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The People Behind the Unforgettable Experiences

30 Years–Family Owned & Operated

Rockwood Adventures & Destination Services (RADS) was founded on a simple but powerful goal: to connect guests with the West Coast through distinctive experiences that celebrate its nature, culture, and culinary excellence—engaging every sense along the way.

Family-owned and operated for over 30 years, we continue to proudly share the best of British Columbia and Alberta—creating lasting memories through exceptional service, deep local knowledge, and a true passion for what we do.

Our Management Team

1995

Manfred Scholermann (pictured), a Canadian Olympic Culinary Team Member and former Executive Chef, brought Rockwood to life with a love for BC’s natural beauty and fine dining. He set out to create experiences as authentic and memorable as the land itself, with culinary excellence as our key differentiator.

2018

Alasdair Douglas, a close family friend of Manfred for more than 50 years, and with a like passion for both nature and culinary, joined Manfred to help carry the vision forward. Alasdair has decades of hands-on executive leadership experience and success in hospitality, tourism, and business operations.

2019

Alasdair and his wife Nancy Celetti formally acquired Rockwood in 2019. Nancy joined the company in 2020 after decades of executive marketing roles with leading packaged goods and restaurant companies. Nancy co-directs the company vision and strategic direction and leads our operational excellence.

Today

Rockwood has grown into a leading Destination Services Company, broadening its product offering and client base, while remaining committed to the principles it was founded on: delivering authentic, distinctive experiences that reflect the spirit of our Destinations–with our clients, guests, partners, and our exceptional team.

About Our Team

Our Management Team

Our Management Team focuses on the guest, client, vendor and employee experience, through bringing innovation and operational excellence with attention to detail in project planning & timelines, and logistics delivery. We are dedicated to always providing the highest possible value for our clients.

Our Guide & Destination Hosts

Our guides and destination hosts come from diverse professional backgrounds—including teachers, artists, business professionals, ecologists, foresters, photographers, sommeliers, and more. Each one is a gifted storyteller sharing expertise in fields such as anthropology, cultures, culinary arts, wine, and wildlife. With guides available in over 10 languages, every guest experience is made welcoming, meaningful, and unforgettable.
The large majority of our guides and destination hosts are RADS employees.

Recruitment

Rockwood has recruited and trained more than 40 Guides and Destination Hosts. What unites them is a shared commitment to excellence in delivery, genuine care about people and places, a thirst for knowledge, and the pure joy of creating memorable experiences.

Rockwood’s Management Team

Co–Managing Director

Alasdair Douglas

With over 30 years of executive experience across hospitality, tourism, real estate, and marketing, Alasdair leads Rockwood Adventures with a rare blend of entrepreneurial vision and operational mastery. As Managing Director and Co-Owner, he and his team have transformed Rockwood into one of Western Canada’s leading luxury Destination Services and wholesale tour operator companies.

Before acquiring Rockwood in 2019, Alasdair held senior leadership positions with Carlson Marketing Group, Intrawest, CHIP Hospitality, Polygon Homes, and Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, where he drove multi-million-dollar growth, brand development, and large-scale operational success. His career includes leading high-performing teams across North America, managing portfolios exceeding $500 million annually, and building brands that have shaped Canada’s tourism and resort landscape.

At Rockwood, Alasdair combines strategic vision with hands-on expertise, pioneering programs that showcase British Columbia’s & Alberta's natural, cultural, and culinary richness. Known for his high standards, business acumen, and passion for storytelling, Alasdair ensures every Rockwood experience is executed with excellence.

Co–Managing Director

Nancy Celetti

As Co-Owner and Director of Operations, Nancy brings decades of senior leadership experience in marketing, brand strategy, and business development to Rockwood Adventures. Known for her strategic clarity and operational excellence, she ensures every Rockwood experience is delivered to the highest standard of quality and care.

