NWAC Staff

Dennis D’Amico

Dennis developed a passion for snow and weather while growing up in the not so mountainous Long Island, NY. He attended Cornell University in upstate New York and received a BS from the Atmospheric Science department. After a few seasons of dabbling in early backcountry ski adventures in New England & Eastern Canada, Dennis landed a weather forecasting position with the Seattle NWS in 2006. He was immediately drawn to the Northwest Avalanche Center’s unique DNA of mountain meteorology and snow science, and of course the easy access to the Olympics and Washington Cascades. Dennis was hired as an avalanche meteorologist for the Northwest Avalanche Center in 2012 and became the Forecast Director during the summer of 2019. He enjoys the challenge of forecasting weather and avalanche conditions during the season and working on and troubleshooting remote weather stations within the NWAC network throughout the year.

Working for NWAC has made Dennis appreciate all seasons, and in the forecasting offseason, you’ll find him relaxing and enjoying friends, family and his favorite pup.

Q&A With Dennis

How long have you been working for NWAC?

10 years (2012)

What brought you to work for NWAC?

I moved to Seattle to work for the National Weather Service in 2006, I had been angling to move my career out West since I graduated from college, spending all my time with friends in SLC or other western trips. Once I was there, I was really drawn to NWAC and how they blended mountain meteorology with avalanche forecasting and the rest is history!

Your favorite NWAC memory or the reason why you enjoy working for NWAC?

There are many, but there’s a distinct satisfaction when I play a role in delivering an accurate and helpful forecast. In my current role, I enjoy stepping back a bit more and setting up our expanded forecast team for success.

Any fun facts to share?

I worked for the Weather Channel of Canada (The Weather Network) in the early 2000’s right out of college. They would occasionally bring meteorologists up from the dungeons for on-air or taped interviews. A switcher inadvertently aired an out-take of mine where I dropped a four-letter word and played it on national television. There were a few complaints. These were the pre-YouTube days, sorry only 1 VHS copy exists!

Dallas Glass

Dallas has worked at NWAC in several roles since 2013; avalanche awareness instructor, professional observer, and avalanche specialist. In 2020, Dallas began serving as NWAC’s Deputy Director. As part of this role, he works closely with NWAC’s educational program, mountain weather forecasting, and continues to write avalanche forecasts and perform field work for the Snoqualmie and West South zones.

Dallas loves talking to folks about snow. Whether it’s writing an avalanche forecast, interacting with a backcountry traveler, or teaching an avalanche awareness course, Dallas finds joy in seeing others safely experience the mountains during the winter.

Dallas has worked on avalanche forecasting, snow safety, and avalanche education since 2006. He served as a professional observer for NWAC, the professional training coordinator for the American Avalanche Association, an Instructor Trainer for the American Institute of Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE), and the avalanche forecaster for Mt Rose Ski Tahoe. His academic roots include a B.S. in Forest Resource Management from Clemson University and an M.S. in Hydrology from the University of Nevada where Dallas focused on soil physics, debris flows, and wilderness ecology. He is a professional member of the American Avalanche Association.

When he isn’t working, you’ll find Dallas cooking at home, taking a long run, or seeking out warm sunny rock climbing.

Q&A with Dallas

What brought you to NWAC?

Honestly, Scott Schell [NWAC’s executive director]. When my wife and I moved to Washington I wanted to help out my new backcountry community. I began by submitting observations on NWAC’s public platform. One day I got a call from the staff at NWAC asking who I was and where I came from. Before I knew it, I was working as a professional observer for the center and teaching avalanche programs around the NW.

Why do you enjoy working for NWAC?

Simple, the people. The people that make up the backcountry community, the people that make up our volunteer staff, the people I work with. The people. Getting to see folks enjoy the mountains safely with their friends and family, it’s a true joy.

A favorite memory during your time with NWAC:

It’s not just one moment, but several. I love teaching avalanche awareness classes. I love seeing folks come into the evening rather nervous and a little scared of avalanches and the winter mountains. I love that by the end of the evening, they still have a healthy respect for avalanches, but they know they can go enjoy winter recreation by obtaining a few basic skills and reading the forecast. I love seeing them leave excited to explore the Cascades in the winter.

Any fun facts to share?

While at Mt Rose I trained and worked with my avalanche dog Belle. 

