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. 

For 2022, Callie has been awarded 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.

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. She is now an Adventure Center of Asheville Lead Guide and enjoys working with all the different activities that we have to offer. 

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 the Winter of 2022, Jordan attended the America Outdoors Association 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. 

Evan grew up playing outside in Boone, NC and quickly fell in love with the outdoors. At NC State University he pursued a minor in Outdoor Leadership while also managing the student trips program, providing training to incoming trip leaders while overseeing trips. While in college he was also an officer on the ski team when they podiumed at their national championship competitions in 2018. At that time, Evan purchased his first mountain bike and began riding daily, sometimes fitting rides in between classes.

After college Evan worked as a snowboard instructor in Utah and Oregon where he got his ASSI Snowboard Level 1 Certification. He also spent a season as an instructor for The North Carolina Outward Bound School, where he continued to refine his teaching and group management skills.

However, the mountains of Western NC called Evan back to Asheville where he joined our team as the Kolo Bike Park Summer Flow Camp Director in the Spring of 2023. Through working at Kolo, Evan has achieved his PMBIA (Professional Mountain Bike Instructors Association) Level 1 Instructor Certification.  He now leads our Kolo instructional programs including our summer camps, shred sessions, clinics, afterschool programs and private lessons for kids and adults. In the Spring of 2024, he became the Manager of Kolo Bike Park as well.  Evan is very excited about teaching future shredders at Kolo and is working on expanding our programs. 

When not at Kolo, Evan loves exploring the multitude of local trails, seeing live music, and spending time with friends.

Lauren joined the Adventure Center of Asheville in 2020 in many roles, and now oversees The Summer Camp Program.

In 2022, Lauren’s dedication to the ACA Summer Camp Program led us to be accredited by the American Camp Association! Accreditation means that our camp cares enough to undergo a thorough (up to 290 standards) review of its operation — from staff qualifications and training to emergency management. While we have been dedicated to the health and safety of your campers for almost a decade, accreditation is a parent’s best evidence for a camp’s commitment.

Since joining ACA, Lauren has been able to attend the Association for Experiental Education, the Association for Challenge Course Technology, and the America Outdoors annual conference. Participating in continuing education in the field has inspired her to create a welcoming, educational, and fun-filled environment for all of the campers that she works with.

Lauren is from Virginia and grew up exploring her backyard and creeks as much as possible. Starting as a Counselor in Training for a Scouts BSA camp in 2008, she has been working at camps for over 12 years, serving as Camp Director for 4 of those years.

After earning her B.S. in Environmental Science from George Mason University and interning for the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute for Forest Ecology, Lauren wanted to merge her passion for the natural world with working with youth through outdoor education.

Lauren started as an Instructor at Mountain Trail Outdoor School in North Carolina, eventually serving as the Program Director. There she collaborated with school groups and teachers to develop goals and schedules for their students to ensure a positive outdoor learning experience. And when she was lucky, still got to teach about the wonderful world around us!

Moving to Western North Carolina has allowed Lauren to enjoy all her favorite things: backpacking, river floating, bluegrass music, and a great sense of community and connection.

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 27 years. Currently, at the Adventure Center of Asheville, Sarah books youth and adult groups in Asheville and for those who want a “wilderness” adventure at the Wildwater, Ltd. Pigeon and Nantahala River locations.

Groups include homeschool, scouts, school and church groups, corporate groups, family reunions, clubs and organizations, sports teams, camps, associations, tour groups and birthday parties. The Adventure Center of Asheville is the perfect place for teambuilding, experiential field trips, picnics or retreats, office outings, and just a great way to get outdoors in a challenging atmosphere. “Since we are locally and family owned and are open all year, we can accommodate almost any group and their “special occasion” with a truly “Asheville” adventure.”

Sarah 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 or 828.450.3400.