Managing owner, Jeff Greiner and his family have grown up in the outdoor adventure industry. In 1971 Jeff’s parents started the first whitewater rafting business (Wildwater, Ltd.) in the Southeast U.S. on the Chattooga River. That small family business has grown into one of the largest and most respected professional outfitters in the United States.

The Greiner’s have been involved in setting industry standards for the outdoor adventure industry for over 50 years including river and forest protection standards for outfitters. The family also helped form the eastern and then national professional outfitters association (America Outdoors Association) created to foster awareness, education, development, and growth management for professional guiding services on public and private lands across the country. Jeff served on the national Board of Directors of AOA for over 10 years.

Growing up on the Chattooga River and learning the family business, Jeff loved sharing the beauty and adventure of the outdoors with Wildwater guests. In 2006, being the President of Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours, Wildwater Ltd.’s four zipline locations on the Nantahala, Ocoee, Chattooga, and Pigeon Rivers, Jeff had a dream to bring outdoor adventure to Asheville city limits in 2011. Under Jeff’s direction, ACA has grown from a few ziplines to a family adventure destination with many different activities and with over 250,000 visitors.

Jeff has over 25 years’ experience as a professional ropes, zipline, and aerial adventure guide, trainer, manager, and owner/operator. Jeff has been ACCT certified CCM (Challenge Course Manager) with a special emphasis on zipline operations and management.

Living in Asheville, Jeff and his wife, Sheena, have three children that love hiking, camping, paddling, skiing/boarding, and sharing anything related to the great outdoors.

Chad graduated from Augusta State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. After graduating from college he began his career in outdoor recreation and experiential education, working as a challenge course (“ropes course”) leader and facilitator on St. Simons Island, GA.

In 2001 he began working for a challenge course builder, Challenge Design Innovations, as a trainer, builder, and inspector. He spent several years traveling around the country inspecting zip lines and obstacle courses while also training team members to safely operate those courses.

In 2006, Chad became manager and eventually owner of the challenge course in St. Simons. The company, Peak Pursuits Inc. is an adventure-based team-building program provider. In February of 2015, he moved to Asheville to be closer to his family and pursued interests in outdoor recreation.

Chad has worked at ACA as a zipline ranger and trainer, team building facilitator, and currently as  General Manager.

Chad chose ACA as his new home because of the family atmosphere and the wide variety of aerial and team building adventures offered. Asheville has proven to be the perfect place to feed his other passions such as hiking, camping, and bluegrass music.

Callie is originally from Georgia where she grew up regularly camping with her family and spending free time outside. Her undergraduate degree is in Outdoor Education from Young Harris College. 

She has worked for over 10 years in a variety of different outdoor fields from being a Naturalist and Camp Director at Elachee Nature Center; a Customer Service Specialist at REI; and a Lead Instructor and Adventure Coordinator at Kanuga Conference Center. 

Earning a Master’s Degree in Environmental Education from Montreat College, her thesis research was based on recreational tree climbing and the effects of youths’ affinity for nature. 

Callie joined the Adventure Center of Asheville as part of the Guide Team and a team-building facilitator and now is Assistant General Manager, who wears many hats.

In the Fall of 2022, Callie completed the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) Challenge Course Manager Certification which is the highest level a practitioner in the field can receive. To receive the certification, practitioners must submit portfolios that outline a base requirement level of experience, attend comprehensive training, and pass a written and practical exam. 

Also in 2022, Callie was awarded as one of the 2022 Adventure Park Insider’s Rising Stars in our industry. Based on her exemplary leadership through challenging times, she has “led with grace, humility, passion, and a whole lot of stoke for the outdoor adventure industry.  In her article, one of her future goals is to combine environmental education with the adventure side which is a result of enjoying teaching science and creating fun adventure experiences that connect people to the natural world around them.

Born in Texas, Chad grew up in the mountains of North Carolina hiking, camping, fly fishing, and enjoying the great outdoors.  Chad attended Southwestern Community College and received a degree in Outdoor Leadership.  Chad worked at Wildwater Ltd., at their Nantahala River location as a raft/zipline/jeep guide, then became a Manager of their Zipline Tours. 

Currently, Chad is the General Manager of Adventure Mountain Resort, the second location of the Adventure Center, which currently offers Offroad Vehicle Tours to our guests!  

Living in Barnardsville, Chad still loves the outdoors and exploring it with his dog Jax. 

