Hiking & Backpacking Guide Training
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    • About Us
    • Programs
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  • About Us
  • Programs
  • Administration
  • Calendar
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  • Resources

Administration

Joseph Vulpis

OPEN POSITION!

Joseph Vulpis

President & Founder


Joseph is the owner of Northeast Mountain Guiding and a government contractor with the DOD, DOJ & DHS. He has been a full-time mountain guide and mountain rescue instructor for over 15 years and heavily involved in both industries for over 20 years. He is the founder of the 'Outdoor Adventure & Education' industry with 

President & Founder


Joseph is the owner of Northeast Mountain Guiding and a government contractor with the DOD, DOJ & DHS. He has been a full-time mountain guide and mountain rescue instructor for over 15 years and heavily involved in both industries for over 20 years. He is the founder of the 'Outdoor Adventure & Education' industry with the US Department of Labor. He is also the founder of several search & rescue teams throughout the United States. He is the author of the Mountain Leader Handbook, Garden State Climbing and several other books.

Rose Carter

OPEN POSITION!

Joseph Vulpis

Vice President & Co-Founder


Rose has been a board member with the AHGA since 2010 and just appointed to Vice President in 2022. She brings US Air Force SERE training experience, as well as program evaluation, data analysis and grant writing skills. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Biology & Chemistry, a Masters in Kinesiology and a PhD ABD in Kinesmetrics.

OPEN POSITION!

OPEN POSITION!

OPEN POSITION!

Secretary of the Board


Send us your application!

Board of Directors

Christine Machado

Christine Machado

Christine Machado

 Christine is an avid hiker and adventure filmmaker; she has been sharing her experiences through social platforms under the name This Girl Hikes since 2016. Christine has a Bachelor’s of Arts in English from University of California, Irvine and is passionate about conveying stories of travel and personal development through the visual ar

 Christine is an avid hiker and adventure filmmaker; she has been sharing her experiences through social platforms under the name This Girl Hikes since 2016. Christine has a Bachelor’s of Arts in English from University of California, Irvine and is passionate about conveying stories of travel and personal development through the visual arts. Christine is training to become a Mountain Leader so that she can guide others on adventure travel excursions. 

Jan Wright

Christine Machado

Christine Machado

Jan is a 25 year veteran of Law Enforcement. He retired as the Chief of Police of the Hamburg New Jersey Police Department. Jan specializes in instructing police recruits and active duty police officers. He is a graduate of West Point Command and Leadership and the FBI Executive Leadership Program at Princeton University. Jan is an Experi

Jan is a 25 year veteran of Law Enforcement. He retired as the Chief of Police of the Hamburg New Jersey Police Department. Jan specializes in instructing police recruits and active duty police officers. He is a graduate of West Point Command and Leadership and the FBI Executive Leadership Program at Princeton University. Jan is an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 200) and teaches throughout the state.  An avid Appalachian Trail hiker he recently completed 800 miles in 43 days. In September of 2018 he ran the entire New Jersey section of the Appalachian Trail, 73.2 miles in 33 hours. Jan has also competed in numerous Marathons, Spartan races, Multi day Adventure Races and Triathlons. Jan lives in New Jersey with his wonderful wife and their two dogs known as the Wolfpack.

Emily Yosh, M.D.

Christine Machado

Emily Yosh, M.D.

Bio Coming Soon!

Richard Griffeth

Richard Griffeth

Richard Griffeth

 Rich is an UIMLA-certified International Mountain Leader. He is a member of the Spanish Mountain Guides Association and is a certified rock climbing guide and certified canyoning guide. He’s also a member of the Wilderness Guides Association and a certified wilderness guide. Rich owns and operates Bigtime Aventura, and offers multi-adven

 Rich is an UIMLA-certified International Mountain Leader. He is a member of the Spanish Mountain Guides Association and is a certified rock climbing guide and certified canyoning guide. He’s also a member of the Wilderness Guides Association and a certified wilderness guide. Rich owns and operates Bigtime Aventura, and offers multi-adventure trips to Spain, the European Alps, and Patagonia. Before changing his career to focus on outdoor activities, mountain sports, and well-being, he did his PhD in biomedical science, was a research scientist, and an assistant professor in physiology.

