Executive Director
James Rowe, Ph.D.

Hometown: Utah
Education: Ph.D. in Applied Eco-Psychology and Integrated Ecology
Email: jimrowe@crrobs.org

In 1992, after having traveled to over 25 countries searching for the ideal place to establish a nature-centered adventure program, Jim Rowe settled in Costa Rica. With one monolithic raft and some scuba diving equipment, Jim began what would become an International Adventure School employing over 30 staffers and delivering courses to over 400 students annually.

He holds a B.A. in Business Management with a Minor in Spanish from Brigham Young University in Hawaii, and a Ph.D. in Applied Eco-Psychology and Integrated Ecology. A leader in experiential cross-curricular learning, Jim has facilitated seminars and lectures in areas of sustainable development, ecotourism and adventure programming worldwide. He has guest lectured at the University of Utah, University of Calgary and University of Alberta, Edmonton, Calvin College and a plethora of High Schools and Jr. High Schools. In addition to lecturing Jim serves on the International Board of Advisors for Radio for Peace International and the Institute for Global Education.

Communications Director
Larry Shaw

Hometown: Murray Hill, New Jersey
Education: B.A. in Journalism- Indiana University, Bloomington
Email: Larry@crrobs.org

Larry left the United States in his early 20s with the aim of seeing as much of the planet as possible.

To date, he has lived in 13 countries, worked in over 25 and traveled through more than 50. He has served various organizations as a journalist, salesperson, project manager, sales/marketing director and as a director of international business development.

While he has traveled through parts of Central America, Costa Rica is the first country in the region Larry has lived in.

Student Enrollment Coordinator
Greg Albritton

Education: B.A. in Global Studies from UCSB
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Email: enrollment@crrobs.org

Greg is passionate about people, places, and ideas- which makes him perfectly suited to be Student Enrollment Coordinator. Greg’s relationship with travel & Spanish began when he studied abroad in Sevilla, Spain. He loved the new world that opened up to him by speaking a new language, so he decided to spend another 6 months studying abroad, this time in Santiago, Chile. Greg’s other hobbies? He loves music and plays acoustic guitar. He also grew up surfing and takes every opportunity to enjoy Costa Rica’s warm waters.

Marketing Coordinator
Debbie Mayer

Education: B.A. in Sociology from the George Washington University
Hometown: Framingham, MA
Email: marketing@crrobs.org

Debbie is the newest addition to the Marketing & Communications office. She spent the last four months traveling and volunteering in Ecuador & Peru and can’t wait to continue her Latin American adventure working as Marketing Coordinator with CRROBS. After graduating from college in 2006 she spent the summer working at the Martha’s Vineyard airport and enjoying her flight benefits. Her next move was to New York City where she worked for the nonprofit Common Ground, organizing programs and events for low-income and formerly homeless tenants in supportive housing. She loved the Outward Bound course she participated in during high school, and she is excited to get more students aware of the awesome, life-changing courses offered through Outward Bound.

Custom Course Manager
Shawn Pendergrass

Education: B.A. in Public Relations and Spanish from Gardner-Webb University
Hometown: Morganton, North Carolina
Email: custom@crrobs.org

Shawn is a runner, cyclists and aspiring surfer. His other hobbies include reading, saving the world and climbing palm trees. After graduating from Gardner-Webb University in North Carolina in 2005 with a B.A. in Public Relations and Spanish he accepted a teaching position in Costa Rica, having already fallen in love with the majestic beauty of the country while here studying and fulfilling an internship the year prior. He later moved to Micronesia to serve as a US Peace Corps Volunteer, working with youth and community development initiatives. Upon completion of his Peace Corps service, he spent some time in LA working for an advertising agency, but Costa Rica called his name again in the voice of Costa Rica Outward Bound, taking him back to the country he’s come to call home, and giving him the opportunity to share that home with others like you.

Marketing Development Specialist
Elizabeth Mayer

Education: B.S. in Marketing, Spanish minor from Saint Louis University
Hometown: Webster Groves, Missouri
Email: elizabeth@crrobs.org

Always on a quest to do new and exciting things, Elizabeth doesn’t sleep much. “Eli” (as her friends call her) has spent the last five years since college experiencing such things as teaching English in China, learning how to drum, running a marathon and two triathlons, tasting scorpion and other crazy cultural delicacies, learning Mandarin, tutoring and studying in Spain, riding elephants in Thailand, developing yoga skills (with a goal to do the splits one day), breaking into surfing, improving her Spanish, attending photography classes, rappelling and rock climbing for the first time, meeting people from all over the world, leading non-profits, learning to cook Chinese cuisine, self-teaching web development, planning parties and fundraisers, attending countless weddings, and oh, moving to Costa Rica to work for CRROBS. This is Elizabeth’s third job since college. Her first was in St. Louis, MO with an ad agency called Hughes, and the other was teaching in Tianjin, China with an agency called ACES. Her newest challenge? Trying to curb her Diet Coke habit.

Cook/Cleaning
Doña Carmen

Hometown: San Jose, Costa Rica

Doña Carmen has been working at the CRROBS base for over five years, and she can always be seen trailed by her three children, Steven, Jason and Saline who often accompany her while she works. You know she is around when you hear romantic music blaring, part of her ideal work environment. She makes a mean gallo pinto and eggs for breakfast, and so kindly surprises logistics and marketing office with this treat. She always has a friendly smile and a smart remark, and she is a major staple to keeping things running smoothly here at base.