|
|
A |
 Deb Ajango is self employed as a safety education instructor and consultant. Deb has an extensive background working as a practitioner and administrator in the profession, has more than 2000 field days of experience, and has provided risk management consultation and program reviews throughout the United States. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
|
 Aram Attarian has been working in the adventure industry for over 30 years. He is currently associate professor at NCSU specializing in Adventure Recreation and Outdoor Leadership. He has over 20 seasons as a Course Director and Instructor, North Carolina Outward Bound School (NCOBS). He is a member of the North Carolina Outward Bound School BOD where he chairs the safety committee, and participates in safety and program reviews for organizations including the North Carolina Outward Bound School, and the Association for Experiential Education. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
B |
 Christopher Barnes is the co-founder and Executive Director of the High Mountain Institute in Leadville, Colorado. HMI's defining program is the Rocky Mountain Semester, a semester-long academic and wilderness program for high school juniors. HMI also offers leadership development, wilderness medicine, avalanche, and other custom courses. HMI recently complete a two year process to switch to better insurance. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
|
Rebecca Bear currently manages the REI Outdoor School which serves over 11,000 people annually in 12 major metropolitan areas. The programs are urban one-day courses that focus on beginner level skills. She supports REI’s Risk Management Committee and has developed a site management training program for the 150+ instructors at REI. Prior to working at REI, Rebecca served as the chair of risk management committee for Passages Northwest and worked with Outward Bound International in establishing international safety standards. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
|
 Andrew Bobilya, Ph. D., is Co-Chair of the Outdoor Education Department at Montreat College. He has served as an instructor, trainer, and program coordinator for various wilderness and adventure programs for 16 years. His research interests include intentional program design, participants’ perceptions of the Solo and Final Expedition, and first-year college student programs. He coordinates the college’s wilderness orientation program and the Wilderness Leadership Immersion Semester. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
|
 Rick Braschler serves as the Director of Risk Management for Kanakuk Kamps, Kids Across Africa, Men at the Cross and CircuiTree Solutions. Operations include youth and adult camping, sports, adventure, challenge, extreme, facilities, trips, campus events, national and international exposures. Rick also serves as the Senior Risk Consultant for CircuiTree Professional Services providing risk consulting, process design and SOP development for outdoor organizations throughout the country and abroad. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
C |
Kathy Capps has been working in the adventure industry in the field and administratively for the past 10 years. Currently she is the Adventure Program Manager for Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department in North Carolina. Kathy’s professional and research interests are in the field of risk and emergency management. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
|
Tony Clapp is a partner in the law firm of Harris, Karstaedt, Jamison & Powers, P.C. in Colorado. As a trial lawyer, Tony specializes in defending civil claims, including those claims brought against outdoor recreation programmers and providers. Tony is a former fly-fishing and whitewater rafting guide. He also is a volunteer ski instructor at the National Sports Center for the Disabled in Winter Park, Colorado. He is a PSIA certified ski instructor. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
|
Kent Clement is a professor and Department Chair in the Outdoor Studies area at Colorado Mountain College in Leadville, Colorado. He is a long-time outdoor leadership instructor, former Executive Director of the Wilderness Education Association, and is a current Advisory Board member for WEA. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
|
Joshua Cole is Program Director for Outward Bound in Washington. The Washington Program operates in some of the most technical terrain in the US, and runs sea kayaking, mountaineering, backpacking and canoeing courses in the San Juan Islands and North Cascades. Josh has been a field instructor, course director and trainer for Outward Bound. In addition, Josh has an MSc in geological sciences, with several publications and presentations at national conferences. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
|
 David Concannon is an attorney in Wayne, Pennsylvania specializing in litigation with an emphasis on outdoor recreation matters. He also advises equipment manufacturers, training agencies, instructors, adventure providers, explorers and expeditions on a variety of legal and logistical topics. Concannon has served as General Counsel to The Explorers Club and the X-Prize Foundation, and as an advisor to several international expeditions, including six Titanic expeditions and two Mt. Everest expeditions. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
D |
