Our Staff: Office, Adventure Tour & Bike Rental Teams
OUR OFFICE TEAM . . .
Every member of our staff has a love of the outdoors and adventure and each has a unique set of life accomplishments that make AOA a very special organization. We are dedicated to making every guest's experience extraordinary (often life-changing), while respecting and preserving the very special places we visit. We believe AOA is a exceptional place to work and strive everyday to share our enthusiasm for the outdoors with our guests, corporate customers and others with whom we work.
 Seth Heald - President
Born in Canada, Seth was a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Arizona State University with a degree in Biology. As a recipient of the prestigious Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Fellowship, Seth worked in biological field research focused on Sonoran Desert rattlesnake behavior, co-authored several scientific papers, and was a speaker at the American Society of Zoologists annual conference in 1996. After leaving academia, he worked as a guide and animal handler for the Natural History Unit of the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) and was recently the on camera talent for a 30-day expedition to a remote corner of Venezuela for the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, and Outdoor Life Network. Seth has been a full-time guide and manager at AOA since 1997, plus has twice been an invited speaker at the World Congress of Adventure Travel.
 Rick Hill, Director of Finance and Technology
After receiving an M.B.A., Rick's professional career has spanned almost three decades of work in technology consulting, software design, software development, and project management in a variety of industries. Rick worked successfully for sixteen years at Arthur Andersen (now Accenture) and ten years at National Health Enhancement, Inc., where he was responsible for all software development of products which formed the basis for the Company's growth during Rick's tenure from revenues of about 3 million dollars to revenues of about 50 million dollars. Rick joined AOA in early 2007, after consulting with AOA for several years on technology, web site management and design and accounting issues. AOA provides the perfect opportunity for Rick to use his corporate and technology experience combined with his love of bicycling, fishing, travel and photography.
 Ed & Sue Ford
Both Natives of Western Canada who spend each winter in Arizona, Ed and Sue fell in love with adventure travel while cycling through France. Ed is President of Dockside Capital Group and is a Chartered Accountant with over forty years experience creating and implementing financial development plans for client enterprises in Canada and the United States. He specializes in the start-up of emerging growth companies, arranging seed capital, financial control and management systems.
OUR ADVENTURES TEAM . . .
Every member of our Adventures Team is a very experienced guide with in-depth knowledge of our tours, the special places we visit and what it takes to make each trip an unforgettable adventure. There are very few questions they can't answer and very few problems they can't solve. Each of them works tirelessly everyday to make sure all aspects of each trip are arranged and that all our guests' needs are met.
 Brian Jump - Multi-day Tour Sales Manager
Since his earliest years growing up in Maine, Brian could be found exploring the outdoors - bicycling, hiking, climbing - his sense of adventure intact from day one. He ultimately attended the University of Denver where he graduated with a degree in Philosophy. In further pursuing his interest in the outdoors, he then completed the National Outdoor Leadership School -- a 95-day rock climbing, backpacking, winter camping, canyoneering, spelunking, and backcountry skiing leadership course. As a professional outdoor guide across the Western United States and Canada for the past 15 years, Brian loves sharing his wealth of knowledge as he leads guests on varied and incredible cycling, hiking and backpacking adventures. His travels have taken him on foot or in the saddle into a multitude of our country's most prized natural treasures. In his spare time Brian enjoys music, food & wine and spending quality time with friends and family.
 Hansi Sexauer - Director of Tours and Events
A native of Arizona, Hansi graduated from Black Hills State University with a BA in Tourism and Business. She subsequently completed the Idaho Whitewater School in 1990 and then guided on a multitude of rivers in the western US. After resettling in Phoenix, Hansi worked full-time leading rafting, hiking and biking tours and then enjoyed successful stints at the Phoenix Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Events Group and PGI. Seeing the opportunity to combine her career aspirations with her love of the outdoors, she joined AOA. Utilizing her vast experience and providing unequaled customer service, Hansi handles the details that ensure your next AOA adventure experience will be worry-free and memorable.
 Tim Dice - Tour Operations Supervisor
Tim moved to Arizona from Taos, NM where he spent over 20 years working as a whitewater raft guide, ski instructor, bar manager and sous chef. He also enjoys mountain biking, rock climbing and backpacking. On days off he can often be found exploring ruins and cliff dwellings throughout Arizona. He is certified as a Wilderness First Responder and Swift Water Rescue Technician. His extensive experience in hotels and restaurants comes in handy in the kitchen on our multi-day tours, and if you are looking for a chess game just let him know.
 Joy Morris - Day Tours & Events Operations
Though she claims Colorado as home, Joy grew upin the deep Delta lands of Mississippi. Catching fireflies and catfish, climbing trees and scraping knees have been a priority in her life ever since. Before becoming entranced by the opportunities for endless exploration and discovery in the American Southwest, Joy spent her days traveling the world, hiking, diving, sunbathing and working as a landscape architect, volcano guide and of course coffee shop barista. After seeing A River Runs Through It and Legends of the Fall, she attended the University of Montana and, though never found Brad Pitt, graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Mountain Tourism & Adventure Travel. Joy’s inquisitive nature, love of people, culture and the great outdoors, and her wildly passionate approach to everything fits ideally with the AOA team. She’s a certified Wilderness First Responder and speaks a little of many languages. When not in the canyon, swimming up a creek or on top of a mountain, Joy’s probably busy reading, running, or spending time with her family.
OUR BIKE RENTAL TEAM . . .
We take pride in having the best bike shop staff in the business. All of our previous clients will tell you our bike shop staff goes the extra distance to enhance their their bike rental experience. No matter the issue, whether it's the type of pedals you prefer or where the best riding can be found theyare eager to answer all questions, solve any problems, and keep your ride fun and worry-free.
 Cary Cox - Bike Shop Manager
Since moving from Iowa, Cary has run our bike shops for more than 14 years. He is responsible for the day-to-day management of our fleet of equipment . Formerly a professional musician, he is an expert bicycle mechanic with more than 25 years of experience. Cary possesses an innate ability to fix and fine-tune anything with moving parts. From children's bikes to top of the line road bikes to our computer network, Cary never fails to come to the rescue when nobody can figure it out.
 Steve Boggs - Bike Shop Master Technician
Steve has an outdoor, outdoor equipment and bicycle shop background. He is originally from Illinois where he worked for REI as a bicycle technician and bicycle shop supervisor. He is a certifed as a Master Bicycle Technician by Barnett Bicycle Institute. He has also completed a semester-long N.O.L.S. (National Outdoor Leadership School) course including backpacking, alpine travel, rock climbing, sailing and outdoor ethics. Steve's outgoing, upbeat outlook and passion for the outdoors makes him a perfect fit for AOA.
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