Vermont Outdoor Guide Association Board Members
Vermont Outdoor Guide Association Board of Directors works to affect Vermont's recreation policies and promotes our outdoor activities and professionals to the general public.
If you are interested in advancing outdoor professional leadership and services as well as promoting Vermont's outdoor recreation industry, consider joining our board of directors. We are always looking for motivated individuals who can contribute to the growth of our organization and the recreation industry. Contact Gray at info@voga.org.
Vermont Outdoor Guide Association Board of Directors works to affect Vermont's recreation policies and promotes our outdoor activities and professionals to the general public.
If you are interested in advancing outdoor professional leadership and services as well as promoting Vermont's outdoor recreation industry, consider joining our board of directors. We are always looking for motivated individuals who can contribute to the growth of our organization and the recreation industry. Contact Gray at info@voga.org.
President
Captain Matthew Trombley, 2023
Matthew Trombley is the owner & operator of 3rd Alarm Charters & Guide Service, offering Fishing Charters & Guide Services year-round in Vermont & New York. Matt holds a 100 ton U.S.C.G. Master Captains License offering trolling charters on Lakes Champlain & Ontario as well as the Hudson River. He also guides bass & pike fishing trips in Vermont and trout & salmon trips on the Salmon River of New York. Matt grew up fishing & hunting in Vermont, New York & New England and has been guiding trips on these waters for the last 12 years. Matt is also a 30 year Veteran of the Fire Service as he has spent the last 22 yrs as a career firefighter with the City of Burlington Vt. Matt has an associates degree in Fire Science, is a Nationally Registered Advanced EMT as well as a State of Vermont & NFA Fire Training Instructor. Matt is completing his guide license in New York & Maine & intends to be operating his guide service full time with his son, Logan in the next two years! Matt has been a member of VOGA since January, 2013. www.3rdalarmcharters.com
Vice President - Open
Secretary
Thom Richards (TR) 2026
TR's career includes over 40 years in radio broadcasting in areas ranging from play-by-play sports, ad copywriting, and news reporting to sales, management, and announcing in genres from pop to oldies to country. Co-hosting and producing WOKO’s ‘The Great Outdoors Show’ allowed him to share his enthusiasm for hunting and fishing – especially for tasty lake trout. Thom served on the board of First Night Burlington and volunteered for the Humane Society of Chittenden County. A New Hampshire native, Thom adopted Monkton, Vermont as his new home in 1989, became an EMT for Monkton First Response, and provided a top-secret service to his town every Christmas season giving joy to generations of children. For most of his life he has been enjoying stories: reading them, listening to them and especially sharing them by writing and speaking. Now in retirement, he still stays curious about people and nature. Fishing, photography and hunting are his favorite hobbies.
Treasurer
Matt Kihm, 2024
260 Chrissy's Ct., Bristol, VT 05443,
Matthew Kihm was a licensed outdoor guide in NY, leading back country camping trips, canoeing trips and outdoor climbing trips for Petra Cliffs in Burlington, Vermont. He was also the director of outdoor programming at the Boys and Girls Club of Burlington for ten years. Currently, he is a lead computer technician for Champlain Valley School District. He coaches the middle school cross country team and was the coordinator for the Bolton Valley after school ski and ride program for 14 years. He enjoys hunting, fishing, snowboarding, mountain biking and spending time with his wife and three children.
Member At Large
Karen Guile Caron, 2023
Stable Connections, Equine Assisted Therapy, CEO & Founder
Karen graduated in 1980 with a degree in Physical Therapy, and attended Lyndon State College working towards her degree in Special Education with a minor in Psychology. Her desire to work with horses and at-risk youth lead Karen to become the first person to become Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) Certified in both the States of Vermont and New Hampshire. In 2009, Stable Connections made its home on land owned by Karen in Guildhall, Vermont. Karen is originally from the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. She learned how to fish with her grandfather on Maidstone Lake and worked as a guide at the Fly Rod Shop in Stowe, VT for 6 years. She started the "Fly Girls Of Stowe" Fishing Club. She is one of the founding members of Hope on the Rise and currently the Board President. Karen has also taught fly fishing classes at Doe Camp for several years. https://stableconnections.com/
Wendy Conway, 2025
32 Bay Road, Colchester, VT 05446
* Official Liaison for Doe Camp Nation
Wendy Conway MD, FACOG is an Assistant Professor at the University of Vermont. She serves as an OB/GYN hospitalist at the University of Vermont Medical Center. Wendy (Irelan) Conway has worked at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center serving as an OB/GYN Physician from January 2014 to November 2015; Dartmouth Hitchcock Putnam Physicians from January 2014 to November 2015; and Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth (Clinical Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology from April 2014 to November 2015). She served as an OB/GYN Active Duty Physician in the United States Air Force at the Rank of Major from August 2007 to December 2013. She has a committed interest in the outdoors and enjoys fishing and hiking.