Robert Hahn

Robert Hahn is an Avalanche Forecasting Meteorologist who has worked at NWAC since 2017. Robert is responsible for twice-daily mountain weather forecasts for all zones and daily avalanche forecasts for the Olympics, Mt. Hood, Washington Cascades East South, and other zones as needed, while helping to coordinate the avalanche products throughout the region.

Robert believes that quality mountain weather and avalanche products will help backcountry travelers inform their decisions in the mountains, ultimately saving lives. Robert holds a master’s degree in Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Washington.

When Robert is not working, you’ll find him backcountry skiing in remote corners of the Cascades or Canada and exploring tropical jungles when the snow melts.

Q&A With Robert

How long have you been working for NWAC?

I’m up to a full 6 seasons working at NWAC, a period of rapid growth from 3 to 10 forecasters!

What brought you to this job?

I was originally an NWAC product user in graduate school, then as my research in mountain meteorology came into alignment with position openings at NWAC, I took my opportunity to get involved.

What have you enjoyed most?

I love working for NWAC because weather and avalanche forecasting in the dynamic PNW climate provides new challenges every day, so there’s rarely a dull day at work. It’s clear to me that my work matters to those around me who also enjoy the outdoors.

Any fun facts to share?

Off-season’s adventures in the global south have exposed me to some exotic ‘snacks,’ including charred spider legs, fried grasshoppers, and termites.

Matt Primomo

Matt Primomo is an Avalanche Specialist who has worked at NWAC since 2017/18. Matt lives in Leavenworth and is responsible for writing the avalanche advisories for the East Central, East North, and Stevens Pass zones.

Matt is intrigued by snow and its unique properties. He enjoys tracking the ever-changing snowpack, winter weather patterns, large avalanche cycles, weather station maintenance, and writing and teaching all about it. Previously he spent five years working as a year-round avalanche professional, maximizing his time spent in winter. Matt worked with the Utah Department of Transportation as an avalanche forecaster, while also directing an avalanche program for a small gold mine in Chile during the Southern Hemisphere Winter.

Matt is a certified Ski Guide with the American Mountain Guide Association and a Pro Instructor with the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography from the University of Colorado, and an associate’s degree in Outdoor Recreation Leadership from Colorado Mountain College. In the summer he works as a mountain guide with the Northwest Mountain School, and Exum Mountain Guides. When he isn’t working you’ll find him enjoying the mountains with his wife, climbing, surfing, working on the house, sharpening snow saws for his company Primo Snow and Avalanche, or attempting to cook Italian food as well as the rest of his family.

Q&A With Matt

Matt has been with NWAC for 3 years.

What brought you to work for NWAC?

I’ve always been passionate about snow, weather, and avalanches. Early on in my adult life I decided I wanted to pursue a path in this field, and was fortunate to be able to study it in university, and travel to some incredible places for work opportunities.

Why do enjoy working for NWAC?

I find the communities amazing, and I really enjoy seeing folks out in the field and striking up a conversation with them. Trailhead banter is one of my favorite things sometimes.

Any fun facts to share?

I’ve worked as an avalanche forecaster in three different states (Washington, Utah, and Colorado) and in Chile.

Josh Hirshberg

Josh Hirshberg is an Avalanche Specialist who has worked at NWAC since January 2018. Josh is responsible for forecasting avalanches and gathering snow and avalanche observations for the Central Cascades including the Stevens Pass area.

Josh believes in helping backcountry travelers make informed decisions in the snow-covered mountains. He is passionate about distilling snow, weather, and avalanche conditions into practical travel advice for all users.

Josh holds a Level 3 Avalanche Certification. He’s also a Certified Ski Guide and Single Pitch Instructor with the American Mountain Guides Association. Josh has a B.A. from Prescott College. He is on the Pro Instructor and Trainer pools for the American institute for Avalanche Research and Education. Josh has been forecasting avalanches since 2005.

When he’s not working in the snow, Josh enjoys climbing, biking, photography, spending time with his son, and supporting diverse communities.

Q&A With Josh 

Josh started forecasting avalanches at NWAC in 2017.

What brought you to NWAC?

After over 10 years of working as an avalanche forecaster, mountain guide, and educator in Colorado, I was looking to expand my experience to other mountain ranges and snow climates. My friend, Forest McBrian, was working for the NWAC non-profit at the time. He informed me about a job opportunity and encouraged me to apply.

What do you enjoy most about the job?

