My first visit to Zion was when I was 11. I remember only two things, the Tunnel and Checkerboard Mesa, but I always knew that I would return. Twelve years later I did return to work in the Park. I had a 9-month work contract, and almost 5 1/2 years later I am still here. Moreover, I'll probably be here another 5 and a half years.

My trail to being a part of Zion Adventure Company began a few months after one of my graduate school lectures. (I pursued an MBA in Sustainable Business). One of our professors said if we are not working for a firm aligned with our values, we need to leave and go somewhere where the values did align. I never expected to find such a firm where I already lived, especially considering there are only 550 people in Springdale. ZAC provides me opportunities to have a fantastic work/life balance, while allowing me the freedom to pursue areas of interest from graduate school, like knowledge management.

Since my arrival at ZAC earlier this year, I've grown in ways I had never imagined. Recently I started canyoneering, after months of living in fear of it. Before my first canyoneering experience in Copperhead Canyon near the Kolob Terrace section of the Park, I commented to one of the guides that my only fear was I would find out how much I did enjoy canyoneering and would subsequently be addicted. The guide responded that canyoneering is a good addiction to have. That fear has been realized, and now I spenda lot of time planning and anticipating my next canyoneering adventure.

Originally, I am from Minnesota, a far cry from the desert and sandstone cliffs of Southern Utah. I also enjoy yoga, art, especially oil pastels and collages, reading non-fiction and baking banana bread. This winter Iintend to travel to Israel to work on an eco-tourism development project in Nazareth.