Dr. DB Palmer, EdD, LPC, WFR, SRT
Former Lead Professor of the Outdoor Leadership Program & Founder of Expeditionary Film School of Alaska, Advisory Board- Alaska Avalanche Information Center, Advisory Board- Wrangell Institute for Science & Environment, Advisory Board- Therapeutic Adventure Professionals Group (AEE), Research Consultant- North America Outdoor Institute

DB has acquired an extensive leadership background, having led treks across the western states and internationally. His skill sets include wilderness therapy, sea kayaking, coastal & river canoeing, light mountaineering, backpacking, dogsled guiding, winter camping, hunting, sailing, and rafting. He is currently the Deputy State Director for the Alaskan chapter of the American Canoe Association. His research focus is Outdoor Risk and Safety Outcomes (ORSO), and he regularly presents on human factors, group dynamics and leadership, and wilderness therapy. Dr. Palmer earned his Bachelor of Science in Recreation Management from John Brown University, the MA in Marriage and Family Counseling from Liberty University, and completed his Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University in Seattle. Professor Palmer and his wife, Greta, have four adventurous kids and a Chocolate Labrador named Grizzly Jack.

Michael Brown, Adjunct Faculty, Founder/Director of Outside Adventure Film School and Serac Films, Primary Area: Adventure Filmmaking, ODS 293

While Emmy-award winning Director Michael Brown has always loved telling stories (he grew up in family of adventure filmmakers), he also has a passion for science–especially climate, weather and geography, all of which he studied at the University of Colorado at Boulder while working at the National Snow and Ice Data Center. He’s put that knowledge into practice during productions for National Geographic Television, NBC, CBS, ABC, ESPN, OLN, the BBC, Rush HD, and the Discovery Channel.  Serac Films

Sky Rondenet, Adjunct Faculty, Founder/Director of Sky Rondenet Media, Sierra Nevada College: Ski Business and Resort Management, Primary Area: Adventure Filmmaking, ODS 293 & FLM 298

Sky Rondenet is a video producer out of Lake Tahoe and has been creating videos for over ten years.  Her experience includes producing shows for Tahoe TV, ski shows, real estate promotional videos, restaurant, golf, retail stores, and adventure shows. Sky has been involved in the international filming and production of top selling surf and snowboard films, freelance work for Fox Sports, Warren Miller, corporate event and commercial work, as well as production of high-end wedding videos. She loves finding something different and special about her clients and reproducing that uniqueness on film. Her goal is producing videos that speak to the viewer and keep them engaged. Sky is not afraid to try something different and to help her clients stand out. This is her passion. Sky Prides herself on excellence and has won various awards and recognitions. Sky Rondenet Media.

Sarah Carter, Adjunct Instructor, Primary Area: Avalanche & Alpine Specialist

Originally a nordic skier from Anchorage, Alaska, Sarah lives in Valdez with her husband Peter, and sons, Chance and Cirque. Sarah has worked as a ski patroller in British Columbia and Alaska as a heli-ski guide and snow safety director.

Sarah has been involved with outdoor education and snow science research with the University of Alaska Southeast, and has presented three posters at the International Snow Science Workshop. She promotes avalanche education throughout Alaska and loves to be in the snow.

Sarah works along with a cadre of women instructors hosting women’s avalanche skills classes, an opportunity for women to get out, learn, and enjoy the winter backcountry in a safe, fun environment.

Greta Palmer, MA,

@alpine_greta

Adjunct Faculty, Primary Area: Expedition Fitness, Alpine Skiing, & ODS Core.

Greta’s background in skiing includes alpine ski training from the time she was 5 years old through her tenure on her college’s ski team, including summers in training with junior Olympic coaches and glacier training on Mt. Hood. Greta has lived and breathed alpine skiing, Nordic expeditions and adventure travel, group expedition leadership, and she has spent the last 10 years as a mother of 4 adventurous kids.

Pete Carter, Adjunct Instructor: ODS 218, Board President, Director of Valdez Avalanche Center

Pete Carter is the Alaska Department of Transportation (DOT) avalanche forecaster at Thompson Pass. He is a professional member of both the American and Canadian Avalanche Associations.

Sean Wisner, Visiting Lecturer: ODS 266, Instructor, Rescue Coordinator, Board Member

Sean Wisner has been active with avalanche forecasting, education and rescue since 1988. Sean is a Fire Officer and Rescue Technician for Alyeska Pipeline. He also volunteers as a Firefighter/EMT/Rescue Technician for the City of Valdez Fire Department and is a team leader and instructor for the Valdez Search and Rescue Team. Sean has worked for a number of years as a helicopter ski guide in Valdez, as a high altitude mountain guide on Denali (20,320′) and Aconcagua (22,841′), and as a snowmachine tour guide and whitewater raft guide across the state of Alaska.

Sean is a team leader and instructor for the Valdez Search and Rescue Team, and teaches several avalanche awareness classes to the community of Valdez annually in addition to training the SAR team in avalanche rescue and forecasting, crevasse rescue, and glacier travel.

He has been involved with mountain rescue teams in a variety of North American locations for over 20 years, and has a great passion for mountain safety and education. Sean lives in Valdez with his wife and son, and enjoys backcountry skiing and snowboarding, snowmachining, kiteboarding, surfing, mountaineering, mountain biking, and teaching.