Contact Us

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The Friends of the Betsie Valley Trail (FBVT) is a non-profit charitable corporation guided by the following mission:

“To advocate, promote and encourage the development and successful operation of the Betsie Valley Trail in partnership with the Betsie Valley Trail Management Council.”

The Friends of the Betsie Valley Trail Board welcomes questions, comments or suggestions from Trail users. Our current Board membership is as follows:

2020-2021 Board Members

Jed Maker, President (262) 492-5169
Tom Jackson, Vice President (616) 874-7143
Doug Cook, Treasurer (231) 871-0503
Kris Welty, Secretary (231) 352-9535
Beth Roethler (602) 818-2649
John Rothhaar (231) 383-5738
Bill Skaff (303) 720-2377
Julie Willams (231) 871-0067
Fred Stransky (231) 383-0056

To contact one of the foregoing by email, click on the person’s name. Here are some possible areas of inquiry:

2018-2019 Board

From left – Jed Maker (Pres.), Julie Williams, Bryce Dreeszen (former), Roger Perry (former), Kris Welty (Sec.), Beth Roethler, John Rothhaar, Tom Jackson (VP), Bill Skaff. Not pictured are Doug Cook (Treas.) and Fred Stransky.

  • To subscribe to our e-newsletter or to make a general inquiry email us at info@betsievalleytrail.org
  • Trail brochures with maps are available at the Benzie County Chamber of Commerce, 826 Michigan Ave. in Benzonia (231) 882-5801
  • General questions about use of the Trail or volunteering on a project involving the Trail contact our Trail Care Coordinator John Rothhaar (231) 383-5738 (or contact any of our Board members)
  • Please direct media inquires, picture submissions, story ideas, etc. to Public Relations Manager Jim Gribble (231) 227-1164
  • To become a member or make a donation, visit our Donation page and follow the easy instructions.
  • To inquire about making a tax-deductible contribution to FBVT or the William R. Olsen Endowment Fund, contact Jed Maker, President.

The Trail is owned by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and is operated and maintained by Benzie County. The Friends of the Betsie Valley Trail (FBVT) is a Michigan not for profit corporation formed in 1993 “to advocate, promote and encourage the development and successful operation of a recreational trail on the former Ann Arbor Railroad corridor in Benzie County.” FBVT is a benevolent friend of the trail. It supports the efforts of the DNR and County and intends to see that the trail is maintained and enjoyed.