State Volunteers

 The Pike National Historic Trail Association Volunteers is composed of persons who live in 11 states.

The Pike National Historic Trail Association State Volunteers and Advisors provide, when asked, information, and work with local and state offices to:

  • Gain support
  • Investigate portions of Pike’s route in their state
  • Discover for Pike Monuments, displays, plaques, etc. for our Pike inventory
  • Write about Pike
  • Investigate portions of our Auto, Bike and Hike routes

There are those who do not live in states where Pike did not travel: They stand by to help us with our National Designation Effort when needed.

NOTE: click on the photo, or the person’s name, to read their full bio.

  • Bradley S. Abramson: AZ
    State Volunteer
    Brad Abramson is Senior Counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom and lives in Cave Creek, Arizona.  Brad has two connections to Zebulon Pike.  First, Brad was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on land originally part of Pike’s Purchase – Zebulon Pike’s 1805 acquisition from the Sioux Nation of 100,000 acres at the confluence of the...
  • Betty Andrews: CA
    State Volunteer
    Betty worked for Eastman Kodak in Rochester, NY for 40 years, all of her working life. In 1953 she requested a transfer to Los Angeles, California (no snow shoveling). She has traveled most of the world with her husband also a Kodak employee. Moving west she began to realize and visit the American Southwest. She...
  • Dr. Jill Ghnassia: PA
    State Volunteer
    Jill has taught English at the University of Hartford [Connecticut], has served as the Dean of the Honors College at Western Carolina University where she was a full professor of English. Her joys include writing, her students and grandchildren. She lives in Milton, PA. She has 4 sons and 3 grandchildren.
  • John Gurley: IL
    State Volunteer
    John is a retired supervisor of air traffic controllers. His interest in Pike stems from his realizing that Pike was a true committed American. He accomplished and influenced many things which we value today. Two exploratory expeditions and dying a Brigadier General for his country are admirable. Pikes values and loyalty to the United States...
  • Becky Hoins: MO
    State Volunteer
    After moving back to Muscatine from Colorado, Becky enjoys riding her bicycle beside the Mississippi River to discover what Pike discovered in his Mississippi Expedition in Iowa.
  • Judy Lee MacDougall: OH & KY
    State Volunteer
    Judy has been a nurse in the Cincinnati area most of her life. Early in Pike’s life, he commanded supply boats on the Ohio River from Pittsburgh to frontier forts. She has an interest in helping us with our efforts to make Pike better known along the Ohio where she lives.
  • Katherine Emmett-Sweetser: KS
    State Volunteer
    Katherine Emmett-Sweetser is a geographer. In 1999 she and her husband moved to Fort Scott, Kansas, where she researches local 19th century Jewish history. Bourbon County, KS now celebrates September 4th [the day Pike passed through] as Pike Day through her efforts. Though born and raised in the Midwest, Kate has fond memories of annual...
  • Dr. Leo Oliva: KS
    State Volunteer
    Co-founder of the Pike National Historic Trail Association
  • Kendra Smith: SD
    State Volunteer
    Kendra Smith was born and raised in the Black Hills of SD where she resides today. She is the Sole Proprietor of a cabling business called Kendra’s Cabling installing cables for computers, telephones, Security cameras, etc. She enjoys camping, fishing, making music and history. She said “It is so fun researching and telling others about the adventures of the first...
  • Brian Pike, CO Volunteer
    State Volunteer
    A 5th generation nephew dedicated to helping the PNHTA promote & preserve Gen. Zebulon M. Pike legacy.
  • Dr. Clive Siegle, TX Volunteer
    State Volunteer
    Co-founder of the Pike National Historic Trail Association
  • Jim Greer, MN – Upper MN Volunteer
    State Volunteer
    Jim found a Pike Monument along the Mississippi River in St. Cloud and is out finding more at Fort Riley on the Mississippi. He is honored to be associated with the Pike organization.