Our Staff
Ahvo Taipale
Founder, owner (ret.)
• Born in Finland.Started Finn Sisu in 1978.
• Member of the Finnish Ski Coaching Association.
• Coached the University of Minnesota women’s team to two national titles.
• Numerous age class wins, including races like the Vasaloppet and Kortelopet.
• Started Team Birkie with Steve Gaskill.
• Takes a sauna every night.
Armen Hitzemann
• Retired junior high science teacher
• Started in the ski business in 1982
• 20 American Birkebeiner finishes
• Skied his first Birkie in 1976 on wooden skis
• Met his wife while working at Finn Sisu
• Has a Finnleo sauna
Tom Novak
Co-Owner
•Started in the ski business in 1971.
• Started ski tuning in 1975 and working at Finn Sisu in 1992.
• Graduated from art school in 1980.
• Obsessed with accumulating stonegrinding machines.
• Obsessed with research and xc structure creation.
• Obsessed with grind conversation... until customer's eyes roll back in head.
• Loves canoe and trailer camping with family and friends.
• Loves skiing, biking and hiking with wifey.
• Quietly continues to play hockey.
• Uses sauna religiously.
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
Karen Weium
Co-Owner
• Works inventory and marketing
• Hobbies include kettlebells and violin
• Finished 35 Birkies
• Has a Finnleo sauna
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.
Nate Rhode
Co-Owner
• Started at Finn Sisu in 2014
• Skied for Irondale High School – 2013 graduate
• Graduated from the University of St Thomas in 2017 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering
• Avid cyclist
Marshal Landrum
Devin Arenz
