Executive Director

Josh has a B.A. from Johnson State College and an M.A. from Ohio University, both in the fields of Outdoor Education and Recreation. He worked for NOLS as a Mountaineering Instructor in Alaska and as a Climbing Guide in the Northeast for a number of years. He also served as a professor of Outdoor Education at Sterling College for 6 years. Most recently, prior to coming to Maine GearShare, he served as Associate Dean of Work-Experiential Learning and chaired the college's Risk Management Committee. Josh was involved in the design of Maine GearShare through committee and consulting work prior to joining the staff. He brings many years of experience in the outdoors, equipment rental operations, gear repair, and administrative management to his role as Executive Director.

What is your weirdest/most niche skill?
I am an expert-level pickle maker. It’s true.

Advancement Manager

Emily brings her background as an outdoor educator and Registered Maine Guide to her work as Advancement Manager. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Bowdoin College and an M.S.Ed in Early Childhood Education from UMaine Farmington, where she focused her research on the benefits of allowing young children to take risks. She lives in Portland and grew up on Matinicus Island, a childhood which lent itself to community activism, a can-do attitude, and a love of boats. Emily and her husband spend all of their spare time in the woods or on the water, asking each other the question “how about just one more mile?”

What is your oldest, favorite, or most trusted piece of gear?
This little metal cup that’s gone on all my overnight adventure for years. I’ve used it for campfire cooking, storing tiny treasures in kayak hatches, and catching spiders in tents.

Gear Technician

Sam comes to Maine GearShare with 5 years of seasonal outdoor work experience. She holds a BS in Recreation Management and Policy from the University of New Hampshire, as well as her EMT license. Sam has worked winters as a ski patroller in Vermont and a variety of summer jobs - stream surveying in Washington, farming on Cape Cod, as an EMT in Vermont, and most recently as a cycling guide in Maine. Sam lives in Portland and loves to ski, bike, run, hike, swim, camp, sew, knit and spend time with friends and family. She looks forward to increasing accessibility to the outdoors and to contribute towards more sustainable practices in the outdoor industry through her work at Maine GearShare.

What is your weirdest/most niche skill?
Aerial chairlift evacuation, a really fun way to get people off of a ski lift!