Active Water Sports Staff
Boat Sales
Chantel Herbert
Oregon City AWS
NameChantelHerbert
TitleOregon City AWS
Watersport of choice?
Slalom skiing, of course!
What do you like most about working at AWS?
The people. Coworkers, customers, the boating community in the area. Every day is SO MUCH FUN.
What’s your favorite current product sold at AWS?
I just got an O'Neill zip-up neo top and it's the best thing ever.
What are your hobbies outside of work?
Waterskiing, rock climbing, reading, dog mom.
When did you start at Active?
April 2014.
Brad Hannah
Oregon City AWS
NameBradHannah
TitleOregon City AWS
Watersport of choice?
Surfing and Ocean surfing
What do you like most about working at AWS?
The people, the crew and work environment. It’s not a bad day when you get to go out on the water almost every day
What’s your favorite current product sold at AWS?
The new Malibu M230
What are your hobbies outside of work?
Being a dad and husband, Jiu Jitsu, and dog dad
When did you start at Active?
October 2022
Greg Waters
Canby AWS
NameGregWaters
TitleCanby AWS
Greg has been with Active Water Sports for 18 years and the Nautique Brand Manager since 2013. Greg works at our Canby location.
Watersport of choice?
I like to ride anything that can be pulled behind a boat.
Favorite place to ride/boat?
Upper Wilammette.
What do you do for fun?
Other than boating and hanging out on the river, I can be found on the GOLF course
What do you love most about working at AWS?
I really like working for a shop that has the history AWS has, great coworkers, customers and just a great environment.
Keeton Breitbach
Redmond AWS
NameKeetonBreitbach
TitleRedmond AWS
Watersport of choice?
Wakeboarding.
Favorite place to ride?
Lake Powell.
What do you like most about working at AWS?
The family environment and the mutual love for watersports and boats.
Favorite current product?
Liquid Force Primo surfboard.
Hobbies outside of work?
Wakeboarding, surfing and skiing! Also, hanging out with my dog and girlfriend.
When did you start?
October 2021.
Tommy Cogswell
Redmond AWS
NameTommyCogswell
TitleRedmond AWS
Watersport of choice?
Foiling!
What do you like most about working at AWS?
I love our team, everyday I come to work I am pumped to be doing what I love with such rad people.
What’s your favorite current product sold at AWS?
I am obsessed with ALL of our boat brands.
What are your hobbies outside of work?
Skiing, Snowmobiling, Dirt biking, kickin’ it with friends and family
When did you start at Active?
March 2025
Lindsey Tucker
Finance Specialist
NameLindseyTucker
TitleFinance Specialist
Watersport of choice?
Boating in general, but otherwise wakeboarding.
Favorite place to ride/boat?
Lake Billy Chinook.
What do you like most about working at AWS?
It's sincerely the best group of people to work with, and I get to have fun every day.
What’s your favorite current product sold at AWS?
The Ronix Quarter 'Til Midnight & Halo Bindings.
What are your hobbies outside of work?
Hiking, camping, snowboarding, concerts and anything with my dog.
When did you start at AWS?
I originally worked here from August 2015 to August 2018, and then I returned in August 2020.
Sarah
Title Clerk
NameSarah
TitleTitle Clerk
Watersport of choice?
I’m not sure if lounging in the bow catching some rays counts as a watersport, but if it does, you might consider me a “professional bowrider.”
Favorite place to ride/boat?
Willamette River, Detroit Lake and Woahink Lake.
What do you like most about working at AWS?
Being able to serve the community and love what I do!
What’s your favorite current product sold at AWS?
Sign me up for a shiny metal flake boat!
What are your hobbies outside of work?
Enjoying family time on the water, gardening, cooking and travel.
When did you start at AWS?
March 2021.
