Officers and Staff

Chairman: Matt Pelsor

alpineproductions@gmail.com

My first cave was Sullivan Cave with fellow CIG member and current Sullivan Cave patron Paul Uglum. Since then, my love of caving has expanded mostly to Indiana classics like Donnehue/Dog Hill, Buddha, Wayne, and especially the infamous Buckner Cave. I have also made a few trips down to TAG to enjoy some deep pits and some of the classics down there.
I have a background in the radio industry and decided to use my professional skills to start “The Caving Podcast” which, since its genesis in the summer of 2016, has been heard by cavers worldwide.
Compared to the other officers in the CIG, as well as many of the members, I am a much less experienced caver. But my love of caving, specifically Indiana caving, and my willingness to take on the challenge of chairmanship were deemed “good enough” for me to take on the role. I am thankful for, and often defer to the extensive knowledge of the rest of the CIG board members who have been active in caving on a national and international level for decades. Indeed, our grotto is a storied and experienced one, and I couldn’t be more proud to be at the helm. Let’s go caving!

Treasurer: Rich “Fargo” Lunseth

RichL@cigcaves.com

Self- taught outdoorsman from Fargo, North Dakota migrated to Indiana University in 1975 and majored in fine arts. Took Geology 101 and discovered karst topography was directly under my feet. Started out with Trapdoor Cave and have been hopelessly hooked since. Graduated and explored the caves of Chicago for ten years. Eventually my love for the outdoors overcame my love for Carson’s Ribs and I moved back to Indianapolis to raise a family and enjoy southern Indiana. Had two boys and got involved in scouting, became Scoutmaster and started taking the boys of Troop 18 on annual cave trips. I soon discovered the Central Indiana Grotto and started attending meetings to expand my knowledge of open caves for my annual trips. I got to know several members who where kind enough to help teach the boys cave conservation and guide them on a few trips. Over the years I have become more and more involved with the CIG and decided to say yes when I was asked to join the Executive Board and become Treasurer.

Being a member of the Central Indiana Grotto has given me the opportunity to meet some of the most interesting people I have met in my life and to have many great adventures I would never have experienced on my own.

Secretary: Ron Adams

caveronrope@sbcglobal.net

I started caving while studying Construction Technology at IUPUI in the fall of 1981. My first cave trip was to Coon Cave in Monroe County, 2nd trip was Ellers Cave, and then I met Joe Oliphant on my third cave trip at Buckners Cave. My college buddies were not serious about caving but they did know Joe, who had already been bitten by the cave bug. By ’83 we were doing vertical caving, ’85 was TAG and Bridge Day, Fantastic Pit in Ellison’s Cave, and in ’87 We went to Lechuguilla Cave in Carlsbad NM. We did the classics in Mexico in ’91 and got involved in Fisher Ridge Cave System in the 90’s. I have continued to learn more about cave survey, sketching cave passages, cave photography, vertical caving and rigging, and digging techniques, and have been an active member of the Proyecto Sierra Mazateca in Oaxaca Mexico for the last 4 years. I have served as the CIG Chairman for 6 terms, the Vice Chair at least that many terms, and also have been a board member. I have a spouse Becky Troyer and teenage daughter Rosalie… I look forward to many more years of caving!

Vice Chairman: Barton Bridge

bbridge08@gmail.com

Bart has been caving since 2009, when he was invited by Joe Kinder to join a ‘little cave trip’ in Blue Spring Caverns, IN. That little cave trip turned into a 6hr underground adventure that lit a fire within him that has not gone out.

Hiking, caving and rappelling are now where you will often find him. Hiking adventures have included Rim to Rim in the Grand Canyon, British Columbia,  Mt. Whitney and other 14’s in Colorado.Caving and Rappelling includes participating in Bridge Day, Fantastic Pit, Surprise Pit, and many others.
Bart appreciates the wonderful caving community surrounding him which allows for him and others to quickly immerse themselves in this fantastic activity.

Board Member: Charlie Vetterscharlievetters@gmail.com
Charlie has enjoyed caving and the many interesting people that the sport has brought him in contact with since 1987. He enjoys using his graphic design skills in working on the CIG web site and has won multiple awards in the National Speleological Society’s art salon for layout, design and T-shirt design.