National Office Staff

Matt lives in Western Colorado at the intersection of the Rocky Mountains and the Colorado Plateau. He is an avid backcountry skier, climber, mountain biker, and explorer of wild places. He most enjoys doing those things with his wife, two boys, and their friendly dog, Mesa. Matt is an ardent believer in the importance of public lands for connection, recreation, and well-being, and he has been a long-time, dedicated advocate for the protection of public lands while also ensuring they are open for everyone to enjoy. Matt works with the AMGA Board of Directors and staff team to execute the AMGA mission. This includes strategic planning and communications, and oversight of the day-to-day operations. Matt also directs the AMGA’s advocacy and policy initiatives that are focused on improving access to public lands for guided recreation.

Jane provides leadership across departments and supports the Executive Director in optimizing the overall health and strategic plans of the AMGA. She develops and executes operational policies for the organization and helps guide the AMGA’s programmatic and administrative functions. Core functions of her position include: operations (HR and business), as well as programmatic oversight. Jane works to ensure the organization’s programmatic work is carried out in a manner consistent with the organization’s mission and strategic plan while working closely with the Finance Director to create, manage, and meet AMGA’s department budgets.  Jane's favorite activities include skiing, riding all the bikes (gravel, mountain, road), and lifting heavy weights. She also enjoys trying new recipes from NYT Cooking and trying to reproduce amazing baked goods.

A proud Colorado resident for nearly three decades, Erik now primarily lives on the California central coast with his wife and nearby daughter, while also still spending time on a regular basis back in the Boulder area. Erik's main passion hobby is cycling, with a particular love for mountain biking and the outdoors in general. When he's not lacing hiking boots or chasing the best riding trails in the area, he can be found either on the tennis court, or singing and strumming his guitar and working to master classic rock solos that always seem elusive. Erik directs the AMGA’s financial operations, which includes the fiduciary management of all programs, budgeting, reporting and forecasting. Erik manages compliance-related matters as well, as they relate to the financial role. He also works alongside other team members to enhance financial communications with the Board of Directors and the AMGA membership.

Claudia (pronounced Cloud-e-uh) lives in a small town in Colorado's Front Range, known to most as Boulder, CO. When she’s not working, you can find her trail running, testing a new recipe, or rewatching a favorite movie. She’s passionate about bread, belly laughs, and big adventures. She also tries to befriend every cat she sees—with a solid 55% success rate. Psspsspss. Claudia manages the partnerships and fundraising which keeps AMGA healthy. She communicates with the AMGA’s corporate partners and donors and is dedicated to continuing the AMGA’s success through fundraising efforts, annual events and individual connections. Contact Claudia with questions about supporting the AMGA!

Jesse lives on Colorado’s Front Range with his wife, daughter, and their scruffy dog Ruthie. A self-proclaimed serial hobbyist, Jesse is always diving into something new — from climbing, skiing, and biking to fly fishing, playing guitar, and gardening. He’s dabbled in running, skimo, and gravel racing, though he’ll be the first to admit he’s more enthusiastic than elite. He loves most things outdoors (and a few indoors), but draws the line at microwaved coffee. As the Membership Manager, Jesse leads AMGA’s membership department, focusing member support and communications. He oversees member benefits, scholarships, events, and merchandise, while also managing AMGA communications including newsletters, social media, website content, and publications. Jesse works closely with staff, members, and the Board of Directors to support organizational initiatives and member services.

Ted manages all aspects of the AMGA Accreditation Program, working with guide services, climbing programs, and school and university outdoor programs to ensure high industry standards. As the Scope of Practice (SOP) Manager Ted oversees all things related to SOP including, variances, compliance, SOP resources. Ted is the primary contact for all aspects of the AMGA Accreditation Program and Scope of Practice. Ted lives in the northern New Hampshire community of Franconia, nestled just minutes from the base of Cannon Mountain, home to long scary rock climbs and icy groomers. When not in the AMGA office, or guiding rock and ice climbing, he can be found on the local mountain bike trails, or volunteering for the Bethlehem Trails Association, a rad and flowy up-and-coming MTB network. Ted shares his love for the outdoors and 80’s costume parties with his wife and kid and most days end with a slow backyard walk with their happy and old Icelandic Sheepdog Valur, or chasing their daughter on skis or a mountain bike.

