Our staff
Ahvo Taipale – Owner
- 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 such as Vasaloppet and Kortelopet
- Started Team Birkie with Steve Gaskill
- Has a Finnleo sauna
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
- Meet his wife while working at Finn Sisu
- Has a Finnleo sauna
Tom Novak
- Started in the ski business in 1971 and with Finn Sisu since 1992
- 25+ years cross-country skiing (“middle pack” racer, retired. Current “fitness” skier)
- Expert stonegrinder and tuner since 1975
- Enjoys hockey
- Has a Finnleo sauna
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
- Finn Sisu employee since late 1990s
- Expert waxer
- Builds and races canoes
- Enjoys lake racing winter and summer
- Has a Finnleo sauna
Karen Weium
- Works inventory and marketing
- Hobbies include kettlebells and violin
- Finished 34 Birkies
- Has a Finnleo sauna
Bjorn Adelsman
- Started at Finn Sisu in 2013
- Skied for Irondale High School 6 years – 2013 graduate
- Graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2017 with a degree in Chemistry
Nate Rhode
- 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