Staff Team

OSI provides the broadest range of expertise available on outdoor education and recreation risk management. The growing OSI team includes field safety, program management and human resource experts as well as an on-staff attorney, physician, nurse, and insurance consultant. All team members have extensive professional experience with outdoor safety and wilderness risk management.

Alex Kosseff is the founder of the Outdoor Safety Institute and author of both editions of the AMC Guide to Outdoor Leadership. He has conducted risk management reviews of over 50 outdoor education, adventure, and conservation programs. The former Leadership and Volunteer Relations Director for the Appalachian Mountain Club, Alex developed risk management systems for that organization’s 9,000 annual volunteer and professionally led outdoor programs. He continues to work in the field as an outdoor educator and instructor trainer. More»

Ryan Van Luit works directly with clients during OSI's review process in addition to assisting with the development of OSI's online safety assessment. Since 1998 he's accrued well over 1000 field days with Outward Bound and the National Outdoor Leadership School among other organizations. Ryan has directed courses, trained staff, led teams and managed groups of all ages and backgrounds. Additionally, Ryan has worked as a ski patrol avalanche technician and EMT. His professional and personal pursuits have taken him on mountain, desert, river, and ocean adventures throughout the U.S. and abroad. Ryan holds Avalanche 2, LNT trainer, and WEMT certifications.

 Cody Harris is the Director of the Whitewater Rescue Institute.  He has been kayaking for over 20 years and is a former member of the U.S. Kayak Olympic Development Team. He has spent the past two decades working and playing on as many rivers as possible. At the Whitewater Rescue Institute, Cody is responsible for program and curriculum development, and still gets out in the water as an instructor. In the off-season, Cody works as an EMT and ski-patroller, and teaches wilderness medicine for Aerie Backcountry Medicine.

Ted Fedyk is founder and vice president of Outdoor Educators Insurance & Risk Management. For the past eight years Ted and OEI have specialized in creating custom insurance & safety programs for those working in the outdoor industry. Prior to founding OEI Ted worked as an underwriter writing insurance polices for Safeco, Chubb and Great American. Ted holds the highest designation in the insurance field (CPCU). Playing in and conserving the outdoors is Ted's passion. Living in Montana, he enjoys time in the outdoors with his wife, Tara, and their four children.

John Fair is the director of EPIC Adventures, Eastern Washington University's outdoor program. He has worked as an outdoor educator since 1998 including extended adventure trips with at-risk populations, guided commercial whitewater rafting trips, and training and staff development for a therapeutic wilderness program. Most recently, John has focused on program management and consulting, most often with climbing facilities. John is an EMT, WFR, LNT Master Educator, course provider for the Professional Climbing Instructor. Association, and former ACA Whitewater Raft Guide Instructor.

Additional staff members information coming soon!

• Moe Witschard: Our pro photographer friend shot several of the images on this site.
• Jenny LePage & Bozeman Massage Therapy: Support of the OSI Launch Party and much more.
• Carlos Aguilar Campos: Created OSI logo concept.
• Angie Mangels: Print design from Rip it Up Chick!