Adam
Rivas
Local C02 service technician & co-coordinator for the
Catskill Mtns Jamboree, Adam has a passion for Jeeping, which is good
since he manages to break bones on anything that goes any faster! Adam
lays out most of the trails at the event & is constantly thinking
of new ways to get you stuck. When not working on trails, he may be
found in his shop helping all of his less capable, but willing to get
abused, friends that lean on his jeep building skills!
Bill Davis
Computer
software
guru to pay the bills, this Vermont born huckleberry who resides in
Bedford, NH loves off-roading more than we can tell you. “Not too
stable” might sum up Bill since we've seen him strip naked to
search a
mud bog for a lost $20 tow strap in 40 degree water. Great guide on the
trails and handy if you lose anything in an ice cold swamp. (Note:
Sheep sounds make him feel at home). You may also recognize Bill &
his partner Brian McDonald as the coordinators of the Killington Mtn
Jeep Jamboree in VT each spring..but please don't boost his ego and
tell him you liked that trip!!
Bob Westerman
This well seasoned Jeep enthusiast is a full time
service tech at our local Jeep dealership. “Jeepitis” hit
Bob hard
since his collection includes a 1952 Willys CJ-3A, 1952 Willys M38, a
1950 CJ-V35/U, and most recently a new Rubicon on which he is
attempting
to
break
things that even has the engineers at Jeep scratching their heads.
George
Geyer
Unmistakably George with
his “Puddle Jumper” jeep, George has been a fixture at the
Catskills
Jamboree since we started. This Long Island electrician brings many
years of off-road experience to the trails as well as a lot of laughs.
George is often heavy with the right foot, so don't get too close if
you happen to be near the mud with this guy!
Jim Rapp
This long
time mechanic at a Jeep dealership in Northern NJ
decided to hang up the wrenches after watching one too many episodes of
COPS and change careers. Rumor has it that no one driving a Jeep
through Ringwood, NJ will ever get a ticket, but I wouldn't push my
luck. If you go out with Jim, you'll appreciate his patient, well
thought out guiding skills, but please, easy on the donut jokes!
Mike
Rauch
Many of you may know Mike from
OK4WD in Stewartsville, NJ,
but more than likely by the end of the weekend he'll be better known as
being that “guy in the pretty Jeep that doesn't want to get it
dirty”.
Mike is a great resource on the trail, with many years' experience, but
reassure him if you could, that the mud will wash off.
Jim Oostryk
Like Mike, you might recognize Jim as the owner of OK4WD in NJ. Jim has
been a supporter of many off-roading events in the Northeast including
the Catskill Mtns Jeep Jamboree for many years. His knowledge &
experience on the trail is almost as extensive as his line of BS
stories he tells around the fire at night!
Mike
Taylor
This local propane &
fuel oil dealer and Catskill Mtns Jamboree Coordinator, got his start
by getting his grandfather's 67 Scout stuck in a stream when he was 13
years old. Water running through the cab, prayed not to get caught.
Didn't work. Grounded ‘'til 25 years old. Been in many dumb
places
since
then, but loves his winch! Together with Adam, decided to bring a
Jamboree back home to the Catskills.
Rich Brienza
Concrete & building supply dealer from New Hyde Park,
NY. Showed at the first Catskill Jamboree with brand new Grand
Cherokee. Put his warranty to the limit on that trip, loved it and has
been addicted ever since. Only guy we know that planned his house
renovations around getting taller “Swampers” (tires) so he
could get in
the garage with his Jeep!
Shaun
Chapman
Ringwood, NJ is home for
this Cadillac service tech that was dubbed “Super Jeep” by
a local
newspaper reporter at the 2002 Jamboree after spending the day with
Shaun. (Have you ever seen a reporter covered with mud from head to
toes?) Shaun is a handy guy on the trail with a contagious smile that
cant help but make you think he's got to be up to something devious!
Shay Lawton
Service manager for a construction equipment co, Shay could put Jesse
James’ Monster Garage to shame with his
ability to fix or make anything to get a Jeep running out of thin air.
