Falling Creek Camp Leadership
Yates & Marisa Pharr
Owners/Directors
When Yates met Marisa at Appalachian State University, summer camp was already "in his blood". For many years, Yates and his brothers attended Falling Creek—Yates for twelve summers as a camper, C.I.T., and staff member.
Yates teaching kayaking at FCC in the mid 1980's
In the summer of 1989, Yates and Marisa both worked at Falling Creek—Yates leading the whitewater program and Marisa as head of the waterfront.
After they graduated with degrees in recreation from ASU, Marisa joined the staff of the YMCA, first as aquatic coordinator, and then as a staff trainer. Marisa later served as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist at the Alexander Children’s Center. Her commitment to the well-being of children and families is exemplified by her volunteer work with many community programs, as well as with her neighborhood, church, and children’s schools.
Mary, Annie, Marisa, Lucy, and Yates.
Yates, meanwhile, returned to his hometown of Charlotte, N.C., to serve as President of Bissell Development. In 1991, Yates and Marisa married and now have three daughters: Annie, Lucy, and Mary. Even as Yates was forging a successful career in the business world, he continued to work with children, serving as assistant scoutmaster for the same troop in which he earned his Eagle Scout. The Pharrs moved to Asheville and Yates became Vice President of commercial development for Biltmore Farms until returning to camp. It was and continues to be the opportunity of a lifetime for them.
To learn more about Yates & Marisa, please read the following article.
Ballantyne Magazine Article - Charlotte, NC
1.7MB PDF - Acrobat Reader Required
Frank Tindall
Associate Director
The Tindall Family
Frank has been camping since his childhood—first as a camper, then a counselor, and finally in 1984 he bought his own camp! Frank and his wife Elizabeth had the time of their lives as they directed Camp Illahee (Brevard, North Carolina) for 18 years. After selling Illahee, Frank worked as a camp consultant with camps around the country.
In 2005 Frank joined the Falling Creek team bringing his extensive knowledge of camping and leadership development.
Frank is an active member of the community, serving as the Chairman of the Young Life Committee and volunteering as a coach for tennis and basketball.
Jim Goodrum
Staffing Director
Jim's first summer at Falling Creek was in 1979. He was a camper for seven years and CIT for two years. Jim is a graduate of Mercer University in Macon, GA and while he attended, worked at FCC as a Catawba Tribe cabin counselor and activity leader. In the summer of 1993, Jim moved from the swim docks to begin his tenure as Program Director. In 1994, Jim joined the full-time camp staff as Assistant Director / Program Director until 2002.
He returned to Georgia in 2002 to work at Mercer University as Assistant Director of Admissions and Recreational Sports and Wellness. At Mercer, Jim met his wife Kristi and they married in 2005. Jim worked for Fickling & Company selling residential real estate from 2005 to 2007.
Jim returned to camp in 2008 to share his twenty-plus years of Falling Creek experience. Jim's passion for Falling Creek and it's mission, combined with his knowledge of camp operations, sets the stage for his primary focus with FCC's staff and alumni development. Jim is active in the local Kiwanis Club.
Nathan Newquist
Program Director
Nathan is a native Texan. He started working for Falling Creek in 2001, during his first summer of college. He came across the Falling Creek website while searching for a similarly named summer camp he attended as a teenager. He met with Donnie Bain and Jim Goodrum, who was Program Director at the time, and they hired Nathan as a counselor.
As Program Director, Nathan uses all the experience gained from seven years as counselor (with Cabin 1, no less!), tribal leader, head of waterfront, coordinating church services and campfires, and leading all-camp games to make every day at Falling Creek safe and exciting for all the boys at camp.
Nathan graduated from Texas Christian University with a degree in International Communication. He had the amazing opportunity to study Spanish in Guanajuato, Mexico for a semester of study abroad. After college he worked for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram newspaper and then the Fort Worth School District. Nathan is an active member of the Hendersonville Rotary Club.
If it's winter, check the slopes. You may find him skiing at a nearby resort or somewhere in Colorado.
Ben Williams
Outdoor Adventure Director
From Ohio, Ben attended Mount Vernon Nazarene University and majored in secondary education and history. Ben joined the Falling Creek summer staff in 1998. In August of 2006, Ben joined the full time staff as an Assistant Program Director.
Ben now serves as the Outdoor Adventure Director and leads the CIT (Counselor In Training) program. He helps with staff recruiting and special projects during the winter and spring. Ben is a certified EMT, Wilderness First Responder, and a Swift Water Rescuer.
Playing no favorites, Ben takes advantage of all the outdoor opportunities offered in the mountains. If he can't find it here, he may go to where the action is, like a recent trip to Mexico to paddle on the El Slato and the Micos rivers. Biking, paddling, running, climbing, and snow skiing, Ben does it all. What else would you think the Outdoor Program Director does in his free time? His latest big trip was down the aisle! Ben and fiancé, Elliott Ogilvie, were married in the Spring of 2008.
Chuck & Jean McGrady
Directors Emeritus
The McGrady Family
Chuck and Jean McGrady guided Falling Creek as owners and directors from 1989-2005.
The McGrady’s children, Steve and Lisa, grew up at Falling Creek. Steve was a camper for many summers, excelling at rock climbing and kayaking. He now attends Virginia Tech. Lisa has a love for working with horses and is currently living in Colorado.
The McGrady’s remain closely affiliated with camp as Directors Emeritus.
We encourage parents to contact the leadership of Falling Creek Camp with any questions they might have about camp! A Staff Directory is located on our Contact Us page.
