Meet the Crew: Shep

Welcome to our meet the crew series! We’ve been expanding a lot over the past couple of months and wanted to take some time to introduce ourselves again. This blog series will be a quick introduction to all of the faces you’ll see at our events, trips, and around the Beyond Boundaries office.

Shep is the Director and Co-Founder of Beyond Boundaries. He started Beyond Boundaries over 8 years ago with partner co-founder Kyle Burnette. It’s his vision, drive, and energy that help bring our community together on a daily basis.

1. What do you go by? Shep.

2. What are your pronouns? He/Him.

3. How old are you? 37 and counting…

4. Where did you go to college? Radford University.

5. Where did you grow up?  Hanover, VA.

6. Favorite outdoor activity? Fishing, 100%!

7. What's your guilty pleasure? Watching Bravo (I know… I know…).

8. Favorite type of BB trip? Definitely fishing and rafting. I love helping people that have never caught a fish before get their first one.

9. Favorite band? No favorites, I listen to everything from country to rap, especially 90’s hip hop. I love some rock too when the mood strikes.

10. Favorite food? It’s a toss-up between pizza and Thai.

11. How did you get involved with BB? I co-founded Beyond Boundaries with my buddy Kyle Burnette. We had both worked for similar programs in California and when we came back to Virginia, we saw a true need and got to work finding a way to help bring adventure to everyone.

12. Why does BB's mission resonate with you? Why does BB's Mission resonate with you? I know how fun and therapeutic being outdoors can be and want to make sure everyone has the chance to experience those feelings.

13. Fun fact about yourself? I have a 3-year-old son named River.  I have the same birthday as my Grandfather and people tend to be surprised when they learn I use to be very active in both pool and bowling leagues, and that I have been curling before.

14. What does adventure mean to you? Doing something that is different than your day-to-day and makes you feel excited and happy.

15. Favorite animal? Big stinky catfish.

16. Favorite place you've traveled to? Paris!