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President
Year you started climbing? 1999
Year you started working at Sportrock? 2000
Favorite climbing spot? Kalymnos, Greece.
Most memorable climbing experience? Too many and all memorable for different reasons - sending a hard climb, being in a beautiful place, climbing with my husband and friends...
What roles have you had as a Sportrock employee? Instructor, Investor, President.
Passions in life? Creating opportunities in the climbing community that support people in discovering their potential!
How would your family or friends describe you in 3 words? Passionate, driven, reliable.
What would surprise us to learn about you? I LOVE M&Ms (dark chocolate specifically!).
If you could be any animal in the world - what would you be and why? Grizzly bear because I love the great outdoors, eating fish and scaring campers!
Senior Director | Director of SR Sterling
Year you started climbing? 1999
Year you started working at Sportrock? 2002
Favorite climbing spot? Red Rocks, NV.
Most memorable climbing experience? The Great Arch in Stone Mountain, NC.
What roles have you had as a Sportrock employee? I’ve done them all.
Passions in life? Family.
How would your family or friends describe you in 3 words? Caring, Committed, Clean.
What would surprise us to learn about you? On hard, crimpy boulder problems, I only climb with 9 fingers.
If you could be any animal in the world - what would you be and why? A pet panda for my daughter because she LOVES them.
Director of SR Alexandria & Outdoor Programs
Year you started climbing? 2001
Year you started working at Sportrock? 2010
Favorite climbing spot? Yosemite in early spring.
Most memorable climbing experience? One of my most memorable moments came at the end of the first day of my first big-wall climb. I was hating life, had been belaying on a 6 inch ledge for hours, was cold, hungry, and had forgotten my headlamp in the bottom of the haul bag. I was just about ready to give up on climbing forever when the sun started to set, and a cloud of a thousand swifts started feeding all around me. Climbing to me is all about stepping back to find beauty in these extreme environments and experiences. You have to get out of your head and recognize that it's a pretty cool planet.
What roles have you had as a Sportrock employee? Outdoor guide, Desk staff, Closing manager, Basic Skills instructor, Camp Director, Director of Alexandria, Director of Outdoor Programs.
Passions in life? Aside from climbing, I love baking bread, sailing, and playing dungeons and dragons.
How would your family or friends describe you in 3 words? Evidence-based, Glittery, Color-coordinated.
What would surprise us to learn about you? I once hitchhiked over 2,000 miles in 8 months around the southwest US climbing. I also started climbing after attending a Sportrock birthday party.
If you could be any animal in the world - what would you be and why? I would be a blue whale - it's the most alien landscape and fundamentally different experience I could imagine.
Director of Membership
Year you started climbing? 1994
Year you started working at Sportrock? 2003
Favorite climbing spot? Chattanooga, TN.
Most memorable climbing experience? Leading my wife up Old Ladies at Seneca Rocks to propose on the south summit.
What roles have you had as a Sportrock employee? I started as a routesetter and continued with that part-time through most of my Sportrock career. I was also the SR Rockville Gym Director, Operations Director, Instructor, IT Department, Cleaner, Builder, Repairman, Purchaser, Installer, etc. And I continue to do many of these roles while also working as the Director of Membership.
Passions in life? My family is always at the top of my list. A recent and strong passion of mine though has become obstacle course racing. If I'm not spending time on either of those things, then you will probably find me in the shop fixing or building something.
How would your family or friends describe you in 3 words? Sarcastic (from my wife), Strong (from my daughter), Blank stare (from my son).
What would surprise us to learn about you? I can add poop and fart lyrics to most Disney tunes, especially Frozen and Descendants. If you want to get your daughter laughing, just sing “let it go, let it go, can’t hold it back anymore.”
If you could be any animal in the world - what would you be and why? Okapi. It is rarely seen and rarely heard of. However, when it finally comes to light you can only think that Prometheus’s children got a hold of the clay one day.
Director of Programs & Events
Year you started climbing? 2004
Year you started working at Sportrock? 2007
Favorite climbing spot? Echo Cliffs or Red River Gorge.
Most memorable climbing experience? Deep water soloing in Mallorca, Spain.
What roles have you had as a Sportrock employee? Yoga Instructor, Climbing Instructor, Front Desk Staff, Outdoor Instructor, Lead Manager, Assistant Director, Director of Alexandria, Director of Programs & Events.
Passions in life? My family, jigsaw puzzles, my dogs, camping, climbing, running, baking, neurobiology, and eating.
How would your family or friends describe you in 3 words? Passionate, Crazy, Independent.
What would surprise us to learn about you? I used to run my own catering baking business, DC Treats, which served to over 15 bars/restaurants in the DC area, including Good Stuff Eatery and Sticky Rice.
If you could be any animal in the world - what would you be and why? An elephant because they are strong, intelligent, loyal to the group, and unstoppable.
Assistant Director of SR Alexandria
Year you started climbing? 2010
Year you started working at Sportrock? 2010
Favorite climbing spot? Red River Gorge and Reeds Creek.
Most memorable climbing experience? The Red River Gorge was my first outdoor trip ever. I knew nothing and went with experts! It was my first lead belay and the first time I cleaned a route. I fell in love. And the experience reminded me that I was improving, growing, and getting over my fear of heights every day.
What roles have you had as a Sportrock employee? Birthday Party Instructor, Front Desk Staff, Front Desk Manager, Instructor, Retail Manager, Assistant Director of Alexandria.
Passions in life? My passion in life is helping others work for and achieve goals. Every personality test I’ve taken led me to the same common theme: helping, teaching, and motivating others. Currently, I want to share the love of climbing with those who may not have the opportunity to do so and introduce a new mental and physical challenge into their lives.
