MLI Team
Mountain Leadership Institute exists as a non-profit organization to equip youth and adults in outdoor skills, leadership and provide a venue for spiritual renewal.
Meet our Team
Les Zollbrecht, Executive Director has been teaching rock climbing and mountaineering for over a decade. He has served as the Associate Director of Big Lake Youth Camp and has organized numerous international humanitarian trips. He is a National Outdoor Leadership School graduate and holds the TRSM certificate from the American Mountain Guides Associate and is a Wilderness First Responder. He is an ordained pastor and teaches Philosophy and Ethics, and Bible at Portland Adventist Academy. He and his wife Marschelle have traveled and climbed throughout Thailand, South America, Canada, the US and are currently planning an expedition in the Himalayas.
Dr. Rick Westermeyer, M.D. has been a board certified anesthesiologist at Adventist Medical Center for the past twenty years. He holds a diploma in tropical medicine from the London School of Tropical Medicine and has frequently engaged in refugee medical care including work in Afghanistan, Rwanda, and Ethiopia with Medical Teams International. His love of the mountains has led him to the summits of Mt Kilimanjaro, Mt Rainier, the Grand Teton and numerous other Rocky Mountain and Sierra ascents as well as treks into the Himalayas in Nepal and Alaskan wilderness. He lives with his wife Ann and two teenage daughters, Allison and Allana in Damascus Oregon.
Shoshon Tama-Sweet, Board Chair A small business owner, Shoshon brings to MLI a variety of experiences in non-profit work, environmental studies and outdoor pursuits. Shoshon is actively involved in his North Portland community by volunteering at a soup kitchen and serving as a board member of a Christian social advocacy group. He has traveled extensively throughout Bhutan and Africa including an expedition on Mount Kenya with his wife Stephanie. In his free time, Shoshon enjoys surfing, climbing, and pursuing alternative energy technologies.
Steve Gibb is a Nuclear Physicist serving several hospitals in the Portland metro area. He is an international ice climber, rock climber, and mountaineer. He has enjoyed ice climbing in New Hampshire, Colorado, Canada, Oregon, Washington and Utah. Steve enjoys spending time with his family including a new grand-baby. He recently returned from a rock climbing adventure in Thailand where he is currently involved in helping local guides establish safe climbing
practices.
Greg Robinson, M.D. is an internal medicine physician who
has practiced with Adventist Medical Group for the last 15 years. He is an active member of the Portland Mountain Rescue which keeps him on the cutting edge of mountaineering and rescue techniques. Greg enjoys having an active role in his community by serving as a counselor for a local youth program. He also keeps busy with his two kids Ryan and Mindy and his wife Lois. Greg is a dedicated long-distance
bike commuter and enjoys hiking, snowboarding, and climbing.
Mark Smith is a world-renowned big-wall climber. He has two A5 first ascents on Yosemite's El Capitan. Due to poor weather, he and his partner spent 39 days on one climb; setting the world record for the longest time spent on the wall. Neither of his routes have been
completed since. He has numerous first ascents throughout California. Mark currently serves as a high school computer teacher with a degree in engineering and experience as a vice principal. Mark's two kids Austin and Amber, enjoy bouldering and rock climbing with their mom and dad.
Dan Wolcott is a small business owner of Sheridan
Woodworking in Sandy Oregon. His specialty is constructing custom furniture and cabinetry. Dan has climbed most of the Oregon and Washington Cascades and has an incredible knowledge of local hikes and backpacking trails. He has been actively involved in leading and organizing local youth groups and enjoys introducing people to the joys of the outdoors. Cheri Wolcott is an executive assistant at Adventist Medical Center. She brings a wealth of experience to MLI in marketing and non-profit development. She is an avid backpacker and birder and has enjoyed treks all over the Pacific Northwest. Dan and Cheri have 2 grown sons who have both graduated with degrees in outdoor pursuits.