Elevate Team
Meet the Team
-
Rich Johnston
Founder and Consultant
Rich founded and currently operates Vertical World, America’s First Indoor Climbing Gyms. He was a founding Board of Director and Chairman of the Climbing Wall Association (CWA). He co-authored the first published Climbing Gym Industry Practices. Rich enjoys being on a lake with his SUP, playing guitar, and spending time outside with his family and pets.
-
Eric Salazar
General Manager
Originally from San Diego, Eric discovered climbing after high school. He’s traveled the world climbing and guiding, and now has over a decade of building walls. As project manager, carpenter and certified welder; you will most likely be talking with Eric if you need a wall built. He spends his non-working time with his wife and two young kids; and on occasion gets to cast his fly rod into the river.
-
Holly Brown
Customer Service
Currently enjoys life with her fiancé and their 4 kids. She enjoys cooking, fishing, the ocean, and thrifting! She is looking forward to an empty nest for future travels. Holly was born and raised in the Kent, Washington area, where she has managed companies her entire adult career. She loves working at Elevate because she gets to work with some really, great guys every day!
-
Ataman (Ato) Billor
Drafter, Engineer, Wall Architect
After getting his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering , Ato pedaled, climbed, fly-fished, and rafted from the east coast to Seattle! His mottos are Stay Stoked and Plus Ultra. He’s passionate about the outdoors, pursuing creativity, and having gratitude.
Goal: Design spaces and climbing walls that enrich and energize local communities. -
Sophi Rutherford
Digital Marketing Director
Originally hailing from California, Sophi grew up working at a surf shop from the age of 13. Climbing and outdoor photography brought her to Bellingham where she resides with her 2 cats. Sophi is currently studying to become a surgical first assist!
-
Aric Meyer
Project Foreman
Aric may often be spotted in the cliffs of index Washington either climbing an obscure route no one really likes or stuffing his face with a freshly hunted breakfast burrito washed down with a gritty cup of coffee. In the evenings you can hear the call of his guitar agitating the herd of climbers nesting nearby. Nature is truly stunning.
-
Max Koch
Welder and Metal Expert
Although Max grew up in Vermont, at 18 he moved and traveled through Montana, California, Nevada, and Hawaii before landing in Washington! Skiing and whitewater kayaking were his passions early on; but these days it’s more biking, climbing, surfing, his wife and wiener dogs. Max is one of our certified welders!
-
Noel Leonen
Shop Manager
Noel was born and raised in Seattle area and spends his free time bouldering. After falling in love with climbing, he wanted to find a way to give back to the sport that hooked him - and found his answer in building the gyms that make it all possible. When he isn’t working or climbing, you can find him at home with his cats watching movies.
-
Scott Baurer
CNC Fabrication
Scott is originally from Philadelphia, but moved to Seattle for easy access to the mountains. He works in the shop during the week building panels and running the CNC machine. Scott loves his cat Oliver, and when he's not working, you can find him hiking in the Olympic Rainforest.
-
Bryce Griffin
Carpenter
Born and raised in the Seattle area, Bryce lives with his beautiful fiance, handsome husky, and 2 cats. He loves working on his 2014 WRX hatch, spending time on the golf course, climbing, and enjoying it all with family and friends! He enjoys time working in the shop, but loves traveling the country, building climbing walls with the crew!
-
Bryan Burdo
Carpenter
Born in the Puget Sound, Bryan started in construction, earning $1.78 an hour, which helped pay his tuition at the University of Washington. He graduated with a biology degree and teaching accreditation. In the ensuing years he has dedicated his life to running marathons, developing climbing areas, and writing guidebooks.
