A Florida boy, even at a young age, felt the pull of the mountains. His mother’s decision to take him and his brother on a two-week trip to Grand Teton National Park sparked a lifelong fascination.
Following his communications degree, he traded the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina for the rugged terrain of Colorado, driven by his deep connection to the outdoors.
This passion for both teaching and the wilderness has blossomed into a guiding career spanning over twenty years. He’s led expeditions throughout North America, showcasing his expertise and love for the natural world.
Beyond his summer guiding, he’s also spent five winters as an R-12 Bombardier driver in Yellowstone National Park, and more recently, worked as a wildlife guide and naturalist there, further deepening his understanding of the park’s ecosystem.
In his downtime, Jay indulges in a variety of outdoor activities. He enjoys backpacking, mountain biking, snowboarding, climbing, and fly fishing. He also appreciates a good craft beer from Flyway Brewing, and most importantly, shares his adventures with his Golden Retriever, Koda.