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.
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." |
Ben CallahanRiver Guide Nickname: BC Hometown: American Fork, UT Seasons at Mad River: 4 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." |
KC BessRiver Guide, Operations Manager Nickname: Kilo Hometown: Ivins, UT Seasons at Mad River: 11 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. Jackson should have one. 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." |
Ryan MertaughRiver Guide Nickname: Murphy Hometown: Traverse City, MI Seasons at Mad River: 6 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!" |
John W. Harris Jr.Guide Nickname: John Wayne Hometown: Lynchburg, VA Seasons at Mad River: 3 My life in a nutshell: The Cadillac 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?" |
James BrennanRiver Guide Nickname: Stackhouse Hometown: Morristown, NJ Seasons at Mad River: 100 (12, really) 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." |
Lizzie WatsonRiver Guide Nickname: Ldubs Hometown: Durham, NC Seasons at Mad River: 6 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 RevercombRiver Guide Nickname: Comb Hometown: Roanoke, VA Seasons at Mad River: 6 My life in a nutshell: Family, friends, outdoors, work, fun Most extraordinary river experience: storm drains 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 |
Corinne RobertoGuide Nickname: Mighty Mouse Hometown: Idaho Falls, Idaho Seasons at Mad River: 3 My life in a nutshell: I'm a nurse. I live in a half-house. 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. |
William WalkerRiver Guide Hometown: Shreveport, LA Seasons at Mad River: 3 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." |
Paul JonesRiver Guide Nickname: Maverick Hometown: Logan, UT Seasons at Mad River: 4 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." |
Ian McIverRiver Guide Nickname: The White TIger Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT Seasons at Mad River: 10 (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." |
Adam WoolleyShuttle Driver Nickname: Woolley Hometown: Birmingham, 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: Ocoee River- started for the Tasty Waves Favorite local hike: Snow King Favorite Jackson-area restaurant: Wing night at the Caddy. 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? |
Dan KenahRiver guide Nickname: Uncle Dan Hometown: Acton, MA Seasons at Mad River: 4 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?" |
George HaskettChef Hometown: Pocatello, Idaho Seasons at Mad River: 2 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 and one on the way! 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 |