How would your family or friends describe you in 3 words? Loyal, Enthusiastic, Supportive.
What would surprise us to learn about you? Other than being absolutely afraid of heights...I love love love the sound of lawnmowers because it reminds me of warmer weather and free time. It's the sound of summer! I played soccer since I was 2 years old, was a Middle School PE teacher, and completed a 500 mile hike. I also lived in Istanbul, Turkey for six months and scored free tea and coffee almost daily for three of them!
If you could be any animal in the world - what would you be and why? Golden Retriever - The extroverted, loyal cuddler that loves to play and meet new people. They are energetic, active, and they love and want to play with everyone. They also like meeting new people, going on long hikes and adventures, and sharing hugs and treats.
Marketing Manager
Year you started climbing? 2012
Year you started working at Sportrock? 2014
Favorite climbing spot? Leavenworth, WA.
Most memorable climbing experience? Freezing temps. 50-degree sleeping bags. Car stuck in the mud. Unable to start a fire. Finally start a fire. Snow. Fire goes out. Car still stuck in mud. Start another fire. Survive the night on body heat and sheer force of will. Climb at Endless Wall the next day!
What roles have you had as a Sportrock employee? Belay bot for parties and open climb; Summer Camp instructor; Private Lesson instructor; Head Camp Coordinator; Marketing Manager.
Passions in life? School is and always will be one of my great passions. If I could professionally collect degrees in various fields, I would. Also, publishing a novel is a lifelong dream of mine. So I would say, besides climbing: learning, writing, music, environmentalism...and climbing.
How would your family or friends describe you in 3 words? Follows directions.
What would surprise us to learn about you? I was NOT in a fraternity in college. But I was in an all-male acapella group.
If you could be any animal in the world - what would you be and why? Humpback Whale. No natural predators, meals swim into my mouth, and people travel from around the world to watch me belly flop? Yes, please.
Senior Director | Director of Routesetting (L5)
Year you started climbing? 2002
Year you started setting? 2004
Year you started working at Sportrock? 2002
How many comps have you set for? 100+ including multiple World Cup and National Championships.
What is your goal when setting? For gym setting, I try to make every climb consistent in grade, with respect to height and reach, with flow and memorable sequences or movement. For comp setting, the goal is to create fun and fair routes or problems to separate the field of competitors. We try to test all abilities and styles for the overall "best" climber of the event.
How do you come up with route names? That's the hardest part of my day. Normally it comes down to the first two words I can rhyme that are appropriate.
Favorite route name? One Crazy Hooker.
What inspires you to stay constantly creative? My reputation.
Setting pet peeves? When climbers do a sequence or move incorrectly or harder than what is obvious and then complain the movement was "awkward"... sometimes it's not the climb that’s awkward, it's the climber.
Words of advice to climbers who get stumped on your routes? Try harder.
Passions in life? My wife and son, cars and trucks, fixing stuff.
How would your family or friends describe you in 3 words? He’s a Workhorse.
What would surprise us to learn about you? I train and compete in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
If you could be any animal in the world - what would you be and why? A Lion, because he’s the king of the jungle!
Head Routesetter (L4)
Year you started climbing? 1996
Year you started setting? 2001
Year you started working at Sportrock? 2017
How many comps have you set for? 32
Why did you start setting? Early on I was more focused on competing than setting. I competed in ABS & USA Climbing National events, UBC Pro Tour events, Mammut Bouldering Championships, Dark Horse Series, Portland Boulder Rally, 24 Hours of Horseshoe Hell, and even an Ice Climbing comp. I thought comps started to neglect the competitor for "world cup" style problems so I started to focus on setting to better understand this style. I have been head setter for a few different gyms in NC, PA, and OR over the years, and I have set multiple USA Climbing National events.
What is your goal when setting? To force you to do whatever I want you to do.
How do you come up with route names? I stare at the computer screen and mumble until I come up with something.
Favorite route name? Manilla Vanure.
What inspires you to stay constantly creative? Coffee and pastries.
Setting pet peeves? Metric bolts.
Words of advice to climbers who get stumped on your routes? Seek out beta or work it out with a friend. Sometimes I can set very contrived with a specific sequence, so if you can't figure it out maybe someone else can. Just like outside, learning how to project routes can help with the redpoint process. More pull-ups always help.
Passions in life? My wife and baby boy... and cookies, all of them.
How would your family or friends describe you in 3 words? Slow-motion Train Wreck.
What would surprise us to learn about you? Before getting back in the gym I was a High School Chemistry/Physics/Math teacher. I have horrible balance. I am a huge fan of rap and hip-hop.
If you could be any animal in the world - what would you be and why? Gorilla, it’s my spirit animal.
Routesetter (L2)
Year you started climbing? 2005
Year you started setting? 2009
Year you started working at Sportrock? 2012
How many comps have you set for? Dozens.
Why did you start setting? I would skip class to go climb at Virginia Beach Rock Gym while my friends, Scott Johns and Tommy Morrison, were setting and they kind of took me under their wing.
What is your goal when setting? To force the movement, duh...
How do you come up with route names? I keep an ongoing list in my phone of things and phrases that I think would make good route names. There’s lots of pop culture references.
Favorite route name? All my favorite route names are NSFW.
What inspires you to stay constantly creative? The bills don't pay themselves.
Setting pet peeves? Not having enough coffee.
Words of advice to climbers who get stumped on your routes? Trade beta for baked goods.
Passions in life? Rock climbing, yoga, art, building things.
How would your family or friends describe you in 3 words? Doesn't follow instructions well.
What would surprise us to learn about you? I’m a bit of a neat freak.
If you could be any animal in the world - what would you be and why? A pug, everybody likes pugs.