Meet Our Operations Team
Both front-line and behind the scenes, our operations team is the backbone to Esprit's success! The office and reservation staff are the energetic and friendly voices on the other end of the telephone and the friendly faces that great you upon arrival at Esprit's basecamp. They coordinate all the programs, packages and accommodations and answer any questions you might have. Our kitchen and bar staff ensure that we maintain the highest quality of delicious and healthy meals for our guests and staff. The basecamp staff run vital logistics on site and maintain the cleanliness of our basecamp. Every member of this operations team will bend over backwards to ensure your experience with Esprit is unforgettable!
Dennis Blaedow -"The Bear"
Public Relations
"A rain storm starts with one drop."
Hometown: Cobden, ON
Working at Esprit since: forever!
Hobbies/Interests: Cars, motorcycles, coins, local history, tourism, saving the planet or a least a little part of it!
Favourite Food: Thai & Tabouli
Favourite River(s): The 3 Sisters – Colounge, Noire & Dumoin
Roxanne Kluke - "Sann"
General Manager
"Peace, harmony and lower gas prices please."
Hometown: Campbell's Bay, QC
Working at Esprit since: 1995
Favourite Food: Delicious food with wine!
Hobbies/Interests: Fishing, hunting and the challenge of raising 3 teenage boys!
Favourite River: Actopan River, Mexico
Sarah Bertrand – “Sar”
Office Manager
“I enjoy seeing returning faces every year.”
Hometown: Vinton, QC – local gal, born and raised in the Pontiac!
Working at Esprit since: 2006 but part of the family since 1996.
Training/Education: Accounting & Forestry Technician
Brian Johnston – “BJ”
Project Manager/Dinner Captain
“I like working in the industry for the opportunity to meet people from all aspects of life.”
Hometown: Kapuskasing, ON
Working at Esprit since: 1999
Hobbies/Interests: Scuba diving and hiking
Favourite River: Kipawa
Places Traveled: Honduras, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, England, Scotland, Germany and most of Canada!
Training/Education: Technical college and 27 years in the Military.
Katie Hambly – “Katers”
Marketing Director
“River, lake or ocean - living and working near the water is great for the soul!”
Hometown: Kitchener, ON
Working at Esprit since: 2004
Hobbies/Interests: Yoga, kayaking and travel – next up surfing and photography!
Places traveled: Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Costa Rica, Chile, Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, all over Europe, Turkey, Russia… and most recently Cuba.
Training/Education: BAH European Studies from the University of Guelph, Post-grad certificate in Eco-Adventure Tourism Management from Sir Sanford Fleming College, bits and pieces of a Graphic Design Certificate from Algonquin College.
Jenna McGuire
Bartender/Basecamp
“I love the people I work for and with and I like working on International dinner nights at Esprit for the chance to meet different people from different places.”
Hometown: Chapeau, QC
Working at Esprit since: 2006
Favourite River: The Futaleufu, Chile
Training/Education: Studying “Police Foundations”
Louis Lejeune – “Lou”
Office Staff
“Let it out to let it in”
Hometown: Fort Coulonge, QC
Working at Esprit since: 2008
Hobbies/Interests: screenwriting, hockey, golf
Places Traveled: Germany, Edmonton, Petawawa, Halifax, Darthmouth, Oromocto, Ottawa!
Manon Beaubien
Bartender
“If the good lord had intended us to walk he wouldn’t have invented roller-skates!”
Hometown: Desjardinsville, QC
Working at Esprit since: 2007
Hobbies/Interests: long-boarding, sailing, concerts, cooking, photography
Favourite Food: Thai