Erin Beach

Richard Griffeth

Richard Griffeth

Erin has a BBA in finance from the University of North Florida. She has worked in the equine industry for over 10 years, managing elite level show jumpers. She now works as an assistant guide and is the Chief of Operations of Northeast Mountain Guiding in New Jersey. Erin is an avid hiker, mountain biker, and climber; and can be found adventuring outside in any weather with her dog, Colby. 

Christy DeMarco

Richard Griffeth

Christy DeMarco

Christy earned her bachelor’s in Environmental Science with a concentration in fish and wildlife management and currently works with her County Government as an Environmental Specialist, CCMP (Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program) Monitor & Sampler, and HazMat Emergency Responder. Prior to that, she worked in Wildlife Rehabilitation for

Christy earned her bachelor’s in Environmental Science with a concentration in fish and wildlife management and currently works with her County Government as an Environmental Specialist, CCMP (Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program) Monitor & Sampler, and HazMat Emergency Responder. Prior to that, she worked in Wildlife Rehabilitation for over 10 years. Additionally, she has worked as a Mountain Guide for about 7 years; particularly focused on rock climbing & canyon courses, as well as instruction in the technical & safety aspects of outdoor activities. When not working in nature, she enjoys her personal time in nature. Rock climbing, canyoning, hiking, wildlife watching, and overall exploring, are among what she loves most outdoors. Her time is also shared with her beloved children, fiancé, fur babies, and houseplants. 

Jessica Cahoon

Deborah Padilla

Jessica Cahoon

Bio Coming Soon!

Brian Afflixio

Deborah Padilla

Jessica Cahoon

Bio Coming Soon!

Deborah Padilla

Deborah Padilla

Deborah Padilla

Deborah is a licensed social worker, clinician, author, and avid hiker. She has extensive

experience working with individuals in settings that provide trauma-informed care services. Deborah enjoys getting involved in projects that support her passions. She also volunteers as the Trail Supervisor for the Southwest section of Harriman State 

Deborah is a licensed social worker, clinician, author, and avid hiker. She has extensive

experience working with individuals in settings that provide trauma-informed care services. Deborah enjoys getting involved in projects that support her passions. She also volunteers as the Trail Supervisor for the Southwest section of Harriman State Park in New York and recently

passed her NYS Hiking Guiding license exam. Deborah is also the founding member of PATHS

WITH HEALING, Inc. and is currently in a Ph.D. program for Social Work.

Elisa Grandizio

Elisa Grandizio

Elisa Grandizio

 

Elisa is an Empowerment Coach, Speaker and AHGA Certified Hiking Guide with years of personal and professional experience as a business woman and entrepreneur. Her travel adventure company Hike Explore Recharge, LLC’s mission is to 

spark passion and purpose in the lives of others through outdoor recreation and travel. 

Lee Stephenson

Elisa Grandizio

Elisa Grandizio

Bio Coming Soon!

Open Position

Elisa Grandizio

Open Position

Send us an email if you're interesed in this volunteer position!

Additional Founding Members

Daniel Nash

Matthew Novellino

Matthew Novellino

Founding Member

Dan is the owner of Hiking the Ozarks and Satori Adventures & Expeditions. Dan has been an International Mountain Guide for almost 10 years and has guided people to some of the most remote places on earth. Dan frequently guides in Nepal, Peru and other areas. Dan also worked as a homicide detective for the Missouri State Hi

Founding Member

Dan is the owner of Hiking the Ozarks and Satori Adventures & Expeditions. Dan has been an International Mountain Guide for almost 10 years and has guided people to some of the most remote places on earth. Dan frequently guides in Nepal, Peru and other areas. Dan also worked as a homicide detective for the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Dan currently works running the Human Trafficking Training Academy

Matthew Novellino

Matthew Novellino

Matthew Novellino

 Founding Member  

1976 - 2022 

Matt was a former US Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer. He was also a US Special Forces Green Beret with the 5/19th SF Group in Colorado. Matt was the Vice President of Northeast Mountain Guiding and the owner of Wilderness Warrior Mentoring. Matt sadly passed away January 12, 2022. 

Jennifer Kozak

Matthew Novellino

Jennifer Kozak

Founding Member

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