SFP Editor: How did you learn about the Hike for Discovery and what prompted you to participate?
Andy Freckmann In the fall I participated in a 5K run in Reston and registered through active.com - a website that lists events all over the country. I came upon Hike for Discovery, a program that includes 16 weeks of hiking/training and culminates in a weekend of hiking in the Grand Canyon in June. At the same time we are raising money for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. My father passed away from cancer about 8 years ago, a close friend's mother is losing a battle to cancer right now and I wanted a way to channel my energy to a good cause - and, from everything I have heard, have a life altering experience!

SFP Editor: What do you see as the biggest challenge in participating in the hike?
Andy Freckmann I have never done fundraising before, so my first thought was that raising $4400 in a couple months might be tricky. However, the initial response from friends, family & co-workers has been so positive, I am now thinking that hiking up out of the Grand Canyon will be quite a hurdle - having never been, I can only guess how big and treacherous it will be! It will also be quite a commitment; hiking every Saturday for the next 4 months.

SFP Editor: How are you training for the Hike for Discovery?
Andy Freckmann We have a weekly exercise regime, which includes walking, stretching exercises, working out and some weight lifting. Then every Saturday through June we go to a different park in the Washington metro area and hike the trails. It started last weekend with a quick half-hour hike in Great Falls, an hour this weekend and it gets a little longer each weekend, until we get to about a 7 hour hike.

SFP Editor: What has been your hiking experience in the DC area?
Andy Freckmann This is actually my first real hiking experience - I have done some recreational hiking in the past in Great Falls and the Shenandoah, but this is definitely the big one.

SFP Editor: Have you traveled to locations in the past to hike or will the Grand Canyon be your first big hike experience?
Andy Freckmann I have done some other excursions in the past that included hiking - a fishing trip to the Smokey Mountains - but this is the first big hike, and I am really looking forward to it.

SFP Editor: What type of fundraising efforts do you have planned?
Andy Freckmann In my first 1-2 weeks of fundraising I have been sending out letters and emails to start getting the word out. Some ideas that I have planned in the next month or so for fundraising is to have an event at a local restaurant/bar (any ideas?), charity poker game and/or a golf outing. I am still in the planning stages for an event - I will keep you posted.

SFP Editor: What is Geodecisions and your role with the company?
Andy Freckmann GeoDecisions is a Geospatial Information Technology consulting company. What does that mean you ask? We play in the IT space, but focus on giving our customers a spatial/mapping aspect to what they are doing. Almost everyone today is using Google Earth - having the ability to see information in the form of a map. We do integration and application development for customers and enable them to create a common operating picture on a map(like Google). My role is as Business Development for our company - promoting our company to the federal, state and local government as well as commercial.

SFP Editor: What about your job is the most challenging?
Andy Freckmann Having to interact with customers every day - always being focused and positive can be challenging. But I love it. I can't imagine myself not being out in front of people all the time - interaction and developing relationships is what I thrive in. Being in the office 5 days a week is not for me.

SFP Editor: What brought you to the DC area?
Andy Freckmann I grew up an Embassy brat - around the world until college. So DC was always my home base. After graduating from Virginia Tech I have been living in the DC area for almost 17 years - except for a year and a half stint in New York. I love the area, so much to do all the time.

SFP Editor: What advice do you have for folks interested in participating in fundraising efforts?
Andy Freckmann Having just started, my only advice would be not to be bashful. Don't be afraid to tell everyone you talk to that you are raising money for a good cause - you will be surprised how willing people are to help!