Jerry Sousa, 54, was born in California where he lived until he was 12. He moved to Alaska with his family in 1971 and has been here ever since. He graduated from Susitna Valley High School in Talkeetna, and he attended UAA. He began mushing in 1978, and said he became interested in the Iditarod in 2001 when he met Kathleen Holden, who happened to have a dog team. He says,”After stepping out of racing for a year, I can’t wait to race again.” Jerry is a member of the Iditarod Trail Committee, Inc. and the IOFC and he owns Talkeetna Adventure Company, LLC. He and Kathleen are the parents of Nicolas, 12, and Jerry has two adult children, Denali and Fritha. Jerry lists his hobbies and interests as hunting, flying, and travel to warm places.