Meet the Board
Meet our dedicated and passionate Board…
Alison French Steen
INRF President
Alison is the owner of Yellow Jacket River Guides, Inc. of Salmon, Idaho. She was born and raised in Idaho and spent much of her youth traveling the backcountry. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Fort Lewis College with a degree in Resource Policy and Management. Alison has worked with government agencies and non-profit organizations throughout the west on resource and conservation projects.
Amy Tonsmeire
INRF Board Member
Amy grew up in Salmon Idaho and is the daughter of Joe Tonsmeire, who established Wilderness River Outfitters in 1972. She, her brother Seth and her mom Fran now operate the business as WRO celebrates it’s 40th year in business. WRO operates wilderness trips on the Owyhee, Jarbidge, Bruneau, Middle Fork Flathead, South Fork Flathead, Middle Fork Salmon, Main Salmon, the Tatshenshini and Alsek Rivers in the states of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Alaska and Canada. Amy graduated in Graphic Design and business from Montana State University in Bozeman and returned to Salmon after checking out the Northwest and beyond in 2006. She now mananges a graphic design, screen printing and engraving studio in Salmon Idaho in the “off season”. She spends her free time on her favorite rivers, checking out new ones, traveling and spending time on her families cattle ranch in Lemhi, ID. The wilderness and wild rivers have always been a very important part of her life and she continues to help protect those places and our access to them by being involving in a variety of organizations including the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association and the Idaho Natural Resources Foundation.
Ari Kotler
INRF Board Member
Ari is the owner of S.O.A.R. Northwest River Co. on the Selway River. He has owned the business since 2010 and has been guiding since 1992. “Rivers are my passion, and I take great pride in sharing and protecting the wilderness resources.”
In 2005 Ari established a Non profit organization in Teton Valley Idaho and has successfully developed an ice skating rink for the local community. “I bring to the table a 10 yr history working in the Non Profit sector and a commitment to preserving the natural resources of Idaho.”
Darl Allred
INRF Board Member
Darl has been in the outfitting business for well over 30 years and for the past twenty-three years has owned and operated Sawtooth Wilderness Outfitters in Idaho. Darl states, “[I] feel that it is my responsibility to help preserve Idaho’s natural resource for further generations to enjoy.” He spends over 200 days a year in Idaho’s backcountry.
Dirk Gibson
INRF Board Member
Dirk grew up backpacking, horseback riding, fishing and river rafting in Idaho. He became a guide the year he turned eighteen and was able to be licensed. He now owns a river company on the Middle Fork of the Salmon that is based out of Stanley, Idaho. Dirk said, “It is a special privilege to be able to share these experiences with my family and our guests and friends from around the world. I joined the board of INRF to insure that the natural resources of Idaho are managed and maintained in the best way possible so that everyone will be able to access and enjoy these resources for generations.” Dirk has spent over 40 years enjoying and sharing Idaho’s incredible natural resources.
Ken Helfrich
INRF Board Member
Ken is a third generation Idaho outfitter. He started at ten years old helping his father in the family rafting business. In 1969 Ken became a swamper and as soon as he was old enough, he became licensed as a guide. As he grew up, Ken says, “I fell in love with the lifestyle …and bought the business in 2000. …I do what I do not for the money, but because I am living a dream and protecting the resource is very important to me.” Ken has a business that offers trips on the Middle Fork, the Main Salmon, and the Rogue and McKenzie in Oregon.
Steve Burson
INRF Board Member
No bio is currently available