Big Creek Expeditions, Inc. was founded by Owner / Operator Jon Felderman in 2004. The story of this company of course begins with him…
Legend has it that Jon was once a stunt driver for the Dukes of Hazard and decided to start a rafting company to keep his…okay, so this is not true at all. Jon actually began his career in the outdoor adventure business training to be a guide on the Pigeon River in the spring of 1996. Jon was never your typical river guide. He began his training shortly after graduating from the University of Tennessee School of Architecture. While most of the other guides spent their off days living and playing in the woods, Jon was working at the prestigious architecture firm of Brewer, Ingram, & Fuller.
By 1997 Jon had quickly moved from River Guide, to Trip Leader, and then to River Manager. All while working as an architect in Knoxville, TN. As I’m sure you could guess, it didn’t take long for Jon’s developing passion for the Pigeon River and the rafting community to take over. Wearing a shirt and tie everyday inside a stuffy office building in downtown Knoxville began to wear on Jon. The mountains kept calling him back. By 2004 Jon decided that while he loved architecture, it was time to do more than draft schematics. He was ready to begin building a rafting company.
Over the years the Big Creek family continues to grow. Scroll down to get a quick glimpse at some of our members. We are not shy about boasting one of the most experienced and well trained staff of guides. To request a specific guide feel free to call us toll free at 877.642.RAFT.
Staff
Brad – Guide
• Certifications – Wilderness First Responder (WFR), CPR
• Years of Professional Rafting Experience – 6 yrs
• Other rivers paddled – Nolichucky (TN), Ocoee, French Broad (NC), New Gaully (WV), Cheoah (NC), Rio Grande (TX/Mexico), Big Creek (NC), Greenbriar (TN), Big Laurel (NC)
• Job in off-season – Pizza Maker
• Hometown – Kingston, TN
• Pets - Kaya – Siberian Husky
Katie – Trip Leader
• Certifications – Wilderness First Responder, CPR, Swiftwater Rescue
• Years of Professional Rafting Experience – 8 yrs
• Other rivers paddled – Gauley (WV), New River (WV), Chattooga (SC/GA), Ocoee (TN), Nolichucky (TN), Tallulah (GA), Cheoah (NC), Russell Fork (KY), Watauga Gorge (NC), Big Laurel (NC), French Broad (NC), etc.
• Job in off-season – High School Math Teacher
• Hometown – Ft. Walton Beach, FL.
• Pets – Tallulah and Seda – pittbulls, El Guapo – horse
Jordan – Guide
• Certifications – First Aid, CPR, Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder (WFR), Swiftwater Rescue
• Years of Professional Rafting Experience – 4 yrs
• Other rivers paddled – Gauley (WV), New River (WV), Nolichucky (TN), French Broad (NC), Ocoee (TN), Big Creek (NC), Nenana (AK), Talkeetna (AK), Chulitna (AK), Greenbriar (TN), Rio Grande (TX, Mexico), Youghiogehny (PA)
• Job in off-season – Student full-time, RN
• Hometown – Knoxville, TN
• Pets – Kaiser- pittbull , and “Dog”- mutt
Clay – Guide
• Certifications – First Aid, CPR
• Years of Professional Rafting Experience – 15 yrs
• Other rivers paddled – Ocoee (TN), French Broad (NC), Big Piney (AR), Gauley (WV), New River (WV), Nolichucky (TN), Big Creek (NC), Greenbriar (TN), Richland Creek (AR), Hailstone (AR)
• Job in off-season –Prescribed Burns, Sawyer, Adjunct Wildlife Biologist
• Hometown – Fayetteville AR
• Nickname – Cap-Sizing Clay
• Pets – herd of goats, Indy – brindled fiest
Jo – Trip Leader
• Certifications - First Responder, Advanced Swiftwater Rescue
• Years of Professional Rafting Experience – 9 yrs
• Other rivers paddled – Youghiogheny (MD), Tallulah (GA), Greenbriar (TN), Daddy’s Creek (TN), Big Creek (NC), Russell Fork (KY), Cheoah (NC), Big Laurel (NC), Gaulley (WV), Locust Fork (AL), etc.