Steve Kaulback, 2024
P.O. Box 45, N. Ferrisburg, VT 05473
Steve Kaulback has a Degree BFA from Pratt Institute, Brooklyn in photography and print-making. Faculty member at Pratt 1971. He came to visit the Shakespeare festival at UVM 1973 and couldn't tear himself away. Steve became a wood craftsman, cider presser, and finally a row and sail boat designer and manufacturer. He founded Adirondack Guide Boat in 1979 and has made over 3,000 boats and appeared at 300+ boat and craft shows from Florida to Washington State. His boats have won numerous awards including the H.I. Chapelle Trophy from the Antique Boat Show in Clayton, New York. Presently he is building and designing boats as Kaulback Designs in N. Ferrisburgh, Vt. www.facebook.com/boat.thumper/
Recently Retired:
Bill Atkinson, 2022- Recently Retired from Board
Founder, EleMental Edge Training, 1127 North Avenue, Suite 27, Box 131, Burlington, VT. 05408,
As a Navy SEAL for twenty years, and later as a mentor for physical and mental preparation for men and women in the U.S. Navy’s Delayed Enlistment Program (DEP) for SEAL, SWCC, EOD, DIVER, and AIR RESCUE, Bill learned not only about the physical demands of combat situations, but also about emotional intelligence training. Bill founded EleMental Edge Training, a corporate training service that can be tailored to individuals, groups, or your entire organization. He offers single-day or multi-day programs that are designed to your specific needs and desired goals and objectives. www.elementaledgetraining.com
Kel Rossiter - 2022 - Recently Retired from Board
Adventure Spirit
Statewide and Beyond
Rock + Ice + Alpine Experiences
Adventure Spirit works with individuals and group adventure partners in creating rock, ice, and alpine experiences that are personally meaningful and fulfilling.
Executive Director
Graydon B. Stevens,
VOGA, P.O. Box 10, N. Ferrisburgh, VT. 05473, Phone: 802-425-6211 Email: gray@voga.org
Vermont Outdoor Guide Association – Co-Founder and Executive Director, 1996 to present
Outdoors Woman Inc. - Founder and Executive Director 2017 - 2018
Vermont Outdoors Woman – includes Doe Camp –Executive Director, 2000 to 2018
Adventure Guides of Vermont – Sole Proprietor/Founder 1994 to 2018
Legal Council
Thomas P. Aicher, Cleary Shahi Associates, P.O. Box 6740, Rutland VT 05702-6740, Phone: 802-775-8800
Special Counsel to VOGA. Tom specializes in risk management and insurance issues.
Captain Matthew Trombley, 2023
Matthew Trombley is the owner & operator of 3rd Alarm Charters & Guide Service, offering Fishing Charters & Guide Services year-round in Vermont & New York. Matt holds a 100 ton U.S.C.G. Master Captains License offering trolling charters on Lakes Champlain & Ontario as well as the Hudson River. He also guides bass & pike fishing trips in Vermont and trout & salmon trips on the Salmon River of New York. Matt grew up fishing & hunting in Vermont, New York & New England and has been guiding trips on these waters for the last 12 years. Matt is also a 30 year Veteran of the Fire Service as he has spent the last 22 yrs as a career firefighter with the City of Burlington Vt. Matt has an associates degree in Fire Science, is a Nationally Registered Advanced EMT as well as a State of Vermont & NFA Fire Training Instructor. Matt is completing his guide license in New York & Maine & intends to be operating his guide service full time with his son, Logan in the next two years! Matt has been a member of VOGA since January, 2013. www.3rdalarmcharters.com
Vice President - Open
Secretary
Thom Richards (TR) 2026
TR's career includes over 40 years in radio broadcasting in areas ranging from play-by-play sports, ad copywriting, and news reporting to sales, management, and announcing in genres from pop to oldies to country. Co-hosting and producing WOKO’s ‘The Great Outdoors Show’ allowed him to share his enthusiasm for hunting and fishing – especially for tasty lake trout. Thom served on the board of First Night Burlington and volunteered for the Humane Society of Chittenden County. A New Hampshire native, Thom adopted Monkton, Vermont as his new home in 1989, became an EMT for Monkton First Response, and provided a top-secret service to his town every Christmas season giving joy to generations of children. For most of his life he has been enjoying stories: reading them, listening to them and especially sharing them by writing and speaking. Now in retirement, he still stays curious about people and nature. Fishing, photography and hunting are his favorite hobbies.
