2020-21 KTA Board of Directors

November 20, 2020

The start of a new cycle.


November 2020 marks the beginning of a new cycle for our Kingdom Trail’s Board of Directors. During this time of transition we say thank you to those who have served, welcome new Board members, shift leadership, but also take time to self evaluate and look toward the future.

Kingdom Trails is fortunate to be led by an all-local group of dedicated volunteers. Each Board member is an active representative of our community who knows and cares about our landowners, neighbors, organization, trails, members, and the beauty that surrounds us. The Board is composed of trail enthusiasts, local leaders, area business owners, and of course KTA landowners, all bringing their unique skill sets to support KTA. 

Our 11 member Board of Directors can serve 3 consecutive 2 year terms elected at our annual meeting. As these terms are staggered, we find ourselves thanking Rob Elmes for his incredible service to the Board for the past 6 years. We appreciate Rob volunteering his time and energy, going above and beyond the normal Board member commitment. Kingdom Trails is in the position it is today because of his insight, skill, dedication to our community, and passion for our mission. We are so grateful to Rob, yet are comforted that he will always remain part of the KTA family. 


To fill Rob’s seat, Kingdom Trails is excited to welcome Eric Wilson. Eric is a long standing member of the community, having attended and worked at Burke Mountain Academy, as well as AG Edwards and currently Edward Jones in St. Johnsbury. Eric and his wife Karen live in North Kirby and have 2 grown children, Moriah and Matthew. We also welcomed Colleen Leonard this past summer to fill an early vacancy. Colleen is an agricultural loan officer for the Vermont Economic Development Authority. She grew up on a Jersey cow dairy farm just north in West Charleston, that her parents still operate today. She and her husband, Jonathan, now reside in Sutton on a small farm property with a flock of chickens, quail, and a rescue puppy named Winnie. 


Our Board of Directors will also host a new Executive Committee. Tabitha Bowling will assume the helm as Board Chair, transitioning from Katie Story’s leadership. We are appreciative of Katie’s poised guidance throughout this past year, always making sure meetings were productive, prompt, and punctual. Jake Wheeler will serve as Vice Chair, Harry Morrison as Treasurer and Tom De Carlo Secretary. 


Our new 2020-21 Board of Directors recently met for their annual Summit, a daylong opportunity to connect and plan. They worked to engage with KTA’s mission, core values and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion; support the capacity and empowerment of board members to leverage their role and committee structure; and analyzed KTA’s current strategic position, reviewing priorities and identifying changes to advance KTA’s future goals. We were grateful to Claire Wheeler of RE:WORK for providing facilitation to support and maximize the Board’s time and effectiveness.


Please know folks are always welcome to contact the KTA Board at Board@kingdomtrails.org. The Board of Directors meets every other month on the third Thursday of the month.


2020-21 KTA Board of Directors

Tabitha Bowling, Chair - East Burke

Jake Wheeler, Vice Chair - East Burke, Landowner

Harry Morrison, Treasurer - Lyndonville

Tom De Carlo, Secretary - Kirby

Doug Clarner - East Burke, Landowner

Matt Langlais - West Burke

Elise Lawson - West Burke, Landowner

Colleen Leonard - Sutton

Ann Nygard - West Burke

Katie Story - West Burke

Eric Wilson - Kirby



Bear Den Partners, Owners of Burke Mountain, Make Unprecedented $100,000 Gift to Kingdom Trails, Securing Northeast Kingdom’s Recreational Future

By Jodi Flanagan • October 27, 2025
EAST BURKE, VT – October 27, 2025 – Kingdom Trails, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to the development and maintenance of recreational trails in the Northeast Kingdom, today announced it has received a monumental gift of $100,000 from Bear Den Partners, the owners of Burke Mountain, and Kingdom Trails’ single largest private landowner. This unprecedented corporate donation is the largest in Kingdom Trails’ history and signifies a powerful commitment to the economic vitality and future of recreation in the Northeast Kingdom. The $100,000 investment comes as both organizations continue to expand their collaborative efforts to enhance outdoor tourism and provide world-class experiences for visitors and local community members alike. This funding will be immediately directed toward critical trail maintenance, infrastructure improvements, and sustainable trail development projects across the network, allowing Kingdom Trails to build important new connections and keep the trails in top shape. “We are overwhelmed by the generosity and vision demonstrated by the leadership at Burke Mountain,” said Georgia Gould, Interim Executive Director of Kingdom Trails. “This is more than just a donation; it’s an unprecedented investment in the future health of our trails, our organization, and the entire Northeast Kingdom community. This investment ensures we can not only maintain the current quality of the Kingdom Trails experience but also pursue long-term sustainability and innovative projects.” The gift came during an evening of music and celebration of Kingdom Trails’ Landowners hosted by Bear Den Partners at the Burke Mountain Hotel. The event brought together the landowners, community members, and friends who make Kingdom Trails possible. The evening featured a powerful joint performance by national touring artists Adam Gardner of Guster and Stephen Kellogg, whose music captured the warmth, connection, and spirit that define the Northeast Kingdom. The relationship between Burke Mountain and Kingdom Trails has been instrumental in positioning the region as a premier mountain biking and outdoor destination. Burke Mountain’s contribution emphasizes a shared goal of drawing visitors to the region while ensuring responsible stewardship of the natural resources. “Burke Mountain is a proud neighbor and partner to Kingdom Trails,” said Jon Schaefer, CEO of Bear Den Partners. “We understand that the trails are a critical driver of our local economy and an important amenity for our guests. Making this $100,000 commitment was a clear decision—it ensures the longevity of this incredible network and helps secure the Northeast Kingdom’s reputation as a top-tier outdoor destination for generations to come.” The organizations encourage the public and corporate partners to view this as an inspiration for collective responsibility in protecting and preserving the trails that define Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom experience. Kingdom Trails extends its sincere gratitude to Bear Den Partners for their integral support of this investment and their dedication to the future of the trails. About Kingdom Trails Kingdom Trails is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development and maintenance of a 100+ mile network of non-motorized multi-use trails in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Utilizing a land-use agreement model with 106 private landowners, Kingdom Trails provides recreational access that promotes healthy lifestyles, economic vitality, and sustainable use of resources. About Burke Mountain Located in the heart of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, Burke Mountain Resort is an independent, four-season destination owned by Bear Den Partners. Burke delivers 178 acres of world-class skiing and riding in the winter, and lift-served mountain biking and hiking in the summer. Burke’s bike park is adjacent to the world-renowned Kingdom Trails network, a mecca for mountain bikers. Year-round, Burke and the Burke Mountain Hotel host events and activities that reflect the culture and community of Vermont: down-to-earth, uncorporate and driven by the spirit of the mountain and the people who ride it. For more information, visit SkiBurke.com or follow on all major social platforms including Instagram , Facebook and YouTube .

September Newsletter

By Jodi Flanagan • September 10, 2025
To view newsletter with live links, click here

Kingdom Trails Benefit Concert at Burke Mountain

By Jodi Flanagan • September 9, 2025
October 18th, 2025 from 7-10 PM
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