As the Climbing Instructor Program Manager, Andrew works with the Operations and Technical Directors to manage the Single Pitch Instructor and Climbing Wall Instructor programs. He is the primary contact for the SPI and CWI provider programs as well as any hosts who sponsor SPI and CWI programs. Based in Longmont, CO with his wife, two cats, and a dog, Andrew has spent over 25 years climbing and 15 years guiding and teaching others in the outdoors. He’s been with the AMGA since 2019—but his journey started as a student back in 2005 on an AMGA Top Rope Site Manager Program (the predecessor to the Single Pitch Instructor Program). He never imagined that one day he'd manage the very program that inspired him. Andrew has a knack for combining extremes—his free-time favorites are pulling espresso shots on obscure summits and baking pizzas deep in the backcountry.

Dale oversees the technical branch of the AMGA which includes curriculum, courses and exams, and management of the instructor team. In addition, he represents the AMGA at the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA) technical committee meetings. Please direct questions regarding the technical standards to Dale. Dale lives in Lafayette Colorado with his mini Aussie Piper. When not guiding or at the AMGA office you will find him on the local mountain bike trails or running laps on the First Flatiron. Dale enjoys all forms of climbing but has a special affinity with Rifle limestone or big ice in the Canadian Rockies.

Joe is the Assistant Technical Director at the AMGA. When Joe has some downtime, he finds balance through mixed rock and ice climbing, peaceful walks around town with his dog, Cassius, and cherished moments at the ocean with his best friend and life partner, Susan. He loves a good game of chess, and in the office, he is known for enjoying a good cup of microwaved coffee. Joe assists the Technical Director in the technical branch of the AMGA, which includes curriculum, courses, exams, and management of the instructor team. He works closely with the Guide Program Manager, delivering instructor team feedback on program delivery. Joe is one of the primary contacts for questions regarding the technical standards at the AMGA.

Morgan assists the Deputy Director and Technical Director with the Mountain Guide Programs. She is responsible for communicating with students and instructors in regard to applications, enrollment, logistics, course materials and feedback. Morgan is the primary contact for all things Mountain Guide Programs. Morgan lives in the Front Range with her husband. She spends her time outside mostly running and climbing, and is learning the winter sports lifestyle after spending the past 6 years in Arizona’s Desert. When she's not outside, Morgan enjoys baking sourdough and a good game night. She thrives on a good dose of Vitamin D and strong coffee —plus a deep appreciation for a well-organized gear bin.

Paul assists the Mountain Guide Program team with the logistics and administration of Mountain Guide Programs. He works closely with the Guide Program Manager, Instructor Team, and AMGA members to ensure smooth program delivery from enrollment through completion. Paul is the primary point of contact for Mountain Guide Program students with questions about applications, enrollments, and logistics. Raised on a farm in Tennessee, Paul Haraf, has lived in over ten states in the US—and a sailboat—before settling in Colorado. A passionate climber, skier, and canyoneer, he spends as much time as possible exploring Utah’s slot canyons or disappearing into remote places without cell service. His wife and kids claim his true hobby is collecting skis, a fact he neither confirms nor denies (but the garage tells the story).

Dani provides administrative and logistical support to the AMGA office, national office staff, and instructor team. She works with the Deputy Director to strive to set a solid foundation on which AMGA’s employees and students can thrive. Day to day, Dani manages AMGA’s business licenses, insurance policies, board meeting materials, employee benefits for all states in which AMGA operates and manages website & database projects. Dani lives in Colorado with her dog, Neva. A former wilderness guide, college instructor, and director of outdoor programs spanning North America, she now holds a Master’s in Applied Neuroscience and explores how the nervous system responds to stress. She plays piano, violin, and guitar—usually by ear, occasionally in tune—and can often be found on local trails. A puzzle enthusiast, she skips sorting pieces—because why take the easy route when you can dramatically overcomplicate things for fun?

Jason is a key member of the AMGA’s advocacy team focusing on national policy, guide access, and recreation management. He also serves as Senior Policy Advisor at the Access Fund, where he has spent over twenty-four years advancing recreational access and public land conservation efforts nationwide. In addition, Jason is the co-founder and Managing Director of Public Land Solutions, a nonprofit organization focused on delivering comprehensive recreation planning and stakeholder coordination to promote sustainable and effective public land management. Jason brings decades of experience in public land policy, outdoor recreation advocacy, and on-the-ground access solutions.

Sharon lives for fresh air, good company, and any excuse to be outside -whether that’s paddleboarding, gardening, hiking with her dog Churro, or chasing her free-range chickens back into the coop. She’s happiest when things are growing, plants, people, or new ideas, and she never turns down an adventure (especially if it ends with a glass of wine and a mountain view).