(he/him)

Owner / Co-Founder

Facilities + Business Development

After buying a pair of used climbing shoes to monkey around on a makeshift climbing wall on a highway underpass in Southern Spain, Kevin was hooked.

Upon returning to the States, he immersed himself in climbing culture in Colorado and cooked up a plan to bring the world of rock climbing to his hometown of Traverse City.

Kevin loves everything peanut butter and adventure sport. He volunteers annually to plan the Central Neighborhood PorchFest with this parents, Jan and Marilyn. When he’s not here, he’s usually out and about with his partner Kate, his three beautiful children, and their sweet pups!

(he/him)

Owner / Co-Founder

Finance + Human Resources

A Traverse City native, Nick always knew he would return home. After graduating from the University of Michigan, he spent several years following his entrepreneurial spirit out on the East coast.

Nick brings an extensive background in small business startup and ownership to the ELEV8 team. He is passionate about building an inclusive climbing community to his hometown and supporting a healthy workplace!

Nick loves slacklining, spending time in his sauna, playing cornhole, cooking meals for his friends, and playing in the garden.

(he/him)

Head Routesetter + Ascent Team Head Coach

Tanner got his start in rock climbing at his college climbing wall. From there, he took up routesetting and the rest is history. He spent several years setting at his college climbing wall and at commercial climbing gyms in Ohio before recently coming back to Michigan to be close to family.

He prioritizes inclusion, respect, and routine in his routesetting and coaching. Tanner is a lifelong learner and is constantly striving to be a better leader and educator.

Tanner loves digging deep into projects, downhill skiing, and juggling. When he’s not at the climbing gym (which is pretty rare, honestly) you can find him playing ultimate frisbee or tending to his garden!

(she/her)

Youth Programs Director. Approach Team Coach.

As a recent Red River Gorge, KY transplant, Veronica has been around climbing for the majority of her life. She got her first taste when she had her 10th birthday party at the local gym in Cleveland, where both she and her mom got hooked!

Since then, Veronica has climbed all over the country and in Mexico. She has an AMGA Single Pitch certification she has used to guide folks on the rocks from Joshua Tree to Kentucky, and is a firm believer that climbing is for everyone (including her 75 year old grandmother!).

Veronica is passionate about showing folks that climbing has more to offer than just a good workout. When she isn’t at the gym, you can find her exploring local trails with her two silly dogs, cooking elaborate meals, fishing, painting watercolors, and crafting odds and ends.

(he/him)

Routesetter

Born and raised in Traverse City, Brayden got his start in rock climbing while studying computer science at Ball State University.

Brayden brings an incredible level of energy and stoke to the routesetting team, thriving when he is setting and climbing boulders.

When he’s not setting climbs, working his charm at the front desk, or climbing with buddies, he is pumping iron in the gym, reading, or hunting down the latest and greatest video games.

(he/him)

Routesetter + Climbing Programs. Approach Team Coach.

Ben brings a background in outdoor and wilderness recreation to ELEV8. A lifelong Eagle Scout, Ben coordinated climbing programs for the Boy Scouts of America across Michigan.

He got his start in routesetting at ELEV8 and has been an integral part of the team ever since.

Catch Ben climbing in the gym, volunteering with the Boy Scouts, or riding his bike!

(she/her)

Routesetter + Ascent Team Coach.

An unsponsored La Sportiva athlete notorious for seeking out technical face climbs until the sun goes down and hiking out with a headlamp, Jess owns the world’s oldest grigri and knows every stick clip trick in the book. She also sets super thoughtful routes, and is passionate about building the next generation of passionate climbers.

As a regular face at GT Rocks back in the day, Jess was part of the O.G. climbing scene in TC, and has been hanging on the end of a rope ever since. When she’s not climbing, she can be found getting ready to climb, or just finishing up climbing. Or sleeping.