Our Crew
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Ian Powell - CEO and founder of Kilter, Ian is a veteran shaper and fine artist with decades of climbing, setting, and shaping experience. Ian has shaped thousands of grips for some of the biggest companies in the game (did you know he founded e-Grips in the mid-90s?) and is widely regarded to be one of the best shapers in the world. If you have climbed in a gym, most likely you have already enjoyed his designs. Since his return to the climbing industry in 2013 he has continued to push new ideas and has built one of the largest hold lines in the world in a few short years with Kilter and the Kilter Board Adjustable Light-Up System. In 2020 Ian was featured on the BBC Outlook Radio Program, which you can listen to here: Ian Powell BBC Radio Email: ian@kiltergrips.com |
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Jackie Hueftle - COO and co-founder of Kilter, Jackie is also co-founder of the Routesetting Institute, CWA Board Member, CWA Routsetting Committee Chair, Bolt and Revolt Board Member, and USAC Nationally-certified level 4 setter. She has been setting and working in the climbing industry since 1998 including several years as Head Setter of The Spot Gym in Boulder and several years of Chief Setter for Woman Up. She has set, written about, and commentated on major competitions for magazines and podcasts. She learned to boulder in Bishop, is a guide in Hueco, loves sport climbing at Smith, and has competed for the US Junior World Team, sent 5.13c (not at Smith though!) and V-double digits and put up new problems on a variety of rock types. Check out her article on the History of Climbing Holds for Vertical Life's Routesetter Magazine Issue 2. Email: sales@kiltergrips.com |
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Griffin Whiteside - Kilter CFO Griffin is a route setter, prominent outdoor first ascentionist, and one of the strongest underground boulderers in the world. Since he started with Kilter in 2015, Griffin has been an integral part of the company and now he manages many aspects of the business. When he's not at the office he's usually seeking out and sending boulder problems all over Colorado and spending time with his wife and their dog. Griff does anything and everything and is available for all questions, accounting or otherwise. Email: griffin@kiltergrips.com. |
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Kiel Mahar - Our Hold Sales and Kilter Board expert who also manages special projects and partnerships. Kiel created the annual Kilter Board Festival and contributed significantly to development and layout of the original Kilter Board and the new Home Board. He has been climbing for over 20 years, is a guide in Hueco, and has traveled all over the world to climb and do social projects. He also comes with Grimwig, who is the tiniest employee and manages the mailman, dropped snacks, and sunny spots. Email: holds@kiltergrips.com. |
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Hendrik Pot - Cinematographer Hendrik Pot is a longtime climber who grew up in (and still coaches) gymnastics and is now pursuing his passions of photography and videography in Boulder, CO. He's spends time at Kilter and UP every week filming setting videos with Connor and documenting some of our day-to-day and special projects. Find him on instagram @pothendrik12 |
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In Memorium - Keith Dickey - To our great sadness, friend, shaper, and US Sales Rep Keith Dickey passed away in 2018 after a battle with cancer. Kilter will continue to sell Keith's hold lines - Stella and Moses - and will continue to pay his royalty to his family for every set sold. | |
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Kaleb Thomas - International/Canada - Kaleb is a sought after competition setter and for the past 10 years has been one of the most active traveling setters in North America. His high energy approach has helped elevate events around the world including IFSC World Cups, Nationals, International Pro Events, and Continental Championships. Kaleb is currently based out of at Bloc Shop, one of North America's most respected climbing facilities known for it's high level routesetting. He has lived all across Canada and worked at many well known facilities where he gained knowledge and experience as his career has progressed. Kaleb has been working with Kilter and Urban Plastix since 2015 and is available for consultations on all things setting and holds. Email: kaleb@kiltergrips.com |
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Peter Juhl - Shaper for Urban Plastix - Urban Plastix head designer and sculpture artist who is also in new product and technique development. When he's not out exploring Colorado's great outdoors he's usually in the workshop, but if you have questions about his grips or want to talk to him he's around. Try him on instagram @urbanplastix or mail design@kiltergrips.com and we'll make sure he gets it. | |
