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Garrett Bennett - Senior Guide / Owner
Garrett Bennett began climbing at age 12 and has almost two decades of experience rock climbing, canyoneering and hiking in over ten countries, across five different continents. He is certified in high angle rescue, confined space rescue, and is a certified Wilderness First Responder through the Wilderness Medical Institute of the National Outdoor Leadership School.
Prior to founding CenterFocus, Garrett had eight years of guiding experience working for multiple adventure companies, and had also guided in the jungles of Central America. When not guiding, Garrett was a manager of the Climbmax - climbing center in Phoenix. Additionally, he had been the lead climbing guide for various climbing programs where he certified and trained other guides. He has worked with the United States Forest Service as a Wildland firefighter for five seasons where he also served as an orienteering instructor.
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David Malpas - Senior Guide / Co-Founder
Dave, a native of New Jersey, graduated from the University of Mass., Amherst before moving to Arizona. He has been climbing for over 15 years and hiking for well over 20. Dave has had several years of guiding experience with various southwest adventure companies.
Dave's outdoor leadership skills were honed at a young age in scouting where he achieved the highest rank of Eagle Scout and is currently a Rock Climbing Merit Badge Counselor. He is a former firefighter/EMT, and also worked for the United States Forest Service as a Wildland firefighter and CPR instructor. He is a certified Wilderness First Responder and is also certified in high angle rescue. He has travelled throughout all fifty states, and most of the Canadian provinces. Dave has climbed extensively around the United States and in Europe. When not guiding, you can usually find him climbing or canyoneering in Zion National Park, UT.
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Sevve Stember - Climbing Supervisor / Guide
Sevve began climbing on the sea cliffs of Lake Superior's North Shore. He has been continuously pursuing his appetite for climbing throughout the American West making numerous ascents in Yosemite and Zion as well as establishing a first ascent in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Colorado. Sevve recently spent six weeks in Chilean Patagonia where he established four new climbing routes on the untouched 500 meter cliffs of the Valle Cochamo. Stember's team was featured in Climbing Magazine and the American Alpine Journal in regards to their Patagonia Expedition. When not climbing, Sevve can be found teaching math and science in Phoenix or working as a Park Ranger in Yosemite National Park.
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David Klingbeil - Ranch Manager / Canyoneering Guide
As caretaker for the Rocking X Ranch in the Sierra Ancha Wilderness, David serves as the adventure ranch manager and canyoneering guide for CenterFocus. In addition to potentially being the fastest hiker on earth, David knows the Anchas like his own back yard - as they are literally his own backyard. David is medically qualified and has served as a backcountry ranger for the Forest Service in these areas. He has been an avid rock climber for over ten years and has also served as a guide for multiple adventure companies where he learned to walk just a little bit slower for his clients.
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Holly Dison - Climbing Supervisor / Guide
Holly has always been an adventure enthusiast and began climbing with her brother in the late 1990's. Prior to that she was a gymnast and a skydiver before rock climbing overtook her other interests. Holly moved to Arizona in 2002 and continues to guide and climb throughout the southwestern states. When not climbing with family or friends, she can usually be found walking around on stilts or flying through the air on a trapeze.
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Melissa Philibeck - Archaeology Guide
Growing up in the land of the Menominee Indians, Melissa has always had an interest in Native American culture and a connection with the natural environment. Before moving to Arizona, Melissa graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Archeology and an emphasis in Native American studies. She has participated in several excavations of prehistoric Native American sites that date back 1,500 years. For the past five years she has worked for the National Park Service as an Interpretive Ranger providing archaeological tours for visitors from all over the world.
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Barry Malpas - Astronomy Guide
One could say that Barry has a passion for astronomy. On our overnight astronomy tours he can still be found awake into the wee hours of the morning to scan the heavens with one of his many telescopes. Originally from New Jersey, he came out to visit Arizona, fell in love with the dark skies and never left. While living back east, Barry was a co-founder of the United Astronomy Clubs of New Jersey and is also a member of the Antique Telescope Society. He has written several articles on Amateur Astrospectroscopy and is authoring a book on the the History of Women in Astronomy. When the sun is up, and he's not viewing sunspots, you can usually find Barry playing the guitar and singing a tune.
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