Before joining Rockwood, Nancy held executive roles with leading Canadian brands including Kraft Foods, Earls Restaurants, ICBC, and FDF Brandz (Ricky’s and Famoso). Across these organizations, she led national marketing teams, guided large-scale brand transformations, and drove measurable growth through data-informed strategy and creative execution.

A decisive and people-focused leader, Nancy combines vision with discipline—bridging strategy and delivery in ways that elevate every guest experience and strengthen Rockwood’s reputation as one of Western Canada’s premier destination management companies.

Director, Operations & Bookkeeping

Tonya Ylivainio

With decades of experience in operations and financial management, Tonya keeps Rockwood running with precision, organization, and care. Having worked with Rockwood since 2016, she knows the company inside and out — its systems, people, and purpose — ensuring every logistical detail aligns with Rockwood’s high operational standards.

Raised in Whistler, Tonya grew up exploring the forests and backcountry long before the trails were built. That connection to nature shaped her appreciation for the landscapes Rockwood works to showcase and protect. With a degree in Landscaping and Horticulture, Tonya approaches operations with the same sense of natural balance and thoughtful design. Her career spans roles across the travel, technology, and accounting sectors, including running her own bookkeeping firm.

Known for her precision, reliability, and deep commitment to excellence, Tonya keeps Rockwood’s operations in order, and its team supported — allowing the company’s creative and experiential excellence to flourish.

Director, Product & Business Development

Meghan Douglas

As Rockwood’s Director of Business & Product Development, Meghan blends creativity and strategy to shape the company’s most memorable experiences. With a background in User Experience Design, communications, and operations, she ensures every Rockwood product reflects the company’s commitment to authenticity, quality, and place.

Before joining Rockwood, Meghan held executive roles with a technology start-up, where she led innovation, brand development, and customer experience strategy. A former elite level soccer player, she brings the same discipline, teamwork, and drive that defined her athletic career to her leadership at Rockwood.

Her ability to turn ideas into structure and vision into reality has strengthened Rockwood’s position as one of Western Canada’s leading destination services companies. A connector at heart, Meghan builds trusted relationships, and brings passion, focus, and a people-first perspective to every project — helping Rockwood grow with purpose and integrity.

Manager, Operations

Hannah Stroud

Hannah’s combination of a Bachelor of Communications, over a decade of customer service experience, and a natural talent for connecting with people make her an excellent bridge between Rockwood’s team, partners, and guests in Vancouver.

Before joining Rockwood, she spent nine years in the restaurant industry, including management roles, overseeing staff, operations, and inventory with precision and care. Born and raised in North Vancouver, Hannah grew up exploring the forests and mountains of the North Shore. She’s also a passionate traveler who brings a global perspective to her work and an authentic appreciation for what makes BC special.

Loyal, organized, and people-focused, Hannah ensures every Rockwood experience is delivered seamlessly — with the same warmth and attention to detail that define the company.

Manager, Product & Business Development

Josh Schmitz

Josh brings a rare blend of field expertise, creative vision, and deep respect for the natural world. With a background that spans arboriculture, photography, and exploration, he plays a key role in shaping experiences that feel both grounded and thoughtfully curated.

For over a decade, Josh worked as an arborist, developing an intimate understanding of forests, ecosystems, and the environments Rockwood operates within. That hands-on experience is complemented by his work as a photographer and content creator, where he captures place, movement, and story with a keen eye for authenticity.

An off-the-beaten-path explorer at heart, Josh has traveled extensively, spending time backcountry camping, surfing, and immersing himself in wild landscapes around the world. His ability to navigate remote environments, paired with his calm, capable leadership style, ensures Rockwood’s experiences are delivered with confidence, care, and a strong sense of place.

Destination Manager – Whistler

Arthur De Jong

Arthur holds over four decades of leadership in environmental planning, resort design, and sustainable tourism. Having spent more than 40 years with Whistler Blackcomb — from a ski patroller to serving as Senior Manager of Planning and Environment — Arthur played an instrumental role in shaping one of the world’s most recognized mountain destinations.

