John Powers, Executive Director
"Jubilant JP" has been pioneering experiential learning since 1978. He has a B.S. from SUNY ESF in Forest Engineering, a M.S. in Science Education and a M.S. in Counselor Education from Syracuse University. He holds a Level 1 Certification, Level 2 Certification, and Managing an Adventure Program Certification from the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT). He presented at the ACCT annual conference in 2013 and has received coverage in newspapers and TV stations. Currently JP serves as Orenda Springs’s Executive Director. He has made it his life’s quest to motivate others to overcome obstacles and achieve amazing feats. He lives by the belief that the greatest indicator of success is not one’s IQ but self-motivation. He seeks to make Orenda Springs a place where people get motivated to be their best.
Allison Ray, Grants Director
"Awesome Allison" has been with Orenda Springs since 2013 in the roles
of group facilitator, educational program developer, and grant manager. A
native of CNY, she is a graduate of Fayetteville-Manlius High School and
holds a BA from Cornell University, and MS in Counseling from Syracuse
University, with advanced graduate study in mental health counseling,
counselor education and supervision. She has extensive experience as a
counselor in school and community settings, and has worked as an adjunct
instructor for Syracuse University. Currently, Allison owns a private mental
health therapy practice in the village of Marcellus, where she works with
children, adolescents and adults. She also provides clinical supervision to
pre-licensed clinicians. Allison loves the outdoors and believes there are
profound opportunities for every person to grow by connecting with,
learning from, and being in nature. She strives every day to help people
move through challenges to recognize and achieve their innate potential,
and she is thrilled to share her enthusiasm and skills in such a unique and
powerful place as Orenda Springs! If you are interested in connecting with Allison for individual mental health services, she can be reached directly at:
Phone: (315) 673-5005
E-mail: allisonray@cnytwm.com
Website:
Keith White, Lead Group Facilitator
“Kinetic Keith” is a Marcellus native who graduated from Marcellus High School in 2010. He went on to attend Hartwick College where he majored in Geology and Environmental Science. A lifelong athlete, he first came to Orenda Springs in high school with his varsity soccer team and was instantly hooked to the Orenda experience. He spent many years hopping between different industries to gain experience and training, including coaching college soccer and selling cars for high level manufacturers, but kept coming back to Orenda, which he now calls home. He also started rock climbing in 2018 and has become addicted to “getting high”. He has been working at Central Rock Gym in Syracuse for years where he has coached the youth programs as well as teaching all levels of climbing instruction courses to people of all ages. His love for travel has also brought him many places, and you shouldn’t be surprised if you run into him on local hiking trails, in the Adirondacks, or even deep in the Rocky Mountains. Being able to tie in his love for the outdoors as well as coaching and teaching made him a natural fit on our team.
Larry Craft, Board President and Group Facilitator
A long time resident of Marcellus, "Lifeskills Larry" has been a group facilitator at Orenda Springs since 2006. He holds a Bachelors and a Masters degree in Education, and retired from the Syracuse City School District after a 32 year career as a Middle School Social Studies teacher. He has several years of experience as a coach, at various times working with athletes in soccer, basketball, lacrosse, and baseball, ranging from Youth Recreation Leagues to the High School Varsity level in both the Syracuse City School District and at Marcellus High School. Larry also has many years of experience working with "at risk" youth in conjunction with various programs associated with the Syracuse City District.
At Orenda Springs, Larry especially enjoys the opportunity to assist people of various ages, and different walks of life, as they experience the unique activities that we have to offer, which are designed to put a sharper focus on what they are truly capable of, both personally, and as a group (team). As groups progress from activity to activity, it is always interesting to observe the participants becoming increasingly aware of the kinds of choices that they have to make in order to more fully realize their potential. To Larry, the opportunity to help people to make progress toward working more inclusively, creatively, and cooperatively to prevail over challenging situations is both a privilege and a pleasure. At Orenda Springs this is what we do all the time!
