The Team
 

Chad Simpson
Executive Director

Chad has extensive and unique experience in both the backcountry and evidence based training development. Because of this, he places an emphasis on integrating industry-based best practices in his attempt to promote a safe and responsible outdoor community. His instructing, and course development experience ranges from teaching and guiding for a nationally known outfitter, to training development and instructing in the emergency response and homeland security world.

Chad is also a Wilderness EMT, Wilderness First Aid for Dogs Certified Responder, BLM wildland firefighter, NYS Guide, and wilderness high-angle rescue crew member. He holds a BA from the University at Albany and is an Eagle Scout.

Chad can be contacted at chad@northernridgeline.com

Ethan Minier
Programming Director

Due to his academic background, Ethan brings a strong evidence-based approach to Northern Ridgeline’s curriculum. While earning a BA in Sociology and a MS in Epidemiology, Ethan’s focus was investigating the link between the environment and human health.

Ethan also supplements Northern Ridgeline’s curriculum through his practical experience as a professional field guide for a wilderness therapy program. Ethan is a certified Wilderness First Responder and licensed New York State Guide. He also holds certifications in Mental Health First Aid, Non-violent Crisis Intervention, and is ACA certified in canoe and kayaking.

In his free time, Ethan volunteers for a high-angle Search and Rescue organization and enjoys traveling, backpacking, paddle sports, and yoga.

Ethan can be contacted at ethan@northernridgeline.com

Kate Rhodes
Senior Instructor

Risk management professional by day and outdoor enthusiast by night, Kate is passionate about proactively mitigating outdoor risks through public education and empowerment.  Kate is Wilderness Education Association (WEA) Outdoor Leader Accredited through the 2 - year intensive program which culminated in a 28 day bushwhacking excursion in the deserts of New Mexico's famous Gila Wilderness. 

With over a decade of experience hiking and backpacking throughout the US and abroad, Kate maintains formal training in land navigation, winter mountaineering, Leave No Trace, outdoor recreation risk management, and wilderness medicine. Kate is also Licensed NYS Guide and an active field rescue team member and trainer for a technical search and rescue team based in New York's Capital Region. Kate holds a B.S. in Environmental Science & Policy from Clarkson University.

Kate can be contacted at kate@northernridgeline.com

Sara King
Instructor

With over 15 years as a Registered Professional Nurse Sara brings her expertise in hospital based medicine to our wilderness first aid programs. Her background in neuroscience and ambulatory care mixed with her personal emphasis on community based care and preventative medicine is not only a natural fit to the program, but allows us to add more areas of experience based expertise. Throughout her nursing career, teaching has also been a common theme and includes teaching both students and peers in the medical community, as we’ll as teaching patients and their family members about care plans and healthy lifestyles.

Sara's outdoor background is extensive and has lead her to explore outdoor spaces both locally and nationally. Always looking for a new challenge, she is constantly pushing her limits physically and mentally in order to make the most out of her outdoor adventures. Sara has also made a point to give back to the outdoor community that has given her so much. Her service includes volunteering on a search and rescue team, educating the community in responsible outdoor recreation, and introducing her favorite activities to people new to the outdoors.

When not pushing herself to conquer new athletic goals or volunteering to help others Sara can be found taking photographs, doing yoga or spending time with family.

Sara can be contacted at sara@northernridgeline.com

Dave Labshere
Instructor

Dave got a taste for outdoor adventure and never looked back. Being the President of a wilderness search and rescue team and volunteering for homeland security through the Coast Guard Auxiliary have allowed him to lead and continue to learn new skills that he uses to get outside and help others.

Believing the mindset the teacher is always a student he maintains knowledge and stays prepared through constantly seeking out new opportunities to learn from others and pass on his skills. He is certified in wilderness first aid, and has formal training in land navigation, water safety, winter mountaineering, and bushcraft/primitive skills.

In his free time he enjoys spending time with family, photography, and all things outdoor

Dave can be contacted at Dave @northernridgeline.com

Lance L Pants
Chief Marketing and Administrative Director

Lance comes to us from the feline world. Abandoned in the woods after his birth he often reminds us that we have merely adopted the backcountry while he was born in it, molded by it. Though rarely helpful Lance has been involved in every aspect of Northern Ridgeline from its inception. No one really knows how old he is.

When not at work Director Pants enjoys licking hands, chasing treats, and sampling crinkly plastics.