As we’ve said many times, getting the right trip leaders on board is one of the most important elements to running a successful program.  Chad and I spent over four full weeks this past winter interviewing prospective leaders and hiring staff.  We visited 13 small liberal colleges in the Northeast.  Schools like Bowdoin, Colby, Trinity, Hamilton, Franklin & Marshall & Bucknell.  We received over 130 applications for only 13 new trip leadership positions.  It’s a lot of work, but in the end, we know it’s all worth it.  And with 50% of our leaders back in 2011, we’re darn proud of the team we’ve assembled for the coming summer.

Over the next 2 months we’ll be unveiling  most (if not all) of our leaders through our Blog and Facebook postings.   Check back often to learn more about these fantastic folks.

Without further ado, the first leader we’d like to profile for 2011 is veteran Apogee leader (Coast to Quebec’10) and New Jersey native,  Pete Lauro (pictured above).

Pete is looking forward to leading our most epic trip this summer, America Coast to Coast.   A rising senior at Hamilton College, Pete is majoring in Neuro Science with a minor in Environmental Studies.   He is a leader for the Hamilton Outing Club, and has led a number of Hamilton’s intensive Adirondack Adventure programs.   This semester he’s enrolled in the Williams-Mystic Maritime Studies program, an interdisciplinary program focusing on the world’s oceans. In addition to taking classes aboard ship, he’s raising and striking sails, tying plenty of knots, and singing his favorite sailor shanties.

Pete loves to be active and has a real passion for sports and the outdoors.   Ultimate Frisbee, rugby, skiing, climbing and paddling are just a few of his favorites.   In high school Pete was also an accomplished runner and the captain of his cross-country and track teams.   Pete says his ability to make kids laugh is one of his greatest strengths as a leader.

Pete’s enthusiasm and proven leadership excellence ensure that he will be an outstanding leader for our challenging Coast to Coast trip.  And Pete knows a thing or two about safety.  He is a certified EMT, a certified Wilderness EMT & a certified Lifeguard.