Meet the Noah's Ark Staff
Professional, Hard-Working, Intelligent, and Friendly - The Best In The Business
Extraordinary Staff Really Are The Difference
Despite the extraordinary natural resources that are available to us, the dynamic nature of our trip options and our reputation as an industry leader in professionalism, we believe that it is actually our STAFF that truly sets us apart. With seven full-time staff members and approximately 100 seasonal employees, we consider the staff our greatest resource.
Recruited from across the United States, our hard-working, intelligent, friendly, and service-oriented staff specializes in meeting the needs of our guests. Noah's Ark employs guides, office workers, cooks, dishwashers, bus drivers, equipment managers and property staff to ensure that each and every area of the operation receives specific attention from specific individuals. We as an organization strive for excellence in everything we do. This commitment is what brings guests back year after year.
Another distinguishing aspect of our operation is the fact that we employ seven individuals on full time staff. These people are devoted, year round, to managing and developing the services that Noah's Ark provides. Each of them has moved from their respective homes around the country and relocated their families because they believe in the mission and purpose of Noah's Ark. Though their backgrounds and educations are quite different, these seven individuals have come together to create a team solely dedicated to providing a unique experience for everyone who walks through our doors.
Full Time Staff Biographies
Under Continuous Ownership Since 1983
Chuck and Lindy Cichowitz - OwnersResidents of Buena Vista, Colorado since 1982, Chuck and Lindy started Noah's Ark Whitewater Rafting Co. in 1983. For the past 27 years, they have been intimately involved with the daily operations of the organization. Their love for people, combined with their love for Colorado's great rivers and mountains, has influenced the quality of outfitted recreation services provided in the Arkansas River valley to Colorado's many guests and residents. They have three children: Cody, Cailee, and Kinsey. They too love being outdoors, experiencing all that Colorado has to offer. When they are not at Noah's Ark, Chuck and Lindy can be found spending time with their family, playing sports, traveling, and staying involved in various ministry opportunities.
Cindy Kramer - Store Manager / BuyerCindy and her husband, Bruce, have lived in the Arkansas River valley for over 20 years. Cindy has worked at Noah's Ark for many years. All of their children have worked in some capacity at Noah's Ark, either as office staff, kitchen staff or guide staff. As the Store Manager, Cindy is in charge of making sure that all those T-shirts you look at in our lodge store are "cool" enough for you to wear! Cindy's eye for design and extensive experience in the retail industry allow her to portray on t-shirts, water bottles, and sweatshirts what we are all about here at Noah's Ark. Cindy is also an expert at welcoming people when they walk through the doors and always looks for opportunities to encourage others as much as possible. With over 25 years of involvement with students, Cindy loves seeing people create lifelong memories in the Colorado outdoors.
Amy Smallwood - Adventure Program DirectorAmy, a native of Buena Vista, relocated in May 2008 from South Carolina’s North Greenville University, where she served on the faculty in the Department of Outdoor Leadership. Amy has been a wilderness instructor for several different organizations, including North Greenville University, Outward Bound, and HoneyRock Camp. She has a passion for utilizing the wilderness environment as a catalyst for growth and change in people. In addition to a bachelor and master’s degree, she holds several certifications, including a Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician, a Single Pitch Instructor certification through the AMGA, and a 3 star paddler certificate in coastal kayaking through the British Canoe Union. In her free time, Amy pursues outdoor adventures with her family, friends, and her white German shepherd.
Todd McMullen - River Program Director / Business ManagerTodd is on his second tour of duty with Noah's Ark! He first worked as a guide during the summers from 1989-1992 while earning his BS in Marketing from the University of Colorado. He married his high school sweetheart, Wendy, in 1992, who also worked at Noah's Ark from 1990-1992 in the office and on the rocks. As can happen, the river got into his blood - and after 15 years of corporate positions in marketing, sales and team leadership/development, Todd found his way back to the Ark just in time for the summer of 2007. He has a passion for developing staff and helping people be the best that they can be. He loves hanging with the family, especially on outdoor adventures! Todd and Wendy have 2 kids, Sean and Sadie.
