For more information about Bridges, please contact the wonderful Jane Stein at 907-260-3800

Or write to:   Bridges Community Resource Network, Inc.  PO Box 1612  Soldotna, Alaska  99669

President:  David Thomas - Chair of the Alternative Energy Committee

David first met Matti during Shakespeare productions and music festivals at the Diamond-M Ranch – he was always active, cheerful, and barefoot!  David works as an environmental engineer and serve on the HEA board, work which brought him into contact with Blair Martin had his efforts to creatively solve problems at the Ranch.  David Thomas was so struck by Matti’s tragic death in part because his 9-year-old had played with 9-year-old Matti and because his family has lost a son as well.  David tries to use his experience overseeing programs at LeeShore Center for 8 years and his knowledge of budgets and governance to help Matti’s Farm have an ever-increasing role in helping the children of our area.  

 

Vice-President: Robert Peterkin II - Chair of the Fundraising Committee

Robert was born in Anchorage, Alaska in 1968 and has lived in Kenai ever since.  Robert, a 1987 Kenai Central High School   graduate, started R&K Industrial inc. in 1988 and was president of the company until 2004 when he sold the company to ASRC. Today, Robert is a 50% owner of Atigun Inc, Metalizing Inc., and M&R Properties. He is also a past president of the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and the Kenai Petroleum Club.  Currently, along with Matti's Farm, he is president of the Kenai Peninsula Youth Foundation (KPYF) which owns the Kenai River Brown Bears, a Junior A hockey team. Along with serving on the Board at Cook Inlet RCAC and KPYF, Robert sits on the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce board. He regularly attends Kenai Christian Church with his three awesome children Craig, Elisabeth and Jolie. As a proud father, his main interest is spending time with his children; however, he also enjoy the outdoors, mushroom hunting, fishing, boating, six-wheeling, and, of course, snow machining.  

 

Secretary/Treasurer:  Blair Martin -Chair of Resource Conservation&Development Council

Blair has been involved in agriculture and family farming from the moment he was born.   Blair raised the first Grand Champion of Market Livestock Steer in the state of Alaska.  As a young man, Blair was an US Army Helicopter Crew Chief from 1984-1987 (South Korea and Fort Hood).  With a degree in secondary education, Blair taught 6th-12th grade in the Alaska Native village of Sleetmut.  Now owner of Diamond M Ranch Resort (1997 to present), Blair has been an active Board member of the Borough Planning Commission and the Resource Conservation and Development District.  An outside-of-the-box thinker, Blair Martin is delighted to be a part of Matti's Farm, working to give young people in hopeless situations the chance to have a vibrant future that being raised on a farm provides.  

 

Director: Timothy Gillis - Chair of Foster Care Committee

Tim Gillis is the Director of Nakenu Family Services, a Mental Health Clinician with New Hope Counseling Center and also runs a private counseling practice.  Passionate about foster care, with both professional and personal experience working with children in foster care situations, Timothy is a valuable addition to the Matti's Farm team.    

 

 

Director:  Carrol Martin - Chair of Ag in the Classroom Committee

Carrol Martin was born on a farm in Bayfield, CO.  He has been involved in 4-H as a member and leader since he was 9 years old.  Having taught school in Metlakatla, AK from 1963 to 1965, the family determined that they wanted to make Alaska their permament home.  JoAnne was hired by the Cooperative Extension Service (Juneau Office) in 1972.  Carrol bought a WWII tug boat and barge and he and nine year old Blair moved their Colorado farm to Juneau in 1973 (see picture on left). They settled on the Kenai Peninsula in 1974, buying property at their current location in 1975.  Carrol has always been strongly interested in the well-being of all youth, feeling that working with animals and agriculture is an excellent way to grow up responsible, productive and happy kids. A past member of the Alaska Board of Agriculture, The Matanuska Maid Creamery Board, The Kenai Peninsula State Fair Board and other Ag related organizations he is currently a member of the American Quarter Horse Association, the Grange and the Kenai Peninsula 4-H Livestock Advisory Committee.  A firm believer in the benefits of Ag in the Classroom, Carrol uses his enthusiasm and warm-hearted spirit to help make our community a better place for all.