The Concept2 Crew

The Concept2 Crew
Today, over 50 people work for Concept2 USA.
(Hover over photo and links to see available bios.)

Not pictured: Josh CarlsonJosh Carlson, Customer Service/Schools

Josh started with Concept2 in 1993 and now works for Concept2 CTS as an Education Specialist for the Schools Team. He came to Concept2 after completing a Bachelors Degree in Physical Education at Johnson State College in Vermont. For the past 12 years, Josh has coached Nordic skiing, and has coached youth soccer for the past 4 years. Josh lives in Elmore, Vermont, with his wife and 2 daughters., Tracy Desrocher, Alex DunneAlex Dunne, International Sales

Alex is based in the UK from where he works with the international markets for Concept2. He studied engineering at Nottingham University and is a former lightweight oarsman who rowed competitively on the water throughout the 1990s. He tries to stay in shape by playing a variety of sports and he continues to compete on the erg., Jason HaddickJason Haddick, Warehouse

Jason arrived at Concept2 in 2000. He splits his time in production making oar parts and in the warehouse doing all kinds of odds and ends, and finds it amazing that Morrisville, Vermont, feeds the world with indoor rowing machines, oars and other rowing parts. Jason enjoys the variety of jobs here at Concept2 and working with fun and active folks. Jason holds a BS in Education with a Teaching Certification in Physical Education and Health from Johnson State College, Vermont. Prior to coming to Concept2, teaching, leading bike tours, and ski patrolling took up most of his time. When he was not biking or skiing, you could find Jason hunting, fishing, hiking, running, swimming, cutting firewood, and drinking beer., David HartDavid Hart, Web Development

David started work as the web department of Concept2 UK in 1999, fresh-faced and straight from university. At the time, his main internet experience was having visited the Nottingham Forest website a few times. He joined Concept2 USA in 2008, radically less fresh of face but having visited several more websites in the interim. In his spare time he likes reading, socializing and playing sports, which are possibly the three most standard and uninteresting interests of all time, but it’s true so what can you do about it?, Mary Miller, Martin StriddeMartin Stridde, International Sales

Martin works and lives in Hamburg, Germany. After college he attended business school in Hamburg and finished with a degree in forgeign exchange trade. He has been working for the German Concept2 Dealer from 1998 until 2004 and from that for Concept2 USA. Martin loves to row and he is active in the work of JCI (Junior Chamber International)., Skip Ward, Jennifer WilsonJennifer Wilson, Customer Service

Jennifer has been on the Concept2 Customer Service Team since 2003. She holds and an AB (Business Management) from Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont. She enjoys spending time with her family, in her gardens (flower and vegetable), hiking, biking, skiing, snowshoeing and running. She lives in Morrisville with her husband Brad, two young sons, Jacob and Wesley, and her beloved pets, Ani and Olivia., Jeff Wood

Suzanne Hudson, Marketing

Suzanne literally “started in the mailroom” at Concept2 in 1993, as a temporary, part-time employee. At the time, she was also working in retail, for a garden designer and operating a very small gardening business of her own after years in the food and beverage industry on Long Island, Colorado and Vermont. After her year-long interview, as she likes to call it, she was hired full-time in 1994 to fill several niches in customer service, shipping and marketing. This diversity prepared her well for her current (and only!) position in the marketing department as project coordinator, a role she’s played since 2000. Interests include many outdoor sports, photography, cooking, movies and travelling. A native of eastern Long Island in New York, Suzanne has lived in Vermont since 1988.
Lester Farr, Oar Shop

Peter ‘Lester’ Farr fondly remembers the barn days when every one of the nine employees took their weekly turn at feeding the wood-fired furnace for the shop. Peter works in the oar shop—you name it, he’s done it. Educated in Hanover, New Hampshire, his interests are all outside: running, hiking, and Nordic skiing. Family ties are strong. Dogs are his first love, but he’s also very fond of his wife, his home and two grown-up daughters.
Brickett Bailey, Customer Service/Global Sales

Brickett started at Concept2 as a member of the shipping team. Currently he works with domestic and global customers as well as indoor race organizers. Married with 2 boys, he keeps busy outside of work with the numerous activities his boys participate in, along with taking time to enjoy the many seasons of Vermont with his family.
Shawn Larose, Technical Support

