About Us

Denny Gienger

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Denny Gienger has been a part of Black Hills Adventure Tours since 2019. As a tour guide Denny loves being able to share his interest and knowledge of the area with others. Denny has always been a history buff, and is especially fascinated with SD history. Having the ability to bring that history to life and create a memorable experience is why Denny loves his work. Denny’s favorite thing about working at Black Hills Adventure Tours is his fellow guides. Each of our guides truly loves what they do and works hard to give each and every guest the experience of a lifetime.  When Denny isn’t hanging out at Sylvan Lake or Roughlock Falls in the Black Hills you can find him spending his winters in sunny Arizona working on his golf game.

Julie Gienger

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Julie Gienger has been a part of the Black Hills Adventure Tours family since 2005! Julie is the mother of Carrie Gerlach, owner and founder of Black Hills Adventure Tours. Julie got involved to help her daughter explore her new adventure but has stuck around because she loves seeing the smiles on the faces of guests while they enjoy the Black Hills. Julie loves working at Black Hills Adventure Tours because of the environment. She says all the staff loves getting together outside of work and they are one big happy family. Outside of work, Julie enjoys experimenting in the kitchen and making her friends and family taste test her creations.

Jamie McSherry

 

Jamie McSherry has been a guide at Black Hills Adventure Tours since 2021. He joined this team for the ability to make a living doing something he loved! His favorite part is showing families the beautiful area and helping them create memories for life.  Once Jamie had the honor of taking a married couple in their 80’s on a 5-mile hike for their 50th Anniversary. In his spare time you can catch Jamie hiking, camping, and on road trips.

Al Maas

 

Al moved to the Black Hills over 30 years ago and was taken in by the beauty and the history. Working and playing in the hills only expanded his quest to find answers about the land and the characters that roamed this area. Al followed his dream of writing a book about the area around and in the Black Hills of South Dakota, but also followed that up with a tour explaining the historical sites and the stories that go with it. The book, The Kind Whisper, is based on the Mystery of the Thoen Stone. Al’s guarantee- You will come away with an appreciation for history, a great time, a story of your own and a desire to come back for more! Al is mostly thankful for Carrie giving him this opportunity to take a break from being the Head Pimento Stuffer at the local olive factory!

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KNBN interview

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Aura Plooster

 

Aura joined the Black Hills Adventure Tours team in February of 2023 with a passion for adventure and a deep desire to have a job that would keep me active and connected with the outdoors. It's been an incredible journey being part of this remarkable team. What she cherishes the most about working at Black Hills Adventure Tours is the opportunity to share the rich history and breathtaking geography of the Black Hills with our guests. There's a profound sense of satisfaction in introducing others to the beauty of this region. When she’s not guiding tours, you'll often find her immersed in outdoor activities like volleyball, swimming, hiking, and rock hunting, all of which keep her close to nature and energized. Additionally, she enjoys maintaining a side gig as a dog sitter and house sitter, providing a service to the local community. It's all about embracing life's adventures, both on and off the job.

Jacki Welbig

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Jacki, a recent retiree from a 20-year career in the electric industry, found her dream job in Black Hills Adventure Tours.  The criteria for this dream job were working outside, working with people, and doing something she really enjoyed.  After reaching out to Carrie (owner/founder), Jacki was hired on as a tour guide, which was a great fit for both Jacki and the company. After finishing college, Jacki had intentionally chosen to live in the Black Hills as she fell in love with the area after a visit when she was 14 years old. Working as a tour guide allows Jacki to share her passion and wisdom of the Black Hills area with every new person she meets.

 

“I truly love giving tours and feel I was born to do this. Each tour is an adventure for me as I get to meet people from all over and learn something from them also. Safe travels, and I look forward to meeting you!!!” - Jacki

Tammy Field

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Tammy Field has been a bus driver for Black Hills adventure Tours since 2018. Her favorite part about working at Black Hills Adventure Tours is working with her amazing boss Carrie and getting the opportunity to meet new people. Some of her favorite memories from working at Black Hills Adventure Tours are getting to see all the motorcycles in the area from all over the United States. In her free time, Tammy enjoys taking her Jeep for a ride in the hills and crocheting.

