| Anna Sharp asharp@aceraft.com |
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| Job Title: |
Housekeeping Manager |
| Favorite Part of Your Job? |
Meeting all the new and exciting people that stay at ACE! |
| What Brought You to ACE and the Rafting Industry? |
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| Hometown: |
Dothan, WV |
| Hobbies/Interests: |
Walking, Camping |
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| Beth Gill beth@aceraft.com |
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| Job Title: |
Marketing Coordinator, Retail Operations Manager |
| Favorite Part of Your Job? |
Planning new brochures and catalogs about ACE. |
| What Brought You to ACE and the Rafting Industry? |
I graduated from college with a Bachelors in Fine Arts and have been working in the outdoor industry for over 19 years. ACE was a natural fit for the skills I've developed and the many outdoor hobbies I enjoy. |
| Hometown: |
Virginia Beach, VA |
| Hobbies/Interests: |
Hiking and exploring new places with my 3 dogs...Ginger, Peyton, and Jackson, snowboarding, cross country skiing, exploring the many waterways in WV via any craft available...kayaks, canoes, touring boats, rafts, tennis or racketball depending on the time of year and who will play with me, new recipes I can test on my husband or two co-workers, Trish and Gene |
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| Bo Jeffries bo@aceraft.com |
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| Job Title: |
River Manager, Senior Whitewater Rafting Guide |
| Favorite Part of Your Job? |
Knowing at the end of the day everything went as it should, and the guests had an enjoyable experience. |
| What Brought You to ACE and the Rafting Industry? |
I have always loved the water and river, and played on or near the rivers. |
| Hometown: |
Hinton, West by God Virginia |
| Hobbies/Interests: |
Family, hunting, fishing, Playstation, and yelling at guides |
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| Brandi Warwick brandi@aceraft.com |
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| Job Title: |
Reservations Mgr |
| Favorite Part of Your Job? |
Talking people into coming to West Virginia to enjoy the same activities and scenery that I have loved my entire life. |
| What Brought You to ACE and the Rafting Industry? |
I have loved the outdoors since I was a kid, so it came naturally that I ended up in this industry. I chose to work for ACE because they have the best to offer. It is much easier to sell somebody something when you believe in it. I stay at ACE because the company is ran by active owners who work longer hours than anyone else here, and because I am surrounded with people who love their jobs as much as I do. I get to help people have the best vacations of their lives. |
| Hometown: |
Kincaid, WV (pop. 170) |
| Hobbies/Interests: |
Camping, fishing, gardening, and doing anything outdoors with my family |
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| Brenda Rinehart Howells brenda@aceraft.com |
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| Job Title: |
IT Manager |
| Favorite Part of Your Job? |
The beautiful place I work - it's nice not to have to go outside and see nothing but concrete |
| What Brought You to ACE and the Rafting Industry? |
My friends in the ski indusry. |
| Hometown: |
Fayetteville, WV |
| Hobbies/Interests: |
Spending time with my beautiful daughter and my husband. Hiking with my dogs, skiing, rafting (of course), yoga, jewelry making, web design, photography, music. |
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| Christy Ulrich christy@aceraft.com |
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| Job Title: |
Executive Assistant |
| Favorite Part of Your Job? |
Organized Chaos |
| What Brought You to ACE and the Rafting Industry? |
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| Hometown: |
Youngstown, OH |
| Hobbies/Interests: |
Crochet and Reading |
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| Cindy Martel cindy@aceraft.com |
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| Job Title: |
Marketing Assistant/Special Projects |
| Favorite Part of Your Job? |
Watching ACE grow from 2 buildings to a full service adventure center,, and people (both guests and colleagues) |
| What Brought You to ACE and the Rafting Industry? |
Vision, dedication to growth, opportunity to learn |
| Hometown: |
Contoocook, NH |
| Hobbies/Interests: |
Gardening, outdoors, agriculture |
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| Dave Garcia |
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| Job Title: |
Video Boaters' Manager |
| Favorite Part of Your Job? |
My co-workers |
| What Brought You to ACE and the Rafting Industry? |
Love for the outdoors |
| Hometown: |
Oak Hill, WV |
| Hobbies/Interests: |
Music, movies, my dog, playing outside |
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| Emily Marr emily@aceraft.com |
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| Job Title: |
Challenge Course Director |
| Favorite Part of Your Job? |
I am looking forward to meeting and interacting with all the groups who participate in the challenge course. I enjoy watching as the groups and individuals progress throughout the day, conquering fears, accepting challenges, and succeeding as a team.
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| What Brought You to ACE and the Rafting Industry? |
The beautiful scenery, friendly folks, excellent whitewater, and the opportunity to do the work I enjoy. I responded to ACE's advertisement on the Association for Experiential Education website, and I'm thrilled to be here! I am also completing my internship requirements for my graduate degree.
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| Hometown: |
Chattanooga, TN |
| Hobbies/Interests: |
Backpacking, hiking, paddling, climbing, reading, sewing, and knitting.