Shawn started at Concept2 in the Fall of 1985 after graduating as an engineering technician from Vermont Technical College. His time is occupied by watching high school sports teams and overseeing the renovation of the 160 year old local Town Hall. Summers are spent enjoying water sports with his wife Nancy and their two sons at their camp on a small lake.
Dave Blum, Oar Shop

Dave Blum has worked at Concept2 since 1987 in the Oar Department. Prior to that he was in the United States Coast Guard for 8 years before moving to Vermont. He enjoys trail marathons and ultra marathons, hiking and snowshoeing. He lives in Waterbury Center with his lovely wife Laura and their two cats Norton and Cramer.
Daryl West, Warehouse

Daryl came to Concept2 in 1988 as a member of the production team. He currently has responsibilities which include rower production scheduling, shipping & receiving and warehousing. In his spare time, Daryl works for the Town of Johnson plowing snow, and he owns and operates a small excavation company doing contract work for a local engineering firm. Daryl’s appreciation for the outdoors began as a child and grew quickly as a member of the Boy Scouts of America. Many skills were developed during this time and culminated by achieving the rank of Eagle at age 17. He continues to enjoy the outdoors with his family and friends at his family’s camp on Sterling Mountain. Daryl serves his community as a volunteer firefighter with the Johnson Fire Department. He joined the department in 1988 and currently holds a rank of Assistant Chief. Daryl lives in the home he built with his wife Jessyca and their daughter Alyx.
Will Spalding, Customer Service

Will came from the streets of Boston to the mountains of Vermont in 1981 and came to work at Concept2 in 1989. Will works with our customer service team and software systems to keep orders for Concept2 products flowing smoothly from Morrisville, Vermont to our customers all around the globe. When he is not working Will enjoys fueling up on great food at home and elsewhere with his wife and two daughters. Then he spends as much time as possible on his bicycle or skis, burning off all of the surplus fuel. Will lives in Morrisville with his family and Spot the Wonder Dog too.
Marc Newton, Shipping

Marc graduated from the University of Vermont with a BA in Physical Education, K–12. Marc started working at Concept2 in 1993 as a temp in all aspects of erg and oar production, and has been in shipping for the past 6 years. Outside of work, Marc is very involved with the local youth by coaching in the youth soccer program, and has served as varsity golf, middle level basketball—and for the past 17 years—boys soccer coach at his high school alma mater. Marc is also very active in the local Masonic Lodge. Born and raised right here in Morrisville, and still living here with his beautiful wife of fifteen years and three very active kids, he enjoys their family vacations together and travelling year-round watching the kids' various sporting events.
Greg Hammond, Customer Service

Greg is a native Vermonter who holds a Bachelors degree in the Health Sciences and started with Concept2 over 10 years ago. He has been part of Concept2 CTS since 2008. He is very into a healthy fun lifestyle which includes CrossFit workouts, running, and off-road motorcycling. Currently Greg works in customer service as well as sales. The areas that Greg works closely with are Motor and Action Sports training and Police and Fire sales as well as working with the CrossFit and Military communities.
Don Zukswert, IT

Don started at Concept2 at the end of 1997 having previously worked as an engineer for several large corporations. He is a member of the IT team responsible for the company’s computing environment. Outside of Concept2, Don spends time with his family and dabbles in woodworking, biking, skiing, and alternative energy.
Lisa Washburn, Accounting

Lisa came to Concept2 in 1996 to work in Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable. Lisa added Indoor Rowing Race Co-coordinator in 2003 to her list of duties and in 2006 became the Controller. Lisa has an Associate’s Degree in accounting from Champlain College. Lisa enjoys traveling, especially adventure traveling—like to Havasu Falls in the Grand Canyon and hiking in Glacier National Park.
P.J. Beck, Quality Control

P.J. Graduated from Champlain College with an Associate’s degree in Business, and recently became certified as a Manager of Quality by the American Society of Quality. He has been with Concept2 since 1993, starting as a temporary production worker to help reduce the massive back log when the Model C was introduced. With the mind set "it can always be better," his role changed from Production, to being the Quality Guy at Concept2. He works closely with Engineering, Purchasing, and Suppliers. In 2000, P.J. purchased the farmhouse and barn where Concept2 started, and has been renovating it over the years. He lives in Morrisville with his wife, 3 children, and 3 dogs.
Meredith Haff, Marketing

