2026 Board Candidates

John Winter, Retired: John Deere & Hawkeye Community College

Brief Work History:

John has over 30 years as a volunteer leader in Scouting America working with challenge course and climbing programs. In this capacity he has worked as Scouting America COPE Director, Climbing Director, COPE & Climbing Program Manager, COPE & Climbing Program Trainer, Instructor at over 40 national camping school sessions for COPE, Climbing, and Program Trainers. He was instrumental in Scouting America's adoption and integration of the ACCT standards into their aerial adventure programs. When Scouting America was planning the opening of the Summit Bechtel Jamboree site, John was tasked to audit and implement curriculum and training plans for hundreds of volunteers tasked with the largest simultaneous operation of over 25 challenge courses, canopy tours, and zip line structures, and dozens of climbing and rappelling features. John understands the role challenge course professionals have in the risk management plan of operations, the way standards create a framework for consistency, and how to work with thousands of volunteers doing the work of the industry. Having over 25,000 kids at height in a 10 day period was just one of the events John influenced. Fun fact, John's not only an operations specialist - he designed and built 2 challenge courses, rebuilt 2 other courses, and has provided maintenance and mitigation work for many others.

ACCT Committee Involvement and Other Volunteer Experience:

A person can nominate themself or be nominated by another individual, with permission. I, Leslie Sohl, have John's permission to nominate him. I hope that voters recognize what so many of us do - that John has long been an asset to the industry, the Association, and it is long overdue for us to utilize his talents on the Board of Directors. John joined ACCT just prior to the 2002 conference in Nashville and has never served on the Board, although as the most recent Critical Link recipient I think we can all agree his impact within ACCT is substantial! When I asked John about this fact he told me that it was because he had never been asked to. I know I am not the only one that chuckles at that statement; John is a Scout through and through - always acting in the service of others, volunteering in spaces that have a need for help. Here's a list of some of the ACCT committees John has been involved in the last 23 years: ACCT Operations & Training Standards Writing Committee, ACCT Standards Writing Committee, ACCT Technical Information, Research & Education Committee, Accredited Procedures Task Force, and currently the Accredited Procedures Task Force 2.

And in case it was not clear, all of John's work within Scouting America was also done as a volunteer! As it relates to ACCT and standards development, John has volunteered on Scouting America COPE & Climbing National Subcommittee, and as a COPE & Climbing Training Program Assessor.

In crafting this nomination I learned that John volunteers as an Iowa State Advocate for Leave No Trace. John is a Level 3 Instructor for two Leave No Trace training organizations: Scouting America and Touch of Nature/Southern Illinois University. He became a Leave No Trace Master Educator (now Level 2 Instructor) in 1998 and has been teaching Leave No Trace and conservation courses ever since; beginning in 2011 he added instructor-trainer to his resume, teaching Leave No Trace Level 2 Instructor courses. I have heard he does great work as a volunteer trail builder too (avid hikers can thank him later).

Skills or Experience I Bring to the Board:

As I end my term on the Board, I know that John's help is exactly what we need for the future. John is especially skilled at facilitating groups of volunteers. He is someone that manages projects well, and has a track record of getting things done. He models the excellence he expects from others, ensures voices are heard, and holds himself and the groups he is a part of accountable. His ongoing involvement with the ANSI/ACCT standard is a crucial skill as ACCT looks to complete a standard revision project. His work in a large organization that manages local and national councils and events is the type of experience ACCT needs to help drive future events for the aerial adventure industry.  And he does all this without an industry paycheck, meaning that he can act in the best interest of the Association, not a company. John also has significant work and volunteer experience in industries that are tangential to what ACCT does. I think this matters a lot for Board members - being able to have a global perspective and bringing in experiences from other spaces (John retired from John Deere in 2006 where he served as Electrical Engineer, Engineering Manager, and School to Career Program Manager. He also retired from Hawkeye Community College where he served as School to Career Manager and instructor for Project Lead The Way). Above all, John is courteous, kind, trustworthy, cheerful, helpful, and thrifty - he can also recite the rest of the Scout Law!

How do you seek to advance the mission, vision, and values of the ACCT International?

