Meet Our Staff

Meet Our Staff

Overview
Profile

Valerie Regner

Director

Valerie Regner standing in front of a net.

Education/Qualifications
I have a Bachelor’s in Recreation Administration from Sacramento State University and 15 years of Challenge Course experience. I am also a certified Level 2 ACCT Facilitator.

Why do you love the outdoors?
It just smells better out there.

Three Favorite Hobbies
Karaoke, dancing, and staying away from social media.

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Laura Murray

Operations Manager

Ross Garner on a raft

Education/Qualifications
15+ years experience as a bicycle mechanic and shop manager, USAC Category 1/Pro Cyclocross and MTB racer.  Bachelor of Music, Johns Hopkins University.

Why do you love the outdoors?
It sure beats being inside.

Three Favorite Hobbies
Child wrangling, drinking coffee, being outside

Profile

Ross Garner

Outdoor Adventure Manager

Education/Qualifications
Graduate Degree in Outdoor Leadership from the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from California State University Sacramento.

Why do you love the outdoors?
The Outdoors has the greatest potential to cultivate positive change in a person.

Three Favorite Hobbies
Rafting, All Sci-Fi/Horror, Music Festivals

Profile

John Gratton

Challenge Center Manager

John Gratton in a polo shirt standing in front of a tree.

Education/Qualifications
BS in Kinesiology and I am CPR and Wilderness First Aid certified.

Why do you love the outdoors?
The outdoors provides tons of opportunities for new experiences. Experiences like meeting interesting people, seeing new sites and challenging myself both physically and mentally. Also the sunsets, those are pretty sweet too.

Three Favorite Hobbies
Doing pull ups on rocks, sliding on the snow with sticks and cruising on two wheels.

Profile

Noah Fordyce

Bike Shop Coordinator

Noah Fordyce in the Peak Adventuresa Bike Shop at Sacramento State

Education/Qualifications

7 years of professional bicycle repair experience. B.A. in History from California State University, Sacramento.

Why do you love the outdoors?
The change of environment, going on a bike ride or a walk in nature puts you in new places where you can new sights smells, and experiences. Biking or walking in the city where you would usually drive lets you learn about your town, and discover new routes and places you might otherwise never see.

Three Favorite Hobbies

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Gustavo Kilgore

Sales Specialist

Education/Qualifications
B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Criminal Justice from California State University, Sacramento. I am CPR and First Aid certified.

Why do you love the outdoors?
 I love the outdoors because there is something special about adventuring and exploring in an unknown place.  Not knowing where I’m going is what inspires me to travel it.  I feel so much freedom when I am outdoors.

Three Favorite Hobbies
Soccer, Fast Cars, and Traveling  

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Dajoune Rogers-James

Customer Service Associate

Dajoune Rogers-James

Education/Qualifications

Pursuing a BA in Film Studies

Why do you love the outdoors?

I love the outdoors because of the alteration in being that the organic world gives in contrast to the inorganic form of the town.

Three Favorite Hobbies

Reading (nonfiction), photography (documentary) and watching movies (world cinema)

Profile

Geoff Luoma

Outdoor Trip Leader & Challenge Center Team Lead

Education/Qualifications
BS in Environmental Studies, Wilderness First Responder

Why do you love the outdoors?
The wilderness is an abundant source of energy that is ever-giving of lessons and opportunities. I love the outdoors because Mother Earth constantly welcomes us into the all-expanding and joyous power of now.  

Three Favorite Hobbies
Pulling granite, riding my bicycle & throwing a frisbee

Profile

Khang Nguyen

Challenge Center Facilitator

Khang Nguyen in Yosemite.

Education/Qualifications
I’m currently majoring in Chemistry concentration in Biochemistry at Sacramento State and volunteering at Kaiser Permanente Hospital. I’m CPR First Aid Certified.

Why do you love the outdoors?
Be out there, you will love it as much as I do.

Three Favorite Hobbies
Traveling, Hiking, and Camping

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Alexandra Massa

Sales Assistant

Education/Qualifications

I am currently pursuing my Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies.

Why do you love the outdoors?
I love nature and being able to appreciate the beauty of it all. Being around nature makes me feel happy and free.

Three Favorite Hobbies

Reading, Painting, and Watching Movies

Profile

Wendi Weston

Challenge Center Team Lead

Wendi Weston with gloves in front of a rope course.

Education
AA in Fashion Design, BA Family and Consumer Sciences, Minor in Recreation and Leisure Studies, Credentials in Home Economics and Health Science.

Qualifications
Wilderness First Aid, Infant, Child, Adult CPR/First Aid, AED, Class B Permit. Wendi has been part of Peak Adventures since 2002. She has worked with many different groups on the Peak Adventure Challenge Center along with being contracted to work at other courses in the area. She has taught over 7 years in the public school system including junior high and high school students. Wendi has over 15 years of youth camp leadership and training for both elementary school students and teenagers. Taught an aspiring young artist for 3 years and currently has her own women and children accessories design business creating beautiful one of a kind fabric creations.

Favorite Thing About Peak Adventures
Being part of Peak Adventures has provided so much growth in my professional and personal life. Each day on the Challenge Center I have the opportunity to mentor, share and learn with both my fellow “Peakies” and clients.  I love to go to work!!! Without ASI’s support for Peak Adventures this would never have happened.

Profile

Lily McCalla

Marketing and Outreach Specialist

Lily McCalla

Education/Qualifications
BFA in Graphic Design and experience in the marketing/design field

Why do you love the outdoors?
Exploring the outdoors is a wonderful way to disconnect from the digital, fast-paced society we live in day to day and refresh yourself. I love to capture what I can on camera to share/increase the hype! 

Three Favorite Hobbies
Painting, lifting weights, and hiking. 

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Priscila Rayo Rivera

Customer Service Associate

Education/Qualifications 

Pursuing B.A in Psychology

Why do you love the outdoors?
I love that there are so many beautiful things to see and fun things to do in the outdoors. It is also a great way for me to be able to spend time with friends and family in a place where there are endless possibilities and chances for us all to have fun together.

Three Favorite Hobbies
Hiking, Sightseeing and Watching TV Shows

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Aliza Young

Outdoor Trip Leader & Customer Service Associate

Education/Qualifications
Pursuing a B.S. in Health Science, CPR & Wilderness First Aid

Why do you love the outdoors? 
Being in nature allows for people to live in the moment, gain an appreciation for the planet we live on, and provides opportunities to explore new hobbies.

Three Favorite Hobbies 
Backpacking, plants, and petting my friends cat (Chicken)

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Annaleise Smith

Outdoor Trip Leader & Customer Service Associate

Qualifications/Education: Pursuing B.A in Communication Studies, CPR & Wilderness First Aid

Why Do you love the outdoors? I love the outdoors because it connects us with ourselves, others and mother nature. Every adventure creates meaningful and life-long memories. Adventure is out there!

What are your 3 favorite hobbies? Backpacking, growing plants, and petting Chicken (my cat)