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Staff Bios | Customer Service
Staff Bios
Susan Richardson,
Owner
- Atlantic Coast Kayak Company,
President
- Four Elements Adventure Company
Susan has always loved the outdoors, with hobbies
that have included hiking, camping, nature photography, and scuba
diving. Susan grew up in upstate New York, where canoeing was her
first paddlesport. One of her great early memories while canoeing
is her first Bald Eagle sighting in the Adirondack mountains,
where the bird swooped down to a river and took a fish in flight.
At the age of 15, Susan had ambitions of becoming one of Jacque
Cousteau’s divers on his research vessel.
Susan discovered great satisfaction from teaching
people about environmental topics during an undergraduate class in
Environmental Education. Susan earned a Bachelor’s degree in
Environmental Biology and a Masters degree in Environmental
Management. As a Recycling Specialist for Onondaga County, Susan
took great pleasure in speaking to students and civic groups about
recycling and waste management. Her career led her to the
environmental consulting and industrial sectors, where she held
various technical and environmental management positions. All the
while, Susan continued her outdoor activities. Susan took up
kayaking in 1998, while living in North Georgia.
Eventually, Susan felt a growing restlessness
with her career, and felt the calling to get closer
to what she originally envisioned for herself.
She purchased an ongoing business, Atlantic Coast
Kayak Company, in August 2001. She formed
Four Elements Adventure Company, a Florida-based
Corporation whose mission is to bring together like-minded
travelers for adventures off the beaten path, led
by professional local guides. Susan has traveled
in China, Italy, France, Mexico, and the United States.
She has paddled the east arm of Glacier Bay National
Park, Alaska, and, of course, regularly paddles in
Florida. Susan takes great pleasure in bringing
clients out into the natural environment, for relaxation,
exercise, and appreciation.
Erica Gleason, Guide and Kayak
Sales
Erica was born and raised right here in Florida. Erica
is a paramedic in Broward county, and she loves to
paddle her kayak in Lighthouse Point, the Florida
Keys, and various local waterways. She also loves
the thrill of hooking a fish from her kayak. Erica
paddles an Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 or a Perception
Carolina Airalite with an Aquabound Eagle paddle.
All of her kayaks and accessories are red, of course!
You will feel very confident paddling with Erica.
Howard Helbein, Guide & Kayak Sales
Howard hails from New Jersey, and is
an avid kayaker, rock climber, and bicycle trail rider.
He is active with the local paddling club, and frequently
ventures west for climbing & cycling opportunities.
Howard has great patience, and is always to freely
share his extensive knowledge about outdoor gear.
Customer Service
Good customer service is what distinguishes Atlantic
Coast Kayak Company from our competition. In
our view, customer service begins as soon as you walk
through our door, and it never ends. Our approach
is that we want you as a customer for life, not just
a "one shot deal." Time and again
we hear that customers are not always treated the
way that they want to be by our competitors.
We have gone to great lengths to tailor our customer
service to our marketplace and its unique customer
base. If you hear about something new that you
would like to check out, or if there is an item that
you would like to see us stock in the store, please
let us know. We appreciate your feedback, both
positive and negative. Our staff brings its
collective knowledge to bear, and we want an on-going
relationship with you – our valued customers.
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