Jordan is originally from California and made her way out to Asheville to pursue adventure and the outdoors in a new environment. After working as a Program Manager at an after-school computer coding organization, Jordan wanted a change. She wanted to pursue a career outdoors and found a job at The Adventure Center of Asheville.

She joined the team as an Office Assistant in February 2021. Soon after that, she cross-trained as a Treetops Adventure Park Guide, Zipline Guide, and Team Building Facilitator, then manager at the Asheville Treetops Adventure Park.  Now she is the Operations Manager of the Adventure Center of Asheville.

In the Fall of 2022, Jordan completed the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) Challenge Course Manager Certification, the highest level a practitioner in the field can receive. To receive the certification, practitioners must submit portfolios that outline a base requirement level of experience, attend comprehensive training, and pass a written and practical exam.

In 2022, Jordan attended the America Outdoors Association Conference and in 2024 the ACCT conference with her peers to learn more about the industry and how to make outdoor recreation more accessible for everyone. 

Jordan is passionate about creating easy access to the outdoors for everyone and Diversity and Inclusion within the industry. When not working, Jordan can be found rock climbing, hiking with her wife and dog, camping, or playing board games with friends. 

Originally from the west, Asia graduated from Prescott College with an undergraduate degree in Adventure Education, where hands-on leadership and immersion with the outdoors shaped her people-centered approach to outdoor and adventure programming.

She also attended Southern Illinois University earning a Master’s in Human Sciences degree focusing on adventure and experiential based learning. Her graduate research examined the effects of outdoor education programs on the self-efficacy of outdoor leaders. Pulling from all of life’s experiences, Asia strives to create programs that promote inclusion, personal growth, and connection to nature, self and each other.

Asia has been lucky to be a part of camps and outdoor programs for people of all ages, backgrounds, abilities and interests. She has led weekend retreats for Veterans to come together over campfires, kayaking and giant swings; facilitated gatherings for women gaining new skills, climbing to new heights and finding community; supported individuals with disabilities to build firewise fires and awe for nature spaces; and guided children in understanding ecosystems while developing interpersonal and leadership skills.

Since then, she has bounced across the continent, finding adventure, enjoying beautiful views, and creating spaces that build connection and confidence among people.

As a mammal, Asia enjoys rock climbing, paddling rivers and seas, eating a tasty meal (even better with a view!), doing way too many puzzles, and laughing as much as possible. Asia is excited to bring her curiosity and joy for adventure to ACA!

Originally from Maryland, right outside of the Washington DC area, Topher worked at The Adventure Park at Sandy Springs Friends School.  As his first step into the Adventure Park world, he started as a monitor/guide in February of 2021 where he had an amazing time climbing in the trees and falling in love with the industry.  At the end of the year, Topher was promoted to the Facilities Coordinator role, which was a newly designed team who ran the Adventure Park on the ground side.  It was truly an honor  for him to have this role and to work on the park to make it look beautiful. Topher’s goal was to “make the park look as spectacular as the experience of climbing in the trees is.”

While working in middle management, Topher was able to gain significant career growth:  learning how to be in charge of a team, participating in an accreditation process, and truly seeing what it takes to run an Adventure Park.  Another big growth opportunity was going to the Association For Challenge Course Technology International Conference in 2025.  There, Topher met some amazing people from Asheville, North Carolina.  This connection ultimately led to his year-long goal of moving to Asheville. And his connection to the Adventure Center of Asheville paid off! Topher is ecstatic to be living in Asheville.

Topher’s main role at the Adventure Center of Asheville is working at the Treetops Adventure Park while contributing to an already very strong leadership team. He looks forward to making Asheville his home, contributing to the Adventure Center of Asheville and seeing everyone out there in the Trees!

Sarah joined the Adventure Center of Asheville in 2014 as the group sales coordinator. A native of Asheville, Sarah has worked in the tourism industry with hotels, attractions and as a marketing consultant in WNC for over 27 years. 

Sarah graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Go Heels!) and has a MBA from Appalachian State University (Go Neers!)

Sarah books group outings and also assists with the Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations of ACA throughout the year. 

Sarah spends time with her husband, two boys and dogs enjoying all the wonderful activities, culture, entertainment, and “foodtopian” options in Western North Carolina.

Sarah can be reached at groups@adventurecenterofasheville.com.