Lauren Montgomery, Grand Teton Climbers' Ranch General Manager
Ila Holman, Grand Teton Climbers' Ranch Facilities & Grounds Manager
Ila was born and raised in the Midwest. Her need for adventure stemmed from traveling and backpacking around South America with her family from a young age. Years later, after graduating with a BA in Medicinal Plant Chemistry, she packed her bags and moved out west to be closer to an inspiring community of outdoor enthusiasts. Backcountry recreation and conservation quickly became her passions. Living in her SUV, and hopping from one seasonal job to the next has allowed her to fulfill these mountainous ambitions.
When not at the Climbers' Ranch, you will likely find Ila climbing, splitboarding, on her mountain bike, or making a cup of coffee!
Aaron Blasingame, Gunks Operations & Guest Services Manager
Aaron was born and raised in Southern California, and grew up scrambling in the mountains of San Bernardino. Scrambling eventually turned into climbing and he quickly became obsessed. What started in his local climbing gym brought him to places he'd never have thought to go. Joshua Tree will always be his home crag, but Aaron has climbed all over North Americ ,including Yosemite, Squamish, Red Rocks, The New RIver Gorge, and more. Now, you can find him in the Gunks in upstate New York climbing on big roofs and scary runout slab.
Alex Roberts, Gunks Facilities & Grounds Manager
When Alex is not at the campground he can be found climbing up routes with 3 stars or lower because he is a self proclaimed “choss goblin”. In the off season he trades his climbing shoes for ski boots, snowshoes and crampons and heads in the Adirondacks for deep winter camping, ice climbing and skiing.
Megan Mantione, Gunks Campground Assistant
Megan is originally from Rochester, NY and moved out to the Gunks to be closer to the cliff and Catskill Mountains. After learning to climb in college they were hooked for life. When not on the wall, they enjoy open-water swimming during the summer and skiing and snowshoeing in the winter.
Zak Roper, New River Gorge Facilities & Grounds Manager
Zak moved to the New River Gorge, from Chattanooga, in 2010. He was drawn by the multitude of unclimbed, world-class routes along the New, Meadow and Gauley rivers. He has developed scores of routes and over a thousand boulder problems across the WV region and the world. Zak has first ascents in 10 countries. He helped organize both the PsicoRoc Competition as well as the NRG Boulder Bounty and was a part of the core group who helped build the New River AAC campground. Zak is forever thankful for climbing as it has brought him many lifelong friendships and unforgettable adventures that helped shape who he is and what he believes.
Jeremy Kupferman, New River Gorge Operations & Guest Services Manager
Originally from Maine, Jeremy learned how to climb in Acadia National Park, while attending College of the Atlantic. Those early experiences on the sea cliffs and deep woods climbs in Maine and New Hampshire led him to the outdoor industry, where for the past 15 years he has managed an outdoor retailer, guided rock and ice in New England, and was a professional routesetter before taking on his current role at the American Alpine Club.
As a native New Englander, he hasn't adapted to the heat and humidity here yet, but swears that 45o is still t-shirt weather. When he isn't climbing, he dabbles in biking and photography and is in pursuit of the perfect manhattan and margarita.
Nadya Suntay, New River Gorge Assistant Manager
Nadya's passion for climbing and the outdoors began when she was first introduced to the sport in college. She has turned her passion into a career as a climbing coach for Power Company Climbing and with her current position for the NRG Campground.
When Nadya is not climbing, you can find her rummaging through the woods looking for mushrooms, getting mud in her face on the mountain bike trails, or hiking the local trails with her sassy pup, Mona.
Eric Tomaselli, Rumney Assistant Manager
Eric is from Pennsylvania where he discovered climbing. He started climbing after a friend took him to a gym about a year after graduating high school. He’s been sold on climbing ever since and even ended up working at that gym. Seven years later and he’s living across the street from Rumney, one of his favorite areas to climb. Eric is also passionate about skiing.