Five new owners have taken on Stokely Creek Lodge
Sun, Dec 21, 2025 - By Deanna Path
Welcoming the New Owners of Stokely Creek Lodge
Stokely Creek Lodge began as Chuck Peterson’s dream over 60 years ago, when he discovered the perfect place in the Algoma Highlands to build world-class Nordic ski trails. After his passing, the Byker family, long-time visitors who loved Stokely deeply, carried the legacy forward from 2007. Now, a new ownership group of five passionate outdoor enthusiasts, Andy Levin, Mary Freeman, Tim Kunin, and Josh and Deanna Plath, have come together to write Stokely’s next chapter.
A Heartfelt Farewell
The Byker family has been the heart and soul of Stokely Creek Lodge, creating unforgettable experiences for countless guests over the years. Their dedication, warmth and love for this beautiful place have made it the extraordinary destination we all cherish.
We invite you to read their heartfelt goodbye message on the blog, where they share memories, express gratitude, and pass their best wishes to everyone who has been part of the Stokely journey.
Introducing The New Ownership Team
We are thrilled to be a part Stokely Creek Lodge and are deeply committed to preserving the magic, history, and spirit that make this place so special. Stokely means a great deal to us, and we’re honoured to carry its legacy forward while bringing fresh energy and ideas to enhance its future. In the coming weeks, we look forward to introducing ourselves personally and sharing our vision for Stokely’s bright and exciting next chapter.
Andy Levin & Mary Freeman
Andy and Mary, majority owners, have always adventured outdoors together, especially in the Algoma district, even getting engaged on snowshoes high atop the Awausee Trail many years ago! They have four young adult kids who have been gathering for many years at Stokely. Andy brings years of experience as a labor leader, member of U.S. Congress, founder of a clean energy start-up called Lean & Green Michigan and director of the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth. Mary earned an MAT in Education and taught sixth grade for many years. She co-founded two non-profits including Community Bridges, an empowerment program for girls that is still going strong almost 30 years later. Andy and Mary's deep appreciation for nature, commitment to clean energy initiatives and sharp entrepreneurial sense will help guide Stokely’s growth for years to come.
Tim Kunin
Tim Kunin is a successful businessman from Minneapolis. He studied at University of Michigan and Carnegie Mellon. He is the co-founder and CEO of Greater Good, which has raised $90M for charity since 1999. In that capacity, he has traveled much of the world seeking good causes to support around the theme of “Animals, People and Planet.” Tim has canoed over 5,000 miles on rivers and lakes in Canada, the U.S. and South America, and organized and led numerous Arctic canoe trips. Andy Levin has been on a bunch of them. When Andy asked Tim to come to Stokely to check out the crazy idea of buying the place, Tim snowshoed around for a few days and said, “This place is magical. You’d be crazy not to buy it – and I want to be part of it.”
Josh & Deanna Plath
Local to Goulais River, Josh and Deanna have had the privilege of having Stokely 'next door' and being a part of it's community. They are year-round outdoor enthusiasts and love skiing, biking, hiking and camping with their friends and young family. Josh is a carpenter by trade and operated his own business before working 11 years in the steel industry managing operations. He is looking forward to getting back to what he is passionate about and bringing Deanna's creative ideas to life. Deanna has a degree in computer science and works as a CTO for Insightworks Training Technologies. She is excited to use her skills to bring Stokely into a new era by embracing technology and using it to streamline operations and marketing to reach more guests. You will find Deanna & Josh around Stokely managing daily operations and making sure everything runs seamlessly.
Looking Forward to an Amazing Ski Season
As we transition to new ownership, one thing remains unchanged - our commitment to providing an exceptional Nordic skiing and snowshoeing experience. We've been slowly transitioning into our new roles over the last few months and we are all set for an exciting ski season. The staff have been incredibly helpful and supportive, Alex has the trails ready for grooming and we cannot wait to welcome you all in a couple short weeks.
To mark this new chapter, we’ve launched a refreshed website that brings Stokely’s trails, lodge and spirit to life in a modern and welcoming way. We invite you to check back often as we continue to add new features, events and information.
While change can sometimes be bittersweet, we're embracing this transition with optimism and excitement. The lodge's future is bright, and we're grateful to have you as part of our continuing story. Thank you for your support during this transition. We look forward to creating wonderful new memories together in the lodge and on the trails.
For further information contact Andy Levin at (248) 808-1420/[email protected] or Deanna Plath at (705) 206-8341/[email protected].
With warmest regards,
The New Stokely Creek Lodge Family
Discover the magic of Stokely Creek Lodge this winter!