Committees
The Ozark Trail Association needs the efforts of volunteers for both on- and off-the-trail activities. If you’re interested in getting involved with any of the committees or possibly taking any of the positions listed below, we are always looking for new members.
Finance
This team’s mission is to ensure the OTA has the financial resources to enable it to deliver against its mission. The Finance Committee supports the planning, management, and execution of all activities related to revenue development, fundraising events, project and program funding, product development, and sales. The committee plans and steers strategic planning and program management efforts. Committee members support the OTA’s fundraising goals through grant writing, fundraising events, and corporate partner collaboration.
Education and Outreach
The Education and Outreach Committee promotes and enhances awareness of the Ozark Trail and the Association. We accomplish this by hosting outreach events, including the development of trail-based workshops for community groups that have expressed interest in engaging and collaborating with the OTA. The E&O team is also working to expand our outreach to traditionally underserved communities. We also engage new and existing members and volunteers to enhance their on-trail and off-trail experience.
Administration
The Administration team drives the day-to-day operations of the OTA.
This includes:
– Maintaining financial records including receipts and expense disbursements
– Manage grant submission, record keeping and reimbursement processes.
– Planning support for C&M events.
– Design, develop and manage print and electronic communication material.
– Website and social media support.
Construction and Maintenance
The Construction and Maintenance team is at the forefront of our mission to develop and maintain the Ozark Trail. This team develops and executes the plan to construct new trails as well as maintaining existing trails, including trail signage at trail heads and other infrastructure. The leadership team schedules construction and maintenance events throughout the year. They also provide leadership and training to paid staff and volunteer trail crews. We also have a team of trail adopters that commit to maintaining a designated section of the trail with light maintenance as needed. The C&M team collaborates with the Trail Planning and Development Committee in the design and development of new trail corridors as well.
Communications
The Communications team builds awareness and promotes the trail and the work of the Association through marketing, communications, public relations, publications, and leveraging online and social media channels. The committee plans and implements the OTA’s marketing strategies, oversees communications, and partners with Education and Outreach committee in community relations activities. We implement, oversee, and optimize digital marketing initiatives related to the Trail and OTA, volunteer activities, membership, fundraising, and merchandise.
Trail Planning & Development
The Trail Planning and Development Committee leads our efforts to connect the gaps and complete the Ozark Trail. We are developing future trail routes and trail design with the vision of the trail extending from St Louis to the Arkansas border and connecting with the Ozark Highland Trail. We leverage geospatial technology to plan and design new trail corridors and track our planning and development efforts. Committee members engage and partner with local community and government leaders, landowners, and land managers to obtain the rights and permission to enable us to construct new trails. As needed, we partner with other OTA committees to obtain funding to secure these rights.
Board of Directors
All members of the Ozark Trail Association Board of Directors are also members of the Advisory Board, which meets quarterly to establish Ozark Trail Association goals and direction. Many of the directors are also members of the Executive Board, which meets monthly to coordinate the day-to-day activities of the Ozark Trail Association.
Kathie Brennan
(2022-2024)
I’ve never been one to say “No” and along with a heart for volunteering for worthy causes… so when a chance conversation with a friend about the OT, I ended up at an OTA construction outing on the Middle Fork in 2005 and I became hooked. When my girls were younger, we were involved with Girl Scouts, family camping trips, floating the creeks and rivers to hiking the trails in the parks we camped in. Not a stranger to any work or task, I retired from Wal-Mart after 20 years and currently work as an Adm. Asst. for an Alternative school, do part time retail sales with Bath & Body Works and in the summer months I am a seasonal naturalist for Trail of Tears State Park. Becoming involved with the OTA/OT has provided me opportunities to not only meet a very diverse group of volunteers from all over the state, but also through training to become a USFS certified sawyer and crew leader while sharing my passion for the outdoors with kids of all ages at events big and small. I haven’t hiked or been on all of the OT but manage to be out on the trail as much as I can through maintenance and construction events that give me the opportunity to savor the diversity of OT. Living in Cape Girardeau MO with my husband Calvin; our two daughters Casey and Emily are also volunteers as well as boy friend Marcus, and husband Derek and our 2 1/2 yr old grandson Stratton. As a family, we also have adopted a 3.1 mile section of the Middle Fork – John Roth Memorial section. The Ozark Trail is an on going project for future generations and I hope that the opportunities we give volunteers and their families will help us see the completion of the Ozark Trail as we all strive to carry out the mission of the OTA.
