Meet Our Staff
Sasha Smirnova
Director
Education/Qualifications
Masters degree in Educational Leadership and Administration and
Bachelors of Science in Secondary Education from New Mexico State
University
Why do you love the outdoors?
It has the ability to humble and empower you at the same time.
Three Favorite Hobbies
Rock climbing, hanging out with my dogs, and eating pizza.
Valerie Regner
Associate Director
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.
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
Rad Beauton
Bike Shop Manager
Education/Qualifications
10+ years of bike shop experience, PBMA certified, UBI certified
Mechanic, and LCI certified instructor.
Why do you love the outdoors?
The outdoors lets me get away from it all. Nothing lets me
decompress as much as night under the stars in my favorite
sleeping bag.
Three Favorite Hobbies
Bikes!! (cyclocross, mountain biking, bike packing, touring, and
daily commuting), music, and board games.
Michael Muñiz Jr.
Sales Specialist
Education/Qualifications
Michael earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Recreation Administration from California State University, Sacramento. He has over 8 years of sales experience in the private, nonprofit, and public sectors.
Why do you love the outdoors?
I love the outdoors because it empowers all! I love it because it
challenges me physically and mentally in the most beautiful
environments. I love coming home from a backpacking trip and
feeling like I can go out and conquer the world. Also, I love
that the outdoors allows people to form connections with fellow
adventurers who come from all sorts of different backgrounds and
cultures. There are no social constructs influencing someone to
be one way or another.
Three Favorite Hobbies
Rafting, backpacking, and riding my bike!
Tanner Landon
Marketing & Outreach Specialist
Education/Qualifications
B.A. in Communication Studies with a concentration in Mass Media
from California State University, Sacramento.
Why do you love the outdoors?
It’s where I get the most out of life. It’s where I feel the most
alive and connected, both to people and to nature.
Three Favorite Hobbies
Rock climbing, photography, and snowboarding.
John Gratton
Challenge Center Program Coordinator
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.
Mia Summer Perez
Outdoor Trip Leader
Education/Qualifications
Pursuing a B.S. in Biology with emphasis in ecology,
conservation, and evolution.
Why do you love the outdoors?
There is a lot to learn from nature, I love the simplicity and
elegance.
Three Favorite Hobbies
Running, backpacking, and trying new coffee shops.
Aliza Young
Outdoor Trip Leader & Customer Service Associate
Education/Qualifications
Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s in Nursing.
Why do you love the outdoors?
The scenic views. The smell of a campfire and the ocean waters.
The feeling of fulfillment after a successful trip.
Three Favorite Hobbies
Reading, Snorkeling, and going to Drive-In-Theaters.
Annaleise Smith
Outdoor Trip Leader & Customer Service Associate
Qualifications/Education: CPR certified
Why Do you love the outdoors? I love the outdoors because its exciting to explore nature and see the beauty it has to offer.
What are your 3 favorite hobbies? My three favorite hobbies are writing, exploring, and reading.