Crew

     Captain Mike Dunn is the spirit of Alaska personified. When the snow flies, Mike can be found out on the slopes; he is a helicopter and snowcat guide for the well known and well respected Chugach Powder Guides. During the summer months, Mike takes to the water. On board Miss Brizz, he will never cease to entertain you with stories of his many adventures and interests which include cruising, flyfishing, skiing and mountain climbing. Having sailed Alaskan waters for more than 20 years - including skippering his personal 38 foot steel sailboat - Mike's knowledge of Prince William Sound, the North Gulf Coast Waters, Kenai Fjords and the Kodiak Archipelago is nothing short of astounding. Mike holds the US Coast Guard Masters License and also possesses extensive search and rescue training and certification for both land and sea. Mike also has Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic certification. Having retired from the Anchorage Fire Department in 2000 as the Captain on the technical rescue apparatus, Mike now works full time helping others to enjoy the majestic beauty of our great state. His spirit of adventure and passion for Alaska are infectious; your voyage will be greatly enriched by his knowledge and enthusiasm.

     Captain Shane Serrano's love of the Alaskan outdoors is infectious. Growing up in Wyoming, he spent summers working at hunting camps, on ranches and navigating Class 5 waters until he accepted his first summer job in Alaska in 1987. Then he began guiding rafting trips on the Gulkana, Tonsina, Kenai and Copper Rivers. At the age of 19, he became the youngest USCG Licensed Master in the Homer Harbor and he has been captaining boats ever since. Shane is a PADI certified advanced scuba diver, private pilot and holds a MS degree in Environmental Science and Engineering. He is certified in First Aid/CPR and LTR Underwater Aircraft Egress. Shane's outdoor enthusiasm carries over into the winter months when he can be found out on the slopes skiing and riding snow machines. Step on board with Shane and enjoy the knowledge, skill and enthusiasm of one of Alaska's great captains and environmental scientists!

      Chef and First Mate Jeff Bye (JB) is truly a man who can do it all. He grew up in Colorado, and has been fishing since he could walk. Having always been an avid outdoorsman, he pursued his passions at Colorado Mountain College where he earned an Associates Degree in Outdoor Studies. JB moved to Alaska in 1989, and continued to build upon his profound love and respect for nature. Since 1991, this master rigger and fabricator has been intricately involved in boat building, and he worked extensively on the design and construction of Miss Brizz. On board Miss Brizz, JB showcases his outstanding culinary talents and his passion for food. He delights in all things epicurean and profoundly enjoys preparing meals that are delicious, memorable and enoyable. What began as a hobby in his Grandmother's Kitchen in Colorado blossomed into a lifetime passion that we are lucky to share! JB looks forward to welcoming you on board and preparing some of Alaska's bounty for you to enjoy!

      Chef and First Mate Scott Fleming has lived in Alaska permanently since 1997, but his love for the wilderness and his strong sense of adventure have led him on many worldwide journeys. He has trekked through Asia and Nepal, was certified in SCUBA up to a rescue diver in the Philippines, studied the culinary arts of the Far East and Thai massage in Thailand, and traveled extensively throughout India, Malaysia, Mexico and Central America. He cultivated his culinary expertise at a 4 star restaurant in Cincinnati, Ohio prior to spending 13 summers working as a mechanic in the commercial fishing industry in Southeast Alaska. While the summer finds him on board Miss Brizz dazzling guests with his gracious hospitality and gourmet skills, once the snow flies, Scott is all about skiing. When he is not out on the slopes for fun, he can be found working for Chugach Powder Guides, a premier Alaskan heli-skiing and snowboarding operation. A veteran of many aspects of the service industry, you can rest assured that with Scott on board, your voyage will be a wonderful adventure and a culinary delight!

      First Mate Mike Poling is a lifelong outdoor enthusiast with an impressive resume of backcountry survival skills. Having served in the military as Jumpmaster, he led his troops through various summer and winter survival skill courses, mountain climbing exercises, glacier trekking, river running, ski mountaineering, cross country skiing, map reading and navigation, and he conducted search and rescue operations. In the past, he has been trained and certified in CPR and life saving skills, scuba diving, first aid, and is a licensed pilot. Mike was one of the early kayakers in Prince William Sound and has been kayaking there for approximately 30 years. Mike has four children and has hosted six exchange students from all over the world, including one who came for a year, but stayed for five! After living in Alaska for more than 30 years, Mike now calls Hawaii home in the winter months but can't wait to return to Alaska each summer to work on Miss Brizz, where he gets to share his love of Alaska - and his excellent culinary skills – with others!

      First Mate Jeff Johnston was born and raised in Alaska – and has been enjoying the phenomenal beauty and bounty of the Alaskan wilderness all of his life. Having grown up at the Susitna Lodge and Flying Service, at the ripe old age of 14 Jeff started flying himself, and worked as both a fishing and hunting guide. His knowledge of the Alaskan flora and fauna is simply astounding! With Jeff on board there will be no wildlife left unidentified, no foliage left undescribed, no history left untold; this gifted naturalist and storyteller has entranced many guests with his incredible depth of knowledge. He is a retired fire captain from the Anchorage Fire Department, where he worked closely with the heavy technical rescue unit and was a squad leader of the water rescue team. Jeff has also taught many classes on CPR, First Aid and fire and rescue emergency operations. A father of four children ranging in age from 12-26, Jeff has worked closely with numerous volunteer organizations helping the youth of Alaska. Boating has been a major part of his life for over 40 years; he is an accomplished sailor, powerboat enthusiast and marine mechanic. When Jeff is not out working on or enjoying the opportunities of the Alaskan waters, he finds himself looking forward to returning to the water as soon as possible.

      Tom and Nancy Konop moved to Alaska permanently in 1992 after having fallen in love with its rugged beauty and wildlife during previous trips to the "Great Land." Both have been outdoorsmen since they were young children. Over the last decade they have been exploring Alaska and its waterways by plane, helicopter and their three boats. They have extensively cruised Alaska's North Gulf Coast from Prince William Sound to Resurrection Bay to the Kenai Fjords to Kachemak Bay and Cook Inlet. Tom holds the US Coast Guard Masters License and is an avid sportsfisherman. He is an IGFA (International Game Fish Association) Certified Captain. Nancy is also an ardent sportsfisherman and an exceptional cook. She is an enthusiastic reader and has an extensive knowledge of Alaska Maritime History. Come and spend some unforgettable days with people who absolutely love being on the water and sharing the wonders of their great state.