Our Staff
Ahvo Taipale
Founder, owner (ret.)
Since before Finn Sisu’s inception in 1978, Ahvo has been an avid skier, racer, and—above all else—connector in the Nordic ski world. From his time coaching the University of Minnesota Women’s Nordic ski team to two national titles, to the thousands of pairs of skis slung under the roof of Finn Sisu (in its many forms through the years), Ahvo has connected many to the world of Nordic skiing. Aspiring Olympians, plucky juniors, adventurous retirees, and everyone in between.
Ahvo’s foundational talents haven’t just been limited to our store. One of his biggest recent projects gets hundereds of skiers out on the trails even as our winters become less reliable. Throghout the 2010’s, Ahvo spent tireless hours lobbying for the Battle Creek Snomaking installations, working with the park board, local and state legislators, and local organizations to make it a reality.
Ahvo handed over the reins of the shop to Karen, Nate, and Tom in 2023 and now enjoys his hiking daily (or skiing, snow permitting), more time with his family, and spending more energy supporting the vibrant Twin Cities Nordic ski community.
Karen Weium
Co-Owner
Karen began lending Finn Sisu her retail and accounting skills in 2010. Over the years, her sphere of influence has expanded to include skills from her previous lives including marketing, product management, and more. As of 2023, Karen has counted herself as a part of our trio of owners.
A lifelong skier, Karen has completed over 35 Birkies and has ushered her kids and husband through the ropes of skiing as well. When the snow isn’t flying, she keeps herself active through kettlebell workouts, paddling, and more.
When she’s not busy saving her adult children from ill-fated road trips, she spends her time practicing violin for her seat on the St. Paul Civic Orchestra, catching up on the most recent series (political period dramas and anything with Hiroyuki Sanada can come to the front of the line), and enjoying a relaxing wind-down in her Finnleo sauna.
Nate Rhode
Co-Owner
Nate joined Finn Sisu’s team in 2014 while studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of St. Thomas. After graduating in 2017, he tried his hand in the world of corporate industrial mechanical engineering, but he found his way back to the blue-capped halls of Finn Sisu.
On the record, Nate is an alpine purist (last updated in 2009), but a decades-long twist of fate put Nate onto the Irondale High School nordic ski team and eventually into position to co-own Finn Sisu in 2023. An opportunity he seized on, becoming part of our current ownership triumvirate as our resident ski fit and feel expert.
When not in the shop (which he will tell you is a stunning low-frequency occurrence), Nate enjoys mountain biking and bikepacking locally and around the states, going on adventures with his partner-in-crime, Rebecca, and tasting local brews and chews.
Tom Novak
Co-Owner
Grindmaster Tom wasn’t always a stone grind savant. Throughout the 70's he pursued a B.F.A. of Fine Arts at the University of Minnesota. At the same time, Tom began learning and honing his stone grinding skills at a variety of alpine ski shops. He worked with a rotating cast of machines as the technology of the ski world moved from wet grinding and belt sanders to the modern stone grinding techniques utilizing caster fed presses with hardstone wheels.
Ahvo recruited Tom to Finn Sisu’s growing numbers in 1992, following a brief stint at Burger Bros. Not long after, Finn Sisu bought in its first Wintersteiger stone grind machine. Tom soon became acquainted with the delicate art of Nordic ski grinding. In his time here Tom’s grind arsenal has expanded to a total of two Wintersteiger machines. Finn Sisu is proud to host Tom’s expertise and the top-notch tech of Wintersteiger for the last 30+ years. Head over to the Tonttuwerks grind page for more history and technical info!
When he’s not at the shop, you can catch Tom tearing up the rink at his weekly hockey league, hiking and camping on the Gunflint Trail and other staples of Northern Minnesota, suckering his brother-in-law into buying yet another sauna, and enjoying a paddle or a bike ride with his wife, Julie. You shouldn’t catch him here, but he loves his time recovering and relaxing in his Finnleo sauna, exploring his artistic pursuits (his multi-medium holiday cards are a staff favorite!), and rocking on his Les Paul in front of his basement speaker wall.
Armen Hitzemann
After fleeing his role as a junior high school science teacher, Armen ended up on Ahvo’s doorstep in 1982. Ever since then, Armen and his wit, charm and breadth of knowledge have been a vital part of the special sauce of Finn Sisu. He’s been voted “Winningest Smile” at Finn Sisu for nearly 40 years now!
His time at Finn Sisu has seen hundreds of successful sauna projects, thousands of problems troubleshot, and pairs upon pairs of skis picked for many, many skiers. His continual support of his fellow staff members (largely in the form of baked goods from local bakers) has bolstered their spirits through the driest of winters and the busiest of holiday rushes.
When not at Finn Sisu, you can catch Armen gardening with his two dogs at home and attending Audubon Society events. Check out his curated in-store library, you might see some bird guides and more there!
Greg Weier
• Worked in ski business since 1974
• Finn Sisu staff member since 1997
• Head Coach Mahtomedi Nordic 20+ years
• Vakava Juniors and Masters coach
• Has a Finnleo sauna
Devin Arenz
Rebecca Kolstad
• Started working at Finn Sisu in 2017.
• Vakava Masters coach.
• Graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2019 with a degree in Recreation Administration and Health Promotion.
• Classic ski race enthusiast - Mora Vasaloppet above all else.
• Loves running around with her 4-legged best friend, Scout.
• Attempts to keep up with Nate on his bike.
• Enjoys the occasional s'more around a campfire.
Marshal Landrum
Marshal first joined our team in 2018 for a season after graduating from Bowdoin College. Following a few years working various jobs in the nordic/endurance industry, we welcomed him back with open arms in 2021. He currently is one of our primary sauna salespeople and techs, and he's our Marwe roller ski specialist to boot!
Marshal joined the Como Park High School Nordic team in 2010, skied throughout high school, raced in college at Bowdoin College while earning his bachelor's degree in Earth and Oceanographic Science, and is currently the Roseville High School Nordic ski team’s Head Coach.
Outside of the world of skiing and the walls of Finn Sisu, Marshal enjoys biking, relaxing, and exploring the world with his wife, Mikayla, spoiling their dachshund, Marta, and listening to some of his favorite podcasts while plugging away at his many cool hobby projects. Ask him what he's making the next time you stop by!
Drew Birschbach
Noted personality hire, Drew joined the team in 2019. In their time here, Drew enjoys connecting all our guests to the ski equipment they need, creating a space for informed consumership, and adding a couple five-plus dollar words to the vocabulary of their fellow staff.
Drew skied for Peak Nordic as a high school racer, skied and photographed for the University of Minnesota Nordic Club and Midwest Collegiate Ski Association’s Nordic Division, and continues to ski casually to this day. A noted world-traveler, they disappeared from the sales floor in 2022 to backpack throughout Europe, hitting 13 countries over 4 months of hot springs, sights, and flights.
Outside of the ski shop, you can catch Drew running the Chain of Lakes, producing live broadcasts for local minor league sports teams, editing podcasts for environmental organizations, and manically hunting down deals and steals at yard sales, art crawls, and online.