Meet the Team
Who We Are
Brogan
Programs Manager
You could say I'm a local, born and raised in Southwest Iowa right outside of the Omaha metro area. Who would’ve thought that growing up in this region of the country with no rocks, I would find a passion for climbing? It wasn't until I went to college at UNO in 2015 that I got introduced, setting in motion my passion for the sport. Working and engaging in this industry for the last 10 years has taught me a lot and with the help of the supportive climbing community, I have made it my goal to give back and share that same experience with others. Anyone who knows me knows I'm engaged with our community and supportive of everyone that comes into the gym, which helps greatly in my position as Programs manager. If you have yet to meet me you will likely find me teaching classes, coaching our youth team, setting new routes, or working the front desk, all of which keep me busy on a regular basis. If I'm not climbing or working at the gym, I'm most likely out on a trip getting my hands dirty on the real stuff or I'm slacklining, playing disc golf and spending time with friends/family. Having such a great community to engage with, teach to, travel with, and learn from, keeps me all the more stoked about my line of work here at Approach!
Sarahjoy
Owner/General Manager
I am a Nebraska native, graduated from UNL with a Masters in Engineering, and was an energy engineer. I worked for Schnackel Engineers, Kiewit Building Group, and Noresco, all the while developing a business plan around my extracurricular passion of rock climbing. I have always enjoyed problem solving and believe this attribute is the source of my obsession for climbing. Whether it be scaling multi-pitch rock formations outdoors or bouldering indoors with friends, all forms of climbing present physical and mental challenges, which are equally important to me.
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I enjoy teaching and working with others and have the skill set necessary to ensure their enjoyment as well. I look forward to serving Omaha’s outdoor community with a new indoor climbing gym experience.
Scottie
Assistant General Manager
I was born and raised here in Omaha. I am the only one here at Approach that does not have any climbing experience..... yet. My background is in business management. I was hired in 2022 to assist with business and financial operations. I am blessed to be a part of such an amazing team of people and enjoy learning about climbing and meeting all of our wonderful members and guests in this climbing community.
Ryan
Operations Manager
I’ve lived in Omaha my entire life. I grew up doing many different sports and activities, but it
wasn’t until 2022 that I found rock climbing at Approach. I fell in love with the community from
my first time in. The staff and members were so friendly and welcoming to me when I was a new
climber. I knew I wanted to be a part of it since that day. Climbing is not just fitness to me. It is a
way to build both a resilient body and mind and I’ve learned a lot since that first time climbing. I
now make it a goal to share my passion for climbing with anyone who will let me.
You can pretty much always find me here at the Gym. If I’m not working at the front desk,
teaching, or route setting then I am probably climbing. If you see me here, I am always willing to
chat; especially if it’s about climbing. I welcome anyone to come join our awesome community!
Jack
Head Coach
I was born and raised right here in Nebraska. I discovered climbing in the summer of 2014 and started coaching climbers in 2020. My 9-year coaching career started with swimmers in which I learned to put an emphasis on technical movement. My passion for coaching is obvious when providing technical knowledge and creating unique routes/problems to educate new and established climbers about movement. I appreciate and am inspired by our community of climbers, specifically how differently each person can experience a route and various facets of the sport in its entirety. As a results, I have developed programming for children and adults with a focus of improving the skills and knowledge of our climbers here at Approach.