PCIA has hired Will Friday to serve as its Executive Director.  Will has been involved with climbing instruction since 1984, and served on the PCIA Board of Directors since 2007.  Will is a PCIA CWI provider, and in the final stages of obtaining Outdoor Course Provider status.  Will is also the Associate Director of Outdoor Link, a southern California based outdoor education provider, focusing on small group expeditions that blend natural history, outdoor skills and stewardship in to its educational programs.

The Executive Director and the Board of Directors have established several priorities which include:  efficient operation of the PCIA office, working with the board to create a long term strategic plan for PCIA, improving member benefits and growing the PCIA membership, growing the pool of PCIA providers to expand course offerings, and working with colleges and universities to continue to incorporate PCIA courses and curriculum on and off campus.  We are certainly not limiting ourselves to these goals, the to do list is always growing!

In taking on the duties of Executive Director, Will says, " I'm excited and honored to be PCIA's Executive Director.  PCIA serves a very important role in the climbing community, to provide the finest training and certification for climbing instructors.  PCIA is financially sound and membership is growing.  The response to PCIA programs is positive from the participants, administrators, land managers and vendors in the climbing community.  I look forward to working with the Board of Directors as PCIA grows and continues to fulfill its mission.  There is a lot of work to do, and I look forward to hearing from PCIA members so we can continue to meet their needs as their source for training and certification".

Over the next few months, PCIA will focus on strategic planning, new and existing course development, provider training and communication with members, providers and supporting partners.

You can contact Will at the new PCIA phone number, 310 455 1830, and will @PCIA.us.