With more than 50 years in the hiking trails business, the Keystone Trails Association is fortunate to have accrued a lot of friends and dedicated volunteers.
We're proud to introduce our talented and dedicated staff members, board of directors and representatives who support KTA's work through outreach, program management, advocacy, administration and more. Meet them here until you can meet them on the trail!
Staff
We're proud to introduce our talented and dedicated staff members, board of directors and representatives who support KTA's work through outreach, program management, advocacy, administration and more. Meet them here until you can meet them on the trail!
Staff
Brook Lenker, Executive Director
Email: ktahike@kta-hike.org
Phone: 717-766-9690
Brook Lenker came to KTA in October 2021, bringing decades of service to the environment. He most recently served as the Executive Director of FracTracker Alliance, a national organization addressing the risks of fossil fuel development. Previously, Brook served as Manager of Education and Outreach for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, as Director of Watershed Stewardship with the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and as the Recreation Program Director with Dauphin County Parks and Recreation Department. His education includes master’s and bachelor’s degrees in geography and environmental planning from Towson University. At KTA, Brook oversees the administration, programs, and strategic plan of the organization plus advances our advocacy, marketing, fundraising, community outreach, and support for local trail clubs.
Email: ktahike@kta-hike.org
Phone: 717-766-9690
Brook Lenker came to KTA in October 2021, bringing decades of service to the environment. He most recently served as the Executive Director of FracTracker Alliance, a national organization addressing the risks of fossil fuel development. Previously, Brook served as Manager of Education and Outreach for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, as Director of Watershed Stewardship with the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and as the Recreation Program Director with Dauphin County Parks and Recreation Department. His education includes master’s and bachelor’s degrees in geography and environmental planning from Towson University. At KTA, Brook oversees the administration, programs, and strategic plan of the organization plus advances our advocacy, marketing, fundraising, community outreach, and support for local trail clubs.
Casey Schneck, Program Administrator
Email: ktaadmin@kta-hike.org
Phone: 717-766-9690
Casey Schneck joined the KTA team in August 2019. He earned his degree in Community, Environment, and Development at Penn State, and currently resides in Hamburg, PA. At the Keystone Trails Association, Casey is responsible for event planning and execution, volunteer coordination, website development, editing the newsletter, merchandise sales, social networking, growing the member base, and building partnerships to further KTA’s mission.
Email: ktaadmin@kta-hike.org
Phone: 717-766-9690
Casey Schneck joined the KTA team in August 2019. He earned his degree in Community, Environment, and Development at Penn State, and currently resides in Hamburg, PA. At the Keystone Trails Association, Casey is responsible for event planning and execution, volunteer coordination, website development, editing the newsletter, merchandise sales, social networking, growing the member base, and building partnerships to further KTA’s mission.
Board of Director
President: Kathryn Barker, Carlisle, PA
Kathryn (Katie) Barker's love of the outdoors began with family trips to National Parks and continued at Girl Scout Camps in Wisconsin. She served on the Board of Directors of the Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club for 14 years, including five as President, and chaired the Hikes Committee for the 2001 Appalachian Trail Conference held in Shippensburg, PA. She has served on the KTA council for over a decade as Club Representative and on the KTA board as Awards Committee Chair and, most recently, Secretary. She also teaches chemistry at Dickinson College and hikes with her husband Sam and children River and Hannah. Katie serves with KTA in appreciation for two valuable resources: Pennsylvania's beautiful trails and the volunteers who keep them open. She wants to help KTA advocate for hikers and work for the protection of Pennsylvania's natural beauty.
Kathryn (Katie) Barker's love of the outdoors began with family trips to National Parks and continued at Girl Scout Camps in Wisconsin. She served on the Board of Directors of the Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club for 14 years, including five as President, and chaired the Hikes Committee for the 2001 Appalachian Trail Conference held in Shippensburg, PA. She has served on the KTA council for over a decade as Club Representative and on the KTA board as Awards Committee Chair and, most recently, Secretary. She also teaches chemistry at Dickinson College and hikes with her husband Sam and children River and Hannah. Katie serves with KTA in appreciation for two valuable resources: Pennsylvania's beautiful trails and the volunteers who keep them open. She wants to help KTA advocate for hikers and work for the protection of Pennsylvania's natural beauty.