This McGiver of the woods is as crafty as a fox, loves to kick up the
mud and will guarantee a great time. (Note: please don't mention his
dents...each has a story and you won't have time to hear them all!).
Stu Fargiano
This
Virginia dentist transforms into a Jeepin’
Hillbilly in his free time. (Who else would hang a closed sign on his
office door that says, “closed for a month, gone to the
Rubicon”.) Stu
can talk about impacted wisdom teeth, Jeeping in woods of
Kentucky or
about gear ratios in his Atlas II transfer case in the same breath, so
we guarantee no boredom with Stu!
Tony Rivas
Mild
mannered dental lab owner by day turns mad-man, Purple
Jeep driving guide by weekend. This former farmer spent his youth
racing on the local streets in the late 50’s & 60’s and
transformed
to playing in the mud later on. Tony owns much of the property your
trail is on and loves to get his guests muddy!
Rich Baum
A local Monticello attorney during the week, Rich has worked hard to
break in (and just plain break!) his Unlimited Rubicon on our trails
around here. Rich cut back on his former full time hobby of competitive
pistol shooting for jeeping a while back, so no matter how bad he gets
you stuck - our advice is don't challenge this old sharpshooter to a
duel!
Brian McDonald
From Northern Vermont, a stones throw from the Canadian border, this
fuel oil delivery guy brings many years of experience with him. Horses
& motorcycles are in his garage next to his never ending project
jeep. You may also recognize Brian as the coordinator and ever
talkative emcee of the Killington Mtn Jeep Jamboree in VT, but like
with Bill, please don't boost his ego and praise his jamboree too much!
Matt Ehlermann
This
Commercial HVAC & refrigeration company owner
might like to keep the ice cubes cold in the restaurants, but he sure
heats up the rocks in the woods! Born & raised in Slate Hill, NY,
his wife has the front yard looking like Martha Stewart’s while
out
back, Matt has his jeep collection & 4 pet pigs. Neighbors must
love him!
Paul Kovacs
Paul's a Connecticut landscape contractor that brings many years of
off-road experience with him. We're all just hoping that with Paul's
streak of bad luck that his
Jeep holds together for the weekend, so please don't entice him to
break stuff!
Mike Barbara
This landscaper from Long Island, NY has spent many years coming
to the trails in the Catskills & the Pocono Mountains. Mikes great
at keeping you laughing, give you some pointers on keeping your
landscaping looking sharp and get you through the worst of woods with
ease!
Steve Risk
This mad man is known up &
down the east coast for his assistance at various jeeping events. A
mild mannered construction company executive during the week, Risk
rolls up his sleeves with the best of them and you're guaranteed not to
have a dull moment. As the sticker says on the side of his Jeep...
"Risk It". You won't have to ask if you spend a day out with him on the
trail!
Ian Kiss
Machinist by day and avid 4 wheeler racer on the weekends. This whole
jeeping thing took some time to get this fast paced A TV fanatic to
comprehend, so go easy on him - he's still going through those 'need
for speed' withdrawals!
Ray Morton
Ray manages a custom van & RV center in NJ during the week, but on
the weekends, he takes his immaculate CJ places most wouldn't think of
trying to hike! This high tech gadget nut, has the experience &
attitude to get you through the toughest of trails. (and don't be
afraid to bust on him for having such a spotless jeep.. it makes us
sick tool!).
Joe Siegel
“Country Joe” to his friends, Joe does structural
steel fabrication by day and runs big cranes, but on the weekends he
can be found playing with his many toys that include jeeps,
snowmobiles, atvs, airplanes or has even been known to shoot a few deer
and boils his own maple syrup. You can’t find a nicer guide
than Joe but you we’ve seen him skim the tree tops with his Piper
Cub, so it might be best to stay on the ground if he offers to take you
for a ride!
Kevin Ledder
Kevin Conklin
This architect from Catskill NY can give you the technical plans for
each trail in a CAD file or can get you through the toughest of trails
with ease. Since fatherhood, Kevin’s calmed down quite a
bit, spent the first couple Jamborees in a tent at Willys and rumor has
it he tried to rekindle the ghost of Jose Cuervo. If you’re
on Kevin’s trail, you’re sure to have a good time.
