MEET THE
TEAM
Jacob Feltner
Guide
Meet Jacob! Growing up with the New River Gorge in his backyard, he developed a deep appreciation for its beauty and adventure.
Jacob began his guiding career during college summers in 2018 and started guiding at New River ATV in 2021, where he says ATV guiding remains his favorite activity!
Before he began guiding, Jacob was a career fireman and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Geosciences from Concord University. He also holds numerous Fire and EMS certifications and a Journeyman’s level gunsmith certification.
Outside of work, Jacob can be found riding motorcycles, shooting pool, cooking, and doing nerdy activities with his wife!
Jacob is passionate about our guest experience and will make sure you have an unforgettable adventure with New River ATV!
Esther Linville
Guide
Meet Esther! Originally from Hamilton, Ohio, Esther first came to the New River Gorge for a whitewater rafting trip in college. After earning her Associate’s Degree in Ecotourism and Adventure Travel from Hocking College, she began guiding whitewater and rock climbing trips for Ace Adventure Resort in 2017.
Esther joined the New River ATV team in 2020 and splits her season guiding ATV tours and raft guiding on the New and Gauley Rivers! In the winter, Esther works as a Level 2 PSIA Ski Instructor at Deer Valley Ski Resort in Park City, Utah.
Outside of work, she enjoys outdoor sports, nature observation, reading philosophy and poetry, and will never pass up an opportunity to spend quality time with friends and family!
When you hit the trails with Esther, you’re in for a muddy good time full of nature facts, thorough explanations (haha), and a genuine desire to make your tour with us the highlight of your vacation!
Ben Harron
Guide
Meet Ben! Ben is local to the area, living near Babcock State Park his whole life. Ben grew up immersed in the natural beauty of the New River Gorge. While this is his first year guiding for us at New River ATV, Ben’s passion for ATV riding has been a long-standing one.
Before joining our team, Ben held jobs as an ironworker, working in construction, and being a cable technician. To no one’s surprise, Ben says this is the most fun job he’s ever had! Ben is also currently pursuing his Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science with Southern New Hampshire University.
When he’s not working hard on the trails, Ben can be found hiking, riding motorcycles, fly fishing, and crushing all competition in pool tournaments!
Aside from being first in line for our Rookie of the Year award, Ben might be one of the friendliest and most outgoing people we’ve ever met. Hit the trails with Ben and you’re sure to have a good time!
Emma Davis
Guide / Guest Service
Meet Emma! Emma grew up in Craigsville, WV. Growing up as an only child in a small town on a dead-end street, Emma found her passion for riding ATVs early on. She moved to the New River Gorge in 2016 and has been a part of the community ever since!
In 2019, with no previous guiding experience under her belt, Emma began guiding for New River ATV and, in doing so, became the youngest female ATV guide in the state! She became a strong member of our team while also balancing earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies from West Virginia University.
In addition to being one of our senior guides, Emma is the bookkeeper for a handful of locally owned AirBnB’s and long-term rental houses, is the director of a local animal shelter and manages their pet boarding facility.
Outside of work, Emma is a big fan of lake days, scenic drives, taking shelter dogs on outings, and dabbling in gardening. She also makes sure our local fast food restaurants stay in business!
Emma brings all the wisdom and skill learned from 6 years of ATV guiding to our team. Whether you’re a beginner rider or have years of riding experience under your belt, Emma will make sure you get an ATV tour you won’t forget!
Mike Kukura
Guide
Meet Mike! Originally from Saint Albans, West Virginia, Mike has been an outdoor enthusiast his entire life. Years ago, he traded the city for the river and became a whitewater guide on the New and Gauley rivers! In addition to guiding, his diverse resume includes bartending, serving, event planning, and being a ski technician.
Mike joined our New River ATV team in the spring of 2023. He brought his years of guiding experience and his passion for the outdoors with him!
When he’s not hard at work, Mike can be found hanging out with his wife and relaxing down at the river with his adorable pup Willie!
We can always count on Mike to keep us smiling and laughing with his positive energy and quotes of the day.
