Discover how Andrew’s global experience and love for the outdoors are elevating the guest experience at the Reynolds aerial adventure course.
What first drew you to a career in adventure-based recreation?
What first drew me to a career in adventure recreation was the way I spent my childhood. I grew up just outside of New Orleans, Louisiana, and we were always out in the woods or in the swamp; paddling boats, hiking, catching critters, or simply exploring and figuring things out. I was the kid who’d leave a group of friends playing video games to go outside and try to catch a snake in the grass.
At 13, I started attending a summer sleepaway camp in Brevard, North Carolina, and that’s where I discovered my true passion for adventure and pushing beyond my comfort zone. I realized that the strongest friendships I made were with the people I shared the toughest moments with. Setting up camp on a beautiful summer day is nice, but you don’t learn much about yourself. It's when you're pitching tents in the pouring rain after a 12-mile hike—especially after missing the campsite the first time—that you truly find out who’s still excited to be there.
That’s when I noticed the counselors. Even in the hardest moments, they were having just as much fun as we were, and that’s when it clicked for me. I knew I wanted to do something like that. I wanted to use my love for the outdoors to help others realize that no matter how hard a moment might feel, there’s always a way to enjoy it, and maybe even grow from it.
You've had the chance to live in several different places—how have those experiences led you to where you are today?
As I mentioned before, I grew up in Louisiana—but I’ve also lived in Luanda, Angola; Switzerland; North Carolina; and Colorado. Each of these places holds a small piece of my heart and has helped shape the person I am today.
Louisiana gave me a “laissez les bons temps rouler” (let the good times roll) attitude, teaching me how to find joy in the little things and how to smile with your friends and family even during tough times. Living in Angola was a major culture shock, but it taught me a valuable lesson: there’s more than one way to approach a problem. Just because something has always been done a certain way doesn’t mean it’s the only or best way. My time in Switzerland expanded my worldview even further. I attended an international school where only about 20% of the students were from the U.S., and I was fully immersed in other cultures and perspectives. Thanks to the school’s incredible travel program, I also had the opportunity to explore many other parts of the world.
North Carolina and Colorado, on the other hand, are where I began developing my professional path in outdoor recreation. I studied Parks and Recreation Management at Western Carolina University, and after that, I started working for Resort Outfitters in Colorado. Those experiences solidified my passion for the outdoors and gave me the foundation to turn that passion into a career.
What’s the most valuable lesson you've learned from working in outdoor recreation?
Working outdoors and taking guests on all kinds of adventure experiences has continued to teach me the lesson of, “you don’t know what you don't know”. Every trip or experience is just that, an experience. Something new comes up each time and you never fully know what to expect out there. You train and prepare for all possible outcomes, but who knows what could be waiting for you while you are out enjoying yourself.
How has your background in leadership and team-building shaped the way you manage the ropes course?
My background in teambuilding and leadership has really helped me hit the ground running here at Reynolds. There’s a fantastic foundation of support, both in the teams and individuals I’ve had the pleasure of working with, and that strong backbone has made all the difference as we’ve gotten things up and running. The Reynolds family has truly made this transition into my new role as smooth and welcoming as I could’ve hoped for.
All of the leadership training I’ve gained through previous roles; my education, and time spent in the backcountry, has blended seamlessly into the daily challenges we tackle on the Aerial Course. It’s been incredibly rewarding to apply those experiences in a setting that values growth, teamwork, and creating memorable experiences for our guests.
How do you unwind when you’re not busy creating outdoor experiences for others?
I usually unwind with even more time outside. One of my biggest passions outside of work is whitewater kayaking. I’ve been paddling for roughly a decade now, and there’s truly no experience like it. It challenges you both mentally and physically, offering the perfect balance between adrenaline and peacefulness. There’s a great short stretch of rapids near Milledgeville that runs when the water levels rise, and when I’m looking for bigger water, I head up to the north Georgia or North Carolina mountains.
Outside of paddling, I also love fishing on Lake Oconee or taking my adorable dog for long walks around the neighborhood. Spending time in nature, whether it's on the river, the lake, or just walking through the neighborhood, is my favorite way to reset and recharge.
What excites you most about the opportunity at Reynolds Lake Oconee?
I am most excited about the community here at Reynolds. Most other places I have worked at have been just a 9-5 with transient guests coming and going with the seasons. I really love the family atmosphere and welcoming vibe that Reynolds and its members have. We have already had guests return for several trips and I can't wait to welcome even more families for their 3rd or 4th times out to our course.
What’s your favorite element on the ropes course and why?
My favorite element of the ropes course is the entirety of the blue route on our course. It is the 2nd one you will get to do if you come out as a guest and has the most zip-lines with the 3rd on finishing on the ground! It is so much fun to be able to just seamlessly go from zip-line to zip-line and then finish on the ground and just head back up to the main platform for another go.
How do you see the course evolving to enhance the member experience?
I can really see the course evolving into a must-do experience for Reynolds Members. My hope is that we get enough people out here this summer to give it a try, and that it becomes the talk of the town. Something everyone’s excited to experience for themselves. With word of mouth, a few great first impressions, and some fun photos and stories making their way around the community, I think it has the potential to become a staple activity here.
As we continue to build momentum, I’d love to see the course integrated into more group events, family activities, and even custom team-building sessions. The goal is to create an experience that’s not only thrilling but memorable. Something guests and members look forward to every time they visit. There’s a lot of room for creativity and growth, and I’m excited to see how we can continue to elevate the experience.
Can you describe a particularly memorable group or guest you’ve worked with, and how the ropes course impacted them?
I had a mother and daughter come out to the course recently—both excited to try it, but understandably a little hesitant and nervous. That’s perfectly okay; that’s exactly what we’re here for; to help guests through those moments and support them however we can. Once they got started, the young girl became stuck at one of the elements, frozen in fear. I geared up and headed out to assist, fully prepared to help her back to the main platform with an assisted rescue if needed.
But I didn’t have to. The three of us took a moment out there, talked it through, and together we were able to boost her confidence enough to keep going. She ended up completing the entire course that day. We were all so proud of her, and it was one of those moments that really reminded me why I love this job so much. Watching someone push through fear and come out stronger on the other side is incredibly rewarding.
What’s one moment from your career that made you stop and say, “This is exactly why I do this?”
One moment I’ll always carry with me was a rock climbing trip I guided in Colorado. It was a father and son duo, and I quickly realized the father spoke very little English, and the son had Cerebral Palsy. At first, I’ll admit, it felt a little daunting. But there was never a question in my mind about whether or not we would move forward. That’s exactly why I do this work: to help everyone have meaningful and empowering experiences in the outdoors.
We went climbing in the Garden of the Gods, one of the most breathtaking spots in Colorado. After taking a bit of extra time to set up and make a few necessary adaptations, we were off and climbing the sandstone routes. And let me tell you—this young man was unstoppable. Despite the physical challenges, he climbed more routes than many of my fully able-bodied clients ever have. “Quit” simply wasn’t in his vocabulary. It was powerful to watch his determination, and even more touching to see the bond between him and his father as they shared this experience, something they thought he might never get the chance to do.
We ended that day talking about famous climbs around the world, and how he was going to tackle them all when he grew up. I believe him wholeheartedly, and I hope our paths cross again someday. That trip stuck with me. I think about it often. It's a reminder of why this work matters and how powerful the outdoors can be.
