ABSF Board Candidate: Kathie Schaus Pautsch

Hello fellow skiers and silent sport lovers! I am running for the ABSF BOD because I fully embrace the Birkie lifestyle and would be honored to continue to donate my time and talents to the foundation.

I am a pediatrician working for Marshfield Clinic for 30 years, practicing in Hayward after transferring from the Chippewa Falls Center 10 years ago. I love living and working in this beautiful area. I am married to Greg Pautsch; we have a blended family of 6 children and 8 grandchildren! I truly enjoy caring for children and families, as well as participating in and supporting silent sports of all types. I have been involved in silent sport events for 40 years: as an athlete, a volunteer, and as a race director. I have had the honor of being an ABSF board member for the last six years. As such, I have learned much about the ABSF and all that it represents and stands for. This has made me even more enthusiastic about the Foundation and my desire to continue to promote and advocate for it. I would be very honored to continue to serve another term as a board member.

Being a part of the ABSF board has been a great experience. I am a very dedicated and active board member. I have attended every meeting and consistently volunteer for and participate in our Birkie events. I have been secretary of the board for the past 4 years and am a member of the Documentation and Development Committees. I also am a board member and secretary for the LWC (Lumberjack World Championship) with whom the ABSF supports.

My goals for the ABSF:

Never lose focus on the trail! We have a world class trail, and it is essential to take care of it.
Continue to improve and expand snowmaking, which will become more vital to future generations.
Continue to focus on and expand our efforts to be green.
Keeping youth excited about skiing and silent sports and supporting the Birkie One effort.

I am most excited about the development of Mount Telemark. So much has happened at Telemark since I first became a board member. Purchasing the land, demolition of the lodge (while saving some relics), creating a conservancy for a large portion of the land are all accomplished. Now we are in the process of redevelopment of the Telemark Property with recreational possibilities for all ages. The next goal is to build a community center to be the “Base Camp” of Mount Telemark. I would love to serve on the board for another term to help bring this incredible vision to a reality for all to enjoy.

As a participant in the Birkie events and a silent sport lover, I am out on the trail a lot! I enjoy talking to fellow skiers/bikers/outdoor enthusiasts to solicit ideas, concerns, and suggestions and bring them to the Birkie Board.

“Ski. Run. Bike. Live!” That is the lifestyle that I embrace and what Birkie means to me. If re-elected, I promise to continue live up to the commitment of being a good steward to American Birkebeiner Trail and all that it stands for.