Our Story
How it all began and why we’re dedicated to this mission.
Skydiving has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. My childhood memories consist mostly of running around dropzones, playing on packing mats and aircraft mockups, and trips to Skydive Chicago being the highlight of my summer vacation. I don’t really have a frame of reference for life without aviation in it — it’s always been the backdrop, the classroom, and the constant. It wasn’t until I was much older that I slowly started to realize how fortunate I was to have such a natural foundation in this industry.
Skydive Grand Haven began as a family business built alongside my dad, and it shaped how I understand work, responsibility, and leadership. From operations and administration to rigging, flying, and skydiving, I was given opportunities to learn by doing — often juggling multiple roles and solving problems in real time. Those experiences didn’t just teach me skills; they taught me how much access and mentorship matter in high-consequence environments like aviation.
It was through this work that I met David. Before we were ever a couple, we were partners — working together, problem-solving, and building trust professionally. Watching David teach, lead, and serve as a safety professional deeply influenced how I understood leadership. Safety stopped being a checklist and became something much bigger: a reflection of culture, communication, and how much people are valued within a system.
Together, we helped build and lead a team that truly felt like a dream team — talented, committed, and invested in doing things the right way. Seeing people grow into their roles, take pride in their work, and support one another reinforced what we already believed: when strong leadership and thoughtful safety practices are in place, people thrive.
Over time, my dad began talking about an idea he couldn’t shake — creating a nonprofit focused on aviation and workforce development. The concept lingered in the background for years, quietly aligning with everything David and I cared about. Leaving Skydive Grand Haven was never an easy decision. It wasn’t something we were running from; it was something we deeply loved. But the pull to take the opportunities we had been given and extend them to others became impossible to ignore.
That pull ultimately led us to build Guardian Group, allowing us to bring a modern, Safety-II mindset to leadership and safety across industries. ASCEND grew naturally alongside it — a way to open doors, remove barriers, and create access to aviation and skydiving careers for people who might otherwise never find their way in. Together, Guardian Group and ASCEND represent everything we believe in: helping people grow, sharing our passion, and raising the standard for safety, leadership, and professionalism.
ASCEND exists because we’ve been incredibly fortunate — and because we believe opportunity shouldn’t depend on luck. Our goal is simple: to help others build meaningful, sustainable careers in aviation and skydiving, supported by strong mentorship, thoughtful training, and a culture that values people first.