“The forest is our office, the trail our script. Every day is an opportunity to wonder at natures splendor. Till the next ride… Welcome to the jungle!” – MK
Anna Fliger
Guide / Guest Service
Meet Anna! Anna grew up right down the road in Oak Hill, WV and has been a part of the New River Gorge community her entire life. She started her guiding career in 2012, working in reservations, and soon became a zipline guide in 2014.
Anna brings a diverse professional background to her role, having worked as an EMT and a biologist/environmental scientist. In addition to her professional career, she takes on the very important role of being a mom!
Anna has a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Geosciences from Concord University and a Master’s Degree in Environmental Law & Policy from Vermont Law School.
Outside of work, Anna enjoys being outdoors, spending quality time with her husband and son, walking their dogs, reading, and playing video games.
Anna joined the New River ATV team part-time in 2022 and transitioned to a full-time position in 2024. Anna’s extensive experience, dedication, and love for the outdoors make her an invaluable member of our team!
Josh Sapio
Guide
Meet Josh! Originally from Parkersburg, West Virginia, Josh’s journey to the New River Gorge began in the early 1990s because of his passion for rock climbing. Loving this area and wanting to live here, he landed a job as a climbing guide for ACE Adventure Resort just as they opened their climbing school. To work there, he was required to train as a whitewater rafting guide as well and fell in love with it!
Over the years, Josh’s guiding experience has included guiding on the New and Gauley Rivers, ziplining, climbing, and mountain biking. He holds an AMGA/PCGI Climbing Guide Certification and also spent many years as the Manager of Adventure Operations at Ace Adventure Resort.
Josh is currently a weekend guide for us. During the week he is the Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Oak Hill.
Outside of work, Josh’s adventures have taken him across the globe. He has mountain climbed in Ecuador and Nepal, spent 6 months through hiking the Appalachian Trail, and spent a month rafting through the Grand Canyon with his wife, Jenn. Beyond his adventures, Josh enjoys deer hunting, woodworking, riding motorcycles, and spending time with his family.
Josh joined the New River ATV team in 2019, where his years of guiding experience and passion for sharing the outdoors make him a valued team member!
Jenn Sapio
Guide
Meet Jenn! Jenn grew up right in the heart of the New River Gorge, just steps away from the outdoor adventures that have defined her life. Raised in the area, she started guiding in 2000, inspired by her husband, Josh! Jenn spent many years guiding on the rivers here as well as guiding ziplines and rock climbing, holding her AMGA/PCGI Climbing Guide Certification.
In addition to her guiding career, Jenn worked at the Oak Hill Public Library for 10 years before transitioning into driving school buses for Fayette County Schools, which she has been doing for over 10 years (she’s the cool bus driver for sure)! Currently, she balances working with us and continuing to guide on the rivers with bus driving for the school district in the off season.
Outside of work, Jenn is an incredible gardener, loves camping with her family, is learning to ride motorcycles, and is very into arts and crafts of all kinds. Most importantly, she takes pride in being an awesome mom to Zach and Bryson.
Jenn officially joined the New River ATV team as a guide for the 2022 season, contributing her local knowledge and love for the outdoors to every trip she leads.
Adam Price
Guide
Meet Adam! Originally from Louisiana, Adam has been living at the New River Gorge since 2012. Adam moved to West Virginia to guide ziplines, rock climbing, and ropes courses.
Before he began guiding, Adam attended Southeastern Louisiana University and has done extensive work as a general contractor. If you need some well-hung drywall, he’s your guy!
Outside of work, Adam loves all things outdoors, watching movies, hanging out with his lady Tabby, and playing with his kids. As he says, he’s “daddy to 3 little kids and 1 big kid”.
Adam joined our New River ATV team in the fall of 2023 and brings with him his great work ethic and outrageous goofiness. Adam is the poster child for #nobaddays. Hitting the trails with Adam will have you laughing your whole tour!
Rachel Davis
Nature Tour Program Director
Meet Rachel! Rachel is our local naturalist who will accompany you and your guide on our Side by Side Nature Tour. Rachel is a lifelong Appalachian and avid naturalist dedicated to seeking and sharing a better understanding of wildlife through observation and research.
