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Our Team

 



 
 

Jon O'Connor, MS Organizational Leadership
Facilitator, Trainer, Guide, and Chief Executive Officer

Owner/Share Holder

Jon has a diverse experience in management, leadership, training, and development.  Jon has worked with staff teams, executive leadership, and youth in educational, recreation, therapeutic, and wilderness settings.  While leading NCAC's expansion and growth, he continues to be an active trainer and capacity builder in many areas of the business.

He is an active consultant and has been part of numerous small businesses start ups, including the creation of North Coast Adventure Centers Inc. as a employee owned "co-op" model.  When he is not developing programs and training he loves international travel and exploring rivers of the Pacific Northwest and the world.

Direct: 858-692-3581
Company: 800-808-2836
Jon@NorthCoastAdventureCenters.com
  

Derek Kingham
Facilitator, Trainer, and Chief Operating Officer

Owner/Share Holder

Growing up in England Derek attended the United World College of the Atlantic, an international outward bound school.   He has served on cliff rescue teams, as a Lifeboat coxswain and as a trainer/examiner in costal small craft. Derek has run a wide variety of adventure/outward bound programs for youth groups both in the US and the UK.  Derek is also an active business consultant in San Francisco and the Humboldt area.

Derek is the executive and administrative wing of North Coast Adventure Centers.  He helps support the companies vision, direction, and financial health.  His love however, is in the field playing and working programs.  Derek volunteers extensively with Girl Scouts, he leads two troops in McKinleyville,  organizes adventure programs for girls in the Humboldt area, and is NNCTC trainer of Girl Scout leaders.

Direct: 707-840-9160
Company: 800-808-2836
Derek.K@NorthCoastAdventureCenters.com
  

Roger Pryor
Trainer and Curriculum Developer

Owner/Share Holder

Roger is a building designer, general contractor, life coach, first aid trainer, community developer, team builder, and river guide (among other things). 

Roger has been part of North Coast Adventure Centers direction since before its inception.  He continues to be active in the company.  In his spare time he leads trainings of all kinds, rafts local rivers, and spends time with his wife Peggy.

Direct: 707-822-0222
Company: 800-808-2836
Roger@NorthCoastAdventureCenters.com
 
 

Josh Jackson

Guide and Trainer

Josh has a vast background in Outdoor and Adventure Programming, with an emphasis in group and wilderness leadership. He graduated from the National Outdoor Leadership School and works part time, 100 feet in the air, doing tower maintenance and inspections.  Josh specializes in rope activities, and is a Leave No Trace Master Educator. 

Josh loves the outdoors, especially the North Coast.  In his off time he loves to rock climb and hang out with his dog.

Direct: 707-845-0783
Company: 800-808-2836
Josh@NorthCoastAdventureCenters.com
  
 
Charity Freitas

Facilitator and Guide

Charity has a passion for curriculum development, facilitation, outdoor activities, and personal and professional development. She has led various health education topics based on the Harm Reduction Model for almost 7 years around San Francisco and Humboldt County. She attended College of the Redwoods and most recently completed her time as a Straight Up Americorps member working as a Life Skills Coach and Mentor. She has worked with people from various demographic backgrounds and loves to help people grow and learn more about themselves.
She enjoys guiding canopy and river tours and recently became aSwiftwater Rescue Technician. In her free time she likes to garden, play music, hike, travel, learn, and explore the many things life has to offer. She plans on pursuing a career in outdoor adventure and working toward a degree in Recreation Administration.

Company: 800-808-2836
  

Alegria Sita

Facilitator, Trainer

Alegria has a broad spectrum of skills and experience in teambuilding, expereintial education, personal & professional development, and event organizing.  Alegria has been facilitating, training, and leading adventure programming for over 14 years.

She often works with parents and teachers sharing her love of "Heartful Communication by strengthening deep and respectful connections among children and adults. When Alegria is not leading groups she can be found whirling, twirling, and dancing with her hula hoop, or exploring other cultures in countries around the world.

Direct: 707-845-4998
Company: 800-808-2836
  

Adam Wanden
Guide and Trainer

Owner/Share Holder

Adam has diverse set of climbing skills. He has been rock climbing in Humboldt for fifteen years, competed in the speed climbs at the Lumberjack World Championships in Hayward, Wisconsin and worked in tree canopies looking for Red Tree Voles in Oregon and California.

