+ ABOUT

Mission

Since 1963, OOGA has served outfitters and guides licensed and operating in Oregon. We advocate for the preservation, growth and strength of the Oregon guiding and outfitting industry. Our industry provides sustainable jobs, enhances rural economies, and relies on the quality and availability of Oregon’s diverse landscapes. We support investment in outdoor recreation and advocate for protection and conservation of our state’s remarkable natural resources.

State Licensing

OOGA works closely with a number of state and federal agencies to represent Oregon's licensed and registered Guides and Outfitters. The Oregon State Marine Board is the State entity that registers those who provide outdoor recreational activities for compensation on land or water they do not own or control. These individuals and entities are required to provide the state with proof they are adequately insured and bonded, have basic First Aid and CPR skills, carry the required minimum safety equipment, and if using a motorized boat, carry either a US Coast Guard license or OSMB Motorized Passenger Boat Operator’s Certification, depending upon the waterbody. Guides and Outfitters registered with the State agree to conduct themselves according to a set of Ethical and Professional Standards, and are held responsible to them as well.

Executive Director

Priscilla Macy
As a life-long outdoor recreationist Priscilla has a wide ranging background in the Outdoor Industry - from working as a professional river guide and wilderness therapy program manager to coordinating grassroots advocacy, advising on Corporate Social Responsibility, and working on various recreation projects throughout the state. Her diversity of experiences and growing desire to protect Oregon's incredible landscapes, waterways and thriving Outdoor Industry has ultimately led her into a career of outdoor recreation and conservation advocacy. Over the past six years, Priscilla has worked for a number of organizations in the Outdoor Industry — partnering with key stakeholders through community engagement and by developing and leading advocacy efforts for proactive outdoor recreation policy both statewide, and nationally.

Board of Directors

President - Brian Sykes, Ouzel Outfitters
Brian discovered whitewater rafting as a college student in the 1980s which eventually led to guiding in the early 1990s on a wide variety of rivers around the Pacific Northwest. Brian, along with fellow guide, Will Sharp, purchased Ouzel Outfitters in 2006 after working their way up through the ranks as guides, trip leaders and managers. As majority owner and General Manager, he has maintained a long tradition of excellence and a reputation for professionalism stretching back to the founding of Ouzel Outfitters in 1979. Ouzel Outfitters is based in Bend and offers a wide variety of trips on 7 rivers in Oregon and Idaho. For almost 30 years, Brian has been a strong advocate for outfitters and guides and has been active in outfitter issues. He is a board member of Oregon Outfitters & Guides Association, serves on the State Marine Board’s Guide Advisory Committee and represents commercial recreation on the John Day-Snake River Regional Advisory Council. Brian is also a Scotch whiskey connoisseur and makes regular trips to Scotland to explore is Scottish heritage and conduct whiskey “research”.

Director, At Large - Pete Walstrom, Momentum River Expeditions
Pete is originally from Vermont but has spent time living in Colorado, Wyoming, South America, and on the West Coast. He has been a guide for over 20 years and has run rivers all over the United States – as well as rivers in Nepal, India, Costa Rica, Panama, Argentina, and Chile. He is a board member for the Oregon Guides and Outfitters Association, the Rogue Riverkeeper, the Rogue Outfitters Association, Travel Ashland, and works closely with the Southern Oregon University Outdoor Adventure Leadership Program as well as with environmental groups that work towards the protection of wild rivers. Besides boating he is an avid back-country skier, boarder, runner, and general outdoor adventurer. He believes in environmental stewardship through advocacy by experience. That getting a wide variety of people out into wild places and showing the places in a way that they understand and that they appreciate (and that is really fun!) creates advocates that love and will want to protect them.

Secretary/Treasurer - Erik Weiseth, Orange Torpedo Trips
Erik joined Orange Torpedo Trips during his college years as a river guide and has been at the head of the operation since 2009. Whether it’s teaching folks how to paddle through rapids or learn to ski for the first time, Erik has inspired countless individuals and their families to get outside, enjoy the outdoors, and push themselves to new heights. Through his work on the boards of several regional and state-wide trade organizations, he has helped lead the way to improved industry standards, the continuation of appropriate industry oversight, and the growth of the outdoor industry in Oregon and Idaho as a whole. The father of an autistic child, Erik is an advocate for at-risk and disenfranchised groups and currently acts as the Board Chair for LEAP, an organization that creates opportunities for healing and growth through immersive wilderness programs that support people affected by significant health issues, psychological distress, and socioeconomic adversity. Erik can always be found outside with his two children, Rowan and Scout, and his wife Nish.

Vice President, Rafting - Zach Collier, Northwest Rafting Company
Zach is a Boy Scout that discovered kayaking in college which eventually led to river guiding. After working for ECHO River Trips as a guide, trip leader, area manager, and general manager he founded Northwest Rafting Company (www.nwrafting.com) on the Rogue River in 2009. “NWRC” now runs ridiculously fun trips on the Rogue, Middle Fork of the Salmon, Illinois, and Owyhee Rivers as well as a few select international destinations. They also run trips on the Chetco River but those trips are definitely not in the fun category. He’s a Sagittarius with viking’s disease who excels in algebra and racquetball. In addition, he’s also quite dominant at the ammo can game (aka hunker houser) and connect four. In his spare time he likes watching Avengers movies, playing Risk on his phone, and long walks on the beach (in that order).

Director, Central Region - Dave Nissen, Wanderlust Tours
Dave founded Wanderlust Tours in 1993. Dave’s passion is to help people understand the intricate links between nature and us; after all, we rely on everything she provides for us. Dave and his wife, Aleta, received the 2000 Governor’s Tourism Award. Governor Kitzhaber gave this award to Wanderlust Tours in recognition of their leadership, cooperation and support for building sustainable tourism in Oregon. In 2005 Wanderlust Tours received the Gene Leo award for their outstanding contributions and efforts in outdoor recreation and for its focus on Oregon’s natural beauty. In 2007 Dave and Aleta were awarded the Excellence in Family Business Award from the Austin Family Business Program at Oregon State University for promoting the understanding of natural, cultural and environmental issues in Oregon. Outside of business, life is active with his family pursuing outdoor recreation in Bend’s nearby forest, traveling and volunteering in various capacities.

Director, Southern Region - Jenifer Roe, Roe Outfitters
For the last 30 years ROE Outfitters has grown its “Real Oregon Experience” guide business in the Klamath Basin, where natural beauty and year-round outdoor recreational opportunities abound. Darren and Jenifer Roe, along with their well trained team, offer guided adventures such as fly fishing, sport fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and bird hunting, all over Southern Oregon. You can also find them at their sister company Crater Lake Zipline where they have a 9 zipline canopy tour and a kids zipline adventure called Sasquatch Hollow. ROE Outfitters focuses on helping people make meaningful connections–not just with the beauty of the area, but with each other.