Our Staff
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal – 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
Rev. Rick Dawson – Executive Director – Before coming to Camp Highroad, Rick Dawson served twenty-three years in the Marine Corps, including three combat tours in Vietnam. He retired as Assistant Head of Law Enforcement for the Marine Corps, and continued into the private sector becoming a Regional Vice-President for Pinkerton Detective Agency and the Operational Vice-President for Paragon Investigations. After retiring from detective work, Rick began working for Highroad as the Registrar in 1998. In 2000, Rick was asked to serve as the Associate Director of Camp Highroad. In 2001, he became Executive Director of the camp. In 2003, Rick was asked to serve on the Southeast Jurisdiction Design Team, which created and implemented the Seven Core Values of Christian Camping. Rick’s responsibilities include oversight of camp operations, fundraising, staff development, defining the camp’s mission and direction for the rest of the staff, and serving guests. In addition to his responsibilities as Executive Director, Rick was licensed as a pastor in 2010 and is assigned to extension ministry at Camp Highroad. Rick lives on camp with his wife Sara and their dog, Katrina.
Sean Baker – Operations Manager – Sean started at Camp Highroad in 2000 as maintenance staff, shortly after graduating from college. In 2002, he was promoted to Operations Manager. Sean’s responsibilities include maintenance and management of the camp facilities and grounds, supervision of maintenance staff, contracting large projects, facilitating work projects for volunteer groups, and serving guests. Sean lives adjacent to camp with his wife Jessie and their four children.
Rose Shaffer – Registrar – registrar@camphighroad.org - Rose first experienced Camp Highroad in 3rd grade, when her family brought her to a family camp weekend. In 1984, she spent a summer as a summer camp counselor and continued on part-time staff for many years. In August of 2006, Rose came on permanent staff as the Registrar. Rose’s responsibilities include taking and organizing reservations, scheduling of activities and events, administrative support for the director, and serving guests. Rose lives with her husband Bob, who she met at camp, and their three children.
Adam Davis – Programs Coordinator – programs@camphighroad.org - Adam, a native of Melbourne, Australia, has worked seasonally at Camp Highroad since 2003. He began his career at camp as a summer camp counselor in 2003. He returned to camp each summer as maintenance staff from 2004-2006. In 2007, he took the position of Summer Camp Coordinator and in April, 2009 he gained residency and became Highroad’s Program Coordinator. Adam’s responsibilities include facilitating programs, scheduling activities and instructors, training instructors, coordinating with groups to meet their needs, developing new programs, maintaining program areas, and serving guests. Adam lives on camp with his wife Marjie, who he met at camp.
Oscar Contreras – Maintenance Staff -Oscar, a native of El Salvador, immigrated to the United States in 1986. He comes to camp after spending most of his life in the building trades, specializing in painting and carpentry. Oscar began working at Camp Highroad in 2008 as full-time Maintenance Staff. Oscar’s responsibilities include cleaning, painting, mowing, building repairs, carpentry and all other tasks associated with building and grounds maintenance. Oscar lives on camp with his wife Nelly and their three children.
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Aaron Kitten- Associate Program Director- Aaron, hailing from the arid farmlands of west
Josh Johns – Naturalist - Before coming to camp as a counselor in 2006, Josh spent much of his free time working with children and the outdoors. He joined the full-time staff in June, 2008 after graduating from Virginia Tech. His responsibilities include maintaining and managing the camp forests and trails, developing new nature programs, training nature instructors, supervising volunteer groups, maintaining this website and serving guests. Josh lives on camp with his wife Bethany, who he met at camp.