• Job in off-season – hospitality services
• Hometown – Nandeville, LA
• Nickname – Yo Yo
Robert – Trip Leader
• Certifications – Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA), CPR, Search and Rescue II
• Years of Professional Rafting Experience – 9 yrs
• Other rivers paddled – Yampa (CO), Green (CO, UT), Arkansas (CO), Aninas (CO), Rio Grande (Texas, Mexico), Upper Rio Grande (NM), Salt (AZ), French Broad (NC), Nolichucky (TN), Ocoee (TN), etc.
• Job in off-season – Multi-Day Trip Leader on the Rio Grande in Big Bend, TX; Environmental Consulting; Professional Ornithologist/Botanist
• Hometown – Wylie, TX
• Nickname – Bobby
Stan – Guide
• Certifications – First Aid, CPR
• Years of Professional Rafting Experience – 6 yrs
• Other rivers paddled – Nantahala (NC), Ocoee (TN), Chattooga (SC/GA)
• Job in off-season – Service Industry
• Hometown – Muskogee, Oklahoma
• Pets – Big Black – black lab, Mumbles – lab
Mai-Li – Guide
• Certifications – Wilderness First Responder (WFR), CPR, Swiftwater Rescue
• Years of Professional Rafting Experience – 6 yrs
• Other rivers paddled – Ocoee (TN), Gauley (WV), Nolichicky (TN), New River (WV)
• Job in off-season – English teacher in China
• Hometown – Ft. Walton
• Pets – Lady- redbone hound dog, Raleigh – mutt
Nick – Guide
• Certifications – First Aid, CPR, Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
• Years of Professional Rafting Experience – 9 yrs
• Other rivers paddled – Ocoee (TN), Chattooga (SC/GA), Nolichucky (TN), New River (WV), Gauley (WV), French Broad (NC), Tallulah (GA), Youghiogheny (PA), Big Creek (NC), Greenbriar (TN), Tellico (TN), Green (NC)
• Job in off-season – Outdoors Outfitter Sales, and Ski Lift Operator
• Hometown – Bybee, TN
• Pets – Zeppelin – mutt; Pearl – pug, jack russell
Gerry – Guide
• Certifications – CPR, First Aid
• Years of Professional Rafting Experience – 11 yrs
• Other rivers paddled – Ocoee (TN), French Broad (NC)
• Job in off-season – Auto/Home Insurance Sales
• Hometown – Knoxville, tn
• Favorite sandwich – Muffalleta
• Comment – “Rated E for everyone”
Jeremy – Driver / Guide / Photographer
• Certifications – Wilderness First Responder (WFR), CDL
• Years of professional rafting experience – 18 yrs
• Other rivers paddled – Hiawassee (TN), French Broad (NC), Chattooga (SC/GA), Pacuare (Costa Rica), Ocoee (TN), Nantahala (NC), New River (WV), Big Creek (NC), Nolichucky (TN), Wilson Creek (NC), etc.
• Job in off-season – Organic Combustible Fuel Distribution (he sells wood)
• Hometown – Newport, TN
• Nickname – Hux
• Pets – Joda – german shepherd, border collie, lab
Richard – Marketing Manager / Guide
• Certifications – First Aid, CPR
• Years of Professional Rafting Experience: – 13 yrs
• Other rivers paddled: Ocoee (TN), Chattooga (SC/GA), Cheoah (NC), Big Creek (NC), Cataloochee Creek (NC), Big Laurel (NC), Spring Creek (NC), Wilson Creek (NC), Greenbriar (TN), Russell Fork (KY), Gauley (WV)
• Job in off-season – Marketing Manager for Big Creek Expeditions, Inc.
• Hometown – Elmira, NY