Lori Tucker, Lead Group Facilitator
"Luminous Lori" is a a long-time outdoor enthusiast. She grew up outside of Syracuse and has made Marcellus her home with her husband and children since 1998. After graduating from Westhill High School, she earned Bachelors degrees in Biology and Psychology followed by a Masters of Education in Counseling at SUNY Brockport. She has worked in elementary school counseling, developmental disabilities, brain and spinal cord injury, and substance abuse counseling. She has always enjoyed facilitating individual and group counseling.
In order to spend more time with her two children, Lori departed from her full time career and focused on her family and volunteering in a variety of areas, including the Marcellus Schools, teaching Religious Education at St. Francis Xavier Church and being a Eucharistic Minister to people who are home-bound. She regularly participates in Charity 5Ks with her family and engages in fundraisers for the Marcellus Ecumenical Food Pantry, March for Babies, and Save My Starving Children, among others. She enjoys art, yoga, science, hiking, swimming, biking, and traveling with her family. Lori has enjoyed the opportunity to be a Group Facilitator at Orenda Springs since 2015. She is inspired to make meaningful contributions in the lives of others and assisting people in discovering their hidden potential.
Lou Rosati, Group Facilitator
"Laughing Lou" is a retired Physical Education teacher and Coach from the West Genesee School District. He has lived in Camillus for 34 years with his wife, Pam, where they built their log house. They have two married children: Stacie lives in SanDiego, and Garett lives in NJ. Lou loves climbing! He is a proud “46er” and has hiked many others mountains. He has also spent time caving, white water rafting, sky diving and enjoys motorcycling. Throughout his time as a teacher and coach, Lou brought students and athletes to Orenda Springs and loves volunteering whenever he can.
Adam Stottlar, Ropes Course Manager
“Awesome Adam” has been an integral member of the Orenda team since 2011, specializing in the high ropes portion and becoming the Ropes Course Manager while also earning his ACCT certification. He loves to help course participants achieve something they felt was beyond their abilities with his calm encouragement. When not at Orenda Springs, Adam enjoys spending time with his family and friends, enjoying nature, traveling, and rock climbing.
Shane Ventura, Group Facilitator
“Sunshine” Shane found her way to Marcellus, NY 30 years ago after being born, raised, and educated in Boston. Upon graduating from Boston College with a degree in History, a quick detour from the career track landed her in Vermont where she discovered her love of outdoors and adventure! She eventually returned to Boston where she started her career intelecommunications. Shane’s 35-year career in telecom enabled her to take part in delivering innovative communications technologies and solutions. She found success in a variety of roles including the development and launch of the nationwide First Responders’network, FirstNet, then rounding out her career as an AT&T 5G Mobility Product Manager. While raising her family of four boys, Shane’s volunteer passions include her sons’Boy Scout troop, teaching religious education for 14 years at her local parish, working on the Marcellus Library Board and hosting international high school exchange students who have become family. Shane has begun a new phase in her life, choosing to channel her experience from her professional life into expanding her love of the outdoors. From the hills of CNY to the beaches or Rhode Island to the mountains of Spain, Shane embraces her love of the planet. Whether it is hiking, cross-country skiing or an occasional round of golf, her passion for the outdoors is at its greatest when shared with her 2-year-old grandson! As a lifelong learner Shane now welcomes the opportunity to share this passion and her knowledge of the outdoors with others.
Bob Broddus, Board Member
"Caring Coach", has been associated with Orenda Springs since 2007. He attended a field trip with a fifth grade class and was hooked. Bob enjoys witnessing the students' experience at Orenda Springs and the continued growth it leads to throughout the school year.
Bob's two children have also worked at Orenda Springs.
Bob earned a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree from SUNY Cortland, both in Education. He has been employed by the Skaneateles Central School District as a Physical Education teacher and coach since
2007. He coaches/has coached multiple sports, including basketball, l softball, soccer and baseball. In his free time, Bob enjoys spending time with his family, reading and staying active.
