About TBCA  

Kim Havell is a ski mountaineer and guide whose passion for adventure has taken her to all seven continents, with first descents on four—including in the Arctic and Antarctic. In the Tetons, in 2013, she made the first female descent of the Otter Body on the Grand Teton, and in 2014 she was the first woman to ski-guide the Grand. Kim guides for Exum Mountain Guides, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, and Ice Axe Expeditions worldwide, and holds advanced medical, avalanche, and rescue certifications.  Kim is also a founding board member of TBCA.

Gary Kofinas has explored the Tetons as a climber and ski mountaineer since 1976 and has pursued his passion for wild places internationally. He spent two decades as an instructor and Director of Travel Studies at the Interlocken Center for Experiential Learning in NH, and foundedTeewinot Institute in 1988. He holds a PhD in Resource Management and served as Co-Director of the Resilience & Adaptation Graduate Program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where he is now Professor Emeritus. Gary is a founding board member of TBCA and currently serves its Chair. 
 

Michael Parris has been passionate about skiing since childhood, earning his first ski pass revocation at age seven for straight-lining a trail in Pennsylvania. After moving to the Tetons in the early 1990s, he foundedIgneous Skis in Jackson, crafting custom skis and snowboards. A dedicated splitboarder and local craftsman, Michael - education

Tom Turiano is a backcountry ski guide, instructor, historian, and author dedicated to promoting safety and responsibility in the mountains. Since moving to Jackson in 1985, he has guided and taught for Snow King, Jackson Hole, Rendezvous Ski Tours, Jackson Hole Alpine Guides, and Exum Mountain Guides. Tom is the author of four guidebooks, including Teton Pass Ski Guide, Select Peaks of the Greater Yellowstone, and Backcountry Skiers’ Guide South.

(http://www.selectpeaks.com/).

He is a founding board member of TBCA and has served on the boards of the Wyoming Wilderness Association, American Packrafting Association, and Wyoming Public Lands Initiative, and i

Jed Porter is a guide and passionate mountain athlete who has built his career around ambitious mountain pursuits. He has guided since 1997. First, on foot and bike and, eventually, climbing and skiing. In 2013 he earned IFMGA guide certification, the 87th American to do so. About half of Jed's typical annual work rotation is on skis with the other half in climbing pursuits. Jed has a lovely small family (wife Rosie, daughter Charlie). His Teton passions date to a 2001 visit, but it took 14 more years to actually move there. To well-traveled Jed, the Tetons are the best ski destination in the country and his home. 

W. L. Lyons Brown, III is the founder and CEO of two boutique spirits companies, Altamar Brands and High n’ Wicked Fine Whiskies. Prior, he was Marketing Director for N. Europe and Sales Director for the United States for his family business, Brown-Forman Corporation. He has been an Entrepreneur-in Residence at three Universities including, Tulane, The University of Virginia and the University of Wyoming, where he remains active. Lyons was Chairman of the Board of St Margaret’s Episcopal School in Southern California and The College Foundation at the University of Virginia. He holds a BA and an MBA from UVA. 

Madison Rose Ostergren is a professional big-mountain skier and former NCAA Division I alpine racer based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. She has been featured in Warren Miller films, Volkl’s Beauty Full Send, and her own award-winning project Fuel. Known for tackling challenging lines and ski mountaineering objectives like the Grand Teton, Madison is also a year-round athlete and creative—writing music, climbing, trail running, and inspiring others with her authentic, adventurous approach to life.
 

For 25 years, Teton Pass ambassador Jay Pistono made almost-daily ascents of Mt Glory where he interacted with backcountry skiers to answer questions, promote responsible winter recreation, and resolve conflicts. Initially Jay held this role as a volunteer and later worked on Teton Pass as a Forest Service employee. Jay was a founding board member of TBCA, and starting in 2019 was field supervisor of TBCA’s team of Teton Pass Ambassadors. Jay’s career spanned decades prior to his ambassador years—as an adventurer, mountain guide, ski guide, and assistant to legendary mountaineer, Paul Petzoldt. Jay retired as the lead Teton Pass Ambassador in spring 2025 and passed away suddenly on September 17, 2025. His vision for Teton Pass as sacred place for sustainable winter recreation continues to inspire us every day. His presence is missed.