ACCT International's webpage says in part: dedicated to standards - John has been actively promoting, using, and helping revise the standards his entire time within ACCT, including in the present.  The mission includes the phrase: provides forums for education and professional development - within ACCT, Scouting, his career at John Deere and Hawkeye Community College, John has decades of work and volunteering experience focused on educating and providing professional development opportunities. His workshop on the Operations Standard is highly attended yearly and he has been working with the new ACCT Academy to set them up with modules on the topic! I know we can all agree that John exemplifies ACCT's values. And the question asks how a Board nominee seeks to advance them - beyond the 2 examples above, Fun is an ACCT value we can all embrace. If you are familiar with Flat Stanley you should ask John about Flat Knotty and Knotty's adventures in the physical and digital challenge course world. John says he's bringing Knotty to the conference if you want a photo op!

Position Statement:

When asked this question, here is what John said: As far as pressing issues go, I am committed to doing whatever I can to help the association stay on top of advancements in technology and trends in safety and regulatory issues.

I am personally pleased with the evolution of the organization from a vendor focus to member focus.  I have had more personal contact with the current BOD than I did with previous ones, but I am impressed with their desire to have the leadership be more open and responsive to member issues.  I would like to be part of continued efforts to keep moving toward an even more member focused organization.

Tony Holt, Go Ape USA

Brief Work History:

As CEO of Go Ape USA, I lead one of the largest aerial adventure operators in North America, supporting a diverse portfolio of sites that include ziplines, treetop adventure courses, and public-land partnerships. In this role, I set strategic direction while staying closely connected to safety systems, staff training, inspections, vendor relationships, and day-to-day operations. Leading at scale has provided a broad perspective on how challenge courses function across different environments, ownership structures, and regulatory contexts, reinforcing the importance of collaboration and shared best practices across the industry.

Prior to this role, I founded, opened, and operated my own adventure park, where I was directly involved in every stage of development and operation, from early planning and course development through staffing, training, daily operations, and guest experience. That hands-on experience continues to shape how I approach leadership today, grounding my perspective in the real challenges faced by programs of all sizes. Building and operating a park from the ground up reinforced the value of practical standards, strong vendor partnerships, and a supportive professional community, and it informs my commitment to helping both new and established programs succeed.

In addition to my outdoor recreation executive roles, I bring experience from a broad range of industries through work in board-level and executive settings. This includes executive coaching relationships, business community-building leadership, neighborhood-based community development, indoor family entertainment, and quick-service restaurant operations. These experiences have shaped my perspective on governance, leadership development, customer experience, and performance. This allows me to bring thoughtful, well-rounded approaches to complex challenges within our industry.

ACCT Committee Involvement and Other Volunteer Experience:

Although I have not yet served in an official capacity with ACCT, my work has consistently relied on ACCT standards and active collaboration within the ACCT community. I regularly engage with ACCT-aligned vendors, inspectors, trainers, and operators to address real operational challenges and share lessons learned. Outside of ACCT, I have served in volunteer, advisory, and governance roles with nonprofit and community organizations, where collaboration, accountability, and long-term thinking were essential.

Highlights of my volunteer and advisory experience include:

Love the Lou – Board of Directors: Provided strategic guidance to an organization delivering mentorship, affordable housing, a community center hub, job training, and related programs in one of the most economically challenged communities in the U.S.

Service International: Served on disaster-response missions supporting communities affected by hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes.

Unconventional Business Network – City Director: Led a local chapter of a nationwide peer community consisting of hundreds of business owners focused on building healthy, thriving workplaces.

E-Free Church – Ministry Leader: Led a group supporting individuals facing a wide range of recovery challenges, as well as their families and loved ones.

Network of Networkers: Recruited into a coalition of business leaders dedicated to sharing resources and connections to drive meaningful community improvement.

McDonald’s Restaurants: Appointed to multiple committees and strategic advisory groups with regional and national scope, contributing to initiatives impacting more than 13,000 locations.

Skills or Experience I Bring to the Board:

I believe I have a balanced perspective and aim to contribute:

•    A collaborative approach that values many viewpoints and experiences
•    Fresh perspective that respects what already works and builds thoughtfully on it
•    A practical understanding of how standards and best practices show up in daily operations
•    A desire to help operators, vendors, and partners succeed together

My goal is to listen first, contribute constructively, and help strengthen what already makes this community special.

