Philip Grymes – Director of Outdoor Chattanooga

A native of Richmond Virginia, Philip Grymes moved to Chattanooga in 1996 to work in the recreation field as an outdoor experiential educator.  He received a B.S. in outdoor recreation from Ferrum College in Ferrum, VA and has worked in both the public and private sectors as an outdoor instructor and community event organizer.  Since joining Outdoor Chattanooga as the Executive director in 2006, Philip has relished the task of promoting Chattanooga and the surrounding area as an outdoor recreation destination.  Philip’s interests mirror his work; when away from the office he enjoys camping, hiking, hunting, cycling, paddling, and fishing with his wife Jenn and daughter Perrin.

Terri Chapin – Program Coordinator

Terri Chapin joined Outdoor Chattanooga in 2010 as Outdoor Programs Coordinator.  She holds over 25 years of experience in teaching youth and adults a broad range of outdoor skills and has dedicated her career to adventure-based education. Terri built her love of the outdoors in the mountains and rivers in 27 states and 2 countries, specializing in whitewater kayaking where she literally cut her teeth leading whitewater river trips.  Inspired by the power of experiential education she earned a Master’s in Recreation Management and an undergraduate degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Ohio University. When not in the office, Terri can be found mountain biking, kayaking or exploring the next adventure.

Sunshine Loveless – Customer Relations Specialist

Sunshine joined Outdoor Chattanooga in 2014 as a Recreation Specialist. Originally from Kansas, she fell in love with Chattanooga and discovered her passion for the outdoors while working as a raft guide on the Ocoee River. She earned a Bachelor’s degree from Maryville College and went on to serve as a caseworker with the Department of Children’s Services for 9 years. During that time, Sunshine played women’s full contact football with the Chattanooga Locomotion, and in 2010, she won a gold medal with Team USA in the first ever Women’s World Championship! She joined Outdoor Chattanooga full time as the Customer Relations Specialist in 2016. When she’s not in the office giving advice and promoting all the awesome outdoor activities available in Chattanooga, she’s out having an adventure of her own. She loves mountain biking, paddle boarding, hiking, and camping. She believes she has the best job ever in the Best Town Ever!

James Eubank – Recreation Specialist

James grew up jumping BMX bikes and biking narrow highways in west Tennessee. He moved to Chattanooga to attend UTC, where he earned his degree in Sport and Leisure Administration with a concentration in Outdoor Recreation. After moving to Chattanooga, he invested in his first mountain bike and fell in love with the trails at Raccoon. He also discovered and came to appreciate the world-class rock climbing areas, the scenic whitewater rivers and creeks, remote camping spots, miles of hiking trails, and, of course, all the amazing people in Chattanooga that inspire others to play outside. James sought a career and lifestyle that feeds his love of outdoor recreation and impacts people the same way its impacted him by joining Outdoor Chattanooga in 2012 as a Recreation Specialist.

Riley Kurtts – Recreation Specialist

Riley joined the Outdoor Chattanooga Team in June of 2018. He’s from Mobile, Alabama and loves anything to do with water (salt or fresh)! Riley attended The University of Mississippi where he received a degree in parks & recreation management and then went on to The University of Texas at San Antonio and completed a master’s in higher education administration.  His background is in collegiate outdoor recreation and education and is excited to bring his experience to the City of Chattanooga. When he’s not leading trips for Outdoor Chattanooga, Riley’s out exploring Tennessee’s teeming landscape of hills and waterways.

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Outdoor Chattanooga is a unique division of the City of Chattanooga’s Department of Economic and Community Development. Established in 2004, our mission is to make outdoor recreation an attractive, healthy, and distinguishing lifestyle for Chattanooga’s residents and visitors, which, in turn, will maintain and enhance the value of the region’s resources, and help grow the region’s economy.

Friends of Outdoor Chattanooga, Inc., was incorporated in December 2007, and designated as a 501(c)3 charitable organization to support the City of Chattanooga’s Outdoor Chattanooga division with its mission. Friends of Outdoor Chattanooga is a volunteer run organization that relies completely on the financial support of private citizens, grant funding agencies and the business community. Specifically, Friends of Outdoor Chattanooga works to preserve, protect and promote outdoor recreation opportunities through education, activities and events.