Introducing... The Mad River Staff
Professional. Passionate. Skilled. And sometimes... a little crazy.
Here at Mad River, our job is to keep you safe while showing you a great time on the Snake River. All of our guides undergo rigorous training before handling their own boat on the river. This includes a week-long, intensive guide school, out of which we hand-pick only the best guides, a minimum of twenty shadows with an experienced guide and a three day whitewater rescue course that earns each guide an internationally recognized certification as a whitewater rescue technician.
Our guides also hold the required CPR and First Aid certifications. Rest assured, your safety is our number one priority.
Take a moment to meet the Mad River "Family". We work together, we play together and we all share a love of the river. Everyone has a little something special they bring to the table, (some more special than others), but our goal is to show you a good time and share a little bit of our passion for the Snake River with you.
Dan KenahRiver guide Nickname: Uncle Dan Hometown: Acton, MA Seasons at Mad River: 2 My life in a nutshell: Immaculate conception, a bit of carpentry, life of leisure in Jackson, hopefully a heroic death. Most extraordinary river experience: Cascades for cousins wedding. Rafting is better than maintenance Favorite local hike: ....step into my office Favorite Jackson-area restaurant: Bubba's Favorite quote: "If your knees aren't green by the end of the day, you have to seriously reconsider your life."- Calvin and Hobbes In my free time: play music, sumo wrestle, fashion dreamcatchers Favorite guest: Dustin and Kayla Gamester What everyone else says about me: "That guy has some dashing good looks, wouldn't you say?" |
James RevercombRiver Guide Nickname: Comb Hometown: Roanoke, VA Seasons at Mad River: 4 My life in a nutshell: Family, friends, outdoors, work, fun Most extraordinary river experience: storm drians Favorite local hike: Grizzly Lake Favorite Jackson-area restaurant: The Blue Lion In my free time: I like to be outdoors. Favorite guest: I like social people |
Ian McIverRiver Guide Nickname: The White TIger Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT Seasons at Mad River: 6 (holla!) My life in a nutshell: It's a lot like that "Gladiator" movie. Most extraordinary river experience: Desolation Canyon in the fall Favorite local hike: Death Canyon Favorite Jackson-area restaurant: The Cadillac Grille Favorite quote: "Cleverness has never been associated with long delays." - Sun Zsu In my free time: I pretty much just hang out and act cool. Favorite guest: All of them. What everyone else says about me: "He looks like Brad Pitt, only taller." |
Ben MarchettiRiver Guide Nickname: BooBoo, Marsketchy Hometown: Richmond, VA Seasons at Mad River: 3 My life in a nutshell: My goal in life is to see how many places I can sleep in my hammock. Most extraordinary river experience: This one evening when I was on baggage and therefore the last person in the canyon, I was going through the Champagne rapid and I swear i saw the silhouette of my beloved unicorn! Favorite local hike: I like the hike from the boat ramp to the parking lot. Favorite quote: "Unicorns don't care if you believe in them any more than you care if they believe in you." - Author Unknown In my free time: I'm an active member of the local LARP (live action role play) society. The movie role models really brought our sport into the lime light. When we can't get together I fill that void with Dungeons and Dragons, Guild Wars or any other live computer game. Favorite guest: The quiet ones. What everyone else says about me: "We're not really sure what to think about that guy." |
John W. Harris Jr.Guide Nickname: John Wayne Hometown: Lynchburg, VA Seasons at Mad River: 2 My life in a nutshell: The Caddilac from 5-7 Most extraordinary river experience: Gauley River, West Virginia Favorite local hike: Downtown to Mad River.. around 2 am. Favorite Jackson-area restaurant: D.O.G. Why not? In my free time: Grillin', Chillin', Kayakin', Drummin', Laughin' at Steve Wilde Favorite guest: strong swimmers What everyone else says about me: "Who is that Australian?" |
George HaskettChef Hometown: Pocatello, Idaho Seasons at Mad River: 1 My life in a nutshell: Jack of all trades, master of none. Three years working for YOSAR. Served in the Army. Lived in Russia. Worked as a Park Ranger. Worked in the Middle East for six years. Happily married with three kids! Most extraordinary river experience: Surfing Lunch Counter Favorite local hike: Paintbrush to Cascade Canyons Favorite Jackson-area restaurant: New York Sub Shop In my free time: I used to climb a lot, but had to get a real life to support my family. I took up rafting, but now work here. Looking for a new hobby. Favorite guest: Alive and Breathing |
Corinne RobertoGuide Nickname: Mighty MOuse Hometown: Idaho Falls, Idaho Seasons at Mad River: 2 My life in a nutshell: i just graduated college, live in my car, and play all day everyday. My BFF is my dog Griffin, and I love rafting! Most extraordinary river experience: My parents made me go rafting... In my free time: I like to shoot my gun. sometimes I mountain bike and play cribbage. |
