Meet Our Adventure Specialists

For over 20 years, Shannon Highlander has lived the ultimate adventure—rafting in the summer and skiing in the winter. As River Operations Manager at Adventures on the Gorge, he’s been guiding guests down the New and Gauley Rivers since 1993. 

When winter arrives, Shannon heads to Park City, Utah, where he's been a Professional Ski Instructors of America level three instructor and examiner since 1998. His passion for adventure has taken him to rivers and ski slopes across the U.S. and beyond. 

Though originally from Beckley, he’s embraced the small-town charm of Fayetteville—despite the locals teasing him for being an “outsider.” For Shannon, the best part of his job is simple: doing what he loves, meeting incredible people, and experiencing the outdoors in ways most only dream about. 

With an extensive hospitality background, Jerry Smith has always found human resources to be his true passion. As Human Resources Manager at Adventures on the Gorge, he loves helping employees grow in their careers and seeing the resort’s dynamic operations in action. 

During peak summer days, Jerry makes a habit of walking the campus, watching the team in full swing—checking in guests, welcoming back rafters, and serving up meals with a view. Interacting with staff and guests is the highlight of his day. 

A native West Virginian, Jerry has always felt connected to the rivers. He spends his free time fishing on the New River, camping in remote areas, and making memories with family. Though fishing is his favorite river activity, he recently tackled the Gauley River for the first time and loved the challenge. 

Len Hanger knows adventure—both on and off the water. A lifelong West Virginian, he was among the early river enthusiasts who turned their passion for rafting into a career. As co-founder of a rafting company and former general manager of Songer Whitewater, he played a key role in the industry before joining Adventures on the Gorge. 

For over 11 years, Len has tackled the daily challenge of coordinating smooth and safe transportation for guests heading out on rafting, climbing, ziplining, and lake adventures. No two days are the same, but as he puts it, “you still need to make it happen, no matter what the obstacle.” 

Despite his leadership role, Len is still a rafter at heart. His favorite New River rapid, “Surprise,” perfectly reflects his approach to life—embracing the unexpected. Off the clock, he explores the world, from South Africa’s Kruger National Park to Nelson Mandela’s former home, though he dreams of a future trip through Utah’s Monument Valley. 

Chris Hayes traded the corporate world for adventure. After working in commercial lending in Ann Arbor, he discovered rock climbing during a 1997 rafting trip on the Upper Gauley. His passion led him to manage a chain of climbing gyms, but the call of the outdoors was too strong.

Frequent climbing trips to the New River Gorge eventually inspired him to leave the “real world” behind in 2009 and become a climbing guide at Adventures on the Gorge. He quickly expanded his skills, guiding river and zipline tours before stepping into his current role as River & Activities Operations Manager. 

Chris, a Swanton, Ohio native, holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Eastern Michigan University, where he also ran track and cross country. His love for travel has taken him to El Potrero Chico, Mexico, a climbing hotspot filled with global adventurers, and he dreams of one day exploring Italy’s small villages—mostly for the food. No surprise, then, that his favorite hobby is cooking.