She believes that curiosity leads to understanding, and understanding to appreciation, and ultimately nature’s survival through a human desire to coexist.
Since 2007, she’s been with the New River Birding & Nature Festival as the Marketing Director, Co-coordinator, Co-host, and Local Guide; and in the outdoor classroom of the New River Birding & Nature Center organizing and leading environmental education field trips for students, youth organizations, families, and adults.
Rob Spack
Head Mechanic
Meet Rob! Rob is our Head Mechanic at New River ATV and, when we’re in a pinch, we throw him out on the trails as a guide too! Born in Michigan, Rob moved to West Virginia at the age of four and has been rooted in the area ever since. His passion for mechanics started early, working alongside his dad and grandpa. He began his professional mechanic career at 18, gaining hands-on experience with everything from ATVs to big rigs, and has truly become a jack-of-all-trades in the field!
Rob holds a certification as a diesel technician and continues to expand his expertise in mechanics. Outside of work, he enjoys spending quality time with his family, taking pride in being a great dad and husband. His hobbies include hunting, fishing, riding motorcycles, and constantly buying, selling, or trading vehicles through Facebook Marketplace! Rob is great at “The Paperclip Game”. We’re convinced he’s going to trade his way all the way up to a Ferrari one day!
Rob joined New River ATV in the spring of 2023, bringing his wealth of mechanical knowledge and experience to the team, as well as his level-headed “it’ll buff” demeanor. Whether he’s guiding guests or keeping our machines in tip-top shape, Rob is an essential part of the NRATV crew!
Sarah Lyons
Office Manager
Meet Sarah! Originally from Indiana, Pennsylvania, Sarah moved to the New River Gorge in 2014. She came to the area to work for Ace Adventure Resort because she wanted to work outside for “one more summer before getting a real job”. Hint, she never left!
Sarah’s career in the outdoor industry began in 2011 as the Manager of Red River Gorge Zipline Tours in Campton, KY and continued when she began working for Ace Adventure Resort as a zipline, rock climbing, and whitewater guide on the New and Gauley Rivers.
In 2020, Sarah came over to New River ATV where she brings her expertise and passion for the outdoors to her role as our Office Manager. She is truly the glue that holds us all together! Sarah takes our guests’ experience very seriously and you are sure to be greeted by her smiling face when you walk through our doors!
Sarah holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Communications from Asbury University and is certified as a Wilderness First Responder and Red Cross CPR/First Aid Instructor.
Outside of work, Sarah can be found taking care of an alarming amount of houseplants, gardening, squeezing in as many lake days as possible, and being the best animal mom to her dog Dixie Mae and all of our animals at the barn!
Uncle Brian
Guide
Meet Brian! Originally from Farmersburg, Indiana, Brian moved to the New River Gorge in 2011 to train as a whitewater rafting guide. Brian spent 8 years working as a rafting, zipline, rock climbing, and flat-water kayaking guide before moving to Colorado to work as a property manager in Breckenridge.
Brian’s other professional experience includes being a Returns Logistics Coordinator at Staples Distribution Center, driving for FedEx, and over 15 years in residential construction. Brian holds a GIS Technician Certificate from Indiana State University.
Brian has worked many tours for us over the years, but officially joined the New River ATV team full time for our 2022 season. However, as a close friend of the team, he has felt like part of the family since the beginning! Passionate about guiding, Brian feels fortunate that his hobbies and career have been able to align closely for periods of his life.
Brian currently resides in Tabernash, Colorado working as the property manager at Devil’s Thumb Ranch, but he makes sure to take his vacation in coordination with our busiest times of the year to come guide tours for us and join us on our company trip each year!
Carol Prince
Controller (The Real Boss)
Meet Carol! Carol is our Controller at New River ATV. She keeps all of our ducks in a row, which means she is the real boss! Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Carol has lived in Florida, Michigan, and Texas and now resides in Rock Hill, South Carolina! Although she is a remote team member, she makes sure to visit us once or twice a year!
Carol’s career has been built around the manufacturing industry, specializing in finance and accounting. She’s worked in various financial roles throughout her life. With an MBA from Case Western Reserve University, Carol brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her work!