Vice President: Bob Merrill, Jersey Shore, PA
Bob retired from DCNR and the Bureau of Forestry after a 32-year career that included service as the District Forester for Moshannon State Forest. In that capacity, he coordinated the expansion of recreation opportunities in the forest, including the Quehanna Trail System. Bob was also a Program Specialist for the Bureau of Forestry in Harrisburg. He has been an avid hiker for over 40 years and currently maintains sections of the Quehanna and Allegheny Front Trails. Today, he owns a forestry services consulting business. Bob will bring many years of recreation management experience on public lands to KTA's Board of Directors. As a Board member, Bob has a particular interest in preserving Pennsylvania’s endangered hiking trails.
Bob retired from DCNR and the Bureau of Forestry after a 32-year career that included service as the District Forester for Moshannon State Forest. In that capacity, he coordinated the expansion of recreation opportunities in the forest, including the Quehanna Trail System. Bob was also a Program Specialist for the Bureau of Forestry in Harrisburg. He has been an avid hiker for over 40 years and currently maintains sections of the Quehanna and Allegheny Front Trails. Today, he owns a forestry services consulting business. Bob will bring many years of recreation management experience on public lands to KTA's Board of Directors. As a Board member, Bob has a particular interest in preserving Pennsylvania’s endangered hiking trails.
Treasurer: Cynthia Krom, Lancaster, PA
Cynthia Krom loves being outdoors. She is currently president of the Lancaster Hiking Club, and hikes mostly in SE Pennsylvania. With the KTA she has completed the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail and lead a slack pack on the Black Forest Trail, as well as a number of day hikes. She's currently working to finish the Mason-Dixon, and has only a few miles left on the AT in the state.
Cynthia hikes around the world - the Camino to Santiago de Compostela in Spain (both the Northern Route and the Primitivo), the Tour du Mont Blanc in France, Italy, and Switzerland, the Cotswold Way in England, the Salkantay Trek in Peru, and several trails in Patagonia. Kayaking, biking, and skiing are also favorite activities, especially when COVID hampers travel.
Cynthia coordinates most of the trail maintenance on the Conestoga Trail, and has managed Checkpoint #1 for the KTA Trail Challenge for several years. In order to pay the bills and enable her outdoor obsessions, Cynthia has been a full-time accounting professor for 31 years.
Cynthia Krom loves being outdoors. She is currently president of the Lancaster Hiking Club, and hikes mostly in SE Pennsylvania. With the KTA she has completed the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail and lead a slack pack on the Black Forest Trail, as well as a number of day hikes. She's currently working to finish the Mason-Dixon, and has only a few miles left on the AT in the state.
Cynthia hikes around the world - the Camino to Santiago de Compostela in Spain (both the Northern Route and the Primitivo), the Tour du Mont Blanc in France, Italy, and Switzerland, the Cotswold Way in England, the Salkantay Trek in Peru, and several trails in Patagonia. Kayaking, biking, and skiing are also favorite activities, especially when COVID hampers travel.
Cynthia coordinates most of the trail maintenance on the Conestoga Trail, and has managed Checkpoint #1 for the KTA Trail Challenge for several years. In order to pay the bills and enable her outdoor obsessions, Cynthia has been a full-time accounting professor for 31 years.
Secretary: Wayne Gross, Canadensis, PA
Rob Altenburg, New Cumberland, PA
Rob is an avid hiker and is director of the PennFuture Energy Center. Based in Harrisburg, he has been with the statewide organization since January 2014. Before coming to PennFuture, he spent nearly 22 years with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Initially working in the Bureau of Air Quality on computer models and procedures to forecast pollution levels, he then served as an executive policy specialist in the department's policy office advising the governor's office and DEP's executive staff on a variety of environmental and public health issues.
