Meet Our Staff
Valerie Regner
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
John Gratton
Challenge Center Manager
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.
Noah Fordyce
Bike Shop Coordinator
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
Gustavo Kilgore
Sales Specialist
Education/Qualifications
B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Criminal Justice from
California State University, Sacramento.
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
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
Sliding sideways (snowboarding, surfing, skating), Traveling, and hanging out in nature (looking at bugs and plants)
Dajoune Rogers-James
Customer Service Associate
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)
Elena Burge
Sales Assistant & Trip Leader
Education/Qualifications
Pursuing a B.A. in Communication Studies with a concentration in Public Relations.
Why do you love the outdoors?
I love experiencing the beauty of nature and exploring places I haven’t seen before. I love sunrise, beautiful views, and huddling near a campfire. Each trip is a new experience.
Three favorite hobbies
Biking, bouldering and cooking vegan food
Geoff Luoma
Outdoor Trip Leader & Challenge Center Team Lead
Education/Qualifications
BS in Environmental Studies, CPR & Wilderness First Aid
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 power of now. My gratitude comes from the sweetness
of self-discovery, healing, and remembrance of unity that she has
and will continue to show me.
Three Favorite Hobbies
Rock climbing, riding my bicycle & hanging out with my cow
friends.
Khang Nguyen
Challenge Center Facilitator
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
Karly Towne
Challenge Center Team Lead
Education/Qualifications
Bachelors of Science in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration, Wilderness First Aid Certified, Adult CPR Certified
Why do you love the outdoors?
I love the outdoors because it had so many benefits for our
mental and physical health. Being in nature improves our moods,
our attention spans, and lowers stress. There really is no
downside to being outdoors! :)
Three Favorite Hobbies
Kyle Welch
Trip Leader & Outdoor Program Assistant
Education/Qualifications
Past experience in raft guiding and outdoor activity.
Why do you love the outdoors?
Since I was a kid, nature was my playground. From camping to backpacking trips, I was constantly outside. Because of this, the outdoors are the place where I feel the most at peace. Filled with adventure possibilities, nature is where memories are made.
Three Favorite Hobbies
My three favorite hobbies would have to be hiking, camping, and rafting.
Jacob Plaugher
Bicycle Technician
Education/Qualifications
I am pursuing a B.A. in English and Theater
Why do you love the outdoors?
The outdoors is a peaceful and healthy distraction for me. Also,
the outdoors is a great way to meet new people.
Three Favorite Hobbies
Coffee
Cycling
Reading
Wendi Weston
Challenge Center Team Lead
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.
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.