STAFF

Who We Are

Meet the people dedicated to providing the space and the expertise for people to pursue true health, community, and authentic connections with others through the climbing lifestyle.

Gorden Cooley

Owner, Strength Coach, Bench Presses More Than You Do

About Gorden

Makayla Hunziker

General Manager

Bio coming soon

Kristen Krupp

Youth Program & Group Coordinator, Aerial Silks Instructor

About Kristen

Jasper Forest

Head Youth Coach

About Jasper

Matthew Curley

Team Coach, The Best

About Matthew

Brian Curry

Front Desker

Bio coming soon

Tahoe

Vertex Mascot

About Tahoe

Christine Wilhoyte

Yoga Instructor

About Christine

Courtney Gross

Yoga Instructor

About Courtney

Lucas Judson

Fitness Coach

About Lucas

Josh Jesus

Head Climbing Coach, Front Desker

Bio coming soon

Mikenzie Langdale

Youth Coach

Bio coming soon

Amanda

Yoga Instructor

About Amanda

Colin Maguire

Front Desker

Bio coming soon

Will Mosier

Front Desker

Bio coming soon

Christine Wilhoyte

Yoga Instructor

Christine grew up in Santa Rosa, CA where her passion for the outdoors was stoked by hours outside riding her bike and playing soccer. Through her travels across the U.S, to India, and to Peru, she’s continued to develop her love for music, the outdoors, meditation, mindful movement, and kindness. She’s grateful for all the ways our lives give us the opportunity to deepen our practice and share it with others.

Amanda

Yoga Instructor

Amanda found yoga after she started her first office job and quickly realized how much damage sitting all day did to her body, and she realized how disconnected her mind was from her body. Growing up with a disabled parent, she was hyper aware of how important it is to prioritize maintaining range of mobility when exercising rather than being focused on achieving a certain physique.

As a yoga instructor, Amanda believes in principles over poses, how yoga feels in your body as opposed to creating a shape. Her experiences have taught her that yoga is not just a workout, but a way of life that makes us inhabit our bodies with intention. Her practice focuses on building up heat in power in order to be able to release stress and deeply meditate. Her classes are energetic and meditative, and her motto is “we take our yoga seriously, but never ourselves.

Kristen Krupp

Youth Program & Group Coordinator, Aerial Silks Instructor

Kristen has been passionately studying aerial arts for more than a decade and embraces every chance to expand her knowledge. In 2017, she founded SoCo Aerial Collective to share her love for aerials with her students and visiting instructors, while fostering a safe and encouraging environment. With a background in microbiology, she applies her expertise to explore innovative and distinctive approaches in the aerial realm, while also valuing the uniqueness of each individual’s body. Additionally, as a certified personal trainer, she is dedicated to building strength for the entire body to ensure consistent and sustainable practice, both on the ground and in the air.

Matthew Curley

Team Coach, The Best

When did you start working at Vertex? Around 2016 What got you into climbing? In high school a couple of friends got me into climbing because I had a car and a harness. First place I ever climbed was Bubble Rock on Mt St Helena. Favorite place to climb outside? Lovers Leap One fun fact about you? I have a degree in Theatre and have been building props and scenery since I was 14. Where are you from? Originally Sebastopol, now Windsor.

Jasper Forest

Head Youth Coach

When did you start working at Vertex? November 2021 What got you into climbing? Came for the health benefits and stayed for the lifestyle Favorite place to climb outside? The Sonoma coast not only for the views and watching waves but for just goofing around on chossy unknown ascents (do not recommend) One fun fact about you? I’m a 140 average bowler and climbing Where are you from? I was born in Carpinteria CA but grew up in Healdsburg eventually moving to where I reside currently in windsor CA

Emily

Front Desker

When did you start working at Vertex? June 2023 What got you into climbing? A school trip to Smith Rock State Park Favorite place to climb outside? Anywhere in Durango, CO: X-Rock, East A, Lemon, Sailing Hawks, Turtle Lake and mountain climbs in the San Juan Mountains One fun fact about you? I have a college degree in Adventure Education Where are you from? Windsor, CA

Misted Forest

Yoga & Pilates Instructor

Misted Forest (pronouns they/them) grew up as an athlete and dancer. At age 19, they dove into Zen Buddhism to become more aware and less reactive in life, thus starting their dedication to psychology and spirituality. In 2015 they became a yoga teacher. They also performed acting and dance while training in Hapkido, Taiji and majoring in Dance at the College of San Mateo and later at San Francisco State University. In late 2016 Misted began battles with chronic illnesses, resulting in changing their major in college. In 2018 Misted graduated from SFSU with their BA in Psychology. During the pandemic, they learned more about ADHD and ASD and became an advocate for the adult neuro-divergent community. In 2021 they started their journey to become a Licensed therapist. Currently, they are in the Art/MFT graduate program at Dominican University. Their dream is to make a better world for those with invisible disabilities. "May we be like the Lotus and rise through the mud into clear waters."

Gorden Cooley

Owner, Strength Coach, Bench Presses More Than You Do

Gorden found climbing in 2005 and has been psyched ever since. A former student athlete, climbing imparted a means to stay fit while participating in a sport that he loves. For Gorden climbing is more than a hobby. It gives him focus in training, recreation and life.

Earning a Bachelor’s Degree in kinesiology, Gorden has had the pleasure to train some phenomenally strong climbers, and to see first hand what makes them tick. He is a certified strength and conditioning coach, and holds a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Sonoma State University. He began his career in fitness as a personal trainer in local Santa Rosa gyms. This eventually led to establishing the training department at Vertex. Developing his strength and conditioning system in both climbing and traditional gyms has given him a unique understanding of climbing specific athletic development.

As owner of Vertex he is dedicated to providing a welcoming space and a rich variety of programs for everyone to reach their full athletic potential.

Courtney Gross

Yoga Instructor

Courtney began her journey with yoga through dance. She has been doing ballet since she was 4 years old and is now on a dance company for hip hop and modern dance. She enjoys movement of all kinds, and feels that building strength and flexibility can greatly improve climbing performance.

Will Mosier

Front Desker

Bio coming soon.

Colin Maguire

Front Desker

Bio coming soon.

Makayla Hunziker

General Manager

Bio coming soon.

Brian Curry

General Manager

Bio coming soon.

Tahoe

Vertex Mascot

Meet Tahoe, the adventurous Australian Shepherd who loves exploring the great outdoors! With her wagging tail and sparkling eyes, Tahoe is always ready for a hike, a swim, or a game of fetch. Her friendly nature and boundless energy make her the perfect companion for any adventure. Whether she's herding on the farm, splashing in the lake, or cuddling by the campfire, Tahoe brings joy and excitement wherever she goes

Sierra

Youth Coach, Front Desker

Bio coming soon.

Mikenzie

Youth Coach

Bio coming soon.

Josh

Head Climbing Coach, Front Desker

Bio coming soon.

Lucas

Fitness Coach

Ahoy! I’m so happy to be a part of the Vertex family, because it has always been so good to me! I started training with Gorden and doing the AbDom classes in 2023 and quickly fell in love with fitness and crushing goals. When I’m not here, you can catch me disc golfing at the local tournaments, or if Im not answering my phone its because Im in the wilderness doing some river rafting. It is my genuine pleasure to help give back after Vertex absolutely turned my life around and changed my relationship with fitness. Let me know anytime if you want to move some heavy metal!