Leadership
Warren Freece
Owner
NameWarrenFreece
TitleOwner
Dan Lay
Oregon City AWS
General Manager
NameDan Lay
TitleOregon City AWS
General Manager
Dan has been at Active Water Sports since 2007, making his start in retail. Now, Dan manages the staff and creative direction for the company. He has a knack for relating with people who share a similar passion for watersports.
Watersport of choice?
I love to wakeskate behind my 2000 Malibu Sunsetter.
Favorite place to ride/boat?
Lake Shasta, CA.
What do you do for fun?
Go boating with my wife and two little girls, snowboarding and bass fishing.
What do you love most about working at AWS?
I have never woken up a single day in the last 10 years and dreaded the thought of going to work.
Service
Jeremy Spriggs
Canby AWS
Service Director
NameJeremySpriggs
TitleCanby AWS
Service Director
Jeremy has been on the Active Water Sports team since 2013, serving in a variety of roles within our boat sales and service departments. Jeremy is our Service Manager and works at the Oregon City location.
Watersport of choice?
Wakesurf and wakeskate.
Favorite place to ride/boat?
Upper Willamette River.
What do you do for fun?
I like to travel with my wife Sarah, I have grown up skateboarding, anything outdoors, live music, hanging with friends and family.
What do you love most about working at AWS?
I like that Active Water Sports cares about us as employees. When you work at Active you are part of a family and not just another number in the system. I love making a decision and watching it pan out and have a real affect on the business!
Cooper Smith
Canby AWS
Shop Foreman
NameCooper Smith
TitleCanby AWS
Shop Foreman
Watersport of choice?
Wakeboarding.
What do you like most about working at AWS?
I enjoy working in a place where everyone has similar interests as me.
What’s your favorite current product sold at AWS?
The Slingshot wakeboard lineup.
What are your hobbies outside of work?
I enjoy working on my car and snowboarding.
When did you start at Active?
November 2018.
Dave Raffety
Canby AWS
Parts Manager
NameDaveRaffety
TitleCanby AWS
Parts Manager
Watersport of choice?
Wakeboarding.
What do you like most about working at AWS?
Being around boats and boat people.
What’s your favorite current product sold at AWS?
The Ronix One Timebomb.
What are your hobbies outside of work?
Traveling, skiing, going to concerts and cooking.
When did you start at Active?
1988.
Cory Wiese
Canby AWS
Lead Technician
NameCoryWiese
TitleCanby AWS
Lead Technician
Watersport of choice?
I mostly drive and fix the boats, I suck at everything else.
What do you like most about working at AWS?
The friendly coworker environment, and I like the fact that I’ve been able to grow within the company over the years.
What’s your favorite current product sold at AWS?
Axis boats.
What are your hobbies outside of work?
I play music in a couple bands around town, and I have four dogs that take up most of my time.
When did you start at Active?
2004.
Brett Jackson
Canby AWS
Lead Technician
NameBrettJackson
TitleCanby AWS
Lead Technician
Watersport of choice?
Wakeboarding.
What do you like most about working at AWS?
Seeing all the new boats and hanging out with the crew.
What’s your favorite current product sold at AWS?
Nautique boats.
What are your hobbies outside of work?
Working on cars and snowboarding.
When did you start at Active?
2015.
Ben Darrow
Oregon City AWS
Service Writer
NameBenDarrow
TitleOregon City AWS
Service Writer
Watersport of choice?
Wakeboarding.
What do you like most about working at AWS?
The boats and the people.
What’s your favorite current product sold at AWS?
Supra boats.
What are your hobbies outside of work?
Obstacle course racing.
When did you start at Active?
March 2018.
David Volodko
Oregon City AWS
Boat Service Technician
NameDavidVolodko
TitleOregon City AWS
Boat Service Technician
Dennis Padloujnyi
Oregon City AWS
Gel Coat Technician
NameDennisPadloujnyi
TitleOregon City AWS
Gel Coat Technician
Watersport of choice?
Wakeboarding, paddle boarding, surfing and jet skiing.