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| Ernie Kincaid ernie@aceraft.com |
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| Job Title: |
Owner/Vice President |
| Favorite Part of Your Job? |
Logistical Nightmares |
| What Brought You to ACE and the Rafting Industry? |
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| Hometown: |
Here at ACE |
| Hobbies/Interests: |
None, I am boring. |
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| Gene Starcher gene@aceraft.com |
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| Job Title: |
Web Master |
| Favorite Part of Your Job? |
Learning new technologies |
| What Brought You to ACE and the Rafting Industry? |
Love of the outdoors |
| Hometown: |
Beckley, WV |
| Hobbies/Interests: |
I have five daughters and one on the way....I need a hobby! |
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| Jack Lund jack@aceraft.com |
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| Job Title: |
Senior Whitewater Rafting Guide |
| Favorite Part of Your Job? |
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| What Brought You to ACE and the Rafting Industry? |
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| Hometown: |
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| Hobbies/Interests: |
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| Jay Forman |
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| Job Title: |
Professional Whitewater Rafting Guide; Rock Scaler |
| Favorite Part of Your Job? |
Meeting people from all walks of life and being able to share my office with them. Charging at ginormous waves and surfing West Virginia style makes me happy. The challenge of rookie rafters and the thrill of entertaining the rafting veterans. Yall come visit! |
| What Brought You to ACE and the Rafting Industry? |
The realization that the "real world" jobs were over booked and under paid. This job gives me an opportunity to enjoy peoples' forever wild memories. Jack Lund gave me a chance to make myself famous in white water videos. Thanks Jack (Old Man River)! |
| Hometown: |
Harrisburg, PA |
| Hobbies/Interests: |
Teaching Scott Batterson to surf and stay upright on the water; disc golf outings with friends; hiking, living life and listening to Ken Kruger play after a long day on the water! |
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| Jeff Walls jeff@aceraft.com |
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| Job Title: |
Bike Department Manager/Race Coordinator/Professional Whitewater Rafting Guide/Bike Mechanic and Humanitarian |
| Favorite Part of Your Job? |
Getting paid to play! |
| What Brought You to ACE and the Rafting Industry? |
I won a free raft trip in a basket weaving competition at a nudist colony, and well...year later I'm still here. |
| Hometown: |
Kistler, WV |
| Hobbies/Interests: |
Biking, basket weaving, and eating flan |
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| Jennifer Pannell |
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| Job Title: |
Professional Climbing Guide/Professional Whitewater Rafting Guide |
| Favorite Part of Your Job? |
Having an office outside, and helping people try something new that is outside their comfort zone. |
| What Brought You to ACE and the Rafting Industry? |
I wanted to try something different. I had started climbing and thought I could bring this to other people's lives like it was brought to mine. |
| Hometown: |
Oak Hill, WV |
| Hobbies/Interests: |
Reading a good book, climbing, and spending time with my children |
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| Jerry Cook jerry@aceraft.com |
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| Job Title: |
Owner/President |
| Favorite Part of Your Job? |
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| What Brought You to ACE and the Rafting Industry? |
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| Hometown: |
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| Hobbies/Interests: |
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| Joe Shrewsbery joe@aceraft.com |
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| Job Title: |
Facilities Manager/Senior Whitewater Rafting Guide |
| Favorite Part of Your Job? |
People, dozer work, and teaching white water |
| What Brought You to ACE and the Rafting Industry? |
Looking for something to be good at |
| Hometown: |
Toledo, OH |
| Hobbies/Interests: |
Church, teach, drama, chess, and hunting |
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| John Bennett Cornwell III |
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| Job Title: |
Kayaker; Video Boater; Professional White Water Raf Guide; Photographer |
| Favorite Part of Your Job? |
Taking the craziness that is ACE and molding it into a pleasurable experience for the guest & myself; the Gauley River. |
| What Brought You to ACE and the Rafting Industry? |
Random chance brought me to white water. The Gauley River & the Summer Gauley program kept me coming back to ACE. I was led here by Tracy Claff. Coleen Laffey mentored my video style. |
| Hometown: |
Chattanooga, TN |
| Hobbies/Interests: |
Kayaking |
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| Josh Sapio |
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| Job Title: |
Climbing Guide Instructor/Program Coordinator |
| Favorite Part of Your Job? |
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| What Brought You to ACE and the Rafting Industry? |
Climbing in the NRG, of course |
| Hometown: |
Parkersburg, WV |
| Hobbies/Interests: |
Climbing, spending time with my family |
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| Kathy Wise kathy@aceraft.com |
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| Job Title: |
Reservations/Group Sales |
| Favorite Part of Your Job? |
Co-workers and youth groups. |
| What Brought You to ACE and the Rafting Industry? |
Outdoor activities |
| Hometown: |
Gauley Bridge, WV |
| Hobbies/Interests: |
Hiking, wildlife, gardening |
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| Ken Kruger |
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| Job Title: |
Poet Laureate; Video Kayaker |
| Favorite Part of Your Job? |
I get to wear a skirt to work. |
| What Brought You to ACE and the Rafting Industry? |
Life-long dream to be a career kayaker. |
| Hometown: |
