Bill with his cold-weather gear on a winter day
Position: General Manager, Creaky Wood Floor Termite Exterminator and Dust Bunny Vacuum Specialist.
Location: Greensboro.
Specialities: Kayaking, hiking, backpacking, traveling, skiing, mountain biking, scuba, SUPing, amateur naturalist, saltwater fishing (they still charge me $20 for The Drake magazine here!).
When did you start at GOPC? 11/15/98.
Bill posing next to a trail name painted onto a shelter wall
What (or who!) first introduced you to the outdoors lifestyle?
As a kid, I had allergies. I wanted to become a cub scout in 4th grade. But fearing a scoutmaster having to deal with a wheezing attack on a camping trip, my mom vetoed this. In the 5th grade, we moved to Florida from Pennsylvania. Tom, a Harley-riding biker and the new co-worker of my dad, decided to take a kid under his tutelage in saltwater fishing. Yes, I was... hooked. Casting into the Indian River Lagoon didn't trigger sneezing attacks. I was set for a lifetime as an outdoor enthusiast.
Bill all dressed up for one of his frequent adventures
What's been your most memorable trip/outdoors experience?
In 1998, I spent the summer working at Grand Canyon National Park. Every day was an adventure leading park guests on nature, geology and history walks and talks. Days off were spent exploring the Grand Staircase. I didn't live in a tent, but a dilapidated trailer populated by field mice who ran across me while I slept. However, my living arrangements were offset by the morning view out the window into the canyon. Sadly, in July 2025, my former workplace burned in a wildfire.
A geyser steaming in the background at Yellowstone National Park
What first brought you to GOPC and what do you love about working there?
The season ended at the Grand Canyon. They made me leave. It looked like I might have to return to wearing a tie. So, in November, I applied for seasonal employment at the store. Upon hiring, I told the manager, Rob, there was no way that I would be staying past January. Almost 27 years later, I'm still here.
Here are 10 reasons I love working here (and why I have been part of the furniture so long):
1. No suit and tie.
2. Jenny is the only one who yells at me like a drill sergeant (and frequently makes me do 50 pushups). Everyone else is chill.
3. We sell cool stuff!
4. Kindred souls-customers and coworkers.
5. Occasionally paid to hike or kayak.
6. Darren chooses good store music.
7. Shh! We're not supposed to tell. Discounts!
8. I don't have to scrape the gum off the sidewalk. They make Don do it.
9. When you are not in the store, we play horseshoes and throw axes. Jeremy is the Flungle champ. https://www.greatoutdoorprovision.com/collections/games-toys
10. It is a job centered around helping folks have fun in the outdoors and leaving stress behind.
Bill next to a waterfall in the Appalachian Mountains
What has been your most special customer moment?
How do you make 1000+ friends? Work at GOPC for a while. Special customer moments have been plentiful, and I’ve gotten to meet so many wonderful people. For me, answering this question is about all the cumulative moments that make for a really special era. When I'm out and about in the 'Boro, I am often recognized from our shop. "How do all these people know your name and vice versa?" ask friends and family. "You should run for mayor," they suggest. "Just catching up with my customers," I reply.
