Emily Dellinger – Founder, Venture Free Foundation
Emily founded Venture Free in 2014. She has a great love for adventure, and enjoys inspiring those around her to live happy and healthy lives. She started on her journey as an outdoor educator as a surf instructor, and has been working with kids for over 20 years. Her positive attitude and zest for life is contagious – she makes every day at camp great fun!
Paul Barulich – Manufacturing Engineer, Concepts and Methods Company
An engineer by trade, Paul gives much of his free time as a volunteer firefighter for the Kings Mountain area. Paul is also involved with the annual Kings Mountain Art Fair, managing all cashiering locations, some IT responsibilities, and working closely with the treasurer during the event. In his free time, Paul can be found pursuing his many passions as an avid outdoorsman with mountain biking the coastal redwoods, rock climbing the high Sierras or fishing from his boat.
Maria King – Operations Director
A SF peninsula native, Maria fell in love with nature on family camping trips to the Santa Cruz mountains as a child. After spending 20 years in marketing operations leadership for tech companies, she now leads program management for a health and wellness start-up. Maria is also the co-founder of She Hikes Too, a hiking and outdoor adventure company for women. Maria has held board positions for various bay area non-profits over the years, often focusing on her specialty: fundraising and throwing parties. Maria holds a Master of Arts and a Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Design from San Francisco State University. Maria lives in the Santa Cruz Mountains with her family, and in her spare time enjoys hiking, traveling, and cooking.
Ken Williamson – Mortgage Broker
A fourth generation Californian, Ken has enjoyed camping, backpacking and outdoor activities his entire life. Ken is an Eagle Scout who loves sharing his outdoor knowledge and experience with children and young adults. Ken’s background in Economics, Banking and Finance, make him a natural fit as VFF’s Treasurer and informal business advisor. Every summer, Ken looks forward to camping and backpacking with the VFF campers because, when in the wilderness, you never know what challenges or memorable experiences are going to happen. “My personal goal is to help every VFF Desolation Wilderness backpacker catch their first trout.” They always taste AWESOME when Emily fries them up!
George Hilley – Geologist
George is a husband, a father of one daughter, and is constantly in awe of the magnificence of our planet. A geologist by training, he feels privileged to be able to visit Earth's many fascinating places to study their boundless wonders. His passion for the outdoors and outdoor education is a pillar of his research and coursework at Stanford University, where he is a Full Professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences.
Tim Naylor –
Pragmatic and personable business focused lawyer who has had the great fortune of working in dynamic privately-held branded consumer product companies seeking to grow to the next level. I have supported and led positive change in the companies through partnering with individuals at all levels of the organization to understand the challenges and opportunities of each business.
Experienced General Counsel with a demonstrated history of, and passion for, working in the footwear and apparel, and fashion industry. Skilled in Corporate Structuring, Board Governance and Organization, Human Resources & Employment, Contracts, Licensing, Strategic Negotiations, Trademark Infringement, Consumer Products, Compliance, Risk Mitigation, Litigation, and Patent Law.
Emily founded Venture Free in 2014. She has a great love for adventure, and enjoys inspiring those around her to live happy and healthy lives. She started on her journey as an outdoor educator as a surf instructor, and has been working with kids for over 20 years. Her positive attitude and zest for life is contagious – she makes every day at camp great fun!
Paul Barulich – Manufacturing Engineer, Concepts and Methods Company
An engineer by trade, Paul gives much of his free time as a volunteer firefighter for the Kings Mountain area. Paul is also involved with the annual Kings Mountain Art Fair, managing all cashiering locations, some IT responsibilities, and working closely with the treasurer during the event. In his free time, Paul can be found pursuing his many passions as an avid outdoorsman with mountain biking the coastal redwoods, rock climbing the high Sierras or fishing from his boat.
Maria King – Operations Director
A SF peninsula native, Maria fell in love with nature on family camping trips to the Santa Cruz mountains as a child. After spending 20 years in marketing operations leadership for tech companies, she now leads program management for a health and wellness start-up. Maria is also the co-founder of She Hikes Too, a hiking and outdoor adventure company for women. Maria has held board positions for various bay area non-profits over the years, often focusing on her specialty: fundraising and throwing parties. Maria holds a Master of Arts and a Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Design from San Francisco State University. Maria lives in the Santa Cruz Mountains with her family, and in her spare time enjoys hiking, traveling, and cooking.
Ken Williamson – Mortgage Broker
A fourth generation Californian, Ken has enjoyed camping, backpacking and outdoor activities his entire life. Ken is an Eagle Scout who loves sharing his outdoor knowledge and experience with children and young adults. Ken’s background in Economics, Banking and Finance, make him a natural fit as VFF’s Treasurer and informal business advisor. Every summer, Ken looks forward to camping and backpacking with the VFF campers because, when in the wilderness, you never know what challenges or memorable experiences are going to happen. “My personal goal is to help every VFF Desolation Wilderness backpacker catch their first trout.” They always taste AWESOME when Emily fries them up!
George Hilley – Geologist
George is a husband, a father of one daughter, and is constantly in awe of the magnificence of our planet. A geologist by training, he feels privileged to be able to visit Earth's many fascinating places to study their boundless wonders. His passion for the outdoors and outdoor education is a pillar of his research and coursework at Stanford University, where he is a Full Professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences.
Tim Naylor –
Pragmatic and personable business focused lawyer who has had the great fortune of working in dynamic privately-held branded consumer product companies seeking to grow to the next level. I have supported and led positive change in the companies through partnering with individuals at all levels of the organization to understand the challenges and opportunities of each business.
Experienced General Counsel with a demonstrated history of, and passion for, working in the footwear and apparel, and fashion industry. Skilled in Corporate Structuring, Board Governance and Organization, Human Resources & Employment, Contracts, Licensing, Strategic Negotiations, Trademark Infringement, Consumer Products, Compliance, Risk Mitigation, Litigation, and Patent Law.