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