Micah Salazar - Operations ManagerIn the summer of 1994, Micah began guiding at Noah's Ark just after his freshman year at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado. While successfully cramming his four-year degree into six years, Micah was able to fit in five summers at Noah's Ark, a few mechanical engineering internships and got married in 1997. His wife, Julie, has a degree in music from Colorado Christian University. After graduating in 1999, they moved to Buena Vista so that Micah could begin working full time at Noah's Ark. Since then, Micah and Julie have been blessed with four active and energetic children, Joel (9), Madelyn (7), Mallory (5) and Joshua (3). Micah enjoys spending time with his family, being involved at church, climbing 14ers and taking staff on extended day river trips.
Maria Johnson - Reservations ManagerOriginally, Maria moved to Buena Vista in 1989 with her husband Peter, after graduating from North Central College in Illinois with a BA in English and Psychology. They put down roots, built a home and have lived in the valley since then. After several years in camping ministry, Maria came on board with the Noah's staff in 1999 for four years as the Reservations Manager. She returned in 2007 to pick up where she left off, and is loving being back in the Noah's family! Her husband is a local builder, and they have two girls, Jessica and Chloe. Jessica is attending CSU, and Chloe is attending Buena Vista High School, and works in the Noah’s Ark kitchen in the summer. Their daughters keep busy with various activities like high school volleyball, basketball, soccer and cheerleading. Maria loves trying to keep up with them.
Rob and Kami Williams - Assistant River DirectorsRob and Kami Williams are part of the river leadership team. As Assistant River Directors, they help lead river training and other operational and administrative logistics within the river program. They both have been a part of Noah’s Ark since the mid 1990’s and Kami has been on full time staff since 2001. Rob also works full time as a Firefighter/Paramedic for North Metro Fire Rescue in the Front Range, and part time for Copper Mountain Ski Patrol. Relationships with Noah’s Ark staff and guests are what continue to bring Rob and Kami back year after year. Their two children Jackson, 4, and Taylor Grace, 1, have blessed Rob and Kami in so many ways. It has been their greatest joy to watch their kids grow up around and influenced by such an incredible and quality staff.
Jamie Davidson - Food Service ManagerJamie(on the left) first came to Noah's Ark as a cook in the summer of 2001 during college. She absolutely fell in love with the mission, environment, and food service aspect of Noah's Ark. She spent the following summers on the kitchen staff through the summer of 2007. After graduating from Grace College in May of 2006 with a bachelors degree in Elementary Education, Jamie decided to move to the Denver area where she worked as a nanny and a "barista" at a coffee shop. Now Jamie spends her time during the off-season as a teacher at the Christian School in Buena Vista. She also enjoys cooking, baking, teaching, spending time with family, traveling and watching movies.
Dan Martin - Transportation/MaintenanceDan came to Buena Vista in 1990 to work as an aircraft mechanic at the local airport. Due to the lack of air traffic, he started looking for other options without having to leave the valley. Dan joined the Noah's Ark staff in 1993 as a shuttle driver. Over the years, driving has expanded into maintaining the fleet of buses and trailers. It has been a joy and a challenge to keep the fleet in operating condition. During the off-season, Dan drives buses for the Buena Vista schools, as well as operates a small online business. His wife, Cherrie, also drives shuttles occasionally, and their son, Shawn, 18, works in the kitchen.
Highlighted Seasonal Staff Biographies
Extraordinary Seasonal Staff
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Amy Williams
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Craig Otteni
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Cody Meuli
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Kristie Neff
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Our Commitment to Our Staff...
We are fully committed to staff development, and we care about their well being. We are the only outfitter in the Arkansas Valley to provide staff housing and a food service program for our guides. What does this all mean? You won’t get a burned out river or wilderness guide at Noah’s Ark. Our people operate in the freedom of knowing that their employer cares about them and is looking out for their current well being as well as their future aspirations. Come see the difference our staff makes. You won’t be disappointed! |
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