A native of Pennsylvania, Altenburg holds a B.S. in Earth Science from Clarion University of Pennsylvania, a certificate from Penn State University in Geographic Information Systems, and a J.D. (cum laude) from the Widener University School of Law in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Rob is an avid hiker and is director of the PennFuture Energy Center. Based in Harrisburg, he has been with the statewide organization since January 2014. Before coming to PennFuture, he spent nearly 22 years with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Initially working in the Bureau of Air Quality on computer models and procedures to forecast pollution levels, he then served as an executive policy specialist in the department's policy office advising the governor's office and DEP's executive staff on a variety of environmental and public health issues.
A native of Pennsylvania, Altenburg holds a B.S. in Earth Science from Clarion University of Pennsylvania, a certificate from Penn State University in Geographic Information Systems, and a J.D. (cum laude) from the Widener University School of Law in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Gordon Araujo, Bernville, PA
Gordon is a chemical and environmental engineer that manages the investigation and cleanup of historically contaminated sites through UGI Utilities’ Manufactured Gas Plant Program. He is currently the secretary of the Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club, a section maintaining club for the Appalachian Trail. Gordon has over 20 years of service in developing young leaders throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Puerto Rico in the Boy Scouts of America, has served as a Hawk Mountain Council board member, and led local units, council and area Venturing programs, and national and world scout jamboree units. He has been an avid outdoorsman that has hiked the Olomana Ridge in Hawaii and El Yunque rainforest in Puerto Rico, backpacked the Susquehannock Trail and Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania, led expeditions at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, and rock climbed across the country. Gordon is a scuba diving assistant instructor and has dove in the Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Fiji. In the winter, Gordon enjoys skiing in the United States and Canada. He also sings in various local choirs, including the Opus One Berks Chamber Choir. In his spare time, Gordon is church council secretary, audio/video director, and information technology director for his church.
Gordon is a chemical and environmental engineer that manages the investigation and cleanup of historically contaminated sites through UGI Utilities’ Manufactured Gas Plant Program. He is currently the secretary of the Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club, a section maintaining club for the Appalachian Trail. Gordon has over 20 years of service in developing young leaders throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Puerto Rico in the Boy Scouts of America, has served as a Hawk Mountain Council board member, and led local units, council and area Venturing programs, and national and world scout jamboree units. He has been an avid outdoorsman that has hiked the Olomana Ridge in Hawaii and El Yunque rainforest in Puerto Rico, backpacked the Susquehannock Trail and Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania, led expeditions at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, and rock climbed across the country. Gordon is a scuba diving assistant instructor and has dove in the Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Fiji. In the winter, Gordon enjoys skiing in the United States and Canada. He also sings in various local choirs, including the Opus One Berks Chamber Choir. In his spare time, Gordon is church council secretary, audio/video director, and information technology director for his church.
Ben Cramer, State College, PA
Ben Cramer has hiked more than 4,000 miles on Pennsylvania hiking trails and has completed many of the state’s major backpacking trails multiple times. He has been a lifetime member of KTA since 2000 and served as editor for the KTA book Pennsylvania Hiking Trails, 13th Edition in 2008. He has since written four point-by-point trail guidebooks: Guide to the Allegheny Front Trail (2014), Guide to the Quehanna Trail (2015), Guide to the Elk Trail (2015), and Hiking the Susquehannock Trail (2017). He recently embarked on a project to write the first-ever guidebook for the Donut Hole Trail. Cramer is also a volunteer maintainer on various segments of the Allegheny Front Trail, Quehanna Trail, and Susquehannock Trail System, and in 2016 he spearheaded an effort to rehabilitate and reopen the dilapidated North Link and South Link Trails in Potter County. He lives in State College and teaches at Penn State University, where one of his research specialties is the environmental impacts of advanced telecommunications networks
Ben Cramer has hiked more than 4,000 miles on Pennsylvania hiking trails and has completed many of the state’s major backpacking trails multiple times. He has been a lifetime member of KTA since 2000 and served as editor for the KTA book Pennsylvania Hiking Trails, 13th Edition in 2008. He has since written four point-by-point trail guidebooks: Guide to the Allegheny Front Trail (2014), Guide to the Quehanna Trail (2015), Guide to the Elk Trail (2015), and Hiking the Susquehannock Trail (2017). He recently embarked on a project to write the first-ever guidebook for the Donut Hole Trail. Cramer is also a volunteer maintainer on various segments of the Allegheny Front Trail, Quehanna Trail, and Susquehannock Trail System, and in 2016 he spearheaded an effort to rehabilitate and reopen the dilapidated North Link and South Link Trails in Potter County. He lives in State College and teaches at Penn State University, where one of his research specialties is the environmental impacts of advanced telecommunications networks
Jack Hauler, Malvern, PA
Jack is an optometrist in Malvern PA. In recent years, his outdoor interests have evolved from running and trail running to hiking and backpacking. As an avid hiker and backpacker, he “found” KTA and has been a frequent participant in slackpack and hiking weekend events. Jack brings extensive volunteer Board experience to KTA; most recently, he served on the Board of his local library, where he provided leadership in fundraising and advocacy efforts. He is the founder of the Optometric Service Group, providing voluntary optometric services to developing and underserved countries. As a KTA Board member, Jack has a particular interest in expanding KTA membership to include, among others, young people and trail runners.
