2026 Board Election Ballot
Eric Carlson - I’ve been visiting the Porkies since I started college at MTU in 1980. I was at some of the first “Telefest” telemark ski festivals and have participated in almost all of them since then. My wife loves to ski the Porkies, too. We’ve camped in the park in different cabins and have explored many of the trails in all seasons, whether hiking, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing. Our two children learned to ski at the Porkies, and we used the daycare that was in the lodge at the time. We’ve also attended several of the Porcupine Mountains music festivals, and I’ve stayed involved with both the festival and the trails over the years, including helping with glading along the ski runs and supporting trail work. The Porkies have been a part of my life for more than four decades. They’ve provided countless memories for my family, and I want to give back to this area that I’ve enjoyed for so many years. As I seek reelection, I’m committed to continuing to support and give back to a place that has meant so much to me and my family.
Geri Hawley - I am honored to serve as a board member of the Friends of the Porkies and am thrilled to be seeking reelection. I have been a member of the Friends of the Porkies since 1997 and a lifetime member since 2014. I was born in Ontonagon and have lived most of my life there, making the Porcupine Mountains an important part of both my life and my connection to the community. I grew up downhill skiing at the Porkies and continue to ski there almost every weekend throughout the winter. I hike the trails in the summer, rent one of the cabins every year in the spring and summer, and cross-country ski the trails in the winter. I have also volunteered at the Porkies music festival for many years in a variety of capacities and have spent countless hours helping clear trails at the ski hill. I currently serve on the Friends of the Porkies Trails Committee. In addition to my work with the trails and music festival, I have taken on a leadership role with the Artist-in-Residence Program, helping support opportunities for artists to connect with and be inspired by the Porcupine Mountains. The Porkies have been a part of my life for decades, and I am passionate about helping preserve and enhance this incredible place for generations to come. As a continuing board member of the Friends of the Porkies, I look forward to building on the work we’ve done and continuing to support the park, its trails, programs, and the community that surrounds it.
Joanie Hawley - President - I’ve been a lifetime member since 2002. My current role is President, and I’ve enjoyed volunteering for the Artist-in-Residence Program, the Porcupine Mountains Music Festival, working grants to secure funding and meeting and engaging people in our amazing organization. The Board has worked on many initiatives during my Board term including Strategic Planning, continuing to strengthen and grow each of our programs and to focus on our Mission “Connecting People to the Magic of the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.”. One of my favorite things about the Friends is that everyone is so passionate about the Porkies in so many different ways –from hiking, skiing, swimming in Lake Superior, to taking a Folk School class, participating in a Artists presentation, listening to the Music Festival music or just sitting around a campfire and enjoying music, stories (some might even be true) or just sitting and looking at this great scenery we have.
Haley Heck - I am a lover of music, art, and the outdoors. I attended Finlandia University 2011-12 for art and design. Late 2012, I started farming - raising beef cows- which I still do today. In my free time, I enjoy singing and playing guitar, hiking, and picking rocks on Lake Superior.
My love for the Porkies started in 2016, when I first hiked the lake of the clouds area. I love the woods, and the big pines up there are incredible!
In 2017, I discovered the music festival and chose to volunteer. I filled an artist liaison volunteer position, and thoroughly enjoyed carting around artists and their equipment, at a time when there was 3 outdoor stages! In 2018 I hit the magical busking barn stage with my good friend, and we've been there ever since.
This year (2026) I caught wind of a new role, "camp host", and was excited to take on that volunteer role with my friends ,as well as playing in the busking barn. We love camping/spending time in the Porkies year round, so hosting seemed like a perfect position. It was fun welcoming everyone in as they arrived, and also being so familiar with the area, we were able to inform people on what the Porcupine Mountains has to offer outside the festival as well.
A main goal of mine is for everyone to see the beauty, and love the porkies as much as we do ❤️
Kaity Keranen - Hello Friends of the Porkies!
As a longtime Festival attendee, it really is an honor to be considered for this position! I've been going since 2012 and in 2018 my dear friend Pam Metivier invited Haley and I to sing with her in the Busking Barn. She encouraged us to find our voices and learn how to play the guitar. Dale (Venema), Eric (Hopper) and Ken (Langlois) were also an integral part of learning to perform. We've been looking forward to the warm and welcoming Busking Barn every year now. This past year, we were asked to be Camp Hosts at the Group Camp, where we have made a home, complete with Festival family. While it was considered a volunteer position, I feel like it was what we do naturally there. It was so nice to be recognized for it.
I'm sorry I am not able to attend this year's annual meeting. I have been working on growing a giant pumpkin for a contest. Dale would have been proud! Please forgive my absence!
