Our Team

General Manager/Program Coordinator

Johanna is an avid adventurer with a passion for wellness, active living  and building community. Over the past 10 years, Johanna has worked as a climbing instructor, an outdoor educator for NOLS, a guide and a teacher. She  is driven to help make climbing more accessible to people of all backgrounds, identities and abilities through community engagement and lowering barriers to entry. When Johanna isn’t climbing, you can find her trail running with her pup, gardening, creating art or baking. 

Director of Operations

Morgan was born and raised in Corvallis, Oregon. He started climbing at a very young age and as a kid growing up in Corvallis regretted the lack of climbing opportunities the area provided. He has continued to follow his passion for climbing, majoring in outdoor recreation, working as a guide, instructor, and route setter, and exploring the worlds climbing areas. All of his knowledge and experience finally bringing him back to his childhood dream of opening a climbing gym in Corvallis. Morgan also enjoys fishing, playing soccer and foraging for wild food! 

Head Setter/Team Member/Instructor

  Evan Powers has recently moved to Oregon from the southeast, where he has spent most of his life. He went to college in Tennessee for a degree in audio engineering and music production. While in college, Evan discovered rock climbing, and spent many years enjoying the high quality rock the southeast has to offer. He considers places like Red River Gorge, Little Rock City, and Horse Pens 40 to be his home. He has spent several years managing a gym, routesetting, and leading outdoor trips. Evan is excited to utilize his skills and knowledge with the team to help build Valley Rock Gym into a quality establishment. 

Head Climbing Coach/Private Instruction

Banner fell in love with the beauty of climbing movement in 1998, in Rock Canyon, Utah. Having the opportunity to learn from some of the best climbers in the US, she soon discovered her passion: teaching others the foundation and nuance of climbing technique. Over the years, she has shared the joy of breakthrough moments with many - whether it be helping youths achieve podium finishes in national competitions, teaching new lead climbers as an adjunct instructor at Utah Valley University, or coaxing individual climbers up their first V0’s in private gym lessons. Recognized for her climbing and coaching influence, Banner was selected by La Sportiva to serve as a brand ambassador for nearly a decade. 

Now back in her native Oregon, if Banner isn't wrangling her young sons, you can often find her playing sudoku, puttering in her garden, or running around with their family goats, Oreo and Winnie.

Director of Youth Programs

Brentley “Coach” Hartman moved to the hills of Corvallis, OR from the concrete desert of East Dallas, TX in 1991 and has called it home ever since. After receiving his Bachelors in Elementary and Special Education from University of Oregon his older sister took him on his first outdoor climbing trip to Smith Rock, and the rest is history. Following college Brentley’s path led him towards merging his love of the outdoors with his passion for education and mentorship. He took a position as a Crew Leader for Northwest Youth Corps, and led youth ranging from 14 to 19 years of age for 6 years in trail construction and stewardship efforts from Arizona to Washington. After years, and over a thousand nights spent beneath starry skies Brentley decided to return to the classroom and certify as a Waldorf School teacher.  Brentley donned his new title of Mr. Hartman, and guided his class from 1st through 4th grade at the Corvallis Waldorf School (CWS). Currently “Coach” teaches games and movement for 1st-8th grade at CWS during much of the school year, and fights Wildland fire from May to October. Brentley is overjoyed to join the VRG community as the Director of Youth Programs, and engage his passion for climbing, learning, and mentorship to support the growth and development of our next generation of climbers!

Floor Staff,  Instructor

 Justin has been passionate about sports for as long as he can remember. He used to be a swimmer until he started climbing 2 years ago and has found himself climbing whenever he has the chance. He just graduated with a degree in Biology at Oregon State University with interests in the medical field and marine biology. Oh! And he LOVES to cook and has a weird obsession with making and eating lasagna. 

Team Member/Climbing Instructor/ Assistant Climbing Coach/Setter

 Michael is originally from La Crosse, Wisconsin. He moved to Corvallis in 2017 to study Environmental Engineering at Oregon State, and has since graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 2021. He hopes to develop sustainable practices for use in business and industry, or work in water resource management and conservation. Michael enjoys climbing, surfing, camping, cooking, and listening to music. He likes the beach, coconut water, sushi, and taking a siesta after work. His favorite fruit is cantaloupe, and his favorite color is blue.  