What do you like most about working at AWS?
Having the freedom to get out on the water.
What’s your favorite current product sold at AWS?
Life vests and service parts.
What are your hobbies outside of work?
Action sports and working on cars.
When did you start at Active?
February 2018.
Jaren Dewald
Oregon City AWS
Lead Gel Coat Technician
NameJarenDewald
TitleOregon City AWS
Lead Gel Coat Technician
Watersport of choice?
Surfing.
What do you like most about working at AWS?
Learning new things and comradery.
What’s your favorite current product sold at AWS?
Axis boats.
What are your hobbies outside of work?
Hunting, fishing and riding quads.
When did you start at Active?
March 2009.
John Blake
Redmond AWS
Service Manager
NameJohnBlake
TitleRedmond AWS
Service Manager
Watersport of choice?
Surfing.
What do you like most about working at AWS?
Never having to do the same thing every day.
What’s your favorite current product sold at AWS?
Axis boats.
What are your hobbies outside of work?
Fishing, hunting and camping.
When did you start at Active?
2006.
Octavio Acevedo
Redmond AWS
Boat Service Technician
NameOctavio Acevedo
TitleRedmond AWS
Boat Service Technician
Retail
Summer
Oregon City AWS
Pro Shop Manager
NameSummer
TitleOregon City AWS
Pro Shop Manager
Watersport of choice?
Wakeboarding.
Favorite place to ride/boat?
Anywhere on the Willamette with my homies!
What do you like most about working at AWS?
The amazing relationships our whole team has and how much fun we have at and outside of work together!
What’s your favorite current product sold at AWS?
The Ronix QTM with Signature boots! My current wake setup!
What are your hobbies outside of work?
Snowboarding, camping and of course BOATING!
When did you start at AWS?
2018.
Nash Rausen
Oregon City AWS
Pro Shop/Flite Board Sales
NameNashRausen
TitleOregon City AWS
Pro Shop/Flite Board Sales
Nash went to school at Lees Mcrae College in North Carolina where he played D1 men's volleyball. He graduated in 2020 and returned home to the Pacific Northwest. Nash works at our Oregon City and Portland locations helping customers find the right gear to make sure their days on the water are more enjoyable!
Watersport of choice? Wakeboarding
Favorite place to ride/boat? Lake Billy Chinook
What do you like most about working at AWS? Working with great coworkers and talking with customers!
What's your favorite current product sold at AWS? The AWS key float.
What are your hobbies outside of work? Volleyball, wakeboarding and anything else on the leisure side.
When did you start at AWS? February 2021.
Miles Johnson
Portland AWS
Creative Director
NameMilesJohnson
TitlePortland AWS
Creative Director
Watersport of choice?
Surfing.
What do you like most about working at AWS?
My coworkers.
What’s your favorite current product sold at AWS?
Nautique GS24.
What are your hobbies outside of work?
Skiing, skateboarding and graphic design.
When did you start at Active?
October 31, 2018.
Drew
Portland AWS
Buyer/E-Commerce Manager
NameDrew
TitlePortland AWS
Buyer/E-Commerce Manager
Drew recently graduated from the University of Oregon where he studied business and marketing. Go Ducks! A lifelong boater, he started out on double ski trainers and has done everything from kneeboards to wakeboarding and surfing. Look out for him at 10th St. after work getting a wakeboard set in, he is the dude going big and sending it!
Watersport of choice? Wakeboarding.
Favorite place to ride/boat? Lake Shasta.
What do you like most about working at AWS? It feels like family here. We're all passionate about the boating community. Everyone goes above and beyond to serve our customers.
What's your favorite current product sold at AWS? Ronix RXT wakeboard.
What are your hobbies outside of work? Wakeboarding, wakesurfing, snowboarding, hiking, working out - anything to stay active... and spending time with my family & friends.
When did you start at AWS? June 2019.