HALEY SLONE — RACE ROUSTABOUT Haley worked three seasons at Grizzle-T Dog and Sled Works in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, whose owner and operator, Kris Hoffman, had run the Iditarod in 2011. “Every second of every day working for Kris was dynamic and exciting,” she says. Living in a small trailer next to 115 dogs, it’s no exaggeration to say that she “lived, breathed, and slept sled dogs. And one day Kris showed up on her porch with a coyote skin and his grandma’s beaver coat and asked her to make fur collars for the dogs. She did, and they were a big hit with the dogs. “I jumped on the opportunity to volunteer at the Stage Stop race. That volunteering has earned me the privilege of traveling with the race crew for the first time, and I can’t wait for it to begin!”
	SEAN McNELIS — STAGE COORDINATOR Sean is a carpenter who lives in Wilson, Wyoming with his wife and two rescue dogs, Dorito and Giblet. “They keep us plenty busy, and I can’t imagine having a kennel.” When not on the race circuit, Sean builds homes in Jackson, Wyoming. “I love the passion and dedication of the mushers, handlers, and everyone else which makes it easy to give my all to help ensure they have the best possible experience at our race. The race family is just that, and I have made friends for life even though we see each other only a week or two every year.”
	MATT REDWINE — TRAIL BOSS Matt lives in Jackson, Wyoming with his wife Brook, and Louie, their dog. After many years of construction, guiding on the river, and being a volunteer firefighter, Matt found his dream career at Jackson Hole Fire/EMS. Frank Teasley recruited Redwine with the promise that “it’s a dog race and anything can (and will) happen. Redwine started as assistant trail sweep in 1993. John Welch was the Official Trail Boss then and taught him everything he needed to know. His only advice, “Don’t screw this up, Redwine.” “I love the compassion everyone shows for each other, and the sport of mushing,” says Redwine. “It’s a combination of Mother Nature’s elements, the Rocky Mountains, fierce competitors, rural communities and the world’s fastest dog teams!”
	CODY GRUBBS — TRAIL CREW Cody has been a vital member of the Pedigree® Stage Stop Race Trail Crew for several years — so many he’s lost track. He's right-hand man to Trail Boss, Matt Redwine. In fact, the whole family, including wife and young son, join in the fun of the Stage Stop Race, hosting a sled dog team, and participating in the festivities again this year. Cody says that he’s always loved dogs. He lives in Alpine, Wyoming, where he owns and operates Grubbs Painting. He loves to hunt, fly fish with his family, and be outside as much as possible. He’s a hard worker who puts his family first. Cody loves the beautiful Wyoming back country, making friends with the race crew and mushers who’ve become part of his extended family, and, of course, the dogs.
	KATIE WILLIAMS — LEAD TEACHER Katie is a fourth-grade teacher at Pinedale Elementary School in Pinedale, Wyoming. This is her 15th year teaching, and she absolutely loves her job. “My husband Randy and I have been the Chairs for the Pinedale Stage for the past five years and have enjoyed involving our community in this great race. I’ve also had the pleasure of working as the Lead Teacher for the race. The 2023 race season will be my sixth year as the Lead Teacher. I work with schools to get mushers into classrooms throughout Wyoming and Idaho and facilitate field trips out to the race in each of the communities we visit. It is an honor to be associated with such a wonderful display of sportsmanship and passion.”
	RANDY WILLIAMS — RACE TIMER Randy lives with his wife, Katie, and children Maggie and Hayden, in Pinedale, Wyoming. In addition to being chair of the Pinedale Stage the last four years, Randy and Katie also work for the race — she is the Lead Teacher, and Randy is a Race Timer. "We are both lifelong residents of this great state, and have deep roots going back many generations here,” Randy says. "I greatly enjoy the outdoors and adventure. I spend my extra time hiking, hunting, mountain biking, skiing, and being a recreational pilot. We really enjoy helping with the race and having time with all the great competitors and crew."
	BOB HATTON — RACE MECHANIC Bob is the official Pedigree® Stage Stop Race Mechanic. As he tells it, Frank Teasley's invitation was to become the mechanic and travel with the Stage Stop. "Bring your wife,” Frank said, “it might be like a vacation for the two of you!” The gullible Bob responded, “Sure, sounds like fun!” But it turned out that "it was all I could do to keep up with the taillights that didn't work, a generator that worked but lacked any voltage to run the race motorhome, the random flat tire on support vehicles and, then, there were the race's trail sleds. Well, that's a story in itself, but you get the idea." “My dear wife, Joanna, didn't see much of me during that first race. But she took it in stride, and still managed to enjoy herself. She loves dogs, and it was fun to be part of an event like this.” For years Bob had repaired Frank's snowmobiles and ATVs at his shop in Jackson, Wyoming, so he was familiar with the equipment, even if he was a total novice at racing. "Joanna and I go on more traditional vacations now, but I’m still the Official Mechanic. It's my seventh year, and I enjoy it more than ever. Yes, I still stay pretty busy. If it can break, it will break. And I'll be ready when it does."
	JEREMIAH RYAN — CONCESSIONS Jeremiah and his wife Abi live in Riverton, Wyoming. She works for Peak Behavioral Services as a Behavior Technician, and he’s employed at A.D. Martin Lumber Riverton. This is their second year with the race, ensuring that everyone gets something good to eat and drink! Being a part of the Stage Stop family is now something the Ryans look forward to every year. “Last year was the first time we were able to see the race in action and everything that goes into it. There are some truly amazing dogs, mushers, vets, staff, sponsors, and families that make the Stage Stop a success! We can’t wait to turn those coffee pots on at 4am so make sure to come say hi when you get to one of the races.”