Zach outside on a chilly winter day
Position: General Manager
Location: Charlottesville.
Specialities: Kayaking, hiking, backpacking, fly fishing, and bike-packing!
When did you start at GOPC? 07/01/10.
A throwback photo of Zach by a campfire
What (or who!) first introduced you to the outdoors lifestyle?
My dad introduced me to a love for nature and the outdoors. We lived on an apple orchard in Amherst County for most of my childhood. We would go for day-hikes regularly on the AT, and would often camp at primitive sites along the forest service roads that run through the central Blue Ridge Mountains of VA.
Zach proposing to his wife on the Virginia Creeper Trail
What has been your most memorable trip or outdoors experience?
The most memorable trip has to be a family ride on the Virginia Creeper Trail where I asked my wife Natasha to marry me. It was a super special day that we think back on with lots of joy and laughter.
Zach backpacking with his family
What first brought you to GOPC and why do you enjoy working here?
I was a GOPC customer first- I bought my first four-season tent from the Greensboro shop in the early 2000s! I started working at the Greensboro shop in 2010 after leaving a career I was severely disillusioned with. From the start, I always felt valued and appreciated for the work I did. Rob Arends, and central leaders like Bill Mauney and Bittu Ali recognized my potential and fed both my interest and ambitions as I grew into more responsibilities with the company. I love working at GOPC because we are treated like human beings.
Zack with a freshly-caught fish
What has been your most special customer moment?
There are far too many to pick one, but there is a theme. I absolutely love helping customers who are just beginning their outdoor pursuits. I love feeding their enthusiasm and growing their confidence throughout the process of getting them prepared.
Zach staring out at the horizon on the top of a mountain
