Our Staff

A Company Is The Collective Dream And Character Of Its People

We are fortunate to be able to attract and keep the very best staff working with us year-round at our Maine adventure resort.  It is easy to tell when someone loves what s/he does. You know it when you "see"  it.  Our staff love their work and it shows. They enjoy making people happy and they are proud to be recognized as the best in their profession. They are at the "top of their game" - come find out for yourself.  They are your guarantee of the finest outdoor adventure vacation possible.

We invite you to meet them.  (More photos coming!)

The Northern Outdoors Management Team

(left to right)
Todd Mercer - Penobscot River Manager
Greg Caruso - Outdoor Operations Manager
Dan Davis - Vehicle and Equipment Manager
Nick Atwood - Adventure Program Director
Mike McConnell - Kennebec River Manager, Brewmaster

The Northern Indoors Management Team

Janelle Forsythe - Housekeeping Manager
Kevin Foss - Food & Beverage Manager
Debbie Garrity - Sales Office Manager
Clara Short - Controller

Northern Outdoors Owners

(left to right)
Jim Yearwood, Suzie Hockmeyer, Russell Walters

Russell Walters – President

Russell hails from the UK, and first came to Northern Outdoors in 1983 when he needed a job to support his whitewater slalom racing habit.  Since the late 80's Russell has focused his career in the adventure sector. He has experience working on the east and west coasts of the U.S. including a four year term as General Manager for California, based O.A.R.S. In 2000, Russell returned to Maine and Northern Outdoors because of his love for the great North Woods and the year-round program of adventures Northern Outdoors offers to guests, friends, and family. Russell is a co-founder and president of riversearch.com an online marketing alliance representing the premiere rafting outfitters in the world. Russell also serves on the Advisory Board of the Adventure Travel Trade Association and the Governor appointed Maine Tourism Commission.

Suzie Hockmeyer – Co-founder

Suzie co-founded Northern Outdoors with Wayne Hockmeyer way back in 1976. Suzie had a long-standing record as the guide with the most runs on the Kennebec for years. She was the first woman to become a Registered Maine Whitewater Guide, in 1980. Suzie spent all her summers growing up in Maine, at her grandfather's farm near the Kennebec River. You can see a rich archive of historical logging industry photos in the Kennebec brewpub of Suzie's grandfather. Suzie's hospitality and love of adventure defines the Northern Outdoors essence. She and Wayne created an adventure company that treasures friendships, the great outdoors, and excellence in recreation. Suzie serves on the Board of Directors of America Outdoors.
 

Jim Yearwood – Vice President

The native Mainer in the senior management team, Jim grew up in Madawaska and came to Northern Outdoors in 1981 as a raft guide. He only planned to stay for a couple of summers, but he loved the rivers, and the hunting, and then the winters when Northern became a year round resort and added snowmobiling. Jim developed most of the trail system that surrounds Northern Outdoors ..... He's passionate about snowmobiling! During the winter season Jim often becomes nocturnal, as he spends many a night grooming trails while the riders are tucked away in cozy cabins, or enjoying the music, food and fine ales in our Kennebec River Pub & Brewery. Oh yeah, Jim likes really good handcrafted beer. He's the reason we have our Kennebec River Brewery; he's the founder! Adventure runs in the family, as both of Jim's kids, Paul and Emily, guide rafts for Northern during the summer.