Jack is an optometrist in Malvern PA. In recent years, his outdoor interests have evolved from running and trail running to hiking and backpacking. As an avid hiker and backpacker, he “found” KTA and has been a frequent participant in slackpack and hiking weekend events. Jack brings extensive volunteer Board experience to KTA; most recently, he served on the Board of his local library, where he provided leadership in fundraising and advocacy efforts. He is the founder of the Optometric Service Group, providing voluntary optometric services to developing and underserved countries. As a KTA Board member, Jack has a particular interest in expanding KTA membership to include, among others, young people and trail runners.
Karen Lutz, Boiling Springs, PA
Karen’s love of the outdoors began at the age of two spending summers with family at Shawnee State Park. She served as the president of her high school outing club. During her college years she worked as a counselor at Girl Scout Camp Lycogis, as the trip director at a private camp in Maine, and director of a Youth Conservation Corps program at an NPS historic site in Cresson, PA. She has hiked and backpacked thousands of miles both on PA trails and in many National Parks. She is an A.T. 2000 miler, and a life member of both ATC and KTA.
Karen earned a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education from Lock Haven State College and a Master’s in Parks and Recreation from Penn State. She retired from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy in 2018, concluding a successful 30 year career as the director of ATC’s mid-Atlantic Region.
Karen’s love of the outdoors began at the age of two spending summers with family at Shawnee State Park. She served as the president of her high school outing club. During her college years she worked as a counselor at Girl Scout Camp Lycogis, as the trip director at a private camp in Maine, and director of a Youth Conservation Corps program at an NPS historic site in Cresson, PA. She has hiked and backpacked thousands of miles both on PA trails and in many National Parks. She is an A.T. 2000 miler, and a life member of both ATC and KTA.
Karen earned a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education from Lock Haven State College and a Master’s in Parks and Recreation from Penn State. She retired from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy in 2018, concluding a successful 30 year career as the director of ATC’s mid-Atlantic Region.
Representatives at Large
Joyce Appel, East Brady, PA
Chris Brubaker, Lancaster, PA
Diane Buscarini, Gouldsboro, PA
Jim Catozzi, Newton, PA
Carl Davis, Shippensburg, PA
Henry Frank, Philadelphia, PA
Joanne Heimer, Jersey Shore, PA
Kristin Joivell, Huntingdon, PA
Mary Ladish, Dallas, PA
Linda Enders Roxberry, Shillington, PA
Tom Schmick, Montoursville, PA
Jennifer Ulmer, Millville, PA
Joyce Appel, East Brady, PA
Chris Brubaker, Lancaster, PA
Diane Buscarini, Gouldsboro, PA
Jim Catozzi, Newton, PA
Carl Davis, Shippensburg, PA
Henry Frank, Philadelphia, PA
Joanne Heimer, Jersey Shore, PA
Kristin Joivell, Huntingdon, PA
Mary Ladish, Dallas, PA
Linda Enders Roxberry, Shillington, PA
Tom Schmick, Montoursville, PA
Jennifer Ulmer, Millville, PA