Kevin Dorsman

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Kevin Dorsman is an adventure guide, a full time English teacher and a self-proclaimed “rad guy”. He has been a part of the Black Hills Adventure Tours team since 2016. He loves the job because he has the ability to share his passion of the Black Hills with visitors. As a lover of adventure, Kevin’s favorite tours are those with clients that are willing to step outside the box. In his free time Kevin is an artist, musician, rock climber and snowboarder. His favorite place in the Black Hills is deep in the Cathedral Spires. If you are looking for a fun, action-packed adventure, Kevin is your guy!

Michael Wickwire

 

Michael Wickwire has been at Black hills Adventure Tours since 2018. He is Carrie’s assistant. Starting out by helping Carrie with transportation, Michael then moved into a support role. “Carrie is very knowledgeable and passionate about what she does, and I wanted to help grow her business and support her.

Mickey Higgins

 

Mickey Higgins has been on the Black Hills Adventure Tours since 2019. She became interested in this job when she had the opportunity to be outdoors and share the area with visitors. She also enjoys the flexibility that allows her to work part-time. She says her boss Carrie is a jewel. She will work to provide you all the tools to ensure our visitors have the best time. Mickey’s favorite tour was with a group of young men using their phones to call birds, and actually succeeded at calling in a few!

Robby Chavira

 

Robby Chavira is a tour guide, our bike equipment manager, and a sorter of UPS. This job caught Robby’s eye because it involved his love of the outdoors. He looks forward to having customers that are seeking an unforgettable adventure and vacation. Robby has been a tour guide at Black Hills Adventure tours since 2008. Although Robby keeps his secret locations in the hills a secret you can often find time biking, fishing, hunting, trail running, mushroom hunting and more!

Mike Foust

 

Mike has been a tour guide with Black Hills Adventure Tours since 2023. His favorite part about working for Black Hills Adventure Tours is meeting people from everywhere and learning about their professions. Mike’s favorite memory from a tour is the time a customer praised him for everything except one thing—there was no goat. Lo and behold, soon enough, Mike looks over and says, "Well, here you go," and a goat is coming up the hill. Mike became a tour guide because he loves the work and meeting all the new people on the tours. As a long-time resident of the Black Hills, he is an asset with extensive knowledge of the area. In addition to meeting new people on the Black Hills tours, Mike’s favorite hobbies include both dirt biking and regular biking.

Justin Theurer

 

Justin Theurer is a North America based wildlife photographer, guide, and

educator with over 12 years of photography experience and a decade

specializing in wildlife. He leads immersive field experiences designed to

build both technical skill and confidence, breaking complex techniques into

approachable, actionable steps for participants. Drawing on his experience

observing wildlife behavior and ethical field practices, Justin helps

photographers deepen their connection to nature while capturing compelling

images. A U.S. Navy veteran and graduate of the University of Montana in

Environmental Studies, Justin has long been driven by curiosity and respect

for the natural world. His work began in Yellowstone National Park, where he

found a landscape that serves as both classroom and canvas, inspiring him

to guide and teach others internationally in locations such as Uganda, Africa.

Justin’s teaching philosophy emphasizes patience, awareness, and

confidence behind the camera. He strives to create experiences where

participants not only improve their skills but also gain a deeper

understanding of wildlife and their behaviors. Whether in the field or

reviewing images, Justin’s approach blends instruction, encouragement, and

insight, helping every photographer feel capable and inspired.

Conner Roubideaux

 

Conner is an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and has spent most of her life in Rapid City, South Dakota. After spending several years living on the reservation, she graduated from Rapid City Central High School and developed a deep appreciation for both her Native American heritage and the Black Hills region.
 

Conner actively participates in her Native culture through traditional arts, cultural gatherings, and community events. Her connection to the land is reflected in her passion for exploring the Black Hills, whether fishing, hiking, or gathering traditional plants and materials used in cultural practices.
 

Currently, Conner is pursuing a college degree in Cultural Interpretation and Tourism, further strengthening her ability to share the history, traditions, and stories of the region with visitors. Her unique perspective, cultural knowledge, and love for the Black Hills help create meaningful and authentic experiences for guests.

Bruce B. Junek

 

Bruce B. Junek is a world traveler, speaker, author, photographer, and filmmaker
who has bicycled and traveled through 54 countries with his wife, Tass Thacker
(also a BHAT guide). Their longest journey was a 26-month, 14,000-mile bicycle
trip around the world. Since 1987 more than two million students across the US
have seen one of their 10 different educational slide programs they present in
schools from their ongoing journeys.
 

