Meet Our Team
Gary Rall Owner & Founder
Setting Initials: GR
Gary has been climbing throughout the West Coast for almost 40 years. On a trip to England in 1987, he got the idea of building an indoor climbing gym. While there, Rall heard about a community center that had a climbing wall where people kept in shape during the winter months. He thought of Portland’s rainy weather and decided to build the Portland Rock Gym. It turned out to be the second gym in the country, and the first to use modular holds. His wife, Julie, actually came up with the phrase “rock gym” as they named the business.
Gary is a pioneer of rock climbing in Oregon. He has a multitude of hard FAs and FFAs under his belt, established Rat Cave, been regional coordinator of the Access Fund earning their 5.13 Service Award for securing public access to the Carver Bridge Cliff & Boulders, and helped to create the modern American rock climbing industry.
Brendan Rall Vice President, Sales
Mike Ryan Director of Operations
Ricky Huynh Director of Marketing
Nick Gagliardi Director of Route Setting
Meet our setter director! Nick has been working at Portland Rock Gym since April of 2021 and has been crushin’ it since day one! Nick has been climbing since 2014 and setting since 2016. He has set at climbing gyms in Minnesota where he grew up, in Colorado, and now here at PRG! He has also had the opportunity to ‘guest-set’ at a variety of gyms throughout the U.S. Nick describes his setting style as “technical thug”, meaning his routes typically use quite a bit of brute force, while still incorporating technique and finesse. Nick is also known for his comp style setting and trainer flow, along with powerful shoulder moves in his routes. Outside of climbing, Nick can be found playing strategy games like ‘Go’, cooking, or watching Anime. We are thrilled to have him on our team and we hope you enjoy climbing his routes as much as we do!
Gabe Olson Director of Climbing Programs
Addison Houck Programs Manager
Addison (they/them) has been working at PRG since 2021, starting as Summer Camp staff, Afterschool Program staff, Intro Class instructor, and overall jack of most trades. They are transitioning into the Youth Programs Coordinator position for Summer 2022 and beyond, and are stoked to bring their many years of youth development experience to a leadership role here at PRG.
Addison started climbing in early 2018 while living in the Santa Cruz Mountains. When they're not at the gym, they are studying to eventually get their Masters in Social Work, taking a deep dive into a new craft-based hobby, or taking a nap in the sunshine with their dog.
Chat with Addison about: belay devices! best flavor of clif bar! favorite climbing game! pros and cons of closed toed shoes! the time they saw a bear cub and burst into tears!
Brianna Gordon Studio Programs Manager
Dan Connelly Northeast Gym Manager
Aaron Johnson Beaverton Gym Manager
Joseph Coval Retail Buyer
Nick Gagliardi Director of Routesetting
Setting Initials: NG
Meet our head setter! Nick has been a wonderful addition to our team. He has been working at Portland Rock Gym since April of 2021 and has been crushin’ it since day one! Nick has been climbing since 2014 and setting since 2016. He has set at climbing gyms in Minnesota where he grew up, in Colorado, and now here at PRG! He has also had the opportunity to ‘guest-set’ at a variety of gyms throughout the U.S. Nick describes his setting style as “technical thug”, meaning his routes typically use quite a bit of brute force, while still incorporating technique and finesse. Nick is also known for his comp style setting and trainer flow, along with powerful shoulder moves in his routes. Outside of climbing, Nick can be found playing strategy games like ‘Go’, cooking, or watching Anime. We are thrilled to have him on our team and we hope you enjoy climbing his routes as much as we do!
Payton Hansen Rope Setting Manager
Setting Initials: PH
Payton started climbing when he moved into his college dorm at Iowa State University. Despite being far away from any crags, he became infatuated with climbing and began going on various climbing trips, along with joining the competitive climbing team. In his 4 years at school, Payton competed at numerous competitions throughout the Midwest and qualified his way into the USA Collegiate National Championships. One of his favorite climbing memories from school is the annual road-trips to Bishop, CA with his friends during winter breaks. In 2019, Payton moved back home to Overland Park, KS to work as a route setter and a coach for a couple of local climbing gyms. Payton moved to Portland in June, 2021 to pursue a career as a full-time route setter at Portland Rock Gym (and to live closer to crags of course). When he's not training at the gym, Payton enjoys bouldering, biking, singing, surfing, and enjoying all the wonderful sushi Portland has to offer!
Holden Grimes Boulder Setting Manager
Gabe Olson Coach
Addison Houck Coach
Brianna Gordon Studio Programs Manager, Yoga & Fitness Instructor
Join Our Team
Portland Rock Gym is Growing!!
At Portland Rock Gym we are looking for experienced competition level coaches to help us continue to drive the success of our youth Competition Teams. This position is responsible for providing exceptional coaching, engagement, and connection with the athletes and their families, as well as fellow coaches. Collaborating closely with the Programs Director and Programs Manager, our Competition level coaches will help build and facilitate practice plans aimed at supporting climbers in their athletic and personal development. This role is ideal for someone with a strong background in youth development and a love of competition climbing.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
– Design, develop, and implement comprehensive climbing programs catering to climbers of varying skill levels.
– Provide expert instruction in climbing techniques, safety practices, and training methodologies to individuals and groups.
– Lead weekly practices during the school year
– Coach and run teams at both gym locations in the Portland area
– Supervise climbers during practices and while modeling PRG’s values.
– Provide personalized coaching and feedback to each climber to help them overcome challenges, improve weaknesses, and achieve their climbing goals.
