2024-2025 SARNAK Officers
Jeff Berry, Coordinator: Jeff (center Right) moved to the Adirondacks from Rochester in 2020. He got his start in Search and rescue after joining a SAR team in Rochester in 2018, served on the Board as Secretary and is a DEC certified Crew Boss. Before Search and Rescue, Jeff was a L1/L2 Sea Kayak instructor, Wilderness First Responder, and NYS Licensed Guide. Jeff was elected to SARNAK’s Coordinator position in 2022. When not doing SAR related work, you can find Jeff hiking with his Australian Shepherd, Auggie, kayaking, canoeing, fly fishing and photographing in this amazing landscape we call home.
Elena Lumby, Training Officer: Elena (center Left) has been coming to the Adirondacks annually since she was eight years old. She joined SARNAK in 2022 when she moved to Paul Smiths from the Washington DC area, and served on the Board as Secretary from 2022-2023 and then Training Coordinator from 2023 to present. Elena is a NYS Licensed Guide and certified Wilderness First Responder. She brings her ten years of experience teaching Masters in Public Health students to her role as Training Officer, where she designs activities that brings together technical skills, challenging field settings, and team building while keeping it fun. She enjoys that SAR integrates her public health expertise, desire to help others, love of the outdoors, and the opportunity to work with great folks. Outside of SARNAK Elena is fiddling, canoeing lesser known routes, and attempting to relax with her pure bred mystery dog Lyra.
John Gagnon, Treasurer (far Right):
Rob Elder, Secretary: (Left) Rob started his SAR journey when he joined a SAR team out of Rochester, NY in 2020, actively serving for over a year before joining SARNAK in 2022. Rob has contributed in multiple capacities since then including Social Media Lead and Chairperson for the Hua Davis Scholarship Committee. Rob is an experienced hiker, camper, backpacker and trail runner, with a track record of competing in rugged mountain trail races and obstacle course events. Rob can also be found fly fishing and mountain biking.
2024-2025: Jeff Berry, Elena Lumby, John Gagnon, Julie Loving
2023-2024: Jeff Berry, Elena Lumby, John Gagnon, Lexi Richter, Julie Loving
2022-2023 Board: Jeff Berry, Jim Burdick, Elena Lumby, John Gagnon
2021-2022 Board: Jim Burdick, John Gagnon
The officers of SARNAK put in countless hours managing the team and ensuring that it is ready to be called no matter what time or what weather. All officers are voted for annually at the March business meeting.
The Coordinator is the team leader, and is responsible for overall performance of the team. The Training Officer puts together monthly training exercises to ensure that team members are proficient in the necessary skills to be effective searchers. Secretary keeps meeting minutes, as well as managing team paperwork. Treasurer collects annual dues and oversees the team’s finances.