A respected voice in climate change strategy and environmental design, Arthur has advised both public and private sectors, including the United Nations, on sustainability initiatives. His work has been recognized with more than 35 national and international awards for integrating environmental, social, and economic values into responsible tourism development.

Currently serving as a City Councillor for the Resort Municipality of Whistler, Arthur continues to advocate for the balance between people, place, and progress. His deep understanding of mountain ecosystems and his lifelong commitment to stewardship make him an invaluable part of Rockwood’s team and its mission to showcase British Columbia through thoughtful, sustainable experiences.

Destination Manager – Victoria

Daniel Parent

Daniel brings over three decades of experience in education, hospitality, and cultural interpretation. A bilingual guide and skilled organizer, he combines storytelling with strong logistical oversight to ensure every program runs seamlessly and with care.

Before joining Rockwood, Daniel spent more than 30 years as a classroom teacher and later operated his own catering and culinary education business, “Monsieur At Your Service,” where he led hands-on cooking experiences in both English and French. Since 2021, he has guided visitors through Victoria’s most iconic neighbourhoods and landmarks, offering insider tours that highlight the city’s history, architecture, and distinctive charm.

Deeply passionate about food, culture, and nature, Daniel approaches every experience as an opportunity to share the essence of Vancouver Island through story. His creativity, organization, and genuine curiosity make him a trusted leader in the field — ensuring Rockwood’s programs in Victoria are as enriching as they are memorable.

Coordinator, Operations – Alberta

Clair Thorly

Clair brings exceptional precision and calm to Rockwood’s operations as an expert in spreadsheets, logistics, and systems that keep complex programs running smoothly. With a sharp eye for detail and a natural ability to organize moving parts, she plays a key role behind the scenes—ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and clarity across planning and execution.

Based in Calgary, Clair moved to Canada from the UK in 2009 and proudly became a Canadian citizen in 2016. After a skiing accident in early 2016 that left her permanently in a wheelchair, she approaches life with resilience, adaptability, and momentum—qualities that are deeply reflected in her work. Outside of Rockwood, her interests span live music and sport, fibre arts, reading, travel, and designing and 3D-printing imaginative creations.

Clair’s solution-driven approach brings clarity, consistency, and creative problem-solving to every project.

Coordinator, Operations – Alberta

Myrna Batten

Myrna’s role as Rockwood’s Operations Coordinator based in Alberta, brings together her love for nature, her eye for detail, and her talent for organization. Drawing on her experience in insurance, government, and event coordination, she ensures every program is delivered smoothly, efficiently, and to Rockwood’s exacting standards.

Before joining Rockwood, Myrna spent five years as an insurance broker, where she honed her skills in client service, logistics, and operational management. She continues to give back to her community through her work with Elections Canada and coordinates large local events throughout the year. Myrna also grew up surrounded by horses and began riding at the age of three. She later guided trail rides in Whistler— experiences that deepened her connection to nature and adventure.

Dependable, detail-oriented, and a true adventurer, Myrna brings structure, care, and authenticity to every Rockwood experience she supports.

Our Tourism Philosophy

Rockwood is committed to Sustainable & Regenerative Tourism.

Sustainability

  • Considerate of the environment and purposefully designed experiences to ‘tread lightly on the land”.
  • Always incorporating learnings about the preservation of our cultures, plants, animals and overall planet’s ecosystems.
  • Serve Culinary products, whenever possible that are; organic, med-free, non-GMO, OceanWise®, humanely raised and farmed.

Local Community Impact

  • Financially support the Vancouver and North Vancouver parks that are home to many of Rockwood tours.
  • Employ local guides and experts.
  • Design tours that support local businesses including retail and restaurants.

Our Values

At RADS, our values are woven into every experience we offer. We build lasting relationships on a foundation of integrity of intention, trust, loyalty and kindness.
We take pride in the details — because true excellence lives in the smallest moments. Hospitality and happiness are at the heart of who we are.

Integrity

Excellence in Every Detail

Friendly & Caring

Exceptional Value

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