– Work collaboratively with other coaches and managers to ensure program coherence and alignment with the facility’s goals and objectives.
– Collaborate with the Gym Manager on what areas the athletes are allowed to use during busy hours and events.
– Communicate with parents and families, answer questions, respond to emails in a timely manner
– Other duties as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS
– Technical proficiency in climbing and climbing safety
– Previous experience as a youth competition coach (2+ years)
– Previous experience using RGP(Rock Gym Pro) preferred
FACILITY SAFETY AND INCIDENT RESPONSE
– Ensure the safety of participants, staff and other customers through group organization, oversight, and practice planning.
– Actively promote risk mitigation through ongoing instruction and orientation.
– Respond to accidents and incidents following the PRG Safety Manual and Protocol and properly document any incidents through incident report log.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
– Part time, hourly rate based on the candidate availability and experience. $17.25-$21/hour
– Membership at Portland Rock Gym
– Staff discount on retail products.
– Industry discounts available for select companies and products.
WORKING CONDITIONS
– Many duties require the availability to work a flexible schedule based on business needs and events, including evenings and weekends.
TO APPLY
Email us your application with "Youth Competitive Coach" in the headline to gabe@portlandrockgym.com. Position open until filled.
Position: Sales Desk & Wall Monitor
Hours: 12-34hrs/Week
Pay Rate: Starting at $16
Positions available at both locations:
- Northeast (21 NE 12th Ave Portland OR 97232)
- Beaverton (10860 SW Barnes Rd Portland OR 97225)
General Description: Since 1988, the mission of the Portland Rock Gym is to teach and train well-rounded, life-long rock climbers indoors, and out at the crags, as well as celebrate and preserve our local cliffs and boulders through community involvement. The staff at the Portland Rock Gym strive to meet this goal through helping to foster an inclusive and diverse community of kind and supportive climbers, through providing excellent customer service, professional instruction, and maintaining exceptional facilities. Having a great business starts with having a great staff. That is where you come in! We are looking for dedicated, knowledgeable and fun people to work with our members and guests.
General Duties/Responsibilities
- Handle cash register sales
- Answer the phone and field calls appropriately
- Sell memberships, day passes and equipment
- Greet and check members in with a friendly and professional attitude
- Monitor climbers for unsafe situations and intervene when necessary
- Belay for various groups and activities
- Help maintain the cleanliness of the facility
- Perform top rope belay tests, auto belay and bouldering orientations
- Enforce gym rules and policies
Minimum Requirements
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Have at least 6 months customer service or sales experience
- Have at least 2 years of top rope belay experience
- Be available to work regular evenings and weekends
- Some proficiency with the proper use of ropes, harnesses, climbing shoes, carabiners and belay devices
- Comfortable working at a variety of heights and lifting and carrying up to 50lbs
- Pass a criminal background check
Things we love to see
- Lead belay experience
- Previous experience working with youth
- CPR and First Aid certifications
Position: Shift Lead - Sales Desk
Location: This position is a floating position that may require you to visit both our Northeast and Beaverton locations in a given pay period. Applicants can specify home-gym where the majority of their hours are scheduled.
Hours: 28 - 35 hours per week; non-exempt; flexible hours, regular evenings and weekends
Pay Rate: $18-19.50 per hour plus sales incentives, part-time work
Job Description
This is an experienced front desk position. As a part of our general desk staff you would fill the roles of sales, customer service, wall monitor, belay certification, basic cleaning, and customer reception/check-in. As a Shift Lead you would be expected to master all of the duties associated with those roles, aid in the training and ongoing management of desk staff, aid in the writing of employee reviews, mitigate customer complaints and resolve conflicts.
Most of your time would be spent working at the desk, mentoring less experienced staff and communicating common or noteworthy questions and concerns to gym management. As a part of our team, you are also a part of the overall success of the business. You will have to work well with management and with our team of staff.
Basic Job Responsibilities
- Be an expert in our Point of Sale system, membership offerings, classes/programs, and retail inventory.
- Respond promptly, courteously, and accurately to customer emails, phone calls, and in-person inquiries.
- Help the team meet and exceed their monthly and quarterly goals.
- Greet and check members in with a friendly and professional attitude.
- Monitor climbers with a keen eye for unsafe behavior and intervene courteously yet effectively.
- Help maintain the cleanliness of the facility.
- Be a keyholder for the facility. Help close the facility regularly, ensuring the gym is secure.
Personnel Management Responsibilities
- Assist with the training of new desk staff.
- Provide ongoing feedback, support, and guidance to desk staff.
- Assist in the review process for staff that you have either managed or trained.
- Help maintain a positive and uplifting work environment for everyone at Portland Rock Gym.
Requirements
- Nine months of sales and customer service experience.
- Two years of rock climbing and/or bouldering experience.
- 18 months of top-rope belay experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Leadership experience
- 18 months of lead belay experience
Benefits
- Free membership at Portland Rock Gym
- Pro deals with retailers
- 30% off in-house retail
- 20% off in-house café
- Flexible schedule
- Sales incentives program
To apply, please send your cover letter and resume to work.beaverton@portlandrockgym.com
Thanks! We’re looking forward to meeting you!
General Inquiries
Any other questions or comments? Please email info@portlandrockgym.com
To learn more about becoming one of our yoga or group fitness instructors, please email yoga@portlandrockgym.com
Hours
Sat: 9AM - 9PM
Sun: 9AM - 6PM
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