Ben CallahanRiver Guide Nickname: BC Hometown: American Fork, UT Seasons at Mad River: 2 My life in a nutshell: I'm just living the high life. Most extraordinary river experience: Every day is extraordinary. Favorite local hike: The Grand Teton Favorite Jackson-area restaurant: Teton Thai or D.O.G. Favorite quote: "If God intended for us to be naked, we would have been born that way." Mark Twain In my free time: What free time? Favorite guest: I like the customers who tell me stories. What everyone else says about me: "That guy has a nice beard." |
Steve WildeGuide Nickname: Virgil Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah Seasons at Mad River: 2 My life in a nutshell: I am a very big deal around these parts and I think Laura and all the office staff (single) are beautiful!!! Most extraordinary river experience: First trip was the Snake with Mad River in "89. Spent a lot of time on the Payetter River and Green River. Favorite Jackson-area restaurant: The Caddy obviously. In my free time: Anything outside and playing with my boy Charlie. Favorite guest: The ones i get to grab right before they fall out! |
KC BessRiver Guide, Operations Manager Nickname: Kilo Hometown: Ivins, UT Seasons at Mad River: 9 My life in a nutshell: Cedar City - Ivins - Melbourne - Ivins - Jackson - Logan - Jackson - Gisborne - Jackson (I move around, but I always come back to Jackson.) Most extraordinary river experience: Rowing a boat 21 days on the Grand Canyon. Favorite local hike: Delta Lake Favorite Jackson-area restaurant: "The Store" on the south island of New Zealand Favorite quote: "Earn more or want less." In my free time: I like taking photos, playing with Sophie, camping, hiking, rafting climbing and hanging out with Mary Favorite guest: Anyone interested in the river or nature. What everyone else says about me: "He's one of the OP and is just as good looking as Ian." |
Will NewmanGuide Nickname: Rook Hometown: Mobile, Alabama Seasons at Mad River: 2 My life in a nutshell: cats, knitting, and Discovery Channel Health Most extraordinary river experience: Mad River when I was 10 Favorite local hike: The bike path to Smith's Favorite Jackson-area restaurant: Cafe Boheme (I love the Lattes!) Favorite quote: "jump jump jump around" In my free time: fishing, hunting, the Outdoors |
Brian McDonoughRiver Guide Nickname: Captain Intensity Hometown: Fairfield, CT Seasons at Mad River: A Rookie at heart... My life in a nutshell: Just looking for that special lady to settle down with, start a family and get into a 9-5 desk job somewhere in Middle America. Most extraordinary river experience: Missing the take out in Blue Steel. Favorite local hike: I like long strolls along the river banks as the sun is setting and the water is shimmering. Favorite Jackson-area restaurant: Whatever "she" is fixing. Favorite quote: "For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul."- Judy Garland In my free time: Well, I enjoy having time to knit and scrapbook, but I'll always make time for writing poetry and snuggling. Favorite guest: I like those guests you can really make a connection with, you know? What everyone else says about me: "He's such a sweetheart." |
Lizzie WatsonRiver Guide Nickname: Ldubs Hometown: Durham, NC Seasons at Mad River: 4 My life in a nutshell: Living the dream... Most extraordinary river experience: The Grand Canyon trip I took with my family that started my love of the river. Favorite local hike: Death Canyon Favorite Jackson-area restaurant: Nikai Favorite quote: "Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean In my free time: snowboarding, hiking, camping, biking, kayaking, climbing, field hockey, rafting, swimming, reading and just being outside Favorite guest: People that want to participate. What everyone else says about me: "That's a pretty sweet truck that Lizzie has." |
James BrennanRiver Guide Nickname: Stackhouse Hometown: Morristown, NJ Seasons at Mad River: 100 My life in a nutshell: I like to think about things for a while. Most extraordinary river experience: The Grand Canyon Favorite local hike: Teewinot with Lizzie Favorite Jackson-area restaurant: Smith's Favorite quote: "Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death." - Albert Einstein In my free time: hike, run, write music, play music, read, teach myself languages What everyone else says about me: "Man, that guy must work out." |
Phillip FontenotShuttle Driver Nickname: Phimile Hirsh Hometown: Eunice, LA Seasons at Mad River: 1 My life in a nutshell: At 5 months I began to walk. By 16 months I was fluent in Spanish and Latin even though the latter was a dead language. At age 12 (don't worry about the 10 year gap) I climbed nearly every fourtneener in Colorado. Now at 22 I am a shuttle driver. Most extraordinary river experience: I first rafted down in Patagonia and was lead guide by age 6. I raft because it's the gnarliest thing you can do in the water. Favorite local hike: Jenny Lake Favorite Jackson-area restaurant: The Caddy Monday's 30 cent wings and 2 for 1 beers Favorite quote: "Live, Laugh, Love" In my free time: raft when it's summer, hike, challenge Stack to arm wrestling matches (and lose), climb mountains, swim rivers. Favorite guest: The chatty ones What everyone else says about me: "His tights shirts show off his big muscles!" |
