FMWR > Recreation & Sports > Warrior Adventure Quest Staff

Erin Johnson, Recreation Assistant

Erin is a Colorado Native from Woodland Park, less than 30 miles from Fort Carson. She studied history, philosophy and sociology at Fort Lewis College in Durango. She then spent a year working at a dude ranch in Montana; and another year traveling around Colorado working for various colleges and their challenge courses. Erin is a nationally certified Challenge Course Facilitator and Course Manager.  She received her training from Leahy & Associates in 2006. Growing up in Colorado Erin learned to ski before managing to walk.  Some of her favorite ski areas include: Ski Rio, Cuchara Valley, Ski Cooper, and A-Basin. Erin has found her niche here at Fort Carson Adventure Programs; working on challenge courses, skiing and enjoying all that Colorado has to offer!

Evan Howey, Recreation Assistant

Evan, aka “Hot Tamale”, first joined Fort Carson APE as an intern in the summer of 2011.  He left to finish his degree in Recreation Management at Appalachian State University, came straight back to APE and was hired as a Warrior Adventure Quest staff summer of 2012.  His main strength is rafting due to a few seasons of raft guiding under his belt here in Colorado on the Arkansas and also back in his home state of North Carolina on the French Broad (where the rapids get a little hairy).

Evan dabbles in climbing and has experience mountain biking and kayaking as well which you might find him doing in the afternoons or on days off.  He is our resident disc expert and has been playing Ultimate Frisbee and disc golf for almost ten years.  Which also explains his membership on a co-ed club team here in the Springs that travels to tournaments all over the west.

Ashley Sherlock, Recreation Assistant

Ashley Sherlock (no relation to Sherlock Holmes), comes to us from good ‘ole New York. Spending most of her life in the Catskills and Adirondack Mountains, she has grown up with a great respect and awe for the outdoors. A degree of Outdoor Recreation with a concentration in Leadership allows Ashley to share her love for all things outside with others while she works and plays.

Ashley came to Fort Carson during the summer of 2011 as an intern and has since become a member of the regular staff. She splits her time working between Fort Carson and REI. When she is not helping people find their niche in the outdoors, she is pursuing her own favorite pastimes of hiking, backpacking, yoga and climbing.

Ryan Sullivan, Recreation Assistant

Ryan Sullivan hails from the great Northwestern State of Oregon, where he grew up skateboarding, and snowboarding. Ryan joined the army at the age of 20 and served two combat deployments in Iraq, and Afghanistan. Ryan spent 4 yrs at Schofield Barracks Hawaii assigned to the 25th infantry division, followed by 3 years at Ft. Carson in the 4th infantry division. After 7yrs of service Ryan was honorably discharged and decided to remain in Colorado. Ryan began working for Ft. Carson Outdoor Rec in January of 2011 as a Ski Tech/Equipment Checkout employ Ryan is a diehard snowboarder and can be found snowboarding all over Colorado's backcountry. Ryan also spends his free time manufacturing snowboards from scratch in his garage. If Ryan isn't chasing powder every weekend during the winter on his snowboard he will likely be found skateboarding, rock climbing, camping, and/or fishing.

Michael Henderson, Recreation Assistant

Michael joined us in January 2012 as a winter intern, and upon finishing earned his degree in Recreation and Tourism.  He hails from a place that few know as heaven but most know as Iowa.  After playing 4 years as a college football player, he spent a summer working in Estes Park where he photographed climbers and backpackers.  This is when he realized Colorado was a place he wanted to call home.  He loves teaching people new skills to allow them to enjoy the mountains that he has grown to love so much.  Michael is always a sucker for a good cause especially if it involves him growing a mustache (Movember). 

Fun Facts from Michael:

#1- The Iowa Hawkeyes are the #1 football team in the country despite their BCS rating

#2- Has been concussed by an NFL linebacker

#3- His first car was a 1987 Pontiac Fiero (they were only made for 3 years for a reason)

#4- Went to school in Minnesota and does not pronounce words with long 'O's

#5- Has been published as a photographer

Ryan Bennett, Recreation Assistant

Ryan is originally from Houston, Texas and transplanted to Colorado as quickly as he could. The multitude of rocks to climb and the seemingly endless miles of sweet singletrack to ride was his calling. If he's not at Outdoor Recreation than he's most likely climbing, biking, or skiing. One of his favorite quotes from Yvon Chouinard:

Jeff Johnson - What do you want to call the route?
Yvon Chouinard - Nothing...Just climb it...Just walk away. It doesn't matter anymore....each one of us in our own way got to do something...save your soul, you know, whatever that is.....

Willie Phillips, Recreation Assistant

Willie Phillips is a graduate of Appalachian State University, majoring in Recreation Management with a concentration in Outdoor Experiential Education.  During his time at ASU, he was a dedicated youth soccer coach as well as an active member in the outdoor world.  If Willie wasn’t found at work you could find him out climbing on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  He is quick to crack a joke, and will always be seen with a big smile on his face.  Even though this jokester is always looking for a good laugh, he takes his career as an outdoor professional very seriously.  He loves teaching about as well as showing people the beauty of the outdoors.  Willie worked as a commercial guide in Western North Carolina taking people rafting, tubing, climbing, and spelunking.  On his time off Willie loves getting out camping or hiking with his dog Zappa.  Willie accepted a Warrior Adventure Quest position in December 2012.  He loves the career path that he has chosen, and looks forward to more adventures to come.