MEET RUSS
As an owner of Port Ashton Lodge, what are your primary responsibilities?
I'm the "Lodge opener and closer". I open the lodge up and get the systems (water, power, etc.) back online for the summer season in mid-May. Then in August, I finish up the season and put everything away for the winter in early September.
What do you enjoy most about Port Ashton?
I love living so close to nature out at Port Ashton where the tides and the weather dictate the rhythm of the day. I also enjoy our interesting and adventurous guests. Sharing Port Ashton with them for the first time, or second, or tenth time never gets old. My favorite Port Ashton amenity is the hot tub. No matter how challenging the day, your troubles melt away in the wood fired salt water hot tub on the beach.
Where did you grow up? What are your hobbies?
I grew up in Fairbanks, Alaska, playing hockey. After starting a family, I lived on the island of Kauai and was in the hospitality and restaurant business for 22 years. I'm a serial entrepreneur and enjoy learning about and launching businesses. I recently retired from my position as the Director of the Fairbanks Small Business Development Center. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, karate, and doing projects at home (and Port Ashton!)