HUMAN

Name: Jeremy Johnson

Age: 46

Residence:  Anchorage, Alaska

Occupation: Process Improvement Specialist 

Years involved with Iditarod: 4

Iditarod Roles: Volunteer/Communications

Current Location: McGrath, Alaska

Date of Photo: March 11, 2022

Temperature: 10F Outdoors

What, who or how and when did you first get involved with the Iditarod?

I got involved in the Iditarod, oddly enough, in McGrath through work. I had come here for work and I got to watch the dogs come in. And then the next year, I showed up at a volunteer coordination meeting and walked up to Andy Mallard and said, “I have a skillset you might like because I work out in the bush and have communications experience,” and she immediately shipped me out. That was how I got involved in the Iditarod.

What is your Why? Why are you here TODAY and involved with the Iditarod?

I’m here today and involved with the Iditarod because it’s something that the rest of the world doesn’t have. It’s unique to Alaska and things like this are what makes Alaska cool.Tell me about just one of your most memorable Iditarod experiences.

Tell me about just one of your most memorable Iditarod experiences.

One of my most memorable Iditarod experiences was we were in Kaltag and Martin Buser and Aliy [Zirkle] had showed up at the same time and they were out caring for their dogs, having done their 24. Martin was singing to Aliy about how it was going to be the second time she got second place, not knowing where she was going to finish, but that’s what happened. But it was a hilarious song and they we’re both just enjoying it. It was fun to watch.

What in life do you know for sure?

What I know for sure in life is some of the best things are unplanned. You just react and do.