Bruce grew up in the Black Hills in Spearfish. He is an expert mountain biker,
rock climber, skier, snowboarder, and salsa dancer. He sings in three choirs and
recently began learning to play guitar. He has written two travel narratives, a
rock-climbing guidebook and a 4-book fantasy series.
 

Bruce loves learning new things and sharing the beauty of the world with
others. He is an entertaining storyteller with humorous tales from the Black Hills
and a life of grand adventures. His website is imagesoftheworld.com

Tass Thacker

 

Tass Thacker is a world traveler, speaker and photographer who has bicycled
and traveled through 54 countries with her husband, Bruce Junek (also a BHAT
guide). Their longest journey was a 26-month, 14,000-mile bicycle trip around
the world. Since 1987 more than two million students across the US have seen
their educational slide programs from their adventures, which has given her a
unique view of other cultures and a wealth of interesting, humorous stories.
 

Tass grew up in the Black Hills in Deadwood. She is a self-taught
photographer whose unusual lifestyle has erased the boundaries between work
and play. She enjoys photographing people, animals and close-up patterns and
colors.
 

Tass is an eight-time SD State Mountain Bike champion, a three-time member
of the US World Mountain Bike team, an expert skier, snowboarder, rock climber,
hiker and salsa dancer. She is funny and reads voraciously. She loves the Black
Hills and looks forward to sharing this beautiful, unique area with others. Her
website is imagesoftheworld.com

Kevin Plooster​

 

Kevin Plooster is a tour guide for our Historic Downtown Rapid City Walking Tours in affiliation with the Rapid City Visitor Center. Kevin retired from Douglas High School as the highest paid teacher in the region after teaching English and Drama at the school for 33 years in 2025. He and his wife Gena live in Black Hawk and have two children and one grandson. He enjoys the outdoors with his family and is excited to share what he knows with visitors about his home here in the Black Hills.

Scott Gengler

 

Scott Gengler grew up and has spent most of his life living in the Black Hills.
He has been fortunate enough to experience the beauty of the West where Native
Americans and explorers blazed the trail. Highlights include paddling stretches of the
Missouri River documented by Lewis & Clark, living and working on Lake Powell,
bicycling solo from the Black Hills to the San Francisco Peaks of northern Arizona,
backpacking in the Colorado Rockies, and backcountry skiing in the Canadian Selkirks of British Columbia.
 

A love for sharing adventures with others and creating fantastic memories continues to feed his attitude of gratitude. His favorite aspect of Black Hills Adventure Tours is being able to share the moments of discovery with visitors to the Black Hills region.
During his free time, you will likely see him with bikes, boats, skis, cameras, golf clubs,
and old and new friends nearby.

Tim Soelzer

 

Tim was born and raised in the Black Hills of South Dakota and has spent a lifetime exploring the region’s history, landscapes, and hidden treasures. His family has called the Black Hills home since 1879, giving him a deep connection to the area and its stories.
 

Growing up in Sturgis and later settling in Rapid City, Tim developed a passion for sharing the beauty of the Black Hills with visitors. When he’s not guiding tours, he enjoys helping on the family ranch, hiking, rock and fossil hunting, and kayaking. His local knowledge and love for the outdoors make him a favorite among guests.

Glen Taylor

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Glen Taylor has been a guide with Black Hills Adventure Tours since 2018. His favorite part of the job is getting to show new friends the beauty of the Black Hills and surrounding areas. One of the best tours he has ever led was a son taking his father on an adventure off the fathers bucket list. He loves getting the opportunity to meet new people and see how much fun they have enjoying our area. When Glen isn’t leading tours you can find him traveling in his RV, hiking, and cutting fire wood.

Debbie Pack

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Debbie Pack has lived in the Black Hills for over 30 years and is still learning something new every time she goes exploring! As an employee since 2020, Debbie loves meeting new people and gaining a new perspective on the place she calls home. She loves getting the chance to share the Black Hills, and their rich history, with others. One of Debbie’s favorite things about Black Hills Adventure Tours is working for Carrie. Debbie says, “She is so passionate about the work she does and the people she serves.” When Debbie isn’t working you can find her singing, gardening, or enjoying the view from the top of Black Elk Peak.