Lee Dickinson has been working with the National Park Service for more than 34 years. Her first assignment was as an interpreter at Independence National Historical Park in 1975. At Independence Lee served as interpretive supervisor, special park use coordinator and public information officer, as well as serving as a public information officer on a type 2 all risk management team. Lee has been the Special Park Uses Program Manager for the National Park Service since September, 2001. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
F |
 As Director of Risk Management Services at The School for Field Studies, Bill Fredrick conducts risk management trainings, safety reviews and incident investigations for Education Abroad. He comes from an Adventure Education background having served for 18 years with Outward Bound. As a faculty committee member for Wilderness Medical Associates he has taught emergency medicine to educators, rescue teams and international service organizations in over a dozen countries. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
G |
 Jim Garrettis the Project Director of Outward Bound’s Instructor Judgment Training Curriculum, and National Director of OBUSA’s Service Initiative. Jim has been affiliated with Outward Bound since 1964, first as a Hurricane Island O.B. sea program instructor (1965-74), then as a Trustee and Corporation Member (1990’s - present). Veteran teacher in Middle and High Schools in the US and abroad. NOLS alumnus (1973). Directed Harvard’s First-Year Outdoor Program (1999). An Advisor to Princeton University’s Outdoor Action Program. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
|
Wilma J. Gray has been a civil trial attorney in California for 11 years, specializing in recreation law. She is a partner in a mid-size defense law firm. When not in trial or in depositions, Wilma loves to get outdoors. Born in rural Ontario, Canada, she spent much of her youth canoeing, hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and working as a counselor for outdoor programs. After receiving a B.A. degree from Queen’s University, Wilma worked for the Canadian government in Ottawa, before moving to California. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
|
 Charles (Reb) Gregg is a practicing attorney in Houston, Texas specializing in outdoor adventure and education law. He serves on the board of Directors of The Student Conservation Association (SCA) and The Friends of Big Bend National Park, and on the Wilderness Risk Managers Conference Steering Committee and the Accreditation Council of the Association for Experiential Education. Reb is legal counsel to a number of organizations, including summer camps, secondary and college outdoor programs, challenge courses and outfitters. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
H |
 Catherine Hansen-Stamp is an attorney in private practice in Golden, Colorado. She consults with and advises recreation and adventure providers and related organizations on legal liability and risk management issues. She speaks and writes on these issues both regionally and nationally, and has presented at the WRMC since its inception in 1994. Cathy is a member of the Wyoming and Colorado Bar Associations. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
|
 Dr. Seth Hawkins has served as medical director and advisor for many wilderness/outdoor organizations and events, including Search & Rescue teams, wilderness EMS teams, sporting/endurance events, outing clubs, and outdoor experiential schools. A Fellow of the American Academy of Wilderness Medicine, he has over 15 years of experience in wilderness and out-of-hospital emergency medicine. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
|
 Jeff Jackson is a professor and coordinator of Algonquin College's Outdoor Adventure Program, a professional adventure guide training diploma, where he oversees 18,000 student field days per year. He has worked as a guide, educator and project manager since 1988, crossing a variety of disciplines, activities and corporate cultures. Work experience includes leadership and management positions with Outward Bound, the National Outdoor Leadership School, and numerous commercial outfitters. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
|
Jon Heshka has two decades of experience in outdoor education, guiding, search and rescue, and business combined with 4 degrees including a thesis that examined the liability of adventure education. He has climbed around the world, trained SAR for 7 years with the BC government, worked with Denali Mountain Rescue and has been retained by the US Department of Justice as an expert witness. Jon is a professor of adventure studies at Thompson Rivers University. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
J |
David Johnson is uniquely qualified to discuss a wide range of topics. He bring years of experience as a backcountry traveler and patient caregiver. To make the session as valuable for each one of you as possible, please come prepared to challenge him with the questions whose answers have eluded you for years. He would welcome emails before the session as well (dejo@wildmed.com). Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
K |
 Ken Kalisch has over 35 years of experience in outdoor and adventure education as a professor, field instructor, program manager, researcher and author. He is the author of The Role of the Instructor in the Outward Bound Process, which is used in many academic and professional training programs. Ken currently lives in the mountain cove of Montreat where he serves as an Associate Professor of Outdoor Education at Montreat College. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
