Meet our team

As a founding member, J.J. has been part of West for the East since the beginning. While growing up in the Midwest, he discovered his love of the outdoors on a 3 day camping trip to the Colorado River in The Grand Canyon. JJ resides in greater St Louis  with his son Malaki and girlfriend Molly. He is also a certified EMT-B and Firefighter. When JJ ins't working,  you can find him in the outdoors with Malaki camping, fishing, hiking and biking. . As being someone who lives in the Midwest, JJ understands the significance of helping people experience the  great mountain west hence his passion for belonging to the WFTE family.  In an advisor role, J.J. plays a pivotal part in WFTE's mission and strategic direction as we look to grow and impact as many lives as possible.

Greenhorn played and integral part in the founding of West for the East. A trip she had planned for a group of friends  that included our founder in 2019, proved to be the catalyst and eventual inspiration that ignited WFTE.  Growing up in the mountains of rural Vermont, Haley has always had a passion for exploration of the outdoors. After the trip she had planned to Utah in 2019, she seized her dream of moving out West. Today, Haley is a certified recreational therapist and registered nurse. As such, Greenhorn, advises WFTE on ways to increase recreational access and  serves as the on-sight medical expert during adventures. Greenhorn is an avid skier, backpacker, animal lover and picture taker. 

Being from the Midwest, Erin found her love for the outdoors after her experience in the boundary waters in 2017. She created her group called Midwest Hikes & Hammocks in November of 2021 to share her love for the outdoors & travel. Erin has found a passion in creating videos anywhere from travel hacking, to how to put up a hammock. Erin has her associates in business and works in the insurance industry. When she is not working, she is usually hiking, traveling, biking, and working on her group. Being from the Midwest, Erin really has a passion for helping others get to see other parts of the country. She loves the Midwest values, but has a travelers mindset. 

James grew up in the small town of Pinckney, Michigan where he first found his love for the outdoors. After college, James relocated to Utah to pursue his passions in the outdoor recreation and instantly fell in love with the beauty of the Mountain West. His experience in the outdoors coupled with his joy for sharing it with others served as the foundation of inspiration in starting West for the East. James understands the healing and life changing impact a memorable experience in the mountains can bring to those who need it. James works in the renewable energy and when he is not working (or even when he is working) you can find him camping, mountain biking and searching for new places to show our guests from back home.