Mark Goforth
(2022-2024)
My first OTA outing was a New Years Day house/equipment cleanup. We re-built the tool trailer, sharpened tools, and cleaned up chainsaws. My Adopt-a-Trail is the last/easternmost section of the Taum Sauk Trail. I am the Sawyer coordinator, the equipment and fix-it guy. Always entertaining to get new ideas, new help. I share Boy Scout, and Special Project responsibilities with Don Schulte.
Stephen Thompson
(2021–2023)
Garrett Doak
(2023-2025)
My first backpacking experience was in San Antonio with my older son’s Scout Troop. What a hoot! I just knew that I had backpacking in my future. And I did, mostly through Scouts in St. Louis, assisting in prep hikes and leading crews in 10-day backpacking treks in Philmont, the Scouts’ high-adventure ranch in New Mexico. Though my two sons are grown with families of their own, I still participate in the Scouting program and am responsible for maintenance on a 12-mile trail on the Beaumont Scout Ranch in St. Louis.
Once I retired, I thru-hiked the Ozark trail and decided to transition from lurking mode to fully engaged with the Ozark Trail Association. I am currently serving as the OTA Membership Coordinator and Event Director for the annual OT Challenge Hike. I am sawyer-certified and enjoy the physical and mental challenge of clearing the trail of downfall. The best part of the OTA are the AMAZING members and volunteers: they are so friendly and welcoming, and boy are they willing to work hard on the trail! I feel privileged to be associated with such a fine group of volunteers.
Roger Allison
(2023-2025)
When I retired from the National Guard in 2000, I decided to take up backpacking and hiking. I first learned about the Ozark Trail Association from a sermon delivered by Robert Smith during a backpacking seminar that he and Danny McMurphy put on in 2003. Since then I have been regularly volunteering in the construction and maintenance activities of the OTA. I am interested in seeing the organization continue fulfill all aspects of its mission statement.
Before retirement, when not on the trail, I worked for the City of St. Louis as a civil engineer. I was the City’s project manager for the public works projects in Forest Park that have been publicly funded or jointly funded by the City and Forest Park Forever. I thus have a great deal of experience in public/private partnerships. I believe I can offer some valuable in sights as the OTA moves forward with its mission.
Jeff Goetter
(2023-2025)
Jeff has done most of his hiking/backpacking with the Boy Scouts where he has accumulated over 475 miles over the last 9 years, which includes time on the Taum Sauk and Courtois sections. He first learned about the OT from a newspaper article some years ago and started collecting whatever he could find on the trail. “I stumbled on the OTA website one day and was hooked, it was just what I was looking for.” Since joining the OTA, Jeff has attended many of the outings and served as volunteer coordinator. He currently serves as Secretary.
Tim Seener
(2021-2023)
Boy Scout adventures helped create an avid outdoorsman that enjoys hunting and spending time on our family farm outside of Cuba MO, where I grew up. I‘ve enjoyed hiking in Missouri, Arkansas and ironically Florida where I met my wife. Due to a job loss in 2020, I became active by volunteering at Winona for a few weeks to assist with massive storm cleanup. Day one, I was hooked and since joined the Construction and Maintenance Committee and am honored to be a steward of the Ozark Trail.
Jim Schneider
(2021-2023)
I have enjoyed the Ozarks since I was a child camping and fishing every summer. Since moving back to Missouri in 2007 my wife and I purchased a camper and kayaks and spend many weekends camping, floating, fishing the Ozark streams and hiking the many trails in the region. I love the vision of creating a trail that extends from St. Louis to the Arkansas border. As a member of the Finance Committee, I look forward to contributing to our continued efforts to build and protect this great resource.
Board Officers
President: Kathie Brennan
Vice President: Mark Goforth
Treasurer: Roger Allison
Secretary: Jeff Goetter
Staff
Chief Operations Officer: Abi Jackson