He and his is wife, Shoshanna, own Redwood Raks World Dance Studio in Arcata's historic Creamery Building.

Adam can be found climbing at Far North Climbing gym and at local climbing "hot spots."

Direct: 707-832-2607
Company: 800-808-2836
Adam@NorthCoastAdventureCenters.com

 

  
Matt Deshazo

Trainer, Guide, and Climbing Director

Matt is the owner of Far North Climbing Gym in Arcata, CA as well as a ropes course facilitator and semi-pro climber. When he is not doubling for Johnny Depp, Matt is leading classes as his gym, climbing Humboldt's beautiful coastal crags, and eating lots of tofu.

Matt is one of the Directors for our Outdoor Rock Climbing.  He plans events, organizes trips, and trains new guides.

Direct: 707-495-2774
Company: 800-808-2836
Matt@NorthCoastAdventureCenters.com
  

Amy Cirincione LCSW, CADC I
Adventure Therapy Consultant

Owner/Shareholder

Amy is currently the Director of Social Services for Hospice of Humboldt. Previously Amy was an staff member of Outward Bound as well as a Field Therapist, Coordinating Therapist, and later Clinical Director of Catherine Freer Wilderness Therapy Programs in Albany, OR.

 

Amy has led trainings on Wilderness Therapy, Secondary and Vicarious Trauma, Anxiety Disorders, Individual and Group Counseling Skills, Drug and Alcohol Treatment, Internet Addictions, and Suicide Assessment & Prevention.

 

Direct: 707-267-5926

Company: 800-808-2836
Amy@NorthCoastAdventureCenters.com
  
Peggy Pryor

Photography and Art Director

Peggy is the drive behind our best pictures.  She strives to document the intense emotions our clients experience during our programs and tours.

Peggy offers her beautiful pictures for individuals, families, and companies.

Direct: 707-822-0222
Company: 800-808-2836
Peggy@NorthCoastAdventureCenters.com
  
Dan Coyle CADC I

Guide, Trainer, and Pacific NorthWest Director

Dan has worked in the Wilderness Therapy and Therapeutic School Industry for over 10 years.  He has developed and run adventure programs and most recently was the School Director for Santiam Crossing a Boarding School in Scio, Oregon.  Dan is a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor, a Swiftwater Rescue Technition, and a ACA Kayak Instructor.  Dan Studied at Cornell University and did Post Baccalaureate Studies at the University of Oregon.

Dan loves the outdoors, especially the California North Coast upward to Oregon.  In his off time he loves to rock climb, run canyoneering expeditions, and surf.

Direct: 541-760-0774
Company: 800-808-2836
Dan@NorthCoastAdventureCenters.com
  
Christopher "Topher" Marlatt

Guide, Facilitator, and Trainer

Topher brings over 12 years of outdoor, experiential, and environmental program experience to NCAC.  With a degree and background in management, Topher has stepped into the role of Program Director. You might connect with him after the intake process but before the program begins.

Topher has an extensive outdoor background including experiential education, ropes courses management, building, and maintenance, resource conservation, backcountry guiding, rock climbing, paddling, mountain biking, and two years as a Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer.  Topher is a Leave No Trace Master Educator.

Direct: 530-520-4315
Company: 800-808-2836
  
 
Derek Hilson
Guide, Facilitator, & Red Cross Instructor
Humboldt AdventureWear Co-Founder

Derek assists North Coast Adventure Centers in connecting and building relationships with individuals, non-profits, schools, and businesses in our community. 

Derek loves riding his bike, hiking in the redwoods, exploring the dunes on our local beaches, playing Disc Golf at any one of Humboldt County's many courses, and assisting with Ropes Courses & Canopy Tours.

Direct: 510-828-9913
Company: 800-808-2836
Derek.H@NorthCoastAdventureCenters.com
  

 
Alexis Ollar
Guide and Facilitator

 

Alexis Ollar has a B.S. in Environmental Science from Hawaii Pacific University. She was previously the Director of Trail Use for the Tahoe Rim Trail Associations for 3 1/2 years, where she wrote and administered grants, coordinated and guided backpacking programs, created and taught flora and fauna interpretive hikes for youth and adults, and led volunteer trail crew trainings and restoration projects. She then worked as a Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer for 2 years traveling and teaching environmental ethics and stewardship programs as a Master Educator.

