Skala instructors are known for their technical expertise, as well as their skill as educators.  All Skala instructors are professionals that actively work at height and all rope access courses are taught by certified Level III Technicians.  Several of our staff members serve as evaluators, assessors, and auditors for SPRAT and IRATA.
 
Jan Holan
Managing Director, Instructor, SPRAT Evaluator, IRATA Assessor
Jan Holan is actively involved in standards-setting organizations, serving as the SPRAT Certification Committee chair and an active IRATA assessor. His work with CalOSHA helped establish America's first rope access legislation. In his free time Jan loves to ski and ride bikes in the back country around his home in Truckee, CA he shares with his wife, Lisa, son, Quinn, and Kenai (Border Collie).
 
Dave Nettle
Technical Director, Instructor, SPRAT Evaluator, IRATA Level III Technician
Dave Nettle brings to Ropeworks 30 years of experience working, teaching, and pursuing adventures at height. Dave is instrumental in shaping curriculum for our rope access and rescue programs. His hyper-organized and disciplined approach to work and life is complemented by his eternal optimism, friendly demeanor and bottomless reservoir of energy.  When Dave is not working on the ropes, you'll find him climbing near his home in Reno, NV or the mountains of Europe, South America, and Alaska. 

Chad Shearer
Operations Manager, Instructor, IRATA Level III Technician
Chad brings a unique mix of teaching experience and construction management to his work as Skala Operations Manager.  His rope access teaching is built on a foundation of extensive field experience working at height and managing large rope access projects.  When he's not on the road, in the office, or in the training center, Chad enjoys nordic skiing, mountain biking, and rock climbing.

Nathan Schuster
Equipment Manager, Instructor, Level III Technician
Before joining Skala, Nathan managed safety and training for a high rise window cleaning operation. His role as a rope access technician and instructor is fueled by an enthusiasm for work at height and an appetite for technical knowledge. It is not uncommon for Nathan to ship one of his bikes around to squeeze in a ride after a long day on the ropes.  When at home in Reno, NV, Rudy, his canine companion is rarely far behind.

Aaron Zanto
Rope Access Technician & Instructor
Skala is fortunate to be the beneficiary of Aaron Zanto’s ever-present positive energy and his growing expertise in working at height. Aaron has a background as an emergency medical technician, fire fighter, and an avid mountaineer. He is currently a Level II Technician. On winter breaks, his bottom-less reserve of energy is put to good use breaking ski trails for the rest of us.

Skala relies on a network of talented instructors.  Recent additions to our regional network are Russell Watts (Washington D.C.) and Clem Akins (Chattanooga, TN).