RVR Staff

Camp couldn't run without our interns! They are here for one full year and they get hands on experience in just about everything camp related, from retreats to running activities and summer programs. This year's class includes Jen, Ben, Joy, Samuel, Jasmine, and Josh. Oh! We almost forgot Henrietta the turtle :)

Jon has RVR in his DNA.  Given that his grandfather, John, founded RVR, Jon spent much of his childhood camping and working at RVR.  After earning degrees from both Towson University and Wheaton College, Jon was ready to take the reins of RVR in 1999.  His door is always open to reminisce about RVR’s rich past or to discuss the God-led vision of RVR’s future.  He and his wife Courtney have two children, Anna and Aidan.

FUN FACT: Jon serves on the board of the Curim House Mission in Nogales, MX.

Brad has a long history with RVR. He was a counselor before coming on full time... the first time. Yes, Brad left for an 8-year stint to work with Booster Enterprises, where he saw a 300% growth in the company and managed a small army.  Now he’s brought his knowledge back to RVR! He met his wife Megan at RVR in 2004; they are raising 2 boys – Cohen and Josiah.

FUN FACT:  Brad is a multi-engine private pilot.

Mike’s heart is for the Gospel. Originally from Stockbridge, MA, he came to work at RVR 1996.  He is very intentional with his responsibilities at RVR, but more so with his role as a godly father and husband.  He and his family serve as worship leaders in their local church and have traveled to Nogales, Mexico on numerous occasions to minister.  He and his wife, Jewel, met at RVR and have 5 children: Jedrek, Slade, Elena, Blane, and Liv.

FUN FACT: Mike and Sylvester Stallone share the same birth day… not the same year.

There’s not been one thing out of place at RVR since May 26, 2015 – the date Leilani joined the RVR staff. She brings her passion for organization, and her years of experience to the RVR HR and Administrative table. She came to MD from Atlanta, GA, where she once completed a half marathon with 2 sprained ankles. If she’s not efficiently organizing something, she’s probably watching football. Her name means heavenly flower, and her husband (Jeff) and son (Nicholas) would agree.

FUN FACT: "2 of my 3 brothers have broken my left collarbone."

Everywhere she goes, adventure follows! After studying Painting and Psychology at Truman State University, she moved to RVR in 2011 to be part of the GPS Intern Program. She’s aced several jobs over the years at RVR and is now our Director of Programs, ensuring an awesome experience for our guests. After practicing the banjo for 3 years, she still knows only 1 song.

FUN FACT: Aubrey has visited all 50 states in the USA, but don't ask her to choose a favorite - she doesn't do favorites.

Raised in South Carolina by two homesteaders, Dan still has a love for the outdoors and simple living. (but now enjoys the comforts of indoor plumbing)  While studying Communications at Liberty University he learned about RVR.  After serving several summers, he joined the full time staff in 2003.  He enjoys creativity, music, animals and family. He and his wife, Hope, are the proud parents of three.

FUN FACT: Dan was shot in the eye with an arrow when he was 8

Grow up in Gaithersburg MD.  Go to college.  Move to Missouri.  Join RVR’s GPS Internship Program.  This is the script Jennifer followed that has her now serving at RVR full time.  Jen’s uplifting, encouraging attitude is contagious, and her desire to serve others fits RVR’s culture like a glove.  She takes every opportunity to not wear shoes and to drink tea while talking deeply… not in vocal tone, but in conversation content. 

FUN FACT: Jen has an extra rib 😮

Every staff needs a Phineas and Ferb expert.  Zach is ours, get your own. He has served with YWAM and came to RVR in 2021 as an intern. He’s passionate about anti-trafficking and baseball (in that order), and has dreams of one day visiting every MLB stadium in the US. He loves to travel – whether horizontally or vertically as he’s plummeted 10K feet while skydiving. 

FUN FACT: Zach has visited 38 of 50 states. 