How do you seek to advance the mission, vision, and values of the ACCT International?

I seek to support ACCT’s mission by reinforcing its role as a trusted place where the industry
comes together to learn, collaborate, and move forward. Specifically, I would focus on:

•    Encouraging collaboration and the sharing of best practices across the ACCT community
•    Supporting vendors and service providers as essential partners in education and innovation
•    Helping make standards, guidance, and resources easier to understand and apply
•    Continuing to evolve the organization as a unifying force that supports members at every
stage and enables shared success

I believe our best days as an industry are still ahead of us, and that progress comes from
working together with openness, respect, and a shared commitment to safety and excellence!

Position Statement:

Some of the most important opportunities in front of us include:

1. Strengthening connections across the industry – Ensuring knowledge and
   experience are shared widely.
2. Supporting growth at all levels – From small, independent operators to large
   organizations and public partnerships.
3. Simplifying the path to success – Making it easier to do the right things, the right way.
4. Workforce development – Building clear, accessible pathways for training and
   leadership.
5. Preparing for the future together – Embracing growth and change while protecting the
   values that define our industry.

I am passionate about helping ACCT continue to foster a strong, diverse community where
everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

John Turman, Ascent Collaborative Services, Adventure Careers

Brief Work History:

I have worked in the industry since late 2010. I started as an installer and moved on to being a designer, inspector, operations reviewer and dabbled in operations as a very part time guide on zip lines.

ACCT Committee Involvement and Other Volunteer Experience:

I spent a term plus on the Inspector Certification Exam Panel. I was on QCP Task Force and Professional Inspector Forum Task Force. In addition I have volunteered with several other groups prior to involvement in ACCT.

Skills or Experience I Bring to the Board:

I have worked for an Accredited Vendor and understand the role that their professionalism and role modeling play in the industry. I also work with accredited operations, small and large camps, and non-accredited vendors how each part of our community shapes and effects the greater whole.

How do you seek to advance the mission, vision, and values of the ACCT International?

The ACCT Vision calls for us to be industry leaders who enable the ongoing success of our members. I seek to fulfill this by serving as a mentor for the next generation of outdoor professionals. Through my business activities and work within the ACCT community, I am working to provide opportunities and mentorship to those entering the field, ensuring they have the tools to turn their passion into a sustainable career. I believe that by fostering a robust, rounded community of professionals, we ensure that ACCT and our industry has the ability to pursue excellence and meet the needs of our stakeholders and communities.

Position Statement:

Education and proactive engagement are the cornerstones of my mission. I believe that for the ACCT community to grow, we must continue to improve our avenues for involvement and prioritize intentional invitations to our members. This active approach to inclusion is where my personal vision aligns with the ACCT Vision of enabling member success. I am committed to fostering participation rooted in integrity and professionalism, recognizing that with the privilege of participation comes a responsibility to uphold the standard of care and excellence that defines our industry.

Kennerly deForest, Experiential Resources, LLC

Brief Work History:

I began my journey in Australia in the late 1980's.  This led to a facilitation and programming career at summer camps and traveling outdoor education companies.  The design and installation of challenge courses came through the development of high course programs in California, which in turn led to founding Challenge Works in 1997. I owned and operated Challenge Works, became a PVM in 2006 and had an amazing time designing, building, inspecting and training all over the world.  I moved onto working with another vendor, ERi in 2021 and now help with their big, ambitious projects.

ACCT Committee Involvement and Other Volunteer Experience:

I served on the Board for ACA NorCal and was an Accreditation visitor for them.  In 2006 I joined the ACCT review committee and have served in a volunteer role since then.  I completed many accreditation visits, inspector certification and the ACC and now on the BoD.

Skills or Experience I Bring to the Board:

I like to think my depth of knowledge of ACCT, some of its history and perspective is a strength.  I am a passionate advocate for the Association and the wider industry that has given so much to my journey in this field.

How do you seek to advance the mission, vision, and values of the ACCT International?

I seek to advance the mission by looking at the wider industry and keeping ACCT at the forefront.  To do this, fiscal responsibility and continuing to improve revenue must be considered.

Position Statement:

I believe that there needs to be a focus on advancing standards development and solidifying the approved ANSI process.  In addition, continuing to work on building out the opportunities for professional development and education for all members.