William WalkerRiver Guide Hometown: Shreveport, LA Seasons at Mad River: 1 My life in a nutshell: Awesome. Most extraordinary river experience: A two day trip down the Green River. Favorite local hike: Josie's Ridge Favorite Jackson-area restaurant: Tacomania - wait is that in Jackson? Favorite quote: "Big gulp, huh? Well, see you later." In my free time: Anything outside. Fishing. Hunting. Favorite guest: Dustin Gamester What everyone else says about me: "I don't know, he might be crazy." |
Ryan MertaughRiver Guide Nickname: Murphy Hometown: Traverse City, MI Seasons at Mad River: 4 My life in a nutshell: J'aime des langues etrangeres et des filles qui les parlent. Most extraordinary river experience: Every time I'm sharing the water with friends, it's extraordinary. Favorite local hike: Teewinot - if you consider that a hike. Favorite Jackson-area restaurant: Ryan's "back of the truck" Diner Favorite quote: "There are two things that are more difficult than making an after-dinner speech: climbing a wall that is leaning toward you and kissing a girl who is leaning away from you." In my free time: climbing, kayaking, and tending my goats... oh, and eating lots of cinnamon bread Favorite guest: Anyone who's willing to take me out to dinner. What everyone else says about me: "McLovin!" |
Nate LovitzRiver Guide Nickname: Nate Hometown: Fairfield, Maine Seasons at Mad River: 7 My life in a nutshell: Just living the dream! Most extraordinary river experience: During my sophomore spring break in West Virginia, we paddled one of the classic class 5 runs (the Lower Big Sandy). The run was amazing, but when we got to the take out there was a bunch of fire trucks. Apparently there was a forest fire in the area and we were all recruited on the spot to help fight it. So there we were, still in all our kayaking gear, fighting the fire. Favorite local hike: Phelps Lake and Death Canyon Favorite Jackson-area restaurant: The dinner site at Mad River of course. Favorite quote: "People say I look like Brad Pitt, only taller" - Ian McIver In my free time: Skiing, kayaking, biking... pretty much anything to stay active and be outside with friends Favorite guest: Any young child who gets the whitewater bug. I love the kids who sit in front of the boat the whole time getting soaked by every wave! They remind me a bit of myself! What everyone else says about me: "That guy has the best PFD tan in the world... or the worst, depending on how you look at it." |
Paul JonesRiver Guide Nickname: Maverick Hometown: Logan, UT Seasons at Mad River: 2 My life in a nutshell: Man, I just like to party. Most extraordinary river experience: One day, the bus pulled up at West Table and the entire Swedish Bikini Model team walked off the bus. It turns out they had heard about me and had requested me as a guide. Man, that was a great dream- uh day. That was a great day. Favorite local hike: The 43N to Cutty's route would be my fave. Favorite Jackson-area restaurant: I just like to go wherever the good margaritas are. Favorite quote: "A good friend would bail you out of jail, but your best friend would be the one sitting next to you saying, "D@mn! That was awesome!"" In my free time: I like to wax my mustache and practice flexing my muscles in front of the mirror. Favorite guest: Girls, girls, girls! What everyone else says about me: "That guy needs to slow down." |
Will BryantRiver guide Nickname: Willy B Hometown: Atlanta, GA Seasons at Mad River: 1 My life in a nutshell: Went to college to become a ski bum. Most extraordinary river experience: Watching ospreys dive from 100 feet to catch fish. Favorite local hike: Lake Solitude Favorite Jackson-area restaurant: Teton Thai (have to get a 5) Favorite quote: "Richard, does this suit make me look fat?" "No, your face does." In my free time: Mountain bike, ski, run, watch YouTube Favorite guest: The ones with no river experience and getting to watch their excitement going through rapids and seeing the mountains for the first time. What everyone else says about me: "Will seems to be an upbeat person with a softspot for 1980s power ballads." |
Adam WoolleyShuttle Driver Nickname: Woolley Hometown: Birminghm, Alabama Seasons at Mad River: 1 My life in a nutshell: Very similar to that of Forest Gump Most extraordinary river experience: First river trip: Oconee River- started for the Tasty Waves Favorite local hike: Snow King Favorite Jackson-area restaurant: The Cadillac wing night Favorite quote: "I'm the dog the big bad dog" In my free time: Climb, Kayak, Bike, Monkey around town Favorite guest: southern What everyone else says about me: "Is his name Phillip? |
