Nate Postma, President

Nate is the founder/President of Vertical Endeavors and has more than 15 years of experience in the ownership and operations of three large commercial climbing facilities.  He is a founding board member of the Climbing Gym Association (CGA) and the Climbing Wall Association (CWA) and past 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 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, & Carribean 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

Bio coming soon...

Scott Williams – Facility Manager

Scott has been climbing since 1994 and worked as a climbing and outdoor adventure guide for Northern Illinois University from 1995-1998.  A big fan of everything from a good boulder session to a long aid route, He is not picky about the climbing as long as it gets him out on the rock. He has been working with Vertical Endeavors since the Chicagoland facility opened in 2001.

Scott attributes his climbing success over the years to a healthy diet of White Castle and the fact that nobody actually ever catches him climbing in the gym.

Ian Blakesley - Asst. Facility Manager

Ian joined Vertical Endeavors in February of 06', after working at Moosejaw, an outdoor retailer for 2 and a half years. Ian studied Parks and Recreation at Michigan State University and was actively involved in their outing club.  He has climbed mainly in the mid-west in places such as Devil's Lake, Red River Gorge, Seneca Rocks, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and of course Grand Ledge in MI.  Ian began to pursue guiding as a career a couple of years ago and has taken an AMGA as well as a VEGA Top Rope Site Management course.  He is excited to be involved with Vertical Endeavors and to share his knowledge of climbing and the outdoors to experts and novices alike.  In his down time he likes to travel, watch sports, read, listen to music and kick ass.    

Beth Norman -Marketing Manager

Beth (aka beffers or bethy) started climbing all the way back in early ’07 at VE. One of her favorite places to climb is at Red River Gorge, eating plenty of Miguel’s pizza while she’s there.  This Aquarius loves to camp, hike, and chill out in the backyard grilling friends with stakes (oops…steak with friends).  An avid softball player since the 3^rd grade, she also enjoys painting and photography on the side.  Don’t let the innocent face to the left fool you, her quick wit will get you every time.

  

Ben Mercuri - Program Manager

Ben joined the Vertical Endeavors crew in 2005 as a part time employee.  He took a full time Programs Director position in March of 2008 and is loving every minute of it.  He started climbing 9 years ago on a home bouldering wall that he built in his back yard with some of his friends in efforts to get into the sport. He is currently looking forward to the conclusion of his Graphic Design degree from Robert Morris College. When he is not working or going to school you can often find him searching for a boulder to climb or playing sports a the park.

  

Phil Purney - Full Time Shift Manager, Head of Routesetting

Phil started climbing five years ago when a few friends took him to a gym for his birthday where he took to the sport instantly.  Since then he has been working at Vertical Endeavors for four years and guiding for two.

If  Phil isn't working or hangin' around the gym, he's most likely pulling down steep sport and trad. routes at the Red River Gorge, or maybe he is enjoying a good pint accross the street.