Meredith joined Concept2 in July 2007 after completing her MBA in Global Management from Babson College. After rowing at Cornell University and with several clubs, Meredith’s athletic interests have expanded to include triathlons, marathons, volleyball and skiing. When not training, racing, or hiking, Meredith keeps busy with a new interest: playing guitar. Meredith and her two fish, Monadnock and Moosilauke, live in Stowe.
Jon Williams, Engineering

Formerly an avid bicycle racer and mechanic, Jon came to Concept2 in 1980 to work in oar production and product development. He has been a member of the Engineering team ever since and has been involved in the development of most Concept2 products. He has two remarkable daughters and still loves to ride the bike as well as hike, skate, ski, read and row. “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
Jan Gearhart, Marketing

Soon after starting in 1993, Jan found her niche designing Concept2’s promotional and support materials. Her design education and background was mostly in fiber arts, but the transition to paper and the web was a good fit. Jan and her husband raise guide dogs for Guiding Eyes, so you’ll see their pups here at work if you visit Concept2. Jan spends her spare time cooking good food, helping out in her community, playing in our mountains and lakes and generally enjoying life with friends, her husband and two grown daughters.
KC Colt, Customer Service

Owning a Model A and B to train for figure skating, “it felt like coming home” when KC joined Concept2 in 2003. As a member of the Customer Service Team, she especially enjoys meeting people on the phone, in person at on-water or indoor regattas and through the Million Meter and Kids Distance Clubs. Her most treasured Vermont summer moments are rowing on the glassy smooth waters of Great Hosmer Pond and then finishing the evening with a quick swim.
Cheri Giroux, Web Development

Cheri has been with Concept2 since 2004 and is currently part of Concept2’s Web Development team. Her past work experience includes software implementation and technical writing. A native of Michigan, Cheri has lived in Vermont since 1996. When she’s not writing web pages, you can find her in the garden, on the water, or on the trail.
Sue Zukswert, IT

Sue has been at Concept2 since 1998. She holds a BA (Education), and an MS (Electrical & Computer Engineering). She enjoys learning new things, being outside, helping others, and being with family. Favorite quote: “When you talk, you repeat what you already know; when you listen, you often learn something.”
Christine Glover, Accounting

After graduating from the University of Connecticut, Christine followed her dream and moved to Vermont! Christine joined the finance team at Concept2 in 2006, after working many years in the ski industry. She enjoys skiing, swimming, gardening, cooking and entertaining friends. Christine lives in Jeffersonville with her husband Carl and their two cats. They enjoy their “empty nest” while their two children Katie and Willi are at college.
Mary Heffner, Global Sales

Mary has a BFA from Kent State University and has taken graduate classes in Library Science at the State University of New York at Albany. After many years in the field of education, Mary moved to Vermont in 1995 and began working at Concept2 as a member of the Domestic Sales Team in 1997. She joined the Global Sales Team in 2000. She lives in Stowe with her husband and son.
Linda Markin, CFO

Linda has been Concept2’s CFO since 1988. She has a BA from Dartmouth College, and post graduate training from St. Michael's College and Tuck School of Business. Linda has been committed to issues of social and economic justice and involved in organizations with social change missions since 1980. Linda currently chairs the board of the Public Assets Institute. She lives in Hardwick with her partner Marie.
Scott Hamilton, Engineering

Scott has been at Concept2 since 2001. He holds a BS (Electrical Engineering) from the University of Vermont. Prior to Concept2, Scott was a founder of LPA Design, makers of remote control products for professional photographers. Scott is a bit of a technology nut and lives with his wife and two children in Stowe, Vermont.
Glenn Dwyer, Purchasing

Glenn is Concept2’s senior purchasing agent. He joined the Concept2 accounting team in 1999, but gradually transitioned to supply chain, materials and process management roles. Glenn, a Massachusetts native, holds a B.S. in Finance from Boston College. He moved to Vermont in 1990 to be a ski and golf bum, but that didn’t pay the bills. Glenn was formerly the retail operations manager at Stowe Mountain Resort. He resides in Morrisville with his wife and daughter.
Lewis Franco, Human Resources

Lewis became Concept2’s Director of Human Resources in October of 2007, following ten years in Human Resources at a Renewable Energy firm, and a prior career as a Psychotherapist. He holds an undergraduate Business degree and a Master’s in Counseling Psychology. Lewis is also a singer/songwriter, and has released three CD’s on his Mom & Pop Music label. His proudest achievement is being a 7-time Wiffle Ball champion of Burlington, Vermont’s annual Wifflefest. He lives in Calais with his wife and their two children.
Terry Laskey, Global Sales

