|  Bonsai's Expertise designing Zip Lines Canopy Tours and Ropes Courses
Zip Lines | Canopy Tours | Adventure Challenge Courses
With industry-leading experience, Bonsai Design Inc. provides critical consulting throughout the process. Our detailed craftsmanship ensures safe, long-lasting, enjoyable structures. Anybody can hang a cable in a tree. What differentiates Bonsai Design Inc. is our attention to detail, experience, and commitment to environmentally sensitive design and construction. Bonsai Design is a member of the Association of Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) designing, building, and inspecting to their standards. Experience, Service, and World-Class Craftsmanship.
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The founder and president of Bonsai Design, Inc., John developed his love for the outdoors at a young age, exploring the rural areas in and around the Great Lakes. John’s sense of adventure soon led him to Colorado, where he quickly took up climbing mountains and paddling rivers. Between his experiences at the University of Colorado in Boulder, and at the California College of Arts in San Francisco, John has a diverse education in topics ranging from Geography to Engineering to Fine Arts. Through each of his innovative, unique and often ambitious projects, John has devoted ample time to slowly and surely developing his place in the Adventure Challenge Industry. With more than 16 years of experience in challenge course design and program development, John has developed a reputation for undertaking ambitious design projects that blend natural appeal with sound educational philosophies. Frequently accompanied by his dog Fern, John looks forward to bringing his passion for the environment and love of the creative process to many more projects.
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| Born and raised at a variety of summer camps, Reid has worked nearly every role, from maintenance staff to program director. Reid was home-schooled until college, where he acquired a formal education in Exercise Science and Business Administration. Drawing upon a lifetime of adventure experience, Reid is a first-class builder and lead inspector. When he is not completely kicking butt on the job site, he enjoys pursuing his interests in mushing, martial arts, interpersonal psychology, outdoor skills and exploring personal limits.
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| Mark has been a key player at Bonsai from the very beginning, having grown up down the street from John. Mark brings years of building experience, as well as his synergistic creativity to the Bonsai process. When he’s not working for Bonsai, Mark spends his time holding up the crumbling pillars of the City of Detroit while hatching plans to take over the rock and roll world.
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| Coming from the facilitation end of the industry, Brandon has worked in multiple high and low ropes course setting, and has lead extended back-country trips for teens. With a background in the trades as a journey plumber, transition in to construction with Bonsai was an early goal. Brandon enjoys hiking, snowboarding, and many more outdoor experiences.
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| For nearly 20 years now, Tyler has been climbing and exploring wild areas the world over. Experienced in many aspects of climbing, his wanderings have taken him to such varied venues as the big walls of Yosemite and Zion, the limestone of France and China and the snowy heights of Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. Tyler has been with Bonsai since 2005, when his excitement for adventure led him to Alaska, where he quickly adapted his expert climbing and communication skills to Canopy Tour installations and training. Tyler speaks fluent Spanish and holds a BA in Anthropology.
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| Sarah brings energy and dedication and a long history to Bonsai. After receiving her B.S. in Environmental Education, Sarah went to work at an Outdoor Education Center and ended up in the classroom. She then pursued an M.Ed, focusing entirely on Alternative Education. After taking some time off teaching to stay at home with her boys, Sarah began helping John run Bonsai from a teeny mac laptop in her basement in Grand Junction. As Bonsai started to grow exponentially, John and Sarah collaborated to ensure efficiency at Headquarters and in the field. Now in a Bonsai-owned office, Sarah plays a part-time role managing the financial health of the company. When not working, Sarah enjoys hiking and biking with her four boys, practicing yoga, and long distance running on trails.
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| Thaddeus joined Bonsai in the Fall of 2008 after many years as an airline captain. He has a B.S. in Aerospace Studies from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with minors in Physics and Mathematics. Before his flying career, Thaddeus grew up in the construction industry and eventually became a Project Manager for a construction company in Prescott, Arizona. He also has extensive experience in managing and maintaining the fleet of Bonsai vehicles, some of which run solely on Waste Vegetable Oil. Thaddeus has also been an innovator in designing new trolleys for dual zip systems at Bonsai. He mostly spends his time at Headquarters orchestrating and managing the process of Bonsai's installation of new courses. When not working, Thaddeus loves mountain biking, kayaking, working on his water engine, and playing outside with his three boys.
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| As a graduate of Duke University and Northwestern University, Sam joined Bonsai Design, Inc as a seasoned businessman. He spent his civil engineering and real estate development careers owning and managing small businesses. Currently, Sam is “retired”, and working for Bonsai on an as-needed basis. As a registered Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor, he is passionate about nurturing small companies and helping them grow and flourish. As John’s father, Sam is in awe at the unique and cutting-edge designs that John creates for Bonsai. In his spare time, Sam loves to play tennis, travel, and spend time with his five grandchildren.
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| | Wes has been an outdoor professional for nineteen years. He joins Bonsai with an enormous amount of experience in the industry: he has worked as a lead trainer, lead builder, course designer, facilitator, course manager and a U.S. Army Drill Sergeant. Wes spends every free minute playing outside and is a total gear geek. Currently he enjoys mountain biking and exploring. His home is Jenks, OK and is shared with his wife Laura, son Caleb and daughter Cadi. | | |
| | Katherine joined our company in 2008 to manage our office in Grand Junction. A rock climber, outdoor enthusiast, and yogini, Katherine comes to Bonsai with tenacity, cheer, and persistence. Katherine has attended Prescott College, received Parelli training in natural horsemanship, and has traveled extensively. She not only manages the Central Office, but also visits the job sites regularly, serving as a liaison between the field and the office. We are lucky to have her aboard. | | |
| After earning a degree from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business in Business Economics & Public Policy with a minor in Economics, Charmaine headed out west to California. Her strong organizational and analytical skills were an asset when she joined Strategic Planning and Business Development supportive team at Outlaw Productions. She later held integral positions at The Onion Newspaper developing business strategies, expanding distribution territories, and maintaining client relationships. At Bonsai Design, Charmaine brings with her not only her work experience but also her spunky personality that is always delivered with a smile.
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