I’ve enjoyed playing an integral role in the transition that NWAC has undergone since 2017. Building on efforts initiated years prior, our team of Avalanche Specialists and Meteorologists has become more cohesive and effective with each year. It’s been really satisfying to collaborate with co-workers and to implement changes. As we continue through this transition, it’s been encouraging to settle into a balance in many areas of our daily work. I’m proud to deliver excellent avalanche safety messaging to backcountry users throughout the Northwest.

Any fun facts to share?

I’ve gone mountain biking with Steven Tyler and eaten dinner with James Taylor, but I’m really not a huge fan of classic rock music.

Irene Henninger 

Irene joins NWAC after a long career in ski patrol and avalanche education. She spent 13 winters patrolling at the Yellowstone Club while working for 12 seasons at various ski areas in New Zealand, including several years as the Snow Safety Manager at The Remarkables, one of the largest ski areas in New Zealand. 

Her experience as an avalanche educator began in Montana in 2011 and has seen her teaching for a variety of organizations in Montana, New Zealand, and most recently, Utah, where she also worked as a ski guide in the Wasatch.

Irene attended the National Avalanche School in 2008 and went on to receive her Avalanche Level 3 qualification and become an American Avalanche Association Certified Instructor, as well as becoming a New Zealand Mountain Safety Council Avalanche Instructor. 

Prior to her professional career, her passion for snow was sparked during her time as a cross-country ski racer and biathlete in the Northeast.  

Q&A With Irene

What brought you NWAC?

After a long career in ski patrolling and snow safety I was ready to move on to the next step in my snow and avalanche career. I ended up landing this awesome job! It’s exciting to have the opportunity to serve the public as a forecaster and explore some of the region’s less traveled areas. 

What part of the job are you looking forward to?

Getting to know the community of backcountry users here in the Cascades. Plus sledding and skiing a bunch of powder!

Any fun facts to share?

I didn’t experience a summer from the winter of 2007 to 2019 – that’s 22 winters straight!

Andy Harrington

After working a variety of jobs in multiple industries, Andy found the avalanche industry to be the most interesting and rewarding, He has worn multiple hats in the industry including ski patrol, highway forecasting and control, and now public forecasting. Additionally, his background in technology has helped him carve a niche working with our extensive weather station network. Andy is passionate about the backcountry in all seasons and keeping his environmental and digital footprint light. He also enjoys seeking out sustainable food sources and spending time in the kitchen.

Q&A With Andy

2019  was Andy’s first season with NWAC.

What brought you to NWAC?

It started with quitting my job and just going skiing all the time. Eventually, I needed to make some money, so I tried to get jobs that were fun. That led me down the path of avalanche mitigation work via ski patrolling and highway forecasting which eventually landed me a new challenge of public forecasting at NWAC. 

Favorite part of the job?

I get to ski and work in wilderness areas while helping to inform people about avalanches, and to an extent the fragility and best practices of recreating in those wilderness areas. Sometimes it almost feels like I’m making a difference.

Any fun facts to share?

Tea fuels me since I hate coffee.

Lee Lazzara

Lee Lazzara is an Avalanche Specialist based in Bellingham whose primary responsibilities are the West Slopes North and Central zones. Although new to NWAC as an Avalanche Specialist, Lee was a Professional Observer for this area from 2015 through 2020.

Of all the aspects of snow, avalanches and backcountry travel in avalanche terrain, Lee finds observing and learning the nuances of the mountain environment the most fascinating. Why does it snow more on one side of the valley than the other? Why can snowpack change so drastically in a short distance across the same slope? How can minor differences in terrain choice have major implications for personal and group safety? Most importantly, how to communicate this information with others in a clear and consistent manner so they can use it in their own mountain travels?

Lee graduated from Seattle University in 1997 with a B.A. in English and quickly put his literary and writing skills to use skiing powder in Little Cottonwood Canyon. After nearly a decade of ski resort work including jobs, such as washing dishes in employee housing, shoveling snow, cleaning hot tubs, and not spilling wine on restaurant guests, he landed on the Snowbird Ski Patrol in 2005.  He began working as a mountain guide in the Cascades a few years later and gained IFMGA certification in 2013. 

Simon Trautman

Simon works for the National Avalanche Center and lives in Bellingham, Washington.  He has worked as an avalanche forecaster for the Moonlight Basin Ski Patrol, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, the Sawtooth Avalanche Center, and the Northwest Avalanche Center.