When you ask someone what they’re passionate about and they answer, “Cornbread and Christmas”, you typically walk away briskly. Not so with Joiya.  We stayed.  We chatted.  We realized her cornbread lovin’ ways were just what we needed at RVR. This Georgia native joined the RVR team in the summer of 2022 and hasn’t left... this is not a squatter situation; we asked her to stay.

FUN FACT: Joiya was born on an Airforce base.

RVR is happy to have this former VA state champion soil and sheep judger on our team. (We actually don’t even know what that is, but…). As RVR's Residency Director, Zach has lived out his passion of reminding people they are loved and treasured by God.  In his spare time, you’ll find him fishing, hunting, lumberjacking, practicing archery, and other hobbies that are generally mentioned in country songs.

FUN FACT: While in college, Zach did a group project with John Luke Robertson from Duck Dynasty.

Hailing from the sprawling metropolis of Marion, IN, Aaron first stepped foot on RVR the summer of 2010. In 2014 he joined the full time staff. He graduated from Liberty University with a major in Worship and a specialty in youth ministry. Because of his vocal training he’s had to perform classical songs in four different languages. He enjoys rock climbing and creative arts like dance and spoken word. And yes, Aaron is married to Aubrey 🥰

FUN FACT: Aaron can quote virtually every Pirates of the Caribbean movie.

Emily thought that after she was an audience member on Jeopardy, her life had reached its pinnacle; then along came RVR! After spending a year in the GPS internship program, she joined our team full-time.  When not at work, she enjoys being outside, singing, and a no holds barred game of UNO. This Texas native has visited 13 countries and 28 states, and we’re glad she’s settled in at RVR.   

FUN FACT: Emily collects fun socks.

Sammy's life has been full of action since day one! As the youngest of 10 kids, we'll just let you imagine all he's endured :) but the warrior that emerged first joined the RVR team in 2021 and has been here since, proudly earning the nickname "Cookie" along the way (you can ask him about it). He's passionate about seeing kids grow toward their full, God-given potential, which makes him a perfect fit here.

FUN FACT :: Rumor has it Sammy had to fight a bear one night in the woods. He will neither confirm nor deny.

Caleb, or Subi (pronounced Sübē) as we like to call him, hails from up north in the great state of Rivendell er, um...Vermont (sorry, Subi, we tried). When he's not managing RVR's adventure elements and keeping them in tip-top zippy/swingy/ropey shape for you all, you'll find him peacefully enjoying a PB&J somewhere, staying fueled for his next adventures.

FUN FACT :: Subi has started a water bottle graveyard.

When looking for a TNT Director, we look for 3 things: someone who loves Jesus, someone who relates to teenagers, and someone who has moved 20 times by the time they were 20 years old – in walks Liza.  We hope she doesn’t move again for a while 😊 Hailing from North Carolina, Liza met the RVR team at a Liberty University camp recruiting event. She enjoys hammocking, sewing and hanging with her best friend – her mom, Kim. 

FUN FACT: Liza drove across the country in 48 hours flat!

Staff bio coming soon...

Our horsemanship queen first worked at RVR in the summer of 2006. Her dedication to the program and her passion for ministry through horses led her to leave her home in Richmond, VA to become full-time staff in 2008. When she is not working with horses, teaching lessons, or riding into the sunset, Morgan enjoys spending time in the great outdoors and playing volleyball.

FUN FACT: *insert clever line about Morgan’s bobsledding experience here*

Don't be thrown off by this Carolina girl's calm demeanor. She doesn't miss a beat and is rarin' to go when it comes to adventuring or all things horses! After serving several summers at RVR, we're excited to have her on full-time at the Horse Center (and so are all the horses 😊)!

FUN FACT :: One of her favorite adventures was a night under the stars in Africa with hippos nearby 👀

No one knows exactly where Greenmount, MD is, but that’s where Laura is from. Even the best clown can’t juggle the amount of things Laura does.  She joined the RVR family in 2006 and has kept us all straight ever since. She desires to grow closer to the Lord and disciple others to do the same.  Laura married a great man and has raised two daughters.

