Born in Illinois in 1956, Dave Elvig has lived his whole life in the Midwest. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Minnesota’s St. Olaf College, then a medical degree from the University of Minnesota. Although he spends many hours every week as the CEO of Eau Claire-based LOGICARE Corporation, a position he has held since 1986, Elvig is also the president and founder of Altoona Outdoors, a non-profit group that funds recreational trails throughout Altoona. He lives in Altoona with his wife of 14 years, Robin, and his three daughters: 12-year-old Sophie, 10-year-old Anna, and 3-year-old Gretel.

What does your job mean to you?
   In 2005, I started Altoona Outdoors in partnership with my wife Robin and with Colleen and Matt Weber. We started the organization to encourage and enable healthy lifestyles in and around Altoona. We’ve been joined by hundreds of donors and other supporters in funding and building the Lake Road Trail in Altoona, funding a plan for safe routes to school, and soon, building the Eastside Loop Trail.
   It’s rewarding to see this group coming together to build the trails. Even better is to see people using the trails every day.

How long have you been a resident of Altoona?
For 14 years.

What can residents find you doing on a sunny Saturday afternoon?
   With the new trails, I’m more likely to bike to work in Eau Claire or to the mall or grocery stores. We bike as a family most weekends – often biking to the Farmers’ Market at Phoenix Park.
   Our family joined the Ski Sprites last year.  You’ll see all of us in the shows through out the summer.
   Now for a shameless plug… Try biking on the new trail – you can safely ride your bike to see the Ski Sprites at Lake Altoona Beach!

Altoona’s Local Leader is a monthly feature that enables Altoona Star readers to get to know community leaders. It is published in the second issue of every month.