Our Team

Susan Friedrich joined with The Mountain Workshop in 2004 and is currently Executive Director of The Mountain Workshop, responsible for all summer camp day programs and overnight expeditions, as well as overseeing the other operations of the company.  Susan has a B.S. in Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a M.B.A. from Western Michigan University.  She and her husband, Dan, have raised three children and currently live in Ridgefield, CT.

Tim Hawkes understands the benefits of experiential education, not only for children but also in the corporate world. Tim plays a key role at The Mountain Workshop by spearheading the Business Development and Marketing, which provide him the opportunity to facilitate and educate in an environment that he truly loves.  Tim received a B.A. in Food Industry Management from Cornell University and has founded and directed several marketing agencies before joining The Mountain Workshop. He currently resides in Westport, CT and is an avid outdoorsman, with interests in sailing, skiing, backpacking, golfing, and organic gardening.

Mathew Henion joined with The Mountain Workshop in 2009 as a summer field staff member and is currently serving as one of the company’s Development Directors. His role at The Mountain Workshop includes staff development, program development, and marketing development. Most of his professional outdoor recreation experience stems from his undergraduate career working for the University of Connecticut’s outdoor program, UConn Outdoors, as a field instructor and eventually Lead Coordinator. Mat has a B.S. in Natural Resource Management from the University of Connecticut and is currently working on his M.S. in Recreation Management &Policy from the University of New Hampshire. As an avid outdoorsman, Mat has a special place in his heart for all paddle-sports, particularly whitewater kayaking.

Eric Timme is currently the Logistics Coordinator of The Mountain Workshop, having previous experience as a member of the field staff team, leading both day trips and overnight expeditions.  His background includes extensive adventure travel, including leading hikes, canoe, camping and white water rafting trips while serving as President of the New Paltz Outing Club.  As part of a NOLS Course, he spent 28 days backpacking through the Wind River Range which led to backpacking being among his favorite outdoor activities. He is a graduate of SUNY New Paltz with a B.A. in Organizational Communications and a minor in Business. 

Stephen Tubbs is a native of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Stephen grew to love and nurture the creative process in teambuilding.  After earning a BA in theatre from the College of Santa Fe he began his career in facilitation as Associate Artistic Director of a performing arts school.  He has worked in the small business, non-profit and corporate worlds and is most proud of his time as a Peace Corps Volunteer.  Now residing in Norwalk with his family, Stephen is thrilled to be a new member of Fusion Associates as Account Manager handling logistics and program management for the corporate end of The Mountain Workshop.    

Wendy Urquhart  grew up in the woods of Northern Maine where she fell in love with Experiential Learning.  After beginning her faciliatation career in high school, she went on to receive a degree in recereation management from the University of Maine.  Wendy spent 15 years in residential summer camps before joining Fusion Associates, the corporate team building division of The Mountain Workshop, as Account Manager. Wendy is currently the senior Development Director for Fusion Associates and The Mountain Workshop, working on designing and selling all of our corporate and school teambuilding programs. For the past four years she has also worked for the American Camp Association, doing standards visits.  She has a great love of the outdoors, including skiing and white water boating.

Matt Whalen participated in a National Outdoor Leadership School course in Alaska where he gained an appreciation for outdoor education and the positive impact it has on all of our lives. Matt is currently the Managing Director of The Mountain Workshop and is responsible for the overall execution of all the summer day camp programs, overnight expeditions and school programs that The Mountain Workshop offers. Matt has a B.A. in Political Science, with a minor in History from The University of Buffalo and is proud to have attained the rank of Eagle Scout in 2002.