Treasurer
Matt Kihm, 2024
260 Chrissy's Ct., Bristol, VT 05443,
Matthew Kihm was a licensed outdoor guide in NY, leading back country camping trips, canoeing trips and outdoor climbing trips for Petra Cliffs in Burlington, Vermont. He was also the director of outdoor programming at the Boys and Girls Club of Burlington for ten years. Currently, he is a lead computer technician for Champlain Valley School District. He coaches the middle school cross country team and was the coordinator for the Bolton Valley after school ski and ride program for 14 years. He enjoys hunting, fishing, snowboarding, mountain biking and spending time with his wife and three children.
Member At Large
Karen Guile Caron, 2023
Stable Connections, Equine Assisted Therapy, CEO & Founder
Karen graduated in 1980 with a degree in Physical Therapy, and attended Lyndon State College working towards her degree in Special Education with a minor in Psychology. Her desire to work with horses and at-risk youth lead Karen to become the first person to become Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) Certified in both the States of Vermont and New Hampshire. In 2009, Stable Connections made its home on land owned by Karen in Guildhall, Vermont. Karen is originally from the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. She learned how to fish with her grandfather on Maidstone Lake and worked as a guide at the Fly Rod Shop in Stowe, VT for 6 years. She started the "Fly Girls Of Stowe" Fishing Club. She is one of the founding members of Hope on the Rise and currently the Board President. Karen has also taught fly fishing classes at Doe Camp for several years. https://stableconnections.com/
Wendy Conway, 2025
32 Bay Road, Colchester, VT 05446
* Official Liaison for Doe Camp Nation
Wendy Conway MD, FACOG is an Assistant Professor at the University of Vermont. She serves as an OB/GYN hospitalist at the University of Vermont Medical Center. Wendy (Irelan) Conway has worked at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center serving as an OB/GYN Physician from January 2014 to November 2015; Dartmouth Hitchcock Putnam Physicians from January 2014 to November 2015; and Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth (Clinical Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology from April 2014 to November 2015). She served as an OB/GYN Active Duty Physician in the United States Air Force at the Rank of Major from August 2007 to December 2013. She has a committed interest in the outdoors and enjoys fishing and hiking.
Steve Kaulback, 2024
P.O. Box 45, N. Ferrisburg, VT 05473
Steve Kaulback has a Degree BFA from Pratt Institute, Brooklyn in photography and print-making. Faculty member at Pratt 1971. He came to visit the Shakespeare festival at UVM 1973 and couldn't tear himself away. Steve became a wood craftsman, cider presser, and finally a row and sail boat designer and manufacturer. He founded Adirondack Guide Boat in 1979 and has made over 3,000 boats and appeared at 300+ boat and craft shows from Florida to Washington State. His boats have won numerous awards including the H.I. Chapelle Trophy from the Antique Boat Show in Clayton, New York. Presently he is building and designing boats as Kaulback Designs in N. Ferrisburgh, Vt. www.facebook.com/boat.thumper/
Recently Retired:
Bill Atkinson, 2022- Recently Retired from Board
Founder, EleMental Edge Training, 1127 North Avenue, Suite 27, Box 131, Burlington, VT. 05408,
As a Navy SEAL for twenty years, and later as a mentor for physical and mental preparation for men and women in the U.S. Navy’s Delayed Enlistment Program (DEP) for SEAL, SWCC, EOD, DIVER, and AIR RESCUE, Bill learned not only about the physical demands of combat situations, but also about emotional intelligence training. Bill founded EleMental Edge Training, a corporate training service that can be tailored to individuals, groups, or your entire organization. He offers single-day or multi-day programs that are designed to your specific needs and desired goals and objectives. www.elementaledgetraining.com
Kel Rossiter - 2022 - Recently Retired from Board
Adventure Spirit
Statewide and Beyond
Rock + Ice + Alpine Experiences
Adventure Spirit works with individuals and group adventure partners in creating rock, ice, and alpine experiences that are personally meaningful and fulfilling.
Executive Director
Graydon B. Stevens,
VOGA, P.O. Box 10, N. Ferrisburgh, VT. 05473, Phone: 802-425-6211 Email: gray@voga.org
Vermont Outdoor Guide Association – Co-Founder and Executive Director, 1996 to present
Outdoors Woman Inc. - Founder and Executive Director 2017 - 2018
Vermont Outdoors Woman – includes Doe Camp –Executive Director, 2000 to 2018
Adventure Guides of Vermont – Sole Proprietor/Founder 1994 to 2018
Legal Council
Thomas P. Aicher, Cleary Shahi Associates, P.O. Box 6740, Rutland VT 05702-6740, Phone: 802-775-8800
Special Counsel to VOGA. Tom specializes in risk management and insurance issues.