Assistant Climbing Coach

Michael began climbing during his undergraduate studies on steep sandstone in the Midwest. Since then he has been fortunate to work as a route setter, coach youth climbing athletes, and take his passion for outdoor climbing across several countries. Michael has been living in Oregon since 2018; recently graduating from Oregon State University with a master’s degree in Environmental Science.  Michael is passionate about creating an inclusive, equitable, and supportive community around climbing, education, and stewardship.

Setter

Justin has three great passions in his life petting doggies, cooking for friends and climbing. Originally from Texas, Justin moved to Oregon back in the fall of 2019 and has been in love with it ever since. When he is not at the gym you will usually find him either out at The Garden or Eagles Rest. If not there he’s probably whacking his way through overgrowth in search of new projects and climbing areas. 

Justin has been climbing for over 15 years now and in his youth was an active part of the Houston competitive climbing scene. With over 7 years of setting experience, he is now looking forward to challenging himself by setting more parkour and comp style boulder problems. Justin’s favorite climbing areas include Horseshoe Canyon, Red Rock Canyon and Hueco Tanks. 

 Team Member/Youth Instructor

Originally from the east coast, Julia moved to town in the summer of 2021 to continue her education at OSU, studying Environmental Economics and Policy. Looking for a new hobby, she started climbing and fell in love with the sport and its unique community. Julia is excited to explore the beautiful PNW through climbing, trail running, hiking and camping adventures, and can’t wait to meet all the lovely climbers of Corvallis! When Julia’s not running about, she enjoys reading and listening to music while laying in the treasured sunshine or from the comfort of her hammock. 

Summer Camp Instructor 

 Antonio grew up on the central coast of California where he competed in swimming and water polo. He received a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Sports Medicine from California Lutheran University. After completing his bachelor's degree, he spent four years working as an educator and head swim and water polo coach. Looking for some adventure, he joined the United States Coast Guard and traveled the United States for five years. After finishing his tour in the Coast Guard, he completed a Master of Adapted Physical Education at Oregon State University. He finished his first year of teaching 4th-8th grade physical education at Timber Ridge School in Albany. In his free time, he enjoys running, hiking, backpacking and mountain biking. 

Team Member

Mark Frost is a mechanical engineering student at Oregon State University from Oakland, California. He has a background in construction but his true passions have always involved spending time outdoors. At the end of middle school, he began climbing and has been in love ever since. It is his way to spend time with friends, disconnect from the world, and reset. Additionally, Mark is an avid cyclist, skier, and backpacker. 

 Team Member

Hunter has been climbing for five years, favoring bouldering and multi-pitching when he can climb outside. He is an Oregon native and has been attending OSU as a mechanical engineering major. During his free time Hunter enjoys climbing at Smith Rock, whipping around corners with his trusted Yamaha R6, and dancing on the weekends with friends. He is most looking forward to contributing to the climbing community and to encourage a passion in new and veteran climbers alike.  Hunter’s next goal is to break into big wall climbing, and is looking forward to leading more climbing excursions. If you were to ask him why he climbs, he would say “sharing in experiences with fellow climbers and learning from the challenges that we come across.” Next time you see him around the Valley Rock Gym, don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation! 

 Team Member

Ayah is originally from Corvallis, Oregon, but throughout her life she moved around from state to state and to different countries. She has lived in New York, Chicago and the Caribbean. Ayah is currently finishing up her early college degree in Biological Sciences at LBCC. Her favorite thing to do is to go on long midnight drives and cuddling with her cats. Ayah enjoys crocheting, painting, climbing, hiking and taekwondo. Her first language is Arabic and can speak it fluently. She enjoys stargazing and going on walks with her cat. 

 Team Member/Youth Instructor 

Bryce is an undergraduate student studying Mechanical Engineering at OSU. While growing up in Portland, Oregon, he became passionate about the outdoors and was able to explore the Pacific Northwest with his friends and family. He enjoys climbing, skiing, skating, and hiking. He’s been climbing consistently for the last 3 years and hopes to continue for as long as possible. 

 Summer Camp Instructor

Libby is originally from Livingston, Tennessee, but has lived in Oregon for almost 16 years now. She is currently stepping back from school to buy a van and pursue her passions of adventuring, exploring, and becoming a bigger role in the local community. She currently works as a bartender and bouncer at Downward Dog campus and if she's not there she's in her car heading out to the next adventure.