Staff Page Bio

Jan Guenther

Already a successful store owner and athlete in both Nordic skiing and triathlon, Jan moved to Minnesota and founded Gear West with her husband and former Swix and Fischer ski rep Brian Knutson, in 1991. Although GW started small, a commitment to excellent customer service, World Cup-level ski fit, and competitive pricing provided a bedrock for what is now the largest ski retailer in the United States. Celebrating over 31 years of business.

Brett Lovaas

Brett started working at Gear West in 2018. He began as a competitive swimmer at age six. His triathlon career started in 1986 and has competed every year since (you can do the math on how many years that is!).  Brett is married and has 2 kids.  When not training or working he likes to relax with a nice IPA and just kick his feet up!  He also really enjoys coffee and a good donut!!

Brian (Speedy) McCollar

Speedy has been selling running shoes since 1991 and really enjoys helping runners find the right shoes to reach their potential. He started working at Gear West in 1998 and rekindled his love of Cross Country skiing and since has spent my winters helping skiers find the best ski to achieve their dreams, whether it is racing the Birkie or skiing across Finland.

Corey Towle

After beating his entire elementary school in the mile (even the sixth graders!) fourth grade Corey knew he was going to be a runner. Almost 20 years later, he is still a runner, but he also skis, swims, and bikes. Look out for him in the elite wave of the Birkie Skate this year. At Gear West he manages our running department and is one of our shoe fit experts. In his spare time he loves coaching, from track and field to nordic skiing.

​David Chamberlain

David started Nordic skiing and racing in the mountains of western Maine when he was 7. After a whirlwind of travel and a ski racing career that saw him race at three World Championships with the US Ski Team, David settled down with his wife in Bloomington, MN to live a quieter life, tending garden and raising a son. David has worked in the ski industry for 10 years since his racing days and enjoys grinding and fitting skis. When not at the store David likes to be outdoors, biking, skiing and running or at home puttering around with his family. He also coaches juniors and adults with the Loppet Nordic Racing programs.

Dugan Buffington

Dugan works as a certified Master Boot Fitter for Gear West Ski and Bike. Dugan is a competitive skier, sailor and a retired charter captain on the great lakes. Before Gear West, Dugan spent 15 years as a boot fitter elsewhere and worked at the Bell Museum of National History teachhing geology, biology, and the natural history of dinosaurs. Dugan has four beautiful kids.

Jeff Perry

Jeff grew up in a small town in Northeast Iowa and loved to be outside: riding bikes, skateboarding, camping and sledding and XC skiing in the winter. When Jeff was 13 he saw snowboarding for the 1st time and had to try it. After that, he was hooked and didn't look back. Jeff moved to Utah to snowboard when he was 19 and has been lucky enough to meet and shred with most his childhood snowboarding heroes. Over the years Jeff coached, judged, and managed a snowboard shop. He also spent a bunch of time exploring all that Utah has to offer (Brighton and Snowbird are his favorite resorts) but backcountry is where it is at.

 

 

Kip Spaude

Kip has worked in the bike industry for an unknown, mysterious amount of years. He's honestly 3 degress from anyone in the bike industry and has a "he's my favorite bike mechanic" cult like following. Kip and his dog Marley protect the coffee pods in the bike service department and keep our service product shelves nice and stocked. Much like Big Foot, photos of Kip are extremely rare.

Lucas Evans

Life-long skier, wannabe gravel cyclist, and Hawaiian shirt advocate. Passing my passion for floral patterns and euro carves onto my daughter Kaia and wife Kate. Interests include (but not limited to) tacos, doodling, Fanny packs and high fives. Born in Utah, raised in Colorado, new to the Midwest. Grew up in the outdoor industry and amorous about being outside. Spent a big chunk of my young adulthood chasing Slopestyle and big air competitions all over North America, Europe and a few occasions down under in New Zealand. Aspiring to ski powder in Japan and own a camper van.

Lori Henrich

Lori is a Jack (or is it Jill?) of all trades in both her work life and personal life. At the store, she works the floor and helps with stocking whenever she isn't acting as the gatekeeper to the Gear West inventory via her newest role as the receiving manager. Her most recent task was running in the clouds in a dress. Outside of work, she likes to think there are more than 24 hours in a day and nothing she can’t do, or at least attempt. This includes running, skiing, cycling, playing volleyball, tennis, kayaking, cooking, gardening and anything else anyone suggests that sounds fun. With her 3rd child of 4 graduating high school this year, she decided to get a puppy as she was worried the house would get too quiet.

Mark Osell

One of our expert boot fitters, Mark's goal is fit, focused on making foot beds for not only our alpine customers, but our Nordic and biking customers as well.  Mark started his alpine retail career in 1968, where he sold skis and mounted bindings.  In the 80's Mark worked for several Ski companies as a technician and salesman; tuning skis and testing demo skis.  To add to his reputable career, Mark ran the Ski Company in Michigan, focused on buying products and fitting foot beds.  After a ski hiatus, Mark worked in the IT department for 16 years, until recently when he joined our Alpine team; you may even see him in our Bike and Tri store, creating custom foot beds.  In his free time, Mark is an avid skier, traveling the country to shred some powder, as well as an avid fat and snow tire biker.

 

Sean Mulheron

Sean had a sweet mullet back in his college days and he could offen be seen driving up and down Lincoln Way in his IROC Z blasting Def Leapord while he skipped classes at ISU. Aside from mullet maintenance, Sean was a collegiate athlete in track, has completed a few Ironman triathlons, and digs getting out on two wheels. Sean orders stuff for Gear West and is also radical, gnarly, and choice.

 

Tim Shea

Starting off as a roadie grew into mountain bikes and gravel as main discipline. Tim did a three-month bike tour starting in Minneapolis and ending in San Francisco navigating through the badlands of South Dakota, Yellowstone, Glacier National Park, the Cascades, Olympia National Park and finally down the coast of Washington and Orgon as well as part of California. - Camping the entire way. Avid cyclist, snowboarder and beer drinker.

Todd Steigerwald

Todd started in the ski industry in 1986 waxing skis and mounting bindings. He has been involved in the bike industry since 2006. His favorite riding place in the twin cities is Elm Creek Park. Todd's favorite ski area is Winter Park. When not at work Tod enjoys spending his free time doing home repairs, gardening, and working on classic cars.

Weni Morin

Wendi is our Gait Analysis Guru, or better known as "The Shoe Whisperer." When she's not working hard to find you the best shoes, she is busy spending time with her horses.

 

Brodie

Brodie is our E-Commerce Manager.