Architecture degrees from Tulane University and Cranbrook Academy of Art.  His past work incorporates computer-aided design and fabrication techniques, but his recent immersion in the Alaskan wilderness has welcomed a necessary shift in process and aesthetic.

 

Teon Reid

Our Tropical Chef

Teon was born and raised in Jamaica, moved to Atlanta as a teenager, and now resides in New Orleans when he is not gracing our Chulitna Lodge summer kitchen with his amazing spice blends. Teon runs his own catering business focused on Jamaican cuisine, as well as helping other New Orleans Chef's with their projects.

Our upcoming 2023 season will be Teon's second summer at Chulitna! Our guests are always surprised at the variety and world flavors that end up at each meal -- unique for Alaska!

 

"Coco"

Guest Services, Hiker Extraordinaire

Coco hails from the midwest, but has traveled the world as a performer, musician, writer, sculptor and educator.

Summer 2023 will be his third summer at Chulitna, and if you're lucky he will be your guide around Lake Clark! Combine his zest for learning, storytelling and humor and you are in for the best day! 

 

Past Staff

Joshua Macias

"Writing, composing, 3D modeling, and digital art, I like 'em all so long as I get to be creative. Fueling that fire - Inspiration, happiness, adventure, and comradery - all things I found here in Alaska. Back in Texas, expect to find me on a run, playing frisbee, or spending time with my greyhound.  "

Joshua Macias received a Bachelor's and Master's in Music Composition from Baylor University, and a Second Master's in Music Cataloging and Librarianship from the University of North Texas. His current projects work towards the Wagnerian idea of 'Gesamtkunswerk' or 'total work of art,' which seeks to synthesize multiple mediums into one complete work. 

 

 

Tobias Womack

The Chef

"Tobias Womack started his long journey on the wilds of the Oregon Coast. His 9th great grand Father Thomas Rogers sailed on the Mayflower and was a signature of the Mayflower Compact. He has 16 ancestors that fought for American Independence."

Tobias has degrees in Fire Science and Photography from SF State University and SF City College. As a young man he worked for the Democratic National Committee and enlisted in the Domestic Peace Corps teaching urban farming and nutrition. He has worked as a professional Chef all around the world and has won various awards, including a Rising Star Chef award for opening RED'S CHINESE in New Orleans. 

 

Jenny O'Connell

"This is why we are here:

To measure time in fish caught, laughter shared, the act of putting one foot in front of the other

To watch a storm roll in from the top of Kijik Mountain and remember we are not beyond grace

To wake every morning to little wings & the sound of water And let that be enough."

- Excerpt from "Kijik," by Jenny O'Connell (Written at Chulitna Lodge)

Jenny holds an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Southern Maine's Stonecoast MFA Program. Her forthcoming book, Finding Petronella, traces Jenny’s solo trek across Finland in the footsteps of Lappish legend Petronella van der Moer; a journey which earned her the 2014 Lappish Gold Prospectors Association Deed of the Year Award. An experienced adventure guide, Jenny leads wilderness expeditions with youth in Maine and abroad.

Eliot Park

Eliot Park is an artist, curator, and furniture maker working in Portland, Oregon after graduating from the MFA Applied Craft + Design program. He makes installation work using ceramic, wood, and found objects about the relationship of personal identity through object relationships.

 

Angel Benedetti

The Gardener

"Angel Benedetti is a textile artist and sculptor. She loves to create, international travel, and melt into yin yoga poses."

Angel Benedetti graduated from The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in 2012 with a BFA in Fibers and Textiles and with a minor in Sculpture. She has worked as an independent contractor for music festivals and artistic programs since 2005. She is an event specialist with a focus on project management or design.

Natalie Waters

David Stassi

World Chef - Life Force Consultant - Composter

"I can spend days dissecting your mental anatomy, or make you salivate using molecular gastronomy.  If your pangs are banging or you're feeling like an emotional extremist, I'll feed your mind with some heart because I'm a modern cuisinist."

David grew up in New Orleans, LA learning recipes from his family cookbook.  He is a 10 year veteran of Hilstone Restraunt Group and 6 years as head chef at Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Aspen, CO.  Before that he taught 8 years of elementary school at a private boys school in NOLA.  David holds a BA in Psychology from Excelsior College, and a MS in International Psychology from The Chicago School.  He is a visual artist, writer, and filmmaker.  He likes outside stuff too.

Phebe Taylor

The Baker & Candlestick Maker

"It's Phebe. That's right, no 'o'.  I love playing outside from beer league kickball to climbing or triathlons, and almost anything in between." 

Phebe Taylor moved from New Hampshire to Colorado in 2006 and hasn't looked back. She has her BA in Art/Art History and Psychology from Bucknell University, and is also a certified massage therapist. She recently left a corporate position to explore the world.
 

Sarah Schwab

Photo Geek

"I l-o-v-e gear!  The only thing better than buying a new gadget is making one of my own.  I get excited by adventure, and am down for any new journey, inward or outward.  I'm an outdoors fanatic and enjoy climbing, mountaineering, and moto-bikin'.

Sarah Schwab has a degree in photography from Colorado Mountain College, She currently lives and works in Telluride, CO.

AJ Smollen

Chancellor of Maintenance

"My name is A.J.  If I am not taking photos, I am probably on my snowmobile, skiing, or out in the woods with my dog Alex."

AJ Smollen 'Sweetie Pie' grew up in Carbondale Colorado and is a photographer, focusing mainly on outdoor lifestyle portraits.  AJ graduated from the Hallmark School of Photography in 2009, and has been working at his parents bakery 'Grana Bread' since he was old enough to work the dough.

Caroline Filler

Baroness of the Shovel

"Yo, I'm an east coaster and recent transplant to Vancouver, Canada.  Chulitna Lodge has saved me from summers of folding t-shirts in Nantucket while dreaming of mountains.  Now I cant get enough of Alaska and Chulitna Lodge."

Caroline Filler is studying environmentally sustainable economies at  University of British Columbia.  She was born in western Massachusetts.  Her passions are skiing, hiking, keeping it real. and being X-TREME!!!

Marcus Lively

Brutus in Training

"Hello, my name is Marcus Lively. I encourage anyone to seize the opportunity as I did, and retreat at Chultina Lodge; a place where I was able to find just the right amount of solitude."

Marcus is currently working towards degrees in Natural Resource Management and Natural Resource Economics at Colorado State University. To pay for Ramen noodles and books he works with SolarCity, bringing the world to a more solar energy dependent society.

Kelly Kaiser

Chief Cook and Bottle Washer

"We serve the best Omega-3s on the planet, right out of our own front lake, and the view's not too bad while doing all that choppin'!"

Kelly is a chef trained at the Agusta Escoffier cooking school, has a BA in Journalism from University of South Carolina, and is a yoga teacher trained at the Himalayan Insititute, Alahabad, India.  Her many travels make for a well developed pallet.  "The best chicken ever!"-Ze Director.

Lisa Kolhep

Heather Keven