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Kevin Cuckovich - Kevin Cuckovich has been a key figure in Kilter’s journey since the very beginning. As a longtime setter and friend, he's contributed in countless ways by providing invaluable input on the Kilter Board development and testing. Kevin is also an outstanding personal trainer, though he currently reserves his expertise for friends. Recently, he’s been driving the Kilter Board Verification project, which will soon be featured on the Kilter Board App. Kevin’s companion in all of this is his familiar, Cobalt. | |
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Skylar Drakos - Head of Installation Team & Molding Specialist Skylar grew up in Breckenridge, Colorado, where he spent his winters skiing and his summers climbing. He took a six-year hiatus to pursue his love for the mountains through running, but his passion for climbing was reignited after spending a winter in Oregon and climbing at Smith Rock. Now back in Colorado, he dedicates his time to tackling challenging boulders in Park and at Mount Blue Sky. If there’s one thing to know about Skylar, it’s that he loves his bougie coffee. Skylar’s diverse life experiences have ultimately led him to join our team. When he's not traveling to install boards, he's here assisting with molding holds and lending a hand wherever needed. Email: skylar@kiltergrips.com |
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Photo Credit: Wills Young |
Rami Annab — Originally from Raleigh, NC, I began climbing in 2003 and transitioned into route setting in 2007. My passion for climbing started as a “gym rat,” and I have been enamored with climbing holds from an early age. Currently, I work for Kilter Grips, contributing to both the studio and warehouse. I enjoy hiking and discovering new climbing areas, and I have had the opportunity to compete and set routes for numerous USA Climbing events throughout my career. Email: rami@kiltergrips.com |
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Photo Credit: Taylor Shaffer |
Emily Korth — Emily Korth’s passion for climbing stems from her love of the outdoors. While she was a competitive gymnast for many of her formative years, she immediately felt at home within the climbing community while attending Clemson University. Emily graduated with a Bachelor in Fine Arts with an emphasis in ceramics and photography and currently also works as a freelance artist. Over the years, Emily’s involvement within the climbing community has evolved from competition climbing to becoming a climbing guide in Oregon, as well as routesetting, running clinics and climbing specific training courses. Nowadays, when she’s not working, Emily spends most of her free time sport climbing in Rifle Mountain Park. She considers herself to be a kneebar and chossy limestone connoisseur. At Kilter, Emily enjoys a wide array of responsibilities including product photography and loves the problem solving and diversity of tasks that are an inherent part of working for small bada$$ businesses. Email: emily@kiltergrips.com |
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Helen Gillett — Originally from Cambridge, Massachusetts, Helen moved to Colorado in January 2024 to dive into the world of competition climbing and to try being more chill. Currently working part-time at Kilter while enjoying a period of "funemployment," she is deeply appreciative of the climbing community and spaces like the Kilter studio that nurture it. When she's not scaling walls, Helen finds joy in knitting, biking, crafting, hammocking, and eating gummies. She’s always excited to meet new people, so don’t hesitate to say hi if you see her around! Instagram: @helengillett |
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Kasia Pietras — Kasia began her climbing journey in 1996, quickly establishing herself as a formidable competitor in both youth and adult events, nationally and internationally. Her dedication paid off when she secured 4th place in Speed at the Youth World Championships in 2005. Beyond competition, Kasia is an accomplished outdoor climber, having ascended V12 and 5.13c routes. Originally from Chicago, Kasia moved to Chattanooga for college, where she not only completed her degree but also became the owner of Tennessee Boulder Authority (TBA), a well-regarded climbing gym. Her passion for routesetting led her to achieve USAC Level 4 certification and, in 2018, she took on the role of Director of Route Setting at Metrorock. In 2014, Kasia took on a unique challenge, working as a sales representative for Kilter while living out of a Sprinter Van and climbing around the country. Her connection to Kilter remained strong, and in July 2023, she joined the team full-time to manage the Kilter Studio. In her current role, Kasia contributes to marketing, fulfills orders, and tackles various projects with the same enthusiasm that has driven her entire career. Email: studio@kiltergrips.com or Instagram: @peeches88 |