Alexis came to Humboldt to pursue her masters at Humboldt State University in the Environment and Community M.A.S.S. program, as well as a certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS-Science) which she will be finishing in 2011.  In her off time she enjoys rock climbing, hiking, yoga, surfing, mountain biking, and being outside with her dogs.
Company: 800-808-2836
info@NorthCoastAdventureCenters.com
  
Jeremy Robertson

Guide, Facilitator, and Red Cross Instructor

After serving a term as our Straight Up AmeriCorps member, Jeremy is continuing to work as a canopy tour guide and ropes course facilitator.  

Jeremy has spent a few summers working with youth as a ropes course facilitator, rock wall instructor and program head.  He is currently working on his degree in Recreation Administration with a focus in outdoor adventure at Humboldt State.

Direct: 314-610-4570
Company: 800-808-2836 x9
Jeremy@NorthCoastAdventureCenters.com
  

Elijah Andrews
Trainer, Guide and Climbing Director

Owner/Share Holder

Elijah is passionate about training and facilitating adventure through the outdoors and rock climbing.

As an American Mountian Guide Association Certified climbing instructor, Elijah has worked as a rock climbing and outdoor adventure trainer around Northern California for over 8 years for companies like REI, Center Activities of Humboldt State University, and North Coast Adventure Centers.  

Company: 800-808-2836
Elijah@NorthCoastAdventureCenters.com
  
Nicole Stephens

Facilitator and Trainer

Nicole is the past Managing Director of North Coast Adventure Centers and is currently a contract facilitator and trainer for us.  She continues to be active in the field working as a turtle counter in the Nevada and California Deserts or as a river guide in the Pacific Northwest.

Nicole is available to facilitate programs when we are lucky enough to have her in town.

800-808-2836
Info@NorthCoastAdventureCenters.com
  

Karen Gomez, M.S. Educational Technology
Director of Educational Technology

Owner/Share Holder

Karen is in charge of NCAC's leap into the future of Educational Technology.  Connecting our clients goals with technology keeps up moving toward the future.  Karen has a California  Teaching Credential and a Masters Degree in Educational Technology.  She has 18 years full time teaching experience (grades K – 8).  She is currently teaching Kindergarten with the San Diego Unified School District.

A lead teacher for technology planning and implementation at Hawthorne Elementary School.  She enjoys sewing, crafts, cooking and long walks.

800-808-2836
Karen@NorthCoastAdventureCenters.com
  

Justin Graves

Mountain Bike Consultant 

Justin has grown up cycling on the North Coast.  For the past ten years he has pursued competitive cycling in all disciplines from coast to coast, has served as a youth athletics coach, action sports camp counselor, cycling event promoter, documentary film producer, professional downhill cyclist, and full time bicycle mechanic. 

You can visit him at Revolution Bicycle Repair, in Arcata, Monday through Wednesday and book a tour Thursday through Sunday.  Justin brings his biking passion to the North Coast and looks forward to sharing his experience and local knowledge with you.

Direct: 609-304-3349
Company: 800-808-2836
Justin@NorthCoastAdventureCenters.com
  
 
John Murphy
Director of Del Norte Development

Owner/Share Holder

John is our Crescent City representive developing our future region in Del Norte County, CA.

John is the lead ropes couse trainer and teacher for the Del Norte School district.  When John is not climbing in trees he is surfing or playing with his 2 kids.

Company: 800-808-2836
John@NorthCoastAdventureCenters.com
  
 
Robert O'Connor
Chairman of the Board

Owner/Share Holder

Bob is active in the executive management of North Coast Adventure Centers and gives a crucial outside approach to business development, growth, and sustainability.

Bob is a Wealth Management Consultant for Morgan Stanley in Rancho Santa Fe, CA.  In his former life he was a marathoner, kayaker, and body surfer.

Company: 800-808-2836
Robert@NorthCoastAdventureCenters.com
  
 

 

 

 


Elijah Andrews is the Climbing Coordinator for North Coast Adventure Centers Inc.