Nate Postma, President

Nate is the founder/President of Vertical Endeavors and has more than 17 years of experience in the ownership and operations of three large commercial climbing facilities.  He is a founding board member of the former Climbing Gym Association (CGA) and the current Climbing Wall Association (CWA) and also a former board member of the Climbing Wall Industry Group (CWIG).  In addition, Nate is a member of the CWA’s Engineering Standards Committee (ESC) - the group that is currently updating and re-issuing the old CWIG climbing wall standards. Nate has been an avid climber for over 26 years.

Pam Postma, Vice President/CFO

Starting in 1979, Pam formerly worked in administration and accounting for Midwest Great Dane Trailers. Pam married her high school sweet-heart, Nate, in 1981 and was introduced to climbing later that year at a time when you didn't really see women on the rock. Pam traveled from the east coast to the west coast climbing everything and trying to keep up with Nate. She participated in numerous local and national competitions meeting great people in the climbing industry. Climbing became the way of life. In 1995, Pam left her career of sixteen years with Midwest Great Dane Trailers to help with the birth of Vertical Endeavors, her husband's dream.

During the growth stages of Vertical Endeavors, and in the early days when the company operated from the couple's residential garage, Pam worked in almost all of the various jobs at VE. Pam takes care of the financial and HR aspects of the business today. In her free time, Pam enjoys wind surfing with Nate, which results in vacations to the Hood River, Columbia River Gorge, & Caribbean Islands. She enjoys the beautiful country and of course scoping out the rock formations.

 

Larry Bachman , Director of Operations

Larry comes to Vertical Endeavors with twelve years of experience as a director of operations in the fast food industry. He is in the process of learning all aspects of the climbing industry. He and Jane, his wife of 31 years have two sons and have recently added a daughter-in-law to their family (Do we hear grandchildren in the future?). Larry enjoys camping, geo caching, biking, scuba diving, and cross-country skiing in his free time.

Jason Noble, District Supervisor

Jason began his climbing career in 1989 and has been deeply involved in the climbing industry since joining Vertical Endeavors in 1992. In his tenure at Vertical Endeavors, Jason managed the first climbing facility to participate in the CGA (Climbing Gym Association) Peer Review Accreditation Program, acted as an Examiner for the CGA Peer Review Accreditation Program, and was on the CWA (Climbing Wall Association) Operation Standards Committee tasked with updating the Industry Practices Manual. Jason is currently on the CWA Climbing Wall Instructor Certification Standards Committee which is developing a National Instructor Certification Standard. He enjoys spending time with his wife and twin boys, Tristan and Taylor. Some of his passions are climbing, downhill ski racing, water-skiing and mountain biking.

 

Cory Groom – Minneapolis Assistant Facility Manager

Cory’s favorite poet is Theodore Roethke.  He avoids all generalizations, and never thinks in absolutes.  Cory believes in the mystic, the power of myth, and thinks that immersion in the quotidian is a form of escapism.  He reads self-help books without ironic affect.  He struggles for clarity, and for meaning. Cory speaks in koans.  Cory met the Buddha on the road and he would like to meet you.

 

 

 

Pat Mackin, Director of Instruction for Vertical Endeavors and AMGA Trained Guide

Pat has been climbing for 29 years and professionally for 16. He discovered climbing at the age of 28, when friends took him to a local crag and he was hooked. Since that time, Pat has climbed extensively throughout the US and Canada fueled by a passion for adventure and challenge. Mountaineering in the Tetons and Wind River Range in Wyoming and the Bugaboos in British Columbia was the initial obsession. Pat then became a rock climbing specialist focusing on long traditional “trad” routes. Volunteering to help in the construction of Vertical Endeavors, he then found himself working there as an instructor.

In 1992,Pat took the AMGA Rock Guides Course and from this experience started Vertical Endeavors Guided Adventures (VEGA). He has been guiding ever since. In 1998, he completed the AMGA 10 day Advanced Rock Guides Course. There is a long standing tradition of mentoring in climbing and the role of guide/mentor was a natural evolution for Pat. Now in the role of Director of Instruction and Guiding for VE, Pat is embracing the indoor climbing industry and is proud to be a part of the next evolution in the sport.

Jeff Nelson, Program Coordinator/VEGA Field Instructor

Jeff started climbing and route setting in 2003 when he moved to the Pacific Northwest. While in the mountains, Jeff came to the startling realization that working outdoors was substantially more exciting than being stuck in his cubical. He eventually quit his fancy pants PR job and began working for Outward Bound in Northern Minnesota in 2005. During Jeff’s time canoeing with at-risk youth in the summer and piloting dog sleds in the winter, he fell head over heels in love with experiential education.

In 2008, Jeff joined the Vertical Endeavors team as the Programs Coordinator and a VEGA Field Instructor. At VE, Jeff spends most of his time scheduling groups, playing phone tag, and translating for Greg.

Netta Mae Walsh, Minneapolis Shift Manager, VEGA Guide, Climb Team Coach, New Heights Facilitator

Netta believes that life is an adventure. She views every experience as an opportunity to expand her world and maybe the worlds of those around her.  What interests Netta most about climbing, besides collecting pretty rocks, is that it allows her to connect with beautiful wild places while challenging herself physically and mentally.   Working for VE allows Netta to combine her love for people and climbing.  (And yes, Dad, in some way it relates to her degree in Social Justice, Geography and Alternative/Experiential Education.)

You can mostly find Netta in the gym teaching lessons, coaching the little (and not so little) ones on team, and exploring group dynamics through facilitating ridiculousness.

 

Emily Merhar –  Minneapolis Shift Manager

Emily Jane Merhar was introduced to the world of climbing through her undergraduate degree at Augsburg College. While earning her bachelor’s in visual arts she participated in Augsburg College’s Women’s hockey team. Year after year of skating in the cold finally caught up with her and she decided to spend a hot, spicy semester in India. After returning to Minneapolis, she needed one more class before she received her diploma. While taking a credit in figure skating she decided that she had spent enough time on the ice and went to climbing. Some say this was perhaps the best decision of her life. Climbing is her way of life now. Traveling, exploring and being outdoors still inspire her everyday to create art and share her passion with others. At the gym you may see her coaching, beautifying the gear wall, and occasionally setting routes. Feel free to stop buy and ask any questions requiring climbing or even artistic expertise.

 
 

2540 Nicollet Avenue South , Minneapolis, MN 55404 Telephone 612.436.1470 Fax 612.436.1472


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