The OARS Team

Professional Outdoor Guides and Adventure Experts

“As OARS guides we are the luckiest people on Earth. We not only get to “live” in some of the most beautiful places on this planet, even better, we get to expose and interpret the secrets of these fantastic rivers to OARS’ clients. It’s better than being a pinch-hit delivery boy for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. A great byproduct of all this is being able to awaken people to the urgent need to take part in defending these vanishing or threatened river canyons. Only by working together can we protect them for the future.” ~ Michael P. Ghiglieri

The OARS Family includes more than 300 talented guides and employees. Not all are included here.

Ally Klaes

Professional Guide

Alyssa Schaffer

Professional Guide

Anabelle Yeston

Professional Guide

Andre Potochnik

Professional Guide

Andrew Goetting

Professional Guide

Ashley Brown

Professional Guide

Ashley Doucet

Professional Guide

Blessed Ndlovu

Professional Guide

Bram Role

Professional Guide

Bridget Sidwell

Professional Guide

Bruce Lavoie

Regional Manager

Camilo Montaño

Professional Guide

Cari Morgan

Main Office

Carly Boyden

Professional Guide

Christopher McIver

Professional Guide

Cindell Dale

Professional Guide

Clavey Wendt

Main Office

Cliff Ghiglieri

Professional Guide

Cortney Bayuk

Professional Guide

Curt Chang

Regional Manager

Dana Dickinson

Professional Guide

Daniel Biegert

Professional Guide

Dave Garcia

Professional Guide

Dave Holmberg

Professional Guide

David Dennis

Professional Guide

Dean Myring

Professional Guide

Doug Nechodom

Professional Guide

Dylan Silver

Main Office

Eddie Dowd

Professional Guide

Emily Lewis

Professional Guide

Eric Hudelson

Professional Guide

Eric Shedd

Professional Guide

Eric Sjoden

Professional Guide

Evan Basinger

Professional Guide

Evan Olson

Main Office

Felipe R Cervilla

Professional Guide

Fred Varnal

Food Packer

Garett Sobotka

Professional Guide

Garret Thomason

Professional Guide

Gordon Verdugo

Professional Guide

Hannah Stevens

Professional Guide

Hillary Mosman

Assistant Manager

Hunter Holtrop

Professional Guide

Jackson Stolp

Professional Guide

Jeff Berkey

Professional Guide

Jess Wallstrom

Regional Manager

John Mortimer

Professional Guide

Jon Garcia

Professional Guide

Jon Harley

Professional Guide

Jose Langarica

Professional Guide

Kale Cimperman

Professional Guide

Kate Wollney

Regional Manager

Katy Stevens

Main Office

Kelby Ankerson

Professional Guide

Kerry Jones

Professional Guide

Kersten Schnurle

Professional Guide

Lars Haarr

Regional Manager

Lauren McCullough

Professional Guide

Lauren Petersen

Professional Guide

Lee Bassett

Professional Guide

Lew Steiger

Professional Guide

Lindsey Mersereau

Professional Guide

Madalyn Rainey

Professional Guide

Madalyn Russell

Professional Guide

Matt Haberman

Professional Guide

Matt House

Professional Guide

Matt Zeugin

Main Office

Max Andariese

Professional Guide

Michael Fabry

Professional Guide

Miller Scott

Professional Guide

Nick Grimes

Assistant Manager

Nicole Smedegaard

Professional Guide

Peter Lefebvre

Professional Guide

Rachael Moffatt

Professional Guide

Rachel Tigges

Professional Guide

Rio Hibarger

Professional Guide

Robin Ruckhaus

Professional Guide

Roger Dale

Professional Guide

Rose Triolo

Professional Guide

Russell Haussermann

Professional Guide

Russell Schubert

Professional Guide

Sabrina Stein

Professional Guide

Sarah Mallory

Professional Guide

Sarah Segal

Professional Guide

Sean Sorrin

Professional Guide

Seth Davis

Regional Manager

Stephen Kenney

Professional Guide

Steve Markle

Main Office

Tess Richard

Professional Guide

Tom Rylands

Professional Guide

Tony Ezell

Professional Guide

Tony Gower

Main Office

Travis Hale

Professional Guide

Tyler Wendt

Main Office

Zachary Williams

Professional Guide


“I am not sure people realize that River Guides are so much more than your guide to The River. They are poets and writers, cooks and musicians. They are scholars and scientists. They are your cheerleaders when you are going on a tough hike and they are your caretakers if you get an injury. They listen to your stories even if they suck and they let the Canyon speak for itself when you are just floating in awe and silence.” – Trisha Fortuna & Jason McVearry


“I did not realize how controlling the raft was just a fraction of their [the guides] duties. They were entertainers, historians, geologists, botanists, chefs, medics and more. They entire crew was SUPERIOR!!!” – Craig Sellers, Golden, CO


“Awesome job! Thanks for enjoying your jobs as much as you do. Without the guides there would be no OARS” – Kathryn McPherson, Lake Elsinore, CA


“All the guides were superb. They really must be the elite on the river.” – Sarah and Bill Bordac, Los Angeles, CA


“I continue to be impressed with the quality of your staff. Every member of the crew was first rate, both personally and professionally. That they were expert boat handlers almost goes without saying. Their concern for safety as well as attention to individual personal problems and desires is remarkable.” – Frank T. Gutmann, Exeter, NH


“The relaxed yet professional way the guides handled everything from the first evening’s meeting to the last “Thank you for boating with us” was wonderful; I never ever imagined being treated so well on a river trip.” – Dave McDanel, Reynoldsburg, MA


“The boatmen/women added so much to our experience — very qualified, friendly, accommodating, excellent hiking guides, very knowledgeable about the geology/geography of the canyon, excellent story-tellers, great chefs — their qualifications are endless!” – Nancy Lohnes, Quartz Hill, CA