|
Doug Killeen is the Assistant Vice President of commercial underwriting for Philadelphia Insurance in Littleton, CO. Doug has 15 years of underwriting experience dealing with contractual requirements and risk management based programs. Philadelphia Insurance is a niche oriented property and casualty insurer that specializes in several recreation and wilderness programs. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
|
 Alex Kosseff managed risk for the Appalachian Mountain Club's volunteer programs for 6 years. He has presented on vol. risk management at 5 WRMC & over a dozen other conferences. Through ASI he works with a wide array of volunteer led outdoor programs including mountain clubs, university recreation programs, etc. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
L |
 Drew Leemon, NOLS Director of Risk Management, began his career in outdoor education in 1979 and has held his current position since 1996. He is a past chairman of the Wilderness Risk Managers Committee and is on the steering committee for the Wilderness Risk Management Conference. He has published papers on wilderness injury and incident data and is co-editor of the Manual of Accreditation Standards for Adventure Programming and co-authored Risk Management for Outdoor Leaders. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
M |
 Will Marling has earned undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate degrees in a variety of disciplines. In 2000 he was trained by the National Organization for Victim Assistance® (NOVA) and added to his skill set for responding people in crisis. His praxis has been informed as a responder to national and international events from violent crimes to natural disasters. Marling was living in Ireland when he was appointed as Executive Director in July 2007. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
|
Leo McAvoy is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Minnesota, retiring in 2006 after 33 years of teaching. Dr. McAvoy taught courses in adventure and wilderness programs, outdoor education, and park planning and management. His courses often included field trips of 4-14 days in wilderness areas in northern Minnesota and Montana. His research relates to adventure programs, wilderness management and education, park management, and persons with disabilities. He is a NOLS graduate (1970). Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
|
John McManamon currently lives in Estes Park, CO. John has been in the insurance business for 31 years. John recently completed in the National Senior Games in Palo Alto, California, and won the bronze metal in racquetball. John and his wife Lynn have 6 children and 9 grandchildren. John specializes in hard to place insurance, and loves to compete in all areas (business, sports, etc.) Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
|
Frances Mock is an attorney specializing in advising wilderness and recreation programs. She is Outward Bound’s counsel to the National Risk Management Committee and provides advice to OB and other clients on responding to serious incidents, claims, and lawsuits, as well as other matters such as ADA compliance, liability release forms, contracts, and general risk management. Frances worked in the outdoor industry as a guide and instructor for ten years before becoming an attorney. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
O |
Nancy Oswald has been with SCA since 1999 where she is currently the Midwestern Regional Program Director for Community Programs. Nancy is responsible for developing and implementing new programming and partnerships in SCA's Midwest region including Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee and Pittsburgh. Nearly 1,000 youth in these communities are engaged annually in conservation jobs, outdoor education and training programs with SCA and it's partners. She has nearly 20 years of non-profit experience in outdoor education and leadership programming. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
|
Gretchen Ostherr is the Director of Outward Bound’s Training Institute, which oversees training, curriculum and research nationally for Outward Bound. She is a member of Outward Bound’s Senior Leadership Team and she is a member of the AEE Accreditation Council. Gretchen has been a field instructor, course director, trainer, and program director for OB’s sailing and semester programs. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
|
 Jeremy Oyen is the Director of the ACA’s Safety Education and Instruction Department. His diverse background includes: canoe guide in Canada, Outdoor Retail Store Manager, Director of Cleveland Metroparks Institute of the Great Outdoors. He is a Level 3: Coastal Kayaking Instructor Trainer Educator, an Adaptive Paddling Instructor Trainer and a Level 3: River Canoe and Level 3: River Kayak Instructor. He is the editor of two new books from Human Kinetics, Canoeing and Kayaking. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
P |
Brenda Porter is the Education Director for the Colorado Mountain Club, a volunteer-based outdoor organization with more than 900 volunteer trip leaders. She is currently revamping their volunteer leadership and risk management training program, including design of supplementary web-based training materials. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