Debbie Quick, Board Member
As a board member, “Dynamic Debbie” comes to us with an educational background and a passion for the outdoors. Born and raised in New Mexico, she received her BS from the University of Northern Colorado in Communication and Behavior Disorders of Children. She came to CNY as a graduate student at Syracuse University. After completing her MS in Special Education, Debbie taught at Jowonio School and then in India. She was a teacher in the Syracuse City School District and a pioneer in Inclusive Education. After 18 years teaching in Syracuse she moved to the West Genesee Central School District where she helped establish an inclusive education program for the district. Debbie retired from elementary teaching in 2017, and began teaching fulltime at SUNY Oswego in their teacher preparation program. Since 2021, Debbie continues as an adjunct for SUNY Oswego, and works with individuals on the autism spectrum. Debbie is an enthusiastic supporter of Orenda Springs and their mission to educate and provide experiences for people to reach their potential, utilizing the outdoors.
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Olga Powers, Equine Program Director
"Original Olga" has her origins in Australia, where she grew up, earned a BS in Biochemistry from Melbourne University and started her teaching career. The travel bug brought her to Syracuse University where she earned a Masters Degree in Special Education. In addition to being the director of the Equine Program at Orenda Springs, and being a certified Equine Specialist through EAGALA, Olga is an adjunct professor in the department of Curriculum and Instruction at SUNY Oswego. Her passion for inclusion has motivated her throughout her teaching career. Olga has taught at every grade from 1st to 12th, as well as college undergraduate and graduate courses. She loves to help others of all abilities share time and learning with the horses and assorted creatures at Orenda Springs. She is always learning and enjoys being with her family, friends and animals, reading, hiking, swimming, biking, art, cooking, gardening, yoga, and travelling. Olga hopes to meet you when you come to find the magic of Orenda Springs in the woods, at the pond, around the animals, and with all the people who come here.
Julia Henery (Maum), Yoga Instructor
Julia is a full-time special education teacher with a great passion for nature and yoga. She has led a successful week-long Yoga and Nature Camp for kids age 7-15 in Syracuse the past ten summers with Julie Daniel and Kevin King. Prior to that, she spent five summers as a Nature Camp Counselor at Baltimore Woods where she also worked as an environmental educator. She has been practicing yoga for almost 30 years and is certified to teach both children and adults. Julia loves helping people connect to the natural world, themselves, and others through stillness, expanded awareness, journaling, play, movement and adventures!
Becky Wilson, Yoga Instructor
Bec is passionate about connecting people of all ages to nature through various modalities like yoga and meditation hikes. She loves to share her knowledge of the wisdom of nature to help people find healing and inspiration. Bec holds a BS in Natural History and Interpretation from SUNY ESF and has been an naturalist/environmental educator and camp counselor at local nature centers, currently Baltimore Woods Nature Center, since 2008. Bec is a registered yoga teacher, certified interpretive guide and Usui Reiki master, specializing in mindful movement, meditation and energy healing sessions.
John Henderson, Ropes Course Associate
“Joyful John” graduated from Tully High with the other dinosaurs. After graduation, he went on for an A.S. degree from Onondaga Community College and a B.S. degree in Biological Sciences from Cornell University. While working full time, he also earned an M.B.A. from Chapman College. He spent a combined 38 years between Hanford Pharmaceuticals and Bristol-Myers Squibb. When asked what he did for a living, a favorite response was “ I make drugs.” As a manager, he found it very rewarding in mentoring and developing staff to reach their potential. He retired in 2020. He initially became involved with Orenda Springs as a chaperone with a group of special needs students while his wife was a Teaching Assistant with the Special Education department at West Genesee. Seeing the growth and smiles on the students' faces as they tried something new and outside their comfort zone got him hooked on Orenda Springs. What makes this experiential learning center so special is the cooperation and encouragement the individuals in the groups coming in exhibit with each other to maximize their experience here.
Michele Stottlar, Group Facilitator
"Marvelous Michele" has been with Orenda Springs since 2023. A transplant to CNY, she has made Marcellus home for the last 25 years. We are so fortunate to have her skills after a career at the SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry. Michele loves the outdoors and believes there are profound opportunities for every person to grow by connecting with, learning from, and being in nature. She strives every day to help people recognize and achieve their true potential through experiential learning and is thrilled to share her enthusiasm and skills in such a unique and powerful place as Orenda Springs!