Outside of her professional life, Carol is passionate about traveling—especially visiting National Parks, with the goal of visiting every single one! Also on her bucket list, Carol wants to visit every Major League Baseball Stadium and has been to every one but two! Carol enjoys outdoor activities and any kind of sport, but especially playing tennis almost every day of the week! Carol also loves hanging out with friends, hosting sushi nights, and is a self-proclaimed pyromaniac who can always be found stoking the campfire!
Carol previously worked with Brandon at an IT company in Cleveland, Ohio, so she has been with us from the very beginning- back when she thought Brandon was crazy for wanting to start New River ATV! There, she and Brandon bonded over many things including him trying to educate her in the finer points of scotch (although she still doesn’t appreciate it).
We are so grateful for how well Carol keeps all our accounts in order! As we always say, “We love having a Carol!”.
Brandon Shaw
Owner / Operator
Meet Brandon! Brandon came to the New River Gorge in 2010 to train and guide on the New and Gauley Rivers. A lifelong motorsports enthusiast, it didn’t take long for him to discover ATV guiding. By 2011, he was splitting his time between the trails and the river.
Fast forward to 2019, with almost a decade of guiding experience under his belt, he founded New River ATV! Drawing heavily on his technological background, he grew New River ATV to be the largest motorsports tour outfitter in West Virginia in just four years!
Outside of work, you can find Brandon doing exactly what we do every day at New River ATV- riding something. An avid adventurer, Brandon has ridden a motorcycle from the Arctic Ocean to the Panama Canal across 13 countries and flown a single engine airplane the length of the Caribbean Island chain landing on 14 islands in 8 countries.
Brandon always says: “The key to happiness is doing what you love and sharing it with other people”.
Our team here feels very fortunate to have an owner so focused on excellence in what we do who strives to make our guests’ experience the highlight of their vacation!
Dixie Mae
Head Greeter
Meet Dixie Mae! A member of the team since 2019, Dixie reminds us all to find the life balance of getting after it and relaxing hard. Dixie earns her paycheck as our head greeter, always ready to offer tail wags to our guests as they arrive (and kisses to a select few)! When she’s not at work, Dixie can be found sniffing every smell to be sniffed on long walks, shedding profusely, sharing all of her husky-opinions with Sarah, and being the sweetest good-girl puparoon. If you’re dog friendly and visiting, she asks you to be ready to give her all the belly rubs!
Sailor
Rescue / Recovery Assistant
Meet Sailor! The newest furry member of our New River ATV team, Sailor joined our family in August of 2023 and is always ready to ride! Despite being sure to steal your snacks and sneak any leftovers from our cookouts, Sailor is a very good boy! Aside from being with his Papa, some of Sailor’s favorite things to do are go on ATV runs (he’s up to about 6 miles a day with energy still in the tank), go swimming at the lake (or on the trails), and play with “his” kitten (Charlie)! A frisbee and fetch enthusiast, Sailor is proud of his toy collection and will be sure to ask you to play with him while you’re visiting!
Bravo
Head Mouser
Meet Bravo! Orignially from Glen Jean, West Virginia where he was a small kitten living off hot wings and ranch dressing under the Cold Spot porch, Bravo has been a fluffy member of our team since we brought him home in 2019! Bravo is an avid and skilled hunter, as well as a fan of morning office snuggles, sunset sits with Sarah, and playing with his adopted brother. When he’s not hard at work greeting our guests with purrs and licks, Brav can be found napping in his hidey hole, overseeing office operations, and out and about surveying his mountain top kingdom!
Charlie
(Between Jobs)
Meet Charlie! Charlie joined our team in 2022 after being found under the porch of The Lost Paddle Lounge. Charlie lives the epitome of the cat life! Passionate about a good nap (especially on rainy days), if he isn’t having a snooze in one of his favorite spots, he can be found looking like he just woke up from nap, playing with his brother, and assisting on his brother’s hunts. Charlie loves snuggling in the mornings and evenings, walking around meowing for no apparent reason, and looking to his brother for what their daily activities will entail (little sibling through and through).