Mars, PA |
| Hobbies/Interests: |
Playing guitar, reading books, poetry, movies, hugging trees, watching lightening bugs, & human taxidermy. |
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| Lea Hildebrand |
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| Job Title: |
Professional White Water Rafting Guide |
| Favorite Part of Your Job? |
The Gauley |
| What Brought You to ACE and the Rafting Industry? |
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| Hometown: |
Minnesota |
| Hobbies/Interests: |
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| Linda Goodson |
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| Job Title: |
Housekeeper |
| Favorite Part of Your Job? |
Meeting new people and working outdoors |
| What Brought You to ACE and the Rafting Industry? |
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| Hometown: |
Fayette County, WV |
| Hobbies/Interests: |
Reading, walking, movies |
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| Melanie Dragan melanie@aceraft.com |
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| Job Title: |
ACE Mountain Sports Manager |
| Favorite Part of Your Job? |
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| What Brought You to ACE and the Rafting Industry? |
My husband, John, started the rafting industry |
| Hometown: |
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| Hobbies/Interests: |
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| Randy Wills |
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| Job Title: |
Professional Whitewater Rafting Guide |
| Favorite Part of Your Job? |
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| What Brought You to ACE and the Rafting Industry? |
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| Hometown: |
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| Hobbies/Interests: |
. |
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| Rick Miller rick@aceraft.com |
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| Job Title: |
Assistant River Manager, Professional Whitewater Rafting Guide |
| Favorite Part of Your Job? |
Getting to do what I love and not be trapped behind four walls. |
| What Brought You to ACE and the Rafting Industry? |
At the ripe age of 14 I moved to a new part of town. Not long after moving, my next door neighbor asked me if I would like to become a whitewater rafting guide. I was quick to say yes, however it turned out that I wasn't old enough. I did general labor and was able to get out on the river all the time. For my 16th birthday I did my first commercial rafting trip. I've had a passion for the river and the sport since that day. |
| Hometown: |
Charles Town, WV |
| Hobbies/Interests: |
The river, historical artifacts, and most importantly my wife and animals. |
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| Scott Batterson |
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| Job Title: |
Professional Whitewater Rafting Guide |
| Favorite Part of Your Job? |
The River |
| What Brought You to ACE and the Rafting Industry? |
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| Hometown: |
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| Hobbies/Interests: |
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| Scott E. Olive |
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| Job Title: |
Professional Whitewater Rafting Guide; Carpenter; Travel Show Sales |
| Favorite Part of Your Job? |
Expressing and sharing my passion for the sport of white water rafting and the industry in general. Also, rafting some of the best white water in North America! |
| What Brought You to ACE and the Rafting Industry? |
I came into the rafting industry because I was failing high school. My history teacher from my high school got me into a program where I attended school half the day and had a job the rest of the day. While other kids were flipping burgers I was rafting my butt off and loving it! I came to ACE because of the people I work for & with here. Not to mention, the Summer Gauley program. It rocks! |
| Hometown: |
Harper's Ferry, WV |
| Hobbies/Interests: |
White water, construction, snow boarding, movies, & my dog Stoney. |
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| Stephen Reid stephen@aceraft.com |
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| Job Title: |
Distribution Coordinator/Professional Whitewater Rafting Guide |
| Favorite Part of Your Job? |
The people |
| What Brought You to ACE and the Rafting Industry? |
I'm on vacation everyday! |
| Hometown: |
Burleson, TX |
| Hobbies/Interests: |
My family, travel, surfing "WV style", rafting, of course, and being outdoors in general! |
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"Tolly" Robert Taliaferro
tolly@aceraft.com |
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| Job Title: |
Professional Whitewater Rafting Guide, Assistant River Manager |
| Favorite Part of Your Job? |
Guiding first-time rafters and/or timid rafters through Class IV & V white water. The look of satisfaction & accomplishment on a person's face after a successful day of padding is priceless |
| What Brought You to ACE and the Rafting Industry? |
Luck! I was looking for a raft trip on-line, found ACE's website, clicked on "employment opportunitites" out of curiosity, and the rest, as they say, is history |
| Hometown: |
Ft. Wayne, IN |
| Hobbies/Interests: |
Classic litature, old-time country/bluegrass music, ping-pong, and physics |
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| Tracy Jackson tracy@aceraft.com |
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| Job Title: |
Professional Whitewater Rafting Guide, Confirmations |
| Favorite Part of Your Job? |
Part 1 is being out on the water with interesting people. Part 2 is helping people to set up a stress free vacation. |
| What Brought You to ACE and the Rafting Industry? |
My love of the outdoors brought me to southern WV. My love of the river brought me to ACE. My love for ACE and the people I live and work around make me stay!! |
| Hometown: |
Louisville, KY |
| Hobbies/Interests: |
Reading, cooking & baking, building computers, playing with new software on computers, writing HTML, raising birds, hiking, weight lifting, yoga, and most of all...WHITEWATER! |
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