On The Edge Adventures Staff
Full Time Staff
Joshua Cogar
Executive Director
josh@ontheedgeadventures.com
Joshua Cogar joined the OTEA staff in March of 2008. He received a Bachelor of Arts from George Fox University while participating on the Varsity Soccer team. He worked in the Technology field before going back to George Fox University as a teambuilding instructor. While there he had the opportunity to facilitate groups such as; Nike, Intel, Doc Martens, Platt Electric, and the GFU MBA program. From there he was a teacher and consultant for a school in Odder, Denmark. Upon his return he simultaneously worked in the financial planning/Insurance fields and was a youth pastor in Tualatin.
Joshua has a surprising amount of wilderness experience considering his age: 16 years of whitewater raft guide experience, traveling internationally teaching team building skills, hundreds of miles of backpacking experience, multiple peaks climbed, and he continues to add to his experience.
Joshua and his wife Julie, were married in 2001 and have 3 children- 2 boys and 1 girl. They love spending time together; throwing rocks into the nearby rivers, riding their bikes, and playing soccer.
Edmund Cogar
Director of Development
ed@ontheedgeadventures.com
Edmund Cogar was the founding Executive Director of On The Edge Adventures, and is currently the Senior Development Director. Ed is also an adjunct professor for Warner Pacific College in Portland, Oregon. He has been a youth and associate pastor and is an ordained minister through the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana).
Ed has been leading wilderness trips for over 30 years, and has experience from various organizations including: Outward Bound, Samaritan Adventures, Youth Dynamics- Adventures, Christian Wilderness Adventures, and On The Edge Adventures. Included in Ed’s credentials are instructorships through Rescue 3 International, in Swiftwater Rescue- Awareness, Operations, Whitewater Rescue, Swiftwater Rescue Technician 1 and Advanced Rescue including Low to High Angle and Search.
Ed has been married to Janice for 35 years. They have two married children and a senior high age daughter along with four grandsons and one granddaughter. Ed, Janice, and their youngest daughter make their home in Rhododendron, Oregon, on the side of Mt. Hood.
Janice Cogar
Office Manager
jan@ontheedgeadventures.com
Janice has been in wilderness ministry for over 30 years. She was a founding board member of On The Edge Adventures, and has been on staff with OTEA for 13 years. She is incredibly gifted in numerous areas and is in large part, the reason for OTEA's success.
Janice has been married to Ed for 35 years. They have two married children and a senior high age daughter along with four grandsons and one granddaughter. Ed, Janice, and their youngest daughter make their home in Rhododendron, Oregon, on the side of Mt. Hood.
info@ontheedgeadventures.com
Program Director- Position currently open
Click here for job description.
info@ontheedgeadventures.com
Sr. Guide- Positions currently open
Summer Staff
Paul "Gus" Billard
Summer Staff
staff@ontheedgeadventures.com
Gus Billard comes to us from Conneticut. Gus loves to have fun, and is always up for an adventure. An avid skateboarder and snowboarder, he quickly connects with youth on trips. Gus has a real heart to see people impacted and changed for the better. He is currently single, works for OTEA in the summers, and at Keystone Resort in Colorado in the winter.
Daniel Boettcher
Summer Staff
staff@ontheedgeadventures.com
Daniel is studying teaching at the University of Portland, and anticipates becoming an inner city math teacher. When he is not skate boarding or enjoying a mid afternoon nap, you might find him at a sewing machine, putting the finishing touches on a pair of his home made shoes. One of the few great men you may ever meet who sews! Daniel is passionate about living simply and in community. His creativity, resourcefulness and growing discernment will be an asset to OTEA as he come back for a second summer.
Rachel Cogar
Edmund CogarJanice CogarPaul "Gus" BillardDaniel BoettcherSummer Staff
Rachel is a student at Warner Pacific College working toward a degree in Human Development and a minor in Biblical Studies. Rachel loves to play the guitar and compose her own songs. She has been given the call to be in ministry and that excites her.
Rachel has worked for OTEA for the past three summers, and plans to be involved for the rest of her life. Falling in love with the river at a young age- that is where she feels most at home. If you have the privilege of having Rachel as your raft guide, you will be graced with listening to her sing Jack Johnson’s "Banana Pancakes", regardless if it's raining or not!
Scott Elliott
Summer Staff
Scott Elliott is joining OTEA for his first summer on staff. Scott is currently a super senior at Multnomah University in Portland where he plans to graduate in spring of 2011 with a double major in Bible & Theology. Scott is passionate about understanding the shifting culture that we live in. He believes that in order to impact people and culture for God’s kingdom, we have to understand it first. He is a native Washingtonian coming from the small town of Kittitas. Scott enjoys the outdoors and is looking forward to the challenges and learning experiences that await him over the next two summers. Oh yeah, Scott is a diehard Denver Broncos fan!
Kristina King
Summer Staff
staff@ontheedgeadventures.com
Kristina is a thoughtful young lady full of energy. She recently graduated from the University of Portland, in pre med and is currently processing how her life may look in the future. She grasps concepts quickly, and is one of the few people you’ll meet who is consistently able to squeeze a month into a day. Kristina’s embrace of life is valuable as who she is bring joy and change to situations and circumstances. Her heart to see people grow for God, ability to quickly connect with youth, competitive spirit, devotion to family, love for music, dirt and oreos, her fun attitude, and infectious laugh are only a few of the joys OTEA gains from having KK on staff for a second summer.
Laura Masterson
Summer Staff
staff@ontheedgeadventures.com
Laura is in her senior year at the University of Portland where she has been studying Social Work and Spanish. She is currently wadding through the decisions of ‘after college life’. She has a knack for bargain shopping, enjoys playing catch, and loves nothing more than white water rafting with middle school cheerleaders. And, it is true that she is a “little less beaver than Andy” (personality style, ie. detail oriented) , hence she is known as ‘Lo Beav’. Laura is good at creating meaningful quality memories with new, or old friends. Laura’s growing ability to reveal the depth of an individual character not only enhances OTEA’s faith-based trips, but summer staff community as well. If you hang around Laura long enough you too will become a lover of community living and pursuing deep relationship. She has a beautiful willing heart to learn and grow with God, and will bless you when she catches an opportunity. We are looking forward to her return this summer.
Sarah Shultz
Summer Staff
staff@ontheedgeadventures.com
Sarah Schultz is a sophomore athletic training student at Anderson University in Anderson, IN. She enjoys participating in and watching most sports, playing games, and laughing so hard her stomach hurts. She loves being outside in nature, specifically in the mountains. She is looking forward to all that God has in store for her this summer with OTEA.
Austin Yokoyama
Summer Staff
staff@ontheedgeadventures.com
Austin Yokoyama is joining OTEA for his first summer on staff. Austin is studying to become an emergency medical technician at Portland Community College and is going to continue his education in their fire science program. He lives a very active lifestyle and enjoys lifting weights, rock climbing and biking. Austin loves challenging himself and is very thrilled to be a part of OTEA.
More staff bios to be added soon!