FUN FACT: Laura + volleyball = Game on.

Since joining our team in 2018, we’ve witnessed Rachel's incredible skill in eating breakfast sammies, being generally cozy, and making people feel loved and cared for ❤️. We've also seen her change her last name (😉 looking at you, Mr. King) and take on the leadership of RVR's food services with a Pittsburgh flair! 

FUN FACT: For her entire childhood Rachel wanted to be a pastry chef on a cruise ship.

Before working at RVR full time, Matt worked at RVR not full time- and lots of other things in between.  If you enjoy watching people collect too much stuff, you may have seen him on 2 episodes of “Hoarders”, helping folks get their homes back in order.  He enjoys running, being outdoors, hanging with his Weimaraner, and if you need a rubix cube solved – he's your guy.

FUN FACT: Matt is a classically trained chef!

Top 3 reasons you know Stephanie belongs at RVR? 1) She’s worked RVR summers for over half her life as store crew gal, craft shop coordinator, summer secretary, and yes, even a paintball ref. 2) She’s camped out on the Great Wall of China during a meteor shower.  3) Even when its 24 degrees she wears a short sleeved shirt… the list goes on.  Where’s Stephanie? RVR Office, being the first RVR voice most people hear, or hanging with her cat, reading a book, enjoying flowers.

FUN FACT: Stephanie taught English in China for 10 years.

We were the lucky ones when Bristal joined the RVR team on St. Patrick’s Day 2022! When she’s not booking guest groups like a pro, she’s probably crafting – crocheting, sewing – you name it.  Speaking of names, go ahead, tell her yours – she'll remember it – forever... it’s a gift. Bristal lives local with her husband David and daughter Louisa. 

FUN FACT: Bristal may or may not answer to the name “Sunshine.”  

With his Chuck Norris- like beard, Josh attacks every project with gusto.  His fingerprints are all over RVR – which some day may prove incriminating.  Can’t find Josh? He’s probably fishing or working on something with wheels.  Since 2005, Josh has brought an element of humor to RVR as well as his strong work ethic.  He and his wife Rosey have two boys.

FUN FACT:  Josh has a pet rabbit named Harvey.

If you have a problem, chances are, Brent has already fixed it. This Liberty University grad is passionate about serving and honoring the Lord in everything he does. Since 2013, he’s used his expansive tech skills at RVR. He’s from Richmond, VA and yes, that’s his real last name.

FUN FACT: Brent builds robots because he wants to.

Matt (affectionately known as "Double T"...can you guess why??) has been involved at RVR in some capacity since he was 9 years old — from camper to TNT to counselor, and now full-time staff. He may be going for the record! Originally from Bel Air, Matt is passionate about evangelism and cybersecurity and his two cats Violet and Meredith.  When Matt sits at his computer protecting RVR's cyber world, we picture him with his cats, and that makes us think of Dr. Claw (knick name change forthcoming).

FUN FACT :: Matt has met Cliffe Knechtle.

Titus has served as an intern as well as program director for RVR’s TNT program.  In 2022, he joined the full-time staff, somehow juggling work and seminary! He enjoys life giving conversations with his Christian brothers and sisters, board games and making music.  We’re pretty sure he’s got an infectious laugh, but no one has ever been able to make him laugh, so try to when you see him.  

FUN FACT: Titus is 1 of 10 kids in his family.

Young is the maestro behind the scenes.  He directs or designs almost every print and digital media piece that portrays RVR to the public.  After studying Graphic Design at Liberty University, Young joined the RVR family in 2009.  Young has also been a singer/songwriter with 3 albums released to date.  He and his wife, Juliann, met at RVR and have three young kids that keep them busy.

FUN FACT: Just a look from Young can make you wiser.