meet our 2010 Staff!

John Page

Sunny Cove's founders love for Alaska began in 1983 on a chance opportunity to test skis for Powder Magazine at the Ruth Glacier. While traveling Alaska John learned photography while writing a book about Wrangell-St.Elias, gained interpersonal skills serving as an Executive Director for several non-profits, guided kayaking trips in Prince William Sound and Kenai Fjords, and challenged his skiing abilities covering the World Extreme Skiing competitions in Valdez.

John's love for Alaskan life and natural beauty quickly becomes evident whenever he has an opportunity to share his anecdotes or an opportunity to get outside and play. His enthusiasm and unrelenting energy generates an excitement for the natural world to all who share experiences with him.

Stephanie Millane

Stephanie grew up in the woods of Wisconsin building forts, fishing, hunting and canoeing. She began working seasonally in the ski industry early in her 20's but needed to find a way to fill her summers. In 1998 she began her guiding career leading bicycling trips in SE AK and was eventually promoted to lead guide and assistant manager. After four years of bike trips Stephanie opted to go to river rafting guide school and to obtain a Wilderness First Responder certification in Haines, AK.

After two years of sales management and guiding river trips Stephanie found herself desiring to spend time with her family. One summer leading canoeing trips in WI prompted her to again head North. Stephanie is now in her 5th year with Sunny Cove as our Operations Manager.

Kat Chandler

Kat spent many years in Florida pursuing her many passions and working as a paralegal and then as a rep for an aerospace component company. Opportunities for sea kayaking, whitewater kayaking, camping, fishing, biking and hiking occupied Kat in her free time year round.

In 2004 Kat and a group of friends booked a custom kayak/camping trip with Sunny Cove into Northwestern Fjords. While there the vastness and beauty of the land and it's people inspired Kat. In 2006 she made the journey across the country to make Seward home. This will be Kat's 5th season with Sunny Cove as our Office Manager .

Audrey Gill

Audrey originally hails from Paonia, CO and grew up in an active family who had her camping, backpacking, fishing, skiing and floating rivers and lakes. While attending Colorado College she was a member of the Outdoor Recreational Committee and lead trips ranging from climbing the Colorado 14ers to the canyons of Utah.

Along the way Audrey has obtained her Wilderness First Responder, Basic Fire Fighting, Fire Safety and First Aid Coast Guard certificates. This will be her 6th summer in Alaska and 3rd summer in Seward. Her first three years in Alaska were in Talkeetna before moving to Seward. While in Seward worked as a deckhand before joining the Sunny Cove staff. This is her third season with Sunny Cove.

Brett Manary

Brett's interest in the outdoors began at a young age in northern Michigan where he first camped, fished, skied and paddled. At 18 he left Michigan moving to Glacier National Park in Montana and found he desired to be in the mountains. After a summer in Glacier Brett returned to Michigan to pursue an Outdoor Recreation Leadership and Management degree but made a point to spend his summers off in Grand Teton National Park.

Following school Brett found himself living in Hawaii guiding trips on the Wailua River and exploring the NaPali Coast. Eventually a desire to snowboard resulted in a move to Driggs, Idaho. The course of Brett's travels led him through both Outward Bound and NOLS courses and a Wilderness First Responder certification. This is Brett's third year guiding with Sunny Cove.

Gunnar Cantwell

Gunnar, originally from Texas, is currently finishing up his last semester at Alaska Pacific University. In April he will obtain a Bachelors in Outdoor Studies with a concentration in Snow and Avalanche Science. Over the past few years Gunnar has earned his Wilderness First Responder, Whitewater Rescue Technician, ACA Coastal Day Trip Leader, Leave No Trace and Avalanche Level I and II certifications.

Gunnar is currently a third year guide with Sunny Cove and also spent a season guiding sea kayaking tours in Whittier. He has extensive experience in snow science and is an avid back country skier. He finds a way to enjoy all the facets of Alaska whether it is by kayak, pack-rafting, backpacking, skiing or glacier trekking.

Kristen Sabransky

Kristen grew up in Ohio graduating from Kent State University with a Bachelors of Fine Arts. She has lived in many places including Grand Teton National Park, Hawaii, Idaho and Lake Tahoe.

Kristen joined Sunny Cove as a reservation specialist two seasons ago and will be a familiar face in our Adventure Center once again this summer. She is an avid hula hooper, loves live music and enjoys hiking, camping, snowboarding and traveling to new places.

Nick Allen

Nick grew up exploring the Northeast and eventually moved west to guide canoe trips through Minnesota and Wisconsin. After extensive travels through Mexico, Guatemala and Belize Nick found himself heading to Alaska to attend Alaska Pacific University. In April Nick will earn his Bachelors in Outdoors Studies complementing his Associates of Science Degree in Wilderness Recreation Leadership obtained from North Country Community College.

Nick enjoys Alaska's wilderness personally and professionally. He is an avid canoeist, kayaker, photographer, skier, hiker and recently adopted pack-rafting. Nick worked as a glacier and kayak guide in SE Alaska and is with Sunny Cove for his second season. Throughout his travels Nick earned his Wilderness First Responder, Leave No Trace Trainer and Whitewater Rescue Technician (Packraft Specific) certifications.

Brian Studiale

Brian was born and raised in the small city of Lakeland, FL.  He's been paddling on the Gulf of Mexico for as long as memory serves and is embarking on his first adventure to Alaska. 

Brian is a very recent college graduate.  During college he spent his summers between semesters as a rafting guide on the beautiful Ocoee River of Eastern Tennessee. Brian recently earned his WIlderness First Responder certification and is looking forward to his first summer with Sunny Cove.

joellyne mackinnon

Born in Wasilla, raised on moose meat and salmon, Jo's nothing like Sarah Palin. An artist at heart she enjoys creating, exploring new places and cultures, and making the most of life's moments. For the last four years Jo has divided her life between Alaska and Guatemala. Her passion for good coffee has made Sunny Cup the place to drink. A Sunny Cove employee for nearly 10 years - mostly as a guide, she now serves as chief barista and manager of Sunny Cup.

Michele Lacsamana

Michele, originally from Texas, received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art History from the University of Texas in Austin. She worked for various art museums for 10 years before beginning to work seasonally in national parks and ski areas in Washington state.

Her passion for travel has taken her to Patagonia, Egypt, Italy, Indonesia and many places in between. She enjoys yoga, hiking and camping, and is learning how to rock climb, ski and kayak. This is her second summer in Alaska and working for Sunny Cove.