MEET OUR TEAM
Pearse Umlauf
President & CEO
Pearse Umlauf has been an integral part of MASOR for more than 20 years, currently as President and CEO, overseeing the business and day-to-day operations of more than 700 staff and 50+ annual events domestic and internationally. Having begun his off-roading career with Jeep Jamboree USA as a special events coordinator, Pearse’s experience with Camp Jeep events led to his leadership in their company and the growth and offerings.
Throughout his tenure with MASOR, Pearse has overseen the logistical coordination of the Rubicon Trail operations annually, moving 65,000 lbs of supplies via helicopter each season to set up complete camp accommodations. He oversaw the construction of the Quantico Marine Base Severe Off-Road Track, and vehicle testing on the Rubicon Trail aiding in product development for Jeep products for the past 13 years. Most notably in the past couple of years, Pearse led the MASOR team that spent 45-days in Brazil installing a permanent off-road test / demonstration course in South America.
In addition to the day-to-day operations, Pearse oversees the development of a worldwide database of trails around the world and traveled to some of the most remote off-roading areas in Kenya, Tanzania, Morocco, India, Cambodia, Vietnam, Argentina, Chile, Peru and many parts of Europe, in addition to thousands of trails in North America. This extensive database has enabled MASOR to facilitate events for brand/owner loyalty, product launches with automotive media, corporate incentive trips and marketing, advertising, video and photography shoots.
Shawn Gulling
Vice President
After an introduction to the off-roading industry by working in a four-wheel drive shop directly after high school, Shawn Gulling has spent his 20-year career guiding expeditions on the famed Rubicon Trail, designing and building trails around the country and off-roading on three continents. (North and South America, and Australia.) In 2014 he spent 6-months in Australia consulting to the Leo Muller Automotive Group assisting them with off-road events and laying the ground work to build the global events platform.
Shawn has worked on more than 100+ off-road events around the country, in addition to dozens of domestic and international media events where he was an integral part of leading the team, developing and guiding the trails, and assisting photo and video crews throughout the programs. In addition to his career, as an avid off-road enthusiast, Shawn also participated in a two-month, 7,000-mile expedition in South American from Lima, Peru to Ushuaia, Argentina (the southernmost city in the world) as part of the 20th Anniversary of Mark A. Smith’s expedition.
Shand Spencer
Director of Client Communications
Shand Spencer is a seasoned public relations professional having worked primarily in the automotive industry for 12 years with agencies, manufacturers and vendors. Most recently, Shand was the Public Relations Director at Saatchi & Saatchi LA (SSLA), the advertising agency of record for Toyota Motor Sales, Inc., USA where she oversaw the media efforts for not only the premier automotive account, but the agency as a whole. In addition to ongoing advertising campaigns for the core brand and vehicles, Shand oversaw the strategy, media outreach and coverage for the multi-million dollar annual Super Bowl campaigns.
Prior to her work with SSLA, Shand handled freelance public relations dividing her time between event production, logistics and PR consulting for a variety of clients. Those clients included: Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, SRT, Ram, Lincoln, Volkswagen, Audi and Mercedes Benz. In addition to manufacturers, Shand led the PR efforts for the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) from 2008-2011, the largest auto show in North America boasting nearly 6,000 media attendees every year from around the world. Having worked on all sides of automotive public relations efforts, Shand is well versed in strategy, messaging, and media outreach as well as the importance of keeping up with the industry landscape and tailoring an approach specific to her clients and their key objectives.
Ty Devereaux
Senior Trail Guide
Ty came to MASOR with a background deeply rooted in the off-road community having co-owned Central 4-Wheel Drive, a company he worked with for 25 years in all manner of roles throughout their California, Oregon and Washington locations. An avid outdoorsman, Ty owns a 2000 Jeep Wrangler (TJ,) and spends his time camping, hiking, and fishing in addition to off-roading. One of his most memorable off-road experiences was re-tracing a portion of the fame “Expedicion de las Americas” in South America with MASOR vice president, Shawn Gulling.
Jim Horne
Senior Trail Guide
Jim’s passion for off-roading began in the 70s when he would watch his father and uncles race Jeeps, and he took that passion and turned it into a career that has led him to his current position as a core team member of Jeep Jamboree USA. He began his early career in the Air Force as a hydraulic specialist on C-5 aircraft, which helped fuel his love for travel in addition to off-roading. After his stint in the Air Force, Jim and his wife moved to Moab, Utah and opened Outlaw Jeep Tours in one of the most famous off-road destinations in the world. Averaging close to 240 trail days every year, Jim guided every trail in Moab from the easiest to most difficult with everything from stock Jeeps to buggies and racecars.
In addition to guiding trails and gathering the experience in off-roading, Jim also competed in World Extreme Rock series, raced Dirt Riot, the Ultra4 Western series, and King of the Hammers. His expertise and name in the industry led to work over the years with television channels such as Discovery, History and TLC, as well as multiple episodes of Top Gear. As a major testing ground for vehicles and product, Moab naturally led Jim to associations with some of the top off-road companies in the business, including Jeep Jamboree USA. Beginning in 2009 Jim began working with JJUSA by renting Jeeps and guiding corporate events, and eventually began working with JJUSA full time years later. In his role with JJUSA Jim has become a cornerstone in the team which led to him going to New Zealand to build one the most significant launch programs – the media introduction of the 2018 Jeep Wrangler (JL).
Nick Van Ness
Senior Trail Guide
Nick started working with Jeep Jamboree USA perhaps the earliest out of anyone currently on staff as he began as a staff member on the Rubicon Trail during summers in high school, and now has been with the organization for over 10 years. He is fully certified as a Senior Trail Guide and been an integral part of the most significant domestic and international media programs and product launches for the Jeep brand in the past five years. His experience includes trail development and program logistics for launches of the Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, Cherokee Trail Hawk and Renegade around the world. He works annually at the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, has done validation testing for OEMs on the Rubicon Trail, and was part of the hand-picked team that went to New Zealand to find, develop and see through the media introduction of the 2018 Jeep Wrangler. A true utility player in every sense of the word, Nick has taken on every role possible in a program and has grown to become a relied manager for some of the largest logistical undertakings the organization manages, including the thousands of pounds of supplies, materials and equipment brought into Rubicon Base Camp annually via helicopter. He oversees programs for brands beyond Jeep, including Continental Tires and BFGoodrich, and has done vehicle validation on the Rubicon Trail for recent FCA products.
Nick’s talents extend beyond his work with JJUSA. He owned a jerky business, has built a house from the ground up using raw materials and his own construction skills, and having grown up in the Georgetown/Auburn area has spent a lifetime enjoying hiking and backpacking.