ISHOF Inductees - 2019

Christine Jourdain Barker - Program Developer & Club Organizer
Howell, Michigan

Christine Jourdain Barker - 2019 Inductee to International Snowmobile Hall of Fame (ISHOF) - Eagle River, WI
Christine Jourdain Barker
Born into a snowmobiling family has given Christine Jourdain Barker from Howell, MI, a lifetime of involvement into the sport. In 1995, the American Council of Snowmobile Associations, ACSA, was formed and she was chosen as its Executive  Director, a position she continues to hold 24 years later. During that time Christine provided dedicated and tireless leadership to the advancement of snowmobiling through the state associations, development of leadership skills, advocating land use and access and the creation of national partnerships with numerous other outdoor land use groups. She has created and organizes the "ACSA Fly-In" in Washington, D.C. that each year brings snowmobilers from across the nation to meet, face-to-face, with over 250 of their legislators. She schedules all of these meetings, along with additional seminars with US government agency officials to educate snowmobile association attendees. Another of her programs is the "Enlightenment Rides" that take members of the US Forest Service on rides to educate them about snowmobile issues affecting the National Forests. There are numerous other programs she manages along with her skillful management of the daily duties of managing ACSA. Whatever they are, Christine can be found not only "in the middle" but also "front and center" of the action. ACSA has since grown to become known as the "Voice of US snowmobiling". For her tireless devotion to the snowmobilers of ACSA, Christine Jourdain is being inducted into the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame, Class of 2019.

Les Ollila - Trail & Program Developer
Grand Rapids, Minnesota

Les Ollila - 2019 Inductee to International Snowmobile Hall of Fame (ISHOF) - Eagle River, WI
Les Ollila
One of the brightest lights in Minnesota's trail development and building is Les Ollila. The Grand Rapids native spent 36 years in their DNR before retiring in 2011. A lifetime advocate for trails, Les continues to push for improved trail systems in the state even in his retirement. As a staunch advocate for trails, he was a major player right from the start in the development of the 165 mile long Taconite State Trail that took several years to finish.  Other trails he was instrumental in developing are the Arrowhead and C.J. Ramstad North Shore State Trails that are premier trails in the state.  Today Minnesota offers over 22,000 miles of funded trails, many of which Les had a hand in developing.  While he worked mainly in the MN DNR Region 2 of Northeast Minnesota, his influence on trail programs can be seen throughout the state. In addition, Les organized groomer demos which have grown to statewide proportions, along with Governor Rides with legislators, Innkeeper Rides and support of other rides to educate non-snowmobilers about the sport and its influence on the economy. While he is retired from active duty with the MN DNR, Les continues his efforts to improve the state's snowmobile trail systems by still serving on many committees and snowmobile trail building organizations. This dedication to the sport has seen him being the recipient of numerous awards honoring his service. Now Les Ollila can add one more award as he is being inducted into the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame for the Class of 2019. 

Don & Diane Reed - Volunteers
Curtis, Michigan

Don & Diane Reed - 2019 Inductee to International Snowmobile Hall of Fame (ISHOF) - Eagle River, WI
Don & Diane Reed
Snowmobiling started for this couple while they were stationed at the KI Sawyer Air Force Base in the UP of Michigan.  What has followed is a 21 year commitment by both of them to promote and expand the sport in the Seney area of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Following their military retirement, they have taken this very small and almost unnoticed town and turned it into a Mecca for snowmobilers. Don has worked his way up through the local club and regional levels to having served the Michigan Snowmobile Association as president. During all this time, Diane has been at his side with her knowledge of computers and a special talent for coordinating the numerous events they have created. Diane many times is behind the scenes but still front and center of the action. Just one of their numerous events is the Snowmobile Veterans Ride, which in 14 years has grown to over 350 participants and is now the largest such event in the US.  Both Don and Diane spearhead this event. They also run the annual Groomer's Ball and groomer show. Don is the area Trail Boss and has trained 25 groomer operators, served 10 years on the BOD of MSA, rewrote the DNR Grant-in-Aid Handbook, served as vice-chair of the Mid-West Chapter of the American Council of Snowmobile Associations and served many other numerous snowmobile organizations with his skilled knowledge and dedication to the sport. Diane and Don live and breathe snowmobiling 24/7/52 with an infectious enthusiasm that they are quick to share. They work as a well organized and very talented team in all their endeavors. It is for this reason they are being inducted together into the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame, Class of 2019.

Wally Thill - Volunteer
Fredonia, Wisconsin

Wally Thill - 2019 Inductee to International Snowmobile Hall of Fame (ISHOF) in Eagle River, Wisconsin
Wally Thill
As a loyal employee of Mercury Marine when they made their first snowmobiles back in 1968, Wally Thill bought his first snowmobile. He soon became involved in organized snowmobiling and became a Director for the newly formed Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs (AWSC).  That was 50 years ago and he remains a Director today. With his 50 years of service to the AWSC, Wally has championed the sport from the grass roots of its formation and early struggles through its many legislative victories and has been at the front of each effort. In the early days of the AWSC, Wally was instrumental in the forming of many area clubs. Always promoting safe and responsible snowmobiling, he recognized the importance and value of clubs and organized snowmobilers. Wally has served many years as Chairman of the AWSC Legislative Committee, Insurance Committee and also Audit Committee where his financial skills are utilized. A realtor by vocation, Wally also is active in politics and the betterment of his community. He started an area wide Ambulance/EMS service, became an EMT and served as Commission Chairperson of the service. Noted as a man of extreme character, Wally is well respected by his peers and associates. Along with his wife, Mary Ann, Wally is a tireless worker for his community and the promotion of the sport of snowmobiling. His 50 years of dedicated service prove this attribute. For this, Wally Thill is now being inducted into the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame, Class of 2019.

ISHOF Snowmobile Club of the Year 2019
Barnstormers of Sayner, Inc.
Sayner, Wisconsin

Born in 1967 in Henry Sayner's barn - thus the name Barnstormers, and chartered in 1969, this club now celebrates 50 years of life. Its original 37 members have now grown to over 280. They come from all over the snowbelt and four states. The club grooms 80 miles of trails, 95% of which are located on DNR land. Their location is central to six different towns giving them the name "The Hub of Vilas County" as their trails all interconnect with these towns. Grooming funds come from five yearly fundraisers with some of the proceeds also being donated to six different local charities. A website keeps members and snowmobilers informed of the club's activities. Being located in Sayner, home of the Eliason snowmobile, the first personal sized snowmobile built in 1924 and on display there, helps the club bring many visitors to their trails. The Sayner Barnstormers are the International Snowmobile Club of the Year for 2019.  For more information on the Sayner Barnstormers, visit www.saynerbarnstormers.com

ISHOF Dealer of the Year 2019 - sponsored by Snow Goer
Rob's Performance Motorsports
Johnson Creek, Wisconsin

This Ski-Doo dealership can count 35 years of award winning sales and service to its customers. Located in the small town of Johnson Creek in Southern Wisconsin, its reputation for quality spreads throughout the state. Rob Strauss, owner, strongly believes in the value of clubs as being necessary for the sport to grow, prosper and survive. Over 90% of the dealership's many Team Members are members of area snowmobile clubs. Over 40 area clubs and associations have benefited from his generosity to the tune of more than $10,000 in contributions for support this past year alone. The dealership has won 17 Ski-Doo District, 7 Ski-Doo Regional and 4 Ski-Doo National Dealer of the Year awards. Now Rob can add one more award, the International Snowmobile Dealer of the Year for 2019 to this amazing dealership's success story. For more information on Rob's Performance Motorsports. visit www.robsperformance.com.