Terry joined the Customer Service Team at Concept2 in 1990. She recently joined the Global Team and Manages the Oar Production Schedule. In her free time she enjoys kayaking, hiking, riding her bike, and camping. In the winter months she enjoys snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Her camera is usually with her as she participates in these activities. Her daughter and son are both grown and living in ski towns in Wyoming and Utah.
Dena Hirchak, Customer Service/Web Development

Dena has been working at Concept2 since 1994. She has a BA in French Education and has taken some post-graduate web programming classes as well. She lives in Morrisville with her husband and two children. She loves learning new things, gardening, cooking good food, being with her family and working up a sweat renovating their very old farmhouse. Her dream vacation is a beach anywhere it’s hot.
Kathy Gruber, Global Sales

Kathy grew up in Vermont, went to college near Morrisville, and then stayed in the area to work. She started at Concept2 in 1985, working in the office, and doing a little of everything including exporting. As the exporting side of business grew, she concentrated on that and is now one of four people handling the export orders at Concept2. This has given Kathy the wonderful opportunity to travel around Europe. When not working, Kathy enjoys traveling, dancing, listening to music, gardening and practicing Reiki—a form of energy work.
Jan Bailey, Shipping

Jan was hired in 1981 (!) to mold plastic parts for the first erg—the Model A. Now she spends most of her time working with the Global team in shipping. Her degree from SUC Cortland in NY State is in environmental studies. Jan enjoys riding her horse, kayaking, swimming, skiing, snowshoeing, and travelling. She shares her 10 acres with her husband, 3 dogs, 2 goats, one horse, and 3 rainbow trout.
Bruce Bearman, Operations

Prior to joining Concept2 in 1998, Bruce received a B.S. degree in Marketing from University of Alabama and worked in international business development with multinational companies in Tokyo and New York City. His primary focus at Concept2 is carrying out the strategic direction of the company through the many areas of business including global market development, distribution, production, human resources, marketing, customer service, and administration.
Peter Dreissigacker, Founder

Peter competed in the discus while attending Stanford University. After graduating with a Masters in Engineering in 1973, brother Dick put out the challenge, "why don't you come down to the boathouse and row the pair." A very intensive two years later, Peter and Dick tried out at the pair trials for the '76 Olympics, rowing with modified carbon oars they had made in the kitchen of their apartment in California. The adventure shifted from heading to the Games to an old farmhouse in Vermont where Peter, Dick, and Peter's future wife, Bari, formed Concept2, and making carbon fiber oars turned into a business. The first indoor rower was developed in 1981.

In addition to his work at Concept2, Peter rows competitively both on and off the water, and backcountry skis for variety in the winter. Peter also makes time for painting and is a novice piano student and closet accordion player.
Bari Dreissigacker, Founder

Bari (Lane) Dreissigacker graduated from college in 1972 with an English degree, after petitioning out of all science classes. She landed in Palo Alto that November, first working at Stanford University and then in a Community School that coordinated programs for juvenile delinquents. After meeting Peter and Dick Dreissigacker, Bari took up rowing in 1974. By the summer of 1976, Bari completed her Masters in Education and headed to Vermont with the brothers, where she waited tables and did the accounting books for fledgling Concept2. She and Peter married in 1982 and have two daughters.
Judy Geer, Founder & Marketing Team Member

Judy learned to row in college and didn’t want to stop when she graduated... so she didn’t! She went on to make three U.S. Olympic Rowing Teams: 1976, 1980 and 1984. She joined Concept2 in 1983 after getting her Masters in Engineering from Dartmouth College. She is married to Dick Dreissigacker and they have three children. She continues to compete in several on-water rowing events per year.
Dick Dreissigacker, Founder

Dick converted from football to rowing at Brown University and went on to row for the U.S. as a member of the ‘72 Olympic Team, the ‘71 Pan Am Games, and other international competitions. While a grad student in Engineering at Stanford University, he began collaborating with his brother Peter. Together they founded Concept2 in 1976. Dick rows on the water all summer, and competes several times per year. He is married to Judy Geer and they have three children.

The Founders


L to R:
Judy Geer, Dick Dreissigacker, Peter Dreissigacker, Bari Dreissigacker