S |
 Jay A. Satz is Vice President for Western Initiatives for SCA, located in Seattle. He has served on the Wilderness Risk Managers Committee since 1995 and regularly writes and presents on risk management issues, as well as performing safety audits and incident reviews within the industry. Jay’s greatest risk management feat is raising two children, particularly serving as an umpire for his son Rory’s Little League baseball team. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
|
Cole Sclack is the program manager for CBI Insurance Agencies Outfitters and Guides Program and the Wilderness/Environmental Education Program. The Programs provide Liability,Property,Auto, Umbrella coverages and Risk Management Services. Cole has presented for ANCA(With Cathy Hansen-Stamp in 2008),NATSAP(With Reb Gregg in 2008),IECA,IOGA and MOGA. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
|
 Tod Schimelpfenig, the Curriculum Director of the Wilderness Medicine Institute, has been a NOLS Instructor and practicing EMT since 1973, is a Fellow of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine and a two time winner of the WMS Warren Bowman award for contributions to the field of wilderness medicine by a non-physician. Tod has served as the NOLS’ Risk Management and Rocky Mountain School Director and is a founder of the Wilderness Risk Manager’s Conference. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
|
 After working as a Wilderness Guide, Kirk Smimeall was demoted to management at Catherine Freer Wilderness Therapy Programs twelve years ago, and works as the Wilderness Program Manager. He enjoys many outdoor activities with his wife and two young sons, surfing, dark chocolate, playing Ultimate, natural building with cob and straw bale, and reading irreverent satire such as "The Onion". He is currently pursuing an MBA with an emphasis on Sustainability from one of the nation’s leading “green” business schools, Bainbridge Graduate Institute. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
|
 A professional career spent teaching in the outdoors, Chris Stec currently brings his paddlesports knowledge to the Safety Education and Instruction Department of the ACA. He is a Level 4: Whitewater/Flatwater Canoe Instructor Trainer Educator, a Level 5: Advanced Whitewater Canoe Instructor Trainer, a Level 5: Advanced Swiftwater Rescue Instructor and has the Adaptive Paddling Endorsement. He was also one of the writers of the BSA Canoeing Merit Badge Pamphlet. Back to conference sessions >> |
T |
Justin Talbot is the Wilderness Programs Manger for the High Mountain Institute in Leadville, Colorado. HMI's defining program is the Rocky Mountain Semester, a semester-long academic and wilderness program for high school juniors. HMI also offers leadership development, wilderness medicine, avalanche, and other custom courses. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
|
 Liz Tuohy was the program director for NOLS Rocky Mountain for 5 years, where she oversaw (directly and indirectly) 250 field staff/year and up to 45,000 student days annually. She was responsible for supervising instructors in risk management, student outcomes, and curriculum. She got a lot of practice in things like instilling new curriculum on courses, addressing performance issues in staff, coaching staff to address student performance concerns, managing evacuations and developing staff qualifications. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
V |
 Mark Vermeal is National Director of Risk Management and Safety for the Student Conservation Association. He is responsible for developing and implementing risk management strategies for nearly 4200 staff and volunteers nationwide. Mark has over 15 years of director level outdoor programs experience. An EMT, he has been a wilderness medicine instructor, an AMGA certified Rock Instructor, has been certified by the ACA as a white water open canoe instructor and serves on the BOD for the Pemi Valley SAR Team. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
W |
Jed Williamson, M.Ed. is the Immediate Past President of Sterling College in VT. He is co-author of the AEE Accreditation Standards for Adventure Programs, editor of "Accidents in North American Mountaineering, and co-designer of the "Live, Learn, and Teach" graduate program in experiential education at UNH. He has conducted many risk management reviews and accident investigations for adventure programs. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
|
D r. Lynn Yonge is a lifelong outdoorsman that has focused his medical practice on the treatment of troubled teens using the Outward Bound model. He founded the Five Rivers Outward Bound Base in Fairhope, Alabama in 2006. Dr. Yonge completed the requirements for Fellow status in the Academy of Wilderness Medicine in 2007. Dr. Yonge participates in the training of Outward Bound field staff in issues pertaining to troubled teens. Back to conference sessions >> |
|
|
Z |
 Lester R. Zook is the director of the Outdoor Ministry and Adventure Leadership program at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. His doctorate is from the University of Virginia (1995). In 2004, he started WILD GUYde Adventures, providing adventure guiding and staff training for summer camps, groups, and